>> HI I'M MARC ROTTERMAN, AND THIS IS FRONT ROW.

COMING UP, IS PRESIDENT BIDEN LOSING GROUND WITH INDEPENDENTS?

THE NORTH CAROLINA HOUSE PASSES THEIR BUDGET WITH BIPARTISAN SUPPORT AND THE REDISTRICTING PROCESS BEGINS.

NEXT.

[ANNOUNCER]: AND BY: A COMPLETE LIST OF FUNDERS CAN BE FOUND AT: ♪ >> WELCOME BACK.

JOINING THE CONVERSATION, MITCH KOKAI WITH THE JOHN LOCKE FOUNDATION, POLITICAL ANALYST JOE STEWART.

DAVID MILTONBERG, EDITOR OF BUSINESS NORTH CAROLINA MAGAZINE AND NELSON DOLLAR SENIOR ADVISOR TO THE NORTH CAROLINA SPEAKER HOUSE MITCH, LET'S BEGIN WITH PRESIDENT BIDEN'S NUMBERS WITH INDEPENDENTS.

>> RECENT AVERAGE OF 7 NATIONAL POLLS SHOWS PRESIDENT BIDEN AT HISTORIC LOWS IN TERMS OF APPROVAL AT THIS POINT IN THE PRESIDENCY AND LARGELY THAT'S ATTRIBUTABLE TO HIS PROBLEMS WITH INDEPENDENT.

A RECENT MORNING.

CONSULT POLITICO POLLING THAT SHOWED THAT BECAUSE OF RISING COVID CASES, RISING INFLATION AND OTHER FACTORS, THE PRESIDENT IS LOOKING BAD AMONG INDEPENDENTS, 44% APPROVAL, 49% DISAPPROVAL, HIS NET APPROVAL HAS DROPPED 18 POINTS SINCE APRIL IT'S BEEN A SLOW BUT CONSISTENT DECLINE.

IF YOU LOOK AT SOME OF THE INDIVIDUAL FACTORS ON THE ECONOMY, THE DISAPPROVAL IS 51% AMONG INDEPENDENTS THAT'S UP 9 POINTS SINCE THE END OF JUNE EVEN ON THE PANDEMIC HE'S AT 43% DISAPPROVAL, THAT'S UP 13 POINTS IN JUST A MATTER OF A COUPLE OF MONTHS IF THE WORST NUMBERS HE'S SEEN SINCE HE'S TAKEN OFFICE BUT TO PUT IT IN PERSPECTIVE HE STILL DOING BETTER AMONG INDEPENDENTS THAT DONALD TRUMP WAS AT THIS POINT IN THE PRESIDENCY.

>> JOE WE BEGINNING TO SEE A TREND MY FRIEND?

>> YEAH, I THINK WE ARE.

PRESIDENTS HAVE A TENDENCY TO BE HOSTAGE IN SITUATIONS, SOME OF WHICH THEY HAVE NO CONTROL OVER ITS JUST THE NATURE OF BEING PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES I GUESS.

TO SOME EXTENT, THE PRESIDENT COULD DO MORE PERHAPS TO STEM THE TIDE OF THE RESURGENCE OF COVID-19 PERHAPS HE COULD DO MORE TO TRY TO BEAT BACK INFLATION AND KEEP PRICES DOWN.

HE COULD DO THOSE THINGS BUT IF THOSE ARE NATURALLY OCCURRING IN THE POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT OF THE COUNTRY.

VOTERS ARE GOING TO HOLD HIM ACCOUNTABLE IS THE LEADER OF THE COUNTRY AND THAT'S HOW PEOPLE PERCEIVE THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT YOU ARE ULTIMATELY RESPONSIBLE FOR WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE COUNTRY AND SHOULD BE DOING SOMETHING TO MAKE THE THINGS THAT ARE BAD BETTER FOR THE VOTERS WILL SEE IF THIS TREND CONTINUES AT THE UN UNCERTAINTY OF THE COVID RESURGENCE CONTINUES TO IMPACT MARKETS OF PEOPLE ARE CONCERNED THAT THEIR OWN PERSONAL FINANCIAL WELL-BEING IS IN DOUBT SOMEHOW BECAUSE OF THE FACTORS THAT ARE TAKING PLACE RELATIVE TO THE PANDEMIC I THINK THEY WILL CONTINUE TO HOLD PRESIDENT BIDEN ACCOUNTABLE.

>> NELSON YOUR TAKE ON THESE NUMBERS.

>> WELL YOU HAVE CHAOS AT THE BORDER, GAS AND FOOD PRICES ON THE RISE, NOTHING'S GETTING DONE IN WASHINGTON.

SPEAKER PELOSI IS NOW HOLDING THE PRESIDENT'S INFRASTRUCTURE BILL HOSTAGE FOR ANOTHER 3.5 TRILLION IN ADDITIONAL SPENDING, AND BIDEN LOOKS EXTREMELY WEAK ON THE FOREIGN POLICY FRONT, HE IS HAVING TO BEG THE TALIBAN NOT TO OVERRUN THE U.S. EMBASSY.

AND HE'S ALSO HAVING TO GO HAT IN HAND TO OPEC TO ASK THEM TO LOWER OIL PRICES WHEN HE SHOULD BE PROACTIVELY FOR OIL.

FOR EXAMPLE, WE HAVE SHOW THAT IS CLEANER BURNING AND EMPLOYS AMERICANS SO THERE'S SOME PROACTIVE THINGS THAT HE SHOULD BE DOING.

I THINK YOU KNOW TO MITCH'S POINT AND JOE'S POINT BIDEN'S PERSONALITY IS CERTAINLY MORE APPEALING TO INDEPENDENTS THAN TRUMP'S BUT NOT BIDEN'S POLICIES.

>> YOUR THOUGHTS DAVE?

>> WELL AS A NON-PARTISAN I GUESS I'M HEARING A LOT OF OPTIMISM FROM THE REPUBLICANS AS NELSON WAS SUGGESTING, BUT ALSO THIS CONCERN THAT THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP MAY COME IN AND A VERY HAM-HANDED WAY AND DRIVE AWAY SOME INDEPENDENT SUPPORT THAT OTHERWISE MIGHT BE SWAYING TOWARDS THE THE TOWARDS REPUBLICANS.

>> WILL THIS BE A REFERENDUM.

JOE ON TRUMP OR BIDEN IN THE MID TERMS?

>> I THINK DEFINITELY IT'S A REFERENDUM ON THE PRESIDENT MID TERMS FIRST BEEN TERMS BEEN PARTICULAR ALWAYS DO TEND TO BE A REFERENDUM ON THE PRESIDENT.

HISTORICALLY IT GOES AGAINST THE PARTY IN CONTROL OF THE WHITE HOUSE THAT'S BEEN TRUE DEMOCRAT OR REPUBLICAN IRRESPECTIVE OF WHICH OF THE 2 PARTIES CONTROLS THE WHITE HOUSE.

I THINK BY ALL STANDARDS WE CAN ASSUME THAT '22 WILL BE A GOOD YEAR FOR REPUBLICANS GENERALLY SPEAKING.

IT MAY BE A MUCH BETTER YEAR IN '22 THAN IT IS LIKELY TO BE AT THIS POINT IF THE PRESIDENT'S POPULARITY CONTINUES TO DECLINE OR IF WE DO HAVE OTHER SIGNIFICANT ISSUES THAT EMERGE WHERE PEOPLE FEEL THE PRESIDENT IS NOT DOING THE BEST JOB TO ADDRESS THOSE CONCERNS.

>> AT THE END OF THE DAY IT'S GOING TO COME DOWN ECONOMY ISN'T IT?

>> USUALLY DOES, THERE MAY BE SOME OTHER FACTORS, INCLUDING COVID AND HOW IT AFFECTS THE ECONOMY BUT IT IS GOING TO BE TO SOME EXTENT A REFERENDUM ON PRESIDENT BIDEN TODAY'S POINT THOUGH IF PRESIDENT TRUMP FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP GETS IN AND DOES SOMETHING THAT REALLY MAKES INDEPENDENTS MAD THAT COULD BE A FACTOR.

>> YEAH, IF HE BECOMES THE ISSUE.

OKAY, I WANT TO MOVE ON TO THE STATE BUDGET WE'VE GOT A BUDGET FROM THE HOUSE.

>> WE DO.

THIS WEEK THE HOUSE PASSED A BIPARTISAN 25.7 BILLION DOLLAR SPENDING PLAN FOR WORKING FAMILIES IN NORTH CAROLINA.

IT INCLUDES RAISES AND BONUSES FOR STATE WORKERS TEACHERS FACULTY AND STATE RETIREES, WAGE AND BONUS INCREASES FOR THOSE WHO SERVE THE ELDERLY AND THE NEEDY AND THE DISABLED IN NORTH CAROLINA, A RECORD NUMBER THERE OVER 3 BILLION DOLLARS IN FAMILY AND BUSINESS TAX CUTS AND OVER 5 BILLION DOLLARS IN FEDERAL FUNDING FOR PANDEMIC RESPONSE AND THAT INCLUDES RELIEF THAT AFFECTS BUSINESSES INDIVIDUALS.

200 MILLION FOR EXAMPLE FOR WORKFORCE, HOUSING FUNDS FOR FOOD BANKS, CLINICS, LOCAL SCHOOLS, AND A RANGE OF SERVICES FOR THOSE WHO ARE MOST AT RISK AND ALSO THIS WILL BE THE LARGEST CAPITAL AND INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT IN THE STATE'S HISTORY AND WILL IMPACT COMMUNITIES ALL ACROSS THE STATE REALLY FOR DECADES TO COME OVER 12 BILLION DOLLARS IN INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENTS.

TRULY THIS IS A BUDGET FOR WORKING FAMILIES.

>> WHAT STRUCK YOU ABOUT THIS BUDGET?

>> WELL, IT IS A VERY COMPREHENSIVE BUDGET THERE'S A LOT TO IT.

WE OF COURSE NEED TO CONSIDER THIS OUTSIDE OF A VACUUM, THERE'S A HOUSE BUDGET THERE WAS A PLAN THAT GOVERNOR COOPER PUT FORWARD THERE'S A SENATE BUDGET THE HOUSE AND SENATE HAVE THE SAME BOTTOM LINE NUMBERS IN THE GENERAL FUND WHICH IS IMPORTANT BUT THEY HAVE SOME DIFFERENT PRIORITIES.

THEY HAVE DIFFERENT POLICY ISSUES, ON THE TAX CUT ISSUE BOTH SIDES WOULD CUT TAXES.

THE SENATE WANTS TO BE A LITTLE MORE AGGRESSIVE IN MOVING FORWARD WITH THIS BOTH HAVE PAY RAISES FOR EMPLOYEES.

THE HOUSE WANTS TO BE MORE AGGRESSIVE ON THAT FRONT.

SO IT'LL BE INTERESTING TO SEE WHERE THEY COME TOGETHER WHEN THEY COME TO NEGOTIATIONS, >> JOE.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I FOUND INTERESTING THERE'S A PROVISION IN THE HOUSE BUDGET RELATIVE TO THE GOVERNOR'S AUTHORITY IN A DECLARED STATE OF EMERGENCY NOW REQUIRING A CONSENSUS AMONG THE COUNCIL OF STATE THE 10 STATEWIDE ELECTIVE EXECUTIVE BRANCH OFFICES.

I THINK WE'VE GONE THROUGH COVID WITH SOME INCREDIBLE STRESS AND STRAIN EMERGING BETWEEN THE LEGISLATIVE AND EXECUTIVE BRANCH.

SOME CONCERN ON THE PART OF LEGISLATORS THAT THE GOVERNOR HAS TOO MUCH AUTHORITY TO TAKE ACTION IN THESE TYPES OF SITUATIONS HISTORICALLY THE TIMES THAT WE'VE NEEDED THE GOVERNOR TO HAVE THIS POWER WAS WHEN THERE WAS A NATURAL DISASTER, NOT AS MUCH DIVISION BETWEEN BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT WHERE WE'RE DEALING WITH A HURRICANE THEN WORK WHEN WE'RE DEALING WITH ISSUES LIKE COVID WHERE THERE'S A LOT OF PUBLIC POLICY.

DEMOCRATS ON THE HOUSE SIDE ASKED FOR THAT TO BE TAKEN OUT HANDLED SEPARATELY BUT IT WAS CONTAINED IN THE BUDGET WE'LL SEE IF IT'S IN THE FINAL.

>> WILL THE GOVERNOR VETO THIS BUDGET YOU THINK?

OR YOU THINK IT'LL WORK WITH BOTH SIDES BERGER AND MOORE?

>> WELL THE GOVERNOR DID HAVE VERY FAVORABLE THINGS TO SAY ABOUT THE HOUSE VERSION OF THE BUDGET SAYING IT WAS BETTER THAN THE SENATE VERSION WHICH IS MAYBE AS MUCH PRAISE AS A DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR CAN GIVE TO A REPUBLICAN CONTROLLED GENERAL ASSEMBLY PRODUCED BUDGET.

BUT AT THIS POINT I'M NOT SURE WHAT THE GOVERNOR WOULD BASE A VETO ON IT'S A LOT OF THE THINGS THAT HE ASKED FOR CLEARLY THE GOVERNOR HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN THE DISCUSSION WITH THE HOUSE AND SENATE BY HIS AND HIS STAFF'S OWN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT SO WHETHER IT IS OR SUPER MAJORITY TO OVERRIDE A VETO, YOU THINK WE'LL BOTH THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE PASSED THEIR VERSIONS WITH MAJORITY SUFFICIENT TO OVERRIDE A VETO ASSUMING THOSE DEMOCRATS WOULD RETAIN THEIR SUPPORT FOR A CUP OF CONFERENCE REPORT BUDGET THAT IS IN EFFECT TO RECONCILE VERSION BETWEEN THE HOUSE AND SENATE BUT AT THIS POINT LOOKS PRETTY FAVORABLE THAT WOULD DEFINITELY ENTER INTO THE GOVERNOR'S THINKING ABOUT A VETO.

>> IS COOPER A LAME DUCK?

>> I WOULDN'T BE THE RIGHT PERSON TO ASK, I AM IMPRESSED THOUGH THAT I TALKED TO A PRETTY INFLUENTIAL EDUCATOR THIS WEEK WHO'S BEEN VERY PROGRESSIVE IN TERMS OF WANTING HIGHER PAY RAISES AND SHE SAID WE'RE JUST TIRED WE WANT TO ACCEPT THIS PAY RAISE.

IT SOUNDS LIKE PLENTY OF 'IT'S TIME TO COMPROMISE' AND I THINK HE'S GOING TO -- >> TIME TO WORK THINGS OUT NELSON?

>> WELL I THINK THAT WHAT YOU'LL SEE NEXT IS STARTING NEXT WEEK YOU'LL SEE THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE NEGOTIATORS GET TOGETHER I THINK THAT THEY WANT TO MOVE EXPEDITIOUSLY TO COME TO A CONFERENCE PROCESS.

AND THE GOVERNOR THE GOVERNOR'S PEOPLE WILL BE INVOLVED IN THAT PROCESS.

>> [MARC] WHAT'S THE TIMING ON THIS?

>> WELL, I THINK IT COULD TAKE I MEAN YOU KNOW THESE THINGS CAN ALWAYS DRAG OUT BUT I THINK IT WILL BE A MATTER OF WEEKS, PULLING ALL OF THE PIECES TOGETHER BETWEEN THE 2 CHAMBERS AND CERTAINLY INCLUDING THE GOVERNMENT'S RECOMMENDATIONS, >> MITCH WRAP THIS UP ABOUT 30.

>> YOU ASKED ABOUT THE TIMING AND I THINK ONE OF THE REASONS THAT THE TIMING IS PROBABLY A LITTLE BIT INDETERMINATE, IT IS WE'RE ALREADY INTO THE NEW BUDGET YEAR AND LAWMAKERS ARE ALREADY WORKING ON SOME OTHER ISSUES, INCLUDING OUR VERY NEXT TOPIC.

THEY'VE GOT TO BE IN TOWN FOR REDISTRICTING ANYWAY, SO THERE'S NO BIG INCENTIVE FOR THEM TO GO HOME AT END THE SESSION THEY COULD KEEP WORKING ON THE BUDGET.

>> JOE REDISTRICTING CAME TO THE FOREFRONT THIS WEEK.

>> BOY IT'S SO EXCITING THE DICENNIAL CENSUS COMES TO THE STATE WE GOT TO REDRAW THE MAPS -- >> THAT'S WHY I GAVE IT TO YOU.

>> IN RECENT HISTORY, WE'VE HAD TO REDRAW THE MAPS MORE OFTEN THAN EVERY 10 YEARS AS A RESULT OF LITIGATION THAT ARISES FROM THIS.

BUT WE NOW HAVE THE CENSUS DATA, IT ARRIVED IN NORTH CAROLINA ON THURSDAY OF THIS WEEK SHOWING WHAT WE ALL KNEW SIGNIFICANT GROWTH IN THE STATE.

INTERESTINGLY ENOUGH THAT THIS IS THE BASIS THAT LEGISLATORS MUST USE TO DRAW THESE MAPS.

ON THE STATE LEGISLATIVE DISTRICTS SIDE, THE 50 SENATE DISTRICT AND THE 120 HOUSE DISTRICTS, THERE'S A LITTLE MORE LATITUDE.

THEY HAVE A PLUS OR -5 PERCENT IN TERMS OF THE TOTAL POPULATION CONTAINED IN THESE DISTRICTS GIVES THEM A LITTLE MORE WIGGLE ROOM TO TRY TO DRAW DISTRICTS THAT MAKE SENSE CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, THERE'S A LITTLE FINER REQUIREMENT IN TERMS OF THE TOTAL POPULATION, ONE TO THE OTHER WHAT WE KNOW WELL THE REPUBLICANS CONTROL THE LEGISLATURE, SO THEY CONTROL REDISTRICTING THE HOUSE AND SENATE COMMITTEES HAVE ALREADY STARTED TO MEET THEY PROMULGATED THE CRITERIA THAT THEY'RE GOING TO USE FOR THIS INCLUDING THEY SAY THEY WILL NOT USE ISSUES OF RACE THEY WILL NOT USE PARTISAN IDENTITY AND THEY WILL NOT USE PAST VOTING PERFORMANCE AS A BASIS TO DRAW ANY OF THESE DISTRICTS NOW THE THING THAT'S A CHALLENGE FOR THIS PROCESS IS AS WE SAID BEFORE IT'S ALL LIKELY TO END UP IN LITIGATION SO THE PROCESS HAS TO BE SURGICAL EVERYTHING THAT THE REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP SAYS OR DOES RELATIVE TO REDISTRICTING COULD END UP IN A LAWSUIT AS THE OTHER SIDE TRIES TO CONTEND, THEY WERE FIXING THE BOOKS AS IT WERE TO TRY TO GET DISTRICT TO FAVOR REPUBLICANS IT IS THE BEST TIME OF YEAR IF YOU'RE AN ELECTION LAW, A LAWYER BECAUSE YOU'RE GOING MAKE A LOT OF MONEY AND YOUR KIDS ARE GOING TO HAVE A GREAT CHRISTMAS BECAUSE IT'S ALL GOING TO END UP IN LITIGATION.

>> SPEAKING OF LAWYERS, ERIC HOLDER'S WATCHING THIS VERY CAREFULLY ISN'T HE?

>> WELL, HE IS AND FORMER AG FOR THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION AND AND I THINK THAT JUST BEEN A LOT OF DISINGENUOUS THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN SAID, BUT YOU KNOW IN NORTH CAROLINA, WE HAVE ONE OF THE MOST STRUCTURED SENSE OF ELECTION REDISTRICTING PARAMETERS OF ANYWHERE IN THE COUNTRY AND THAT'S BECAUSE OF AS JOE WAS ALLUDING TO 35 YEARS OF STATE AND U.S. SUPREME COURT DECISIONS THAT GUIDE THE REDISTRICTING PROCESS, SO IT IS NOT A RANDOM PROCESS AND I THINK THAT WHAT THE BIPARTISAN JOINT COMMITTEE DID THIS WEEK SETTING FORTH AND OPEN SET OF RULES THAT EVERYBODY CAN SEE THAT EVERYBODY HAD A VOICE IN IT'S CRITICALLY IMPORTANT.

I THINK THE OTHER THING IN THIS GETS BACK TO HOLDER IS NATIONALLY PEOPLE ARE MOVING TO THE SOUTH AND WEST AND THAT HAS TENDED TO FAVOR RED STATES IN TERMS OF PICKING UP CONGRESSIONAL SEATS AND REALLY YOU KNOW WHAT THE DEMOCRATS WANT TO DO IS THEY WANT THIS WASHINGTON TAKEOVER OF THE ELECTION PROCESS THEY WON'T BUREAUCRATS IN DC THAT STILL HAVE LEGS YOU THINK UP THERE AND YOU SAY WELL THEY STILL REALLY BRING IT BACK UP AND THEY CAN BRING IT BACK UP IN ALL.

REST ON CLOSURE AND KEEPING THE FILIBUSTER RULE IN PLACE TO MAKE SURE THAT WASHINGTON BUREAUCRATS DON'T DICTATE THE ELECTIONS THAT SHOULD BE RESERVED TO THE PEOPLE ELECTED IN THE VARIOUS STATES.

>> MITCH, HOW HIGH ARE THE STAKES?

>> WELL THEY ARE HIGH, I MEAN OF COURSE YOU'RE DEALING WITH CONTROL OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND ALSO AN IMPACT ON CONTROL OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

TO ME THE MOST INTERESTING PART OF THIS IS THE 2019 REDISTRICTING PROCESS TOOK PLACE IN THE MOST OPEN WAY POSSIBLE.

EVERYTHING WAS LIVE STREAMED, NOTHING COULD HAPPEN WITHOUT ANYONE BEING ABLE TO SEE IT.

THAT WAS DONE BECAUSE OF A COURT ORDER AND NOW THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY'S DECIDED WE'RE GOING TO DO THAT ON OUR OWN WE'RE GOING TO CHOOSE TO DO THAT THE OTHER INTERESTING THING TO NOTE ABOUT THIS THAT'S IMPORTANT IS MASSIVE POPULATION CHANGES THAT ARE GOING AFFECT THESE DISTRICTS.

>> DAVE WRAP THIS UP IN ABOUT 20 SECONDS.

>> WE'RE ADDING A 14TH CONGRESSMAN SO I WOULD THINK WE HAVE TO BE 9 - 5, 8 - 6, OR 7 - 7 IN TERMS OF A VERY PURPLE STATE AND IT SEEMED LIKE THE COMMON SENSE WOULD SUGGEST THAT'S WHERE WE NEED TO END UP TO BE FAIR.

>> OKAY, I'M GONNA COME RIGHT BACK TO YOU, LET'S TALK ABOUT THE DELTA VIRUS.

ITS IMPACT ON TO THE ECONOMY MIGHT ACTUALLY.

>> MARC, I THINK THERE'S THIS GREAT FRUSTRATION AMONG BUSINESSES.

WHO HOPED THAT THE LABOR DAY WOULD BE, MARC, A RETURN TO NORMALCY, BUT INSTEAD WE'RE SEEING MAJOR EMPLOYERS LIKE WELLS FARGO PUSHING BACK THEIR RETURN TO WORK UNTIL OCTOBER.

WE'RE SEEING A HOSPITAL SEE BIG INFLOWS OF COVID-19 PATIENTS WHICH IS VERY DISAPPOINTING, BUT THEY HAVEN'T STOPPED DOING ELECTIVE SURGERIES WHICH IS A GOOD SIGN BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE ULTIMATELY THEY PAY THEIR BILLS.

I THINK NORTH CAROLINA'S ALSO SEEING WHAT THE STATE TREASURER SAID THAT THE DEAL FALWELL SAID THAT THE CAUSE OF STATE LAST WEEKEND EMPLOYMENT CRISIS SO MANY BUSINESSES ARE STRUGGLING TO FIND WORKERS WHICH IS SOMETHING WE NEVER WOULD HAVE EXPECTED BEFORE.

THIS IS AT THE OUTSET OF THIS PLANT PANDEMIC AND THAT MEANS THAT WORKERS HAVE MORE LEVERAGE THAN ANY TIME IN MY LIFE WHICH IS GREAT IF YOUR WORKER NOT SO GREAT IF YOU'RE AN EMPLOYER, SO IT'S A VERY INTERESTING MIXED BAG, BUT GOVERNOR COOPER SAID HE THOUGHT THIS IS GOING TO WORK ITSELF OUT IN SEPTEMBER WHEN THE FEDERAL UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION OF ROLLS OFF, SO WE WILL SEE.

I THINK ALSO ON IN TERMS OF BIG KEY MEGATREND.

CEOs WANT THEIR PEOPLE BACK IN THE OFFICE DESPITE A LOT OF THE HYPE ABOUT WORK FROM HOME AND THAT IT WILL HELP IMPROVE CORPORATE CULTURES, IT WILL HAVE GROWTH IT WILL ALSO OF OR MAYBE A LOOMING MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE SEE IS HAPPENING BECAUSE OF THIS ISOLATION THAT WE'RE HAVING SO I THINK IT'S A IT'S A REALLY FASCINATING TIME.

>> MITCH BUSINESS ABHOR THOUGH THE UNCERTAINTY DON'T THEY?

>> THEY DEFINITELY DO.

I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE IF YOU HAD SAID BACK AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS PANDEMIC THAT WOULD STILL BE DEALING WITH IT.

AND LATE AUGUST OF 2021 BUSINESSES WOULD HAVE SAID OK THAT'S TERRIBLE.

BUT AT LEAST WE KNOW WHERE WE'RE GOING BUT WE'VE BEEN DEALING WITH UNCERTAINTY NOW FOR MONTHS AND MONTHS AND WITH THIS DELTA VARIANT CAUSING RENEWED CONCERNS AMONG MANY THAT HAS CAUSED PEOPLE TO RETHINK PLANS YET ONCE AGAIN.

>> JOE?

>> ONE OF THE DYNAMICS, DAVE POINTED TO THIS, EMPLOYERS WANT THEIR PEOPLE BACK IN THE PHYSICAL LOCATIONS, ONE LARGE BUILDING MANAGEMENT COMPANY ANNOUNCED THIS WEEK A SURVEY THEY HAD DONE SHOWED OCCUPANCY IN OFFICE BUILDINGS WAS ONLY AT ABOUT 35% CURRENTLY PEOPLE STILL PRIMARILY WORKING FROM HOME OR WORKING REMOTELY.

INTERESTINGLY ENOUGH IN EVERY ECONOMIC DYNAMIC, THERE ARE WINNERS AND LOSERS IN THIS IT WOULD SEEM AS THOUGH PEOPLE WITH COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE ARE GOING TO SUFFER, BUT THE COMPANY WEWORKS THAT HAD A FAILED IPO BACK IN 2019, A NUMBER OF BUILDINGS ACROSS THE COUNTRY JUST WAS OVERSTATED IN TERMS OF ITS VALUE.

IT APPEARS TO BE COMING BACK ONLINE WITH A POTENTIAL FORM OF IPO THIS YEAR, BUT IT IS GOING TO BE THE ALTERNATIVE FOR HOMEBOUND WORKERS WHO GET SICK OF THAT AFTER A WHILE AND WANT TO GO WORK IN AN OFFICE SOMEWHERE MAYBE NOT IN THE OFFICE THAT THEIR EMPLOYER OWNED.

SO WE MAY SEE SOME SORT OF ENTERPRISING WAY TO BRING WORKERS BACK TO A CENTRAL LOCATION THAT ACCOMMODATES THIS NOW MORE COMMON WORK FROM HOME DYNAMIC.

>> IS MIXED MESSAGING FROM THE ADMINISTRATION CONTRIBUTING TO THIS?

>> IT ABSOLUTELY IS.

THE GOVERNMENT'S POLICY HAS BEEN COUNTERPRODUCTIVE.

THEY KEEP MOVING BACK AND FORTH, THE SCIENCE KEEPS CHANGING.

SO IT'S TIME FOR THE FDA TO IMMEDIATELY APPROVE THE VACCINE FOR GENERAL USE AND FOR GOVERNMENTS REALLY AT ALL LEVELS TO FOLK AND BUSINESSES AND INSTITUTIONS TO FOCUS SOLELY ON CONVINCING PEOPLE TO GET THE SHOT.

THE CURE TO THIS, THE WAY TO LOWER THESE WAYS AND TO EVENTUALLY IN THE PANDEMIC IS VACCINATION.

IT'S NOT LOCKDOWNS IT'S NOT -- >> THINK WE'RE GOING TO SEE MORE LOCKDOWNS, MORE MANDATES COMING OUT OF THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION CDC?

>> WELL YOU COULD HAVE THAT AND THAT IS ACTUALLY HURTING THE THE FOCUS WHICH NEEDS TO BE ON VACCINATION CERTAINLY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY DOES NOT SUPPORT MANDATES.

>> OK, LET'S GO TO THE MOST UNDERREPORTED STORY OF THE WEEK MItCH.

>> THE REVEREND WILLIAM BARBER WAS BACK IN COURT THIS WEEK THIS TIME OF THE NORTH CAROLINA COURT OF APPEALS, YOU'LL KNOW HIM AS A LEFT OF CENTER ACTIVIST, USED TO BE THE HEAD OF THE STATE NAACP, AND LEADER OF THE NATIONAL POOR PEOPLE'S CAMPAIGN.

HE'S CHALLENGING A 2017 COURT CASE IN WHICH HE WAS HE WAS CHARGED WITH TRESPASS BECAUSE OF A PROTEST AT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

THERE WAS A LOT OF NOISE GOING ON THE PEOPLE WHO WERE WITH THE REVEREND BARBER WERE BLOCKING HALLWAYS AND STOPPING THE THE FLOW OF BUSINESS IN THE AREA.

BARBER'S LAWYER IS CLAIMING THAT THAT THE ARREST AND CONVICTION VIOLATED HIS FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS, HE'S ALSO CHALLENGING THE CONVICTION ON A TECHNICALITY OF HOW THE CASE GOT TO SUPERIOR COURT IN THE FIRST TIME IN THE FIRST PLACE WHEN THE INTERESTING PIECES ABOUT THIS ONE OF THE JUDGES WILL BE ROLLING ON THE COURT OF APPEALS IS LUCY INMAN WAS A LIKELY CANDIDATE FOR SUPREME COURT NEXT YEAR.

>> NO POLITICS INVOLVED.

JOE?

>> WELL, I GUESS IT WAS INEVITABLE CYBERCRIME IS NOW MET CRYPTO CURRENCY THE SITE POLYNETWORK WHICH IS A BLOCK CHAIN SITE HAD 600 MILLION DOLLARS IN CRYPTOCURRENCY STOLEN IN A VIRTUAL HEIST.

I'M NOT SURE IF YOU HAVE TO WEAR A BANDANA IF YOU'RE SITTING IN YOUR MOTHER'S BASEMENT, WHILE YOU'RE HACKING INTO A COMPUTER.

BUT THIS IS THE FIRST TIME WE'VE SEEN THIS NEW EMERGING DYNAMIC IN OUR ECONOMY OF CRYPTO CURRENCY SEEMINGLY LESS SECURE IN THE SAME WAY THERE USED TO BE CONCERNS ABOUT CONVENTIONAL TERRESTRIAL BASED BANKS.

>> OKAY UNDERREPORTED DAVE.

>> I THINK THAT NORTH CAROLINA HAS AMONG THE HIGHEST COST LEAST PATIENT FRIENDLY HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS IN THE NATION ON THIS HAS BEEN REPORTED REPEATEDLY AND SURVEYS OVER THE YEAR.

WALLET HUB DID A VERY QUANTITATIVE STUDY THAT CAME OUT LAST WEEK -- >> [MARC] WHO IS WALLET HUB?

WALLET HUB'S A RESEARCH A FIRM THAT STUDIES A LOT OF DIFFERENT INDUSTRIES AND THEY USE A VERY QUANTITATIVE APPROACH SO IT WASN'T SUBJECTIVE, AND THIS IS AN ISSUE FOR ALL OF US IS NOT POINTING AT THE HOSPITALS AND THE DOCTORS, EVERYBODY HAS A ROLE BUT WE CAME IN 47TH OVERALL 49TH IN COSTS.

>> WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THAT JOE?

>> WELL, IT'S CERTAINLY A CHALLENGE I THINK WE FACE - BEEN A LOT OF DISRUPTIONS IN THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS IN THIS STATE SINCE THE TIME OF OF THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT WHAT WE SAW SIGNIFICANT SHIFT IN THE WAY THAT MEDICAL AND HEALTH-RELATED SERVICES ARE PROVIDED.

BUT WE'VE GOT TO DO SOMETHING IN THIS STATE TO BRING OUR STANDARDS UP AND MAKE SURE PEOPLE ARE GETTING THE BEST QUALITY AFFORDABLE CARE AND THAT THERE ARE LOTS OF OPTIONS FOR THEM TO RECEIVE THAT CARE THROUGH.

>> NELSON UNDERREPORTED PLEASE.

>> THE END OF MORE.

OVER THE PAST FEW CENTURIES EVERY ECONOMIC SYSTEM HAS BEEN BASED ON GROWTH WITH THE MAJOR DISTINCTION BEING WHO ACTUALLY DECIDES HOW THE FRUITS OF INCREASING GROWTH ARE DISTRIBUTED AND THAT IS FUNDAMENTALLY CHANGING SO FALLING BIRTH RATES, GLOBALLY MEAN INTO CONSUMPTION LEAD GROWTH IN EVERY DEVELOPED COUNTRY OVER THE NEXT 2 DECADES.

WE WILL HAVE TO DEVISE NEW ECONOMIC THEORIES AND SYSTEMS TO DEAL WITH THE REALITY OF LESS RATHER THAN MORE GROWTH.

COUNTRIES LIKE GERMANY, CHINA, RUSSIA AND ITALY WILL HAVE TO FIND SOLUTIONS THIS DECADE.

THE U.S. BECAUSE OF THE MILLENNIAL GENERATION WE HAVE MORE TIME TO ADJUST AND OTHER COUNTRIES.

BUT WE ARE MAKING THE STAKES NOW ABOUT RUNNING UP DEBT THAT SOMEONE WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR IN THE OUT YEARS AND WE'RE NOT NECESSARILY GOING TO HAVE THOSE WAGE EARNERS OUT THERE IN THOSE CONSUMERS OUT THERE TO GENERATE THAT THAT ECONOMY.

>> GLOBALLY AGING WILL BE THE CENTRAL ISSUE OF THE COMING DECADES, WELL THE GOP ABOUT 19 SENATORS VOTED FOR THAT 1.2 TRILLION DOLLARS SPENDING BILL INFRASTRUCTURE, BILL IS THE GOP STILL THE PARTY OF GROWTH.

>> WELL, I THINK THE GOP WAS WANTING TO GET ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF INFRASTRUCTURE, THAT'S POPULAR, BUT THEY DO NEED TO LOOK AT HOW MANY TRILLIONS OF DOLLARS.

ANOTHER 3.5 TRILLION DOLLARS THAT THE DEMOCRATS AND THE PRESIDENT WANT TO PUT INTO THE ECONOMY.

YOU CAN'T CONTINUE TO FLOOD THE ECONOMY WITH TRILLIONS OF DOLLARS AND NOT EXPECT THAT TO TO BLOW UP INFLATION PLUS HAHA I THINK YOU ARE POTENTIALLY LOOKING AT A BUBBLE AND PARTICULARLY FOR WHEN THE BILL COMES DUE RIGHT NOW THEY'RE LOOKING AT DOUBLING THE THE SIZE OF THE FEDERAL DEBT GETTING WELL OVER 45 TRILLION DOLLARS IN THE OUT YEARS THAT'S GOING TO BE VERY DIFFICULT FOR GENERATIONS DOWN THE ROAD TO PAY FOR WHEN THOSE GENERATIONS OF WORKERS ARE SMALL, LET'S GO TO LIGHTNING ROUND MITCH WHO'S UP AND WHO'S DOWN THIS WEEK.

>> MY WHO'S UP DALE EARNHARDT JUNIOR, THE FAMOUS RACE CAR DRIVER MAKING A LEGISLATIVE APPARENT SEE HAD THE RARE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ON THE HOUSE FLOOR HOUSE SPEAKER TIM MOORE GAVE HIM A COPY OF HIS NUMBER 3 LICENSE PLATE AS YOU REMEMBER HIS DAD WAS NUMBER 3 ON THE NASCAR TRACK.

ONE OF THE REASONS HE WAS THERE OF COURSE WAS THE HOUSE BUDGET AT ABOUT 50 MILLION DOLLARS THAT DEALT WITH MOTORSPORTS ISSUES BY WHOSE DOWN WHAT'S DOWN ACTUALLY LOCAL EFFORTS TO REGULATE SHORT-TERM RENTALS LIKE AIR BNB THERE WAS A REGULATORY REFORM BILL THAT GOT THROUGH THE HOUSE THAT HAD SOME PROVISIONS THAT WOULD LIMIT LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TRYING TO DO THIS.

THERE WAS AN AMENDMENT TO TAKE THAT PIECE OUT BUT ON A VOICE VOTE, THEY SAID NO WE DON'T WANT LOCAL GOVERNMENTS BLOCKING THIS.

JOE.

>> NELSON TO SUSPEND THAT THE SPEAKER IS NO LONGER 3RD IN SUCCESSION TO THE GOVERNOR DE LA.

WHAT THE GOVERNOR I KNOW THE SPEAKER STILL 3RD HAHA WELL WHO'S UP A LITIGATION AGAINST ALLEGATION.

FRAUDS A DOMINION VOTING SYSTEM LEVEL THE 1.6 BILLION DOLLAR LAWSUIT AGAINST FOX NEWS HAS NOW SIMILARLY SUED NEWSMAX AND ONE AMERICA NEWS FOR WHAT THEY CLAIM IS THE SULLYING OF THE REPUTATION IN ALLEGATIONS OF ELECTION FRAUD FROM THE 2020 PRESIDENT LEGS.

WE'LL SEE I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE VERY HARD TO PROVE THIS BUT IT'S A VERY INTERESTING DYNAMIC WILL SEE IF OTHER VOTING SYSTEM COMPANIES EXPRESSED SIMILAR CONCERNS ABOUT THE WAY THAT THEIR SYSTEMS ARE REFERRED TO WHEN THERE'S A DISPUTE OVER THE RESULT OF THE ELECTION.

DOWN PERHAPS THE RALLYING CRY OF DEFUND THE POLICE AMONG CERTAIN ELEMENTS WITHIN THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY TO AMENDMENTS TO THE OF INFRASTRUCTURE BILL.

>> TO ANTI DEFUND THE POLICE SORT OF REFERENDUM AGAINST A FEDERAL DISTRIBUTION OF MONEY AND EVEN A DEMOCRATIC SENATOR AMY KLOBUCHAR FROM MINNESOTA TO BRING RECOGNITION TO THE POLICE AND FIRST RESPONDERS FROM JANUARY 1ST TO INTERACT THEY'VE >> DAVE QUICKLY.

WHO'S UP AND WHO'S DOWN THIS WEEK?

>> UP IS THE INCREASING DIVERSIFICATION OF NORTH CAROLINA'S BUSINESS COMMUNITY STARTING STARTUP ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND THE BOARD ROOMS OF THE BIGGEST COMPANIES.

THE NC IDEA GROUP IS SHOWING A LOT OF ENERGY IN THIS AREA AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENTS ARE REQUIRING MORE DIVERSIFICATION AND IT'S HAPPENING.

IT'S AN UNDERREPORTED STORY.

FAR AS DOWN DON'T MEAN TO BE A DOWNER BUT IT'S A SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION CATHERINE TRUITT TOLD THE NC CHAMBER THIS WEEK THAT 2 THIRDS OF NORTH CAROLINA, 8TH GRADERS LACKED BASIC PROFICIENCY IN READING AND MATH BEFORE THE PANDEMIC AND WE'RE HEARING THAT THE TEST SCORES DURING THE PANDEMIC OBVIOUSLY HAVE GONE DOWN SIGNIFICANTLY.

>> GREAT CATCH.

WHO'S UP AND WHO'S DOWN THIS WEEK?

>> DRUG CARTELS ARE EXPERIENCING A WINDFALL OF SOME 6 BILLION DOLLARS ANNUALLY FROM SMUGGLING SMUGGLING ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS INTO THE UNITED STATES OVER 1 BILLION PEOPLE HAVE ATTEMPTED TO CROSS THE BORDER ILLEGALLY SINCE BIDEN TOOK OFFICE.

HE STAND THE BEIJING WINTER OLYMPICS TOOK A GAME SUFFERED.

THE SEVERE DECLINE IN VIEWERSHIP THE OLYMPICS IN CHINA MAY DO WORSE WITH THE BOYCOTTS FOR BEING THE -- >> HEADLINE NEXT WEEK.

>> NOW THE REAL WORK ON A BUDGET DEAL BEGINS HEADLINE NEXT WEEK?

>> AND ALL EYES ON THE BUDGET OR A KEY AND THE REPUBLICANS HOLD THE DEMOCRATS TO SUSTAIN A VETO OVERRIDE.

>> HEADLINE NEXT WEEK.

>> STATE IS GOING TO REFINANCE HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS AT AN INTEREST RATE OF .70 >> HEADLINE NEXT WEEK.

>> CONGRESS BOGS DOWN IN WASHINGTON'S SWAMPED.

>> DO THEY PASS THE 3.5 TRILLION DOLLAR BILL?

>> [NELSON] THEY MAY SOMETIME LATER THIS FALL, BUT YOU KNOW YOU HAVE MANCHIN AND OTHER SENATORS WHO ARE CONCERNED.

>> OKAY, GREAT JOB GENTS.

THAT'S IT FOR US, THANKS FOR WATCHING HOPE TO SEE YOU NEXT WEEK ON FRONT ROW.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

[ANNOUNCER]: AND BY: A COMPLETE LIST OF FUNDERS CAN BE FOUND AT: ♪