Members are still digesting the proposed rules. Some folks on the GOP side claim that the proposed rules do not go far enough. But, no one denies they represent a BIG step forward in reform. My sense is that the rules, if passed, will open up the process and allow a much greater voice for the minority party (the GOP). But, they still recognize that the majority party is the majority because the people of NC voted that way. And, as such, the majority is entitled to have a certain level of control.

Yeah, the RPS (or REPS) bill is pretty confusing at first glance. And, because of the inevitable compromises that will be made, the "in the weeds" details of the bill will change. The basics that will not change, however, are that the bill will require utilities to get a percentage of their energy from renewable sources.

Because this fundamentally changes the way the energy business is done in NC, the utilities understandably are very involved. They, I think, do see RPS as inevitable and are working to shape it in a way that eases the burden on them.

Here's a link to the bill in its current form:
http://www.ncleg.net/gascripts/BillLookUp/BillLookUp.pl?Session=2007&BillID=h77&submitButton=Go

In the case of RPS, the state sets the goals and gives the utilities flexibility on which renewable sources they want to derive energy from. One small exception to this is a "set aside" for solar energy to give extra emphasis to this source.

No state appropriations of money are involved.

Local governments are understandably screaming for more funding options. We in the GA need to listen carefully to what they're saying. But we need to tread carefully. Some counties have a solid property tax base from which to draw funding. For many rural counties, however, this is not the case.

When evaluating options, I will carefully look to see if the proposal is fair. For example, we cannot allow counties to meet all their needs from an increase in a regressive tax like the sales tax.

Another potentially big piece of the puzzle is the possibility of easing the burden of Medicaid on counties. NC is the only state where counties bear such a large part of Medicaid costs. If the state assumed part of this burden, counties might be able to afford to construct the schools they need.

I think the blogging community serves as a way for me to build relationships over distances. It lets me get to know people and lets people get to know me.

In my NC House district in Raleigh, I've knocked on thousands and thousands of doors. Nothing beats face to face contact. But, I can't knock on doors every day. And, this kind of face to face contact gets tough to do in areas bigger than a state legislative district.

How else but in a live blog, for example, could I get this kind of input from folks across NC, while simultaneously eating breakfast and getting to kiss my daughter good bye as she leaves for preschool. Talk about multitasking!