>> HI I'M MARC ROTTERMAN.

COMING UP GOVERNOR COOPER LIFTS THE MASK MANDATE, THE HOUSE VERSION OF THE STATE BUDGET IS DUE OUT IN AUGUST AND IS THE VIRGINIA RACE, A KEY BELLWETHER IN THE MIDTERMS?

NEXT.

FUNDING FOR THE LIGHTNING ROUND PROVIDED BY IN SEE REALTORS STATE EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION OF NORTH CAROLINA LAW CURRY HE REALLY NEEDS AND JOHN BURRIS MY FINBERG CONSTRUCTION STEPPING GLEASON AND JANE AND VAN A COMPLETE LIST OF FUNDERS CAN BE FOUND AT: >> WELCOME BACK.

JOINING THE CONVERSATION, MITCH KOKAI WITH THE JOHN LOCKE FOUNDATION, LESLIE RUDD, COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR FOR THE SENATE DEMOCRATIC LEADER, POLITICAL ANALYST JOE STEWART AND DONNA KING, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OF THE CAROLINA JOURNAL.

MITCH WHY DON'T WE BEGIN WITH THE GOVERNOR'S DECISION TO LIFT THE MANDATE, THE MASK MANDATE.

>> MILLIONS OF KIDS ARE RETURNING TO SCHOOL ACROSS THE COUNTRY IN THE COMING WEEKS AND ONE OF THE BIG ISSUES IS, DO THEY HAVE TO WEAR MASKS?

AND THAT WE'VE BEEN GETTING MIXED MESSAGES FROM HEALTH OFFICIALS ABOUT WHAT SHOULD HAPPEN.

FROM THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL, THEY SAY THERE SHOULD BE NO MASKS FOR VACCINATED PEOPLE WHO ARE INDOORS, THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS MEANWHILE SAYS EVERYONE SHOULD BE WEARING A MASK.

THE ABC SCIENCE COLLABORATIVE RIGHT HERE IN NORTH CAROLINA WAS ALSO IN FAVOR OF MASKS BUT WE SAW A DUKE RESEARCHER IN THE WALL STREET JOURNAL SAYING THAT THAT REPORT WAS BASED ON SOME FAULTY SCIENCE THAT REALLY DIDN'T LOOK AT WHETHER MASKS WERE AFFECTED.

SO GOVERNOR COOPER RESPONDED THIS WEEK WITH HIS IDEA AND BASICALLY WHAT HE DID WAS SAY THE MASK MANDATE IS GOING TO END AS IT WAS SCHEDULED TO END ON JULY 30TH.

BUT THERE IS NEW GUIDANCE OUT THERE, STRONG RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MASKING FOR EVERYONE IS GOING TO BE IN SCHOOLS FROM K THROUGH 8 AND THEN MASKING ALSO FOR THE UNVACCINATED IN HIGH SCHOOL.

THE INTERESTING THING ABOUT THIS IS BECAUSE IT IS STRONG GUIDANCE, RECOMMENDATIONS, IT REALLY PUSHES THE FINAL DECISION NOW TO THE LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT LEVEL WHICH INCIDENTALLY WAS ALSO THE GOAL OF THE FREE THE SMILES ACT, WAS TO KEEP THESE AT A LOCAL LEVEL.

>> JOE YOU HAVE THE FLOOR.

>> I THINK THIS IS A SORT OF INDICATION WE THOUGHT MAYBE THIS THING WAS ABOUT OVER, THE NUMBERS LOOK VERY POSITIVE WHEN THE VACCINE ROLLOUT CAME.

I THINK WE STILL HAVE A WAYS TO GO, AND SOME OF THE NEWS ACCOUNTS NOW OF WHERE WE'RE SEEING INCREASES IN THE DIAGNOSIS AND HOSPITALIZATION IS AMONG THE UNVACCINATED.

THEY'RE SAYING THIS MAYBE THE PHASE OF THE PANDEMIC THAT PRINCIPALLY AFFECTS PEOPLE WHO HAVE NOT YET RECEIVED THE VACCINE.

THERE'S A WORLD OF ISSUES GOING ON NOW IN TERMS OF THE EDUCATION OF OUR CHILDREN, NOT JUST ABOUT SAFETY IN TERMS OF THE OF THE VIRUS, BUT TERMS ISSUES LIKE CRITICAL RACE THEORY IN THE CURRICULUM, WHETHER HOMESCHOOLING IS A BETTER METHOD IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM, AND EVEN WHETHER OR NOT WE'RE EVER GOING RETURN TO THE WAY THINGS WERE BEFORE THE PANDEMIC IN TERMS OF HOW WE EDUCATE OUR CHILDREN.

I THINK WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A VERY ROCKY ROAD, NOT JUST IN TERMS OF HOW WE DEAL WITH MASK ISSUES IN THE SCHOOLS, BUT I THINK ISSUES OF EDUCATION ARE GOING TO BE BIG FOR MONTHS TO COME.

>> DONNA, DOCTOR FAUCI SAYS IT'S REASONABLE FOR 3 YEAR OLDS WEAR A MASK.

>> HE DOES.

HE SAID BELOW TWO MAYBE NOT, BUT 3 AND UP YES, SO OBVIOUSLY MAYBE HE DOESN'T HAVE A 3 YEAR-OLD AT THE MOMENT LIKE MANY OF US DO AND HAVE MORE RECENTLY, BUT I THINK WHAT WE'RE REALLY SEEING IS THIS A POLICY MOVE FROM SLOW THE SPREAD TO ALLOW VACCINE AND RESEARCHERS TO CATCH UP AND BE ABLE TO TREAT THOSE THAT SMALL PERCENTAGE OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE A REALLY SERIOUS REACTION TO COVID, NOW TO TRYING TO STOP THE SPREAD.

SO HOW REALISTIC IS STOPPING THE SPREAD COMPLETELY, BECAUSE IT'S GOING TO CONTINUE AND THE IDEA IS THAT NOW THAT WE HAVE A REALLY EFFECTIVE VACCINE AVAILABLE AND TREATMENTS HAVE IMPROVED THAT CHILDREN AND TEENAGERS ARE MUCH LESS LIKELY TO HAVE A VERY SERIOUS HOSPITALIZATION LEVEL REACTION TO COVID, WHEREAS FOLKS WHO ARE OVER 65, THEY ARE MUCH MORE LIKELY AND THE PEOPLE OF EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES HEALTH CONDITIONS, MUCH MORE LIKELY TO HAVE A SERIOUS REACTION AND ABOUT 77% OF THOSE NATIONWIDE ARE VACCINATED HERE IN NORTH CAROLINA ABOUT 85.

SO WE'VE MADE HUGE PROGRESS, AND THE IDEA OF PUSHING THIS DOWN TO THE LOCAL LEVEL I THINK IT'S SOMETHING A LOT OF FOLKS HAVE BEEN ADVOCATING.

>> LESLIE WEIGH IN HERE.

>> WELL, I THINK YOU RUN INTO AN ISSUE WITH RECOMMENDING STUDENTS WEAR MASKS WHEN THEY GO BACK TO SCHOOL K THROUGH 8 STUDENTS DON'T HAVE THAT CHOICE, THEY'RE NOT APPROVED FOR A VACCINE YET.

SO WHETHER YOU HAVE A PERSONAL PREFERENCE ON ONE SIDE OR THE OTHER WHETHER YOU WANT YOUR CHILDREN TO GET VACCINE OR NOT KIDS UNDER 12 CAN GET THAT DONE YET AND THAT BECOMES A REAL PROBLEM FOR THIS LOCAL SCHOOL SYSTEMS.

>> CLOSE THIS OUT MITCH IN ABOUT 20 SECONDS.

>> I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE INTERESTING TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS COUNTY BY COUNTY WITH THE MASK MANDATE BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT THERE'S BEEN A MAJOR IMPACT ON HOME SCHOOLING AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS BECAUSE OF PARENT WHO DON'T WANT TO MESS WITH THIS DOES THAT CONTINUE INTO THIS NEW SCHOOL YEAR?

>> OKAY, I WANT TO MOVE ON.

DONNA SPEAKER OUTLINED HIS BUDGET PRIORITIES THIS WEEK.

TALK TO US ABOUT IT.

>> YES, NOW THIS IS SOMETHING A LOT OF US HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR TO SEE THE HOUSE COME OUT WITH THEIR VERSION, THE SENATE RELEASED THEIRS AND PASSED THEIRS SEVERAL WEEKS AGO, THE HOUSE IS WORKING ON IT, I WOULD EXPECT THAT SOME OF THOSE PRIORITIES THE SPEAKER IS SAYING THAT THEY'RE GOING TO SEE A LITTLE BIT HIGHER RAISES THAN WHAT THE SENATE HAD IN THEIRS WHICH IS ABOUT 3% RAISES FOR TEACHERS AND OTHER STATE EMPLOYEES.

SO THE TIMELINE LOOKS LIKE THEY'RE GOING TO WORK ON THEIRS, THEN A FEW WEEKS FOR A CONFERENCE REPORT, MAYBE MID TO LATE AUGUST THEY'RE GOING TO GET SOMETHING THROUGH BOTH CHAMBERS AND TO THE GOVERNOR, BUT I WOULD SAY THEY WERE GOING TO SEE IT MOVE REALLY FAST ONCE THEY GET INTO CONFERENCE MODE AND GETTING IT PASSED, IT WILL IT WILL REALLY MOVE QUICKLY, BUT ONE OF THE THINGS WE'RE GOING TO SEE IS REGARDLESS OF HOW THE DETAIL, SHAKEOUT THEY AGREED TO A SPENDING NUMBER REALLY EARLY IN THE PROCESS OF ABOUT 25 BILLION THE FIRST YEAR AND AND 26 THE SECOND YEAR.

SO HOW THOSE 2 THINGS, HOW THE DIFFERENT DETAILS COME TOGETHER.

THE SPENDING NUMBER STILL IS REALLY WITHIN THE RATE OF LAST YEAR'S SPENDING PLUS THE RATE OF INFLATION AND POPULATION GROWTH.

>> LESLIE, HOW INVOLVED HAS THE GOVERNOR BEEN IN THIS PROCESS?

ARE THEY CAN CONSULTING WITH HIM YOU THINK?

>> I THINK THAT WE'VE SEEN MORE INVOLVEMENT FROM THE GOVERNOR AND THE DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP THIS ROUND WITH THE BUDGET THAN WE EVER HAVE BEFORE AT LEAST IN THE COOPER ADMINISTRATION.

THERE WAS VERY EARLY TALKS WITH THE GOVERNOR BOTH THE HOUSE SPEAKER AND PRO TEM AS WELL AS THE DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP TO GET THOSE PRIORITIES INITIAL PRIORITIES ON PAPER SO THAT EVERYONE WAS ON THE SAME PAGE.

>> JOE MEDICAID EXPANSION OFF THE TABLE?

DEAL BREAKER?

>> YES, SOME MODEST EXPANSION INCLUDED IN THE SENATE VERSION OF THE BUDGET.

I DON'T KNOW.

IT'S REALLY A GOOD QUESTION.

WE'VE HAD THIS DISCUSSION AND DEBATE FOR A COUPLE YEARS NOW, IT WAS SEEMINGLY ENTRENCHED POSITION AT THE STATE SENATE IT TAKEN FOR NO EXPANSION, IT WAS A MODEST EXPANSION TO INCLUDE COVERAGE FOR WOMEN BEYOND, 12 MONTHS BEYOND THEIR PREGNANCY AT THIS POINT.

I THINK THERE'S A WILLINGNESS TO PERHAPS HAVE THIS CONVERSATION IS EXPANSION, GOOD FOR THE STATE AND DOESN'T PROVIDE THE ECONOMIC BENEFIT THAT MANY OF ITS PROPONENTS HAVE SAID.

>> MITCH YOU THINK THE SPEAKER AND SENATOR BERGER WILL SIGN OFF ON MEDICAID EXPANSION?

>> NOT THE MEDICAID EXPANSION THAT WAS INITIALLY PART OF OBAMACARE.

THERE COULD BE SOME SORT OF CHANGE THE MEDICAID PROGRAM THAT THEY WILL ACCEPT THEY CERTAINLY WOULDN'T CALL IT MEDICAID EXPANSION.

TO ME THE MOST INTERESTING THING IS BEYOND THE MONEY THAT DONNA WAS TALKING ABOUT IN THE GENERAL FUND IS THE ADDITIONAL SPENDING IN THE FEDERAL CORONAVIRUS RELIEF MONEY.

THAT'S REALLY ACTUALLY BEEN ONE OF THE BIG STICKING POINTS BETWEEN THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE IS HOW MUCH BEYOND THE MONEY THAT THEY'VE ALREADY AGREED ON THE SPENDING LIMIT TO SPEND BECAUSE THE SENATE WOULD SPEND SEVERAL BILLION DOLLARS.

I THINK THE HOUSE WANTS TO SPEND EVEN MORE.

IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE IF THEY CAN COME TO AN AGREEMENT.

>> WHAT ELSE STRUCK YOU ABOUT WHAT MOORE PROPOSED?

>> WELL IT'S TAKING SO LONG.

YOU WOULD THINK THEY'D START WITH AN AVAILABILITY AGREEMENT HOUSE AND SENATE THAT THIS THING WOULD GO PRETTY QUICKLY.

I THINK THEY'RE BEING DELIBERATIVE IN PART BECAUSE THERE'S A BIG SLUG OF MONEY IN HERE FROM THE FEDERAL RELIEF FUNDS AS WELL AND THEY WANT TO BE THOUGHTFUL TO MAKE SURE THAT THOSE INVESTMENTS MAKE SENSE AND HAVE ECONOMIC BENEFIT TO THE STATE, SO MAYBE IT'S NOT SO SURPRISING THIS IS TAKING LONGER THAN WE EXPECT.

>> DONNA CLOSE THIS OUT IN ABOUT 40 SECONDS >> I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE'RE DEFINITELY GOING TO SEE BECAUSE BOTH CHAMBERS AGREED EARLY ON IS SOME LEVEL OF TAX RELIEF INCREASING THOSE WHO FALL INTO THAT 0 TAX BRACKET BY RAISING THE STANDARD DEDUCTION AND PROBABLY MAYBE EVEN ACCELERATING BECAUSE WE HAD A SURPLUS, ACCELERATING THE REDUCTION IN PERSONAL INCOME TAX AND CORPORATE TAX.

>> LET ME ASK YOU THAT.

IS IT A BONE OF CONTENTION ON CORPORATE TAXES BECAUSE THEY WANT IT ZEROED OUT IN THE SENATE RIGHT?

>> THEY DO AND THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF PUSH BACK I THINK FROM THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE AND SOME ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE WHO ATTRIBUTED TO LARGE CORPORATIONS.

BUT YOU GOT TO REMEMBER THAT THIS MAY BE SHOT DOWN THE STREET AND THE DRY CLEANERS AND ALL THOSE LOCAL BUSINESSES THAT ARE REALLY BEEN HANGING ON BY THEIR FINGERNAILS THE LAST 18 MONTHS THEY'RE CORPORATIONS TOO.

>> JOE LET'S TALK POLITICS, LET'S TALK ABOUT THE VIRGINIA GOVERNOR'S RACE WHICH MAY BE A KEY BELLWETHER FOR THE MIDTERMS DON'T YOU THINK?

>> YES, OUR NEIGHBOR TO THE NORTH VIRGINIA HAVE THEIR GOVERNOR'S RACE IN AN ODD CYCLE PART OF A INTERESTING PHENOMENA, WE ALWAYS SAY NORTH CAROLINA IS THE VALLEY OF HUMILITY BETWEEN 2 MOUNTAINS OF CONCEIT, VIRGINIA AND SOUTH CAROLINA.

SO THEY'VE CHOSEN TO HAVE ALL OF THE ATTENTION IN GUBERNATORIAL CONTEST FOCUS ON THEMSELVES BY HAVING THEIR ELECTIONS LIKE THIS.

THERE IS A REQUIREMENT THAT A GOVERNOR ONLY SERVE ONE TERM AND NOT BE ABLE TO SUCCEED HIM OR HERSELF IN VIRGINIA, BUT TERRY MCAULIFFE THE DEMOCRAT WHO WAS A GOVERNOR ONCE BEFORE NOW RUNNING AGAIN, RUNNING AGAINST GLENN YOUNGKIN, A WEALTHY, BUSINESSMAN, >> A FORMER CLINTON OPERATIVE THEY'RE CALLING HIM.

YEAH, AND HE'S PUT ABOUT 12 MILLION DOLLARS OF HIS OWN MONEY INTO THE CAMPAIGN MCAULIFFE DOING A LITTLE BETTER IN TERMS OF FUNDRAISING.

BUT THIS IS CLEARLY GOING TO BE A BARE KNUCKLES AFFAIR.

IS IT AN INDICATION OF HOW THINGS ARE LIKELY TO GO IN THE MIDTERM ELECTIONS IN '22?

ABSOLUTELY YES.

DONALD TRUMP HAS ALREADY ANNOUNCED HIS SUPPORT FOR YOUNGKIN.

IT'S A LITTLE LIKE INSTALLING A SKYLIGHT IN YOUR HOUSE.

YOUNGKIN LOVES TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY LOOK AT THE STARS BUT HE'S AFRAID THAT IT'S GOING TO LEAK AND RUIN HIS SOFA.

AND SO NOW HE'S GOT TO WALK THAT THIN LINE.

YOUNGKIN HAS TALKED A LOT ABOUT ISSUES THAT MATTER TO VIRGINIA VOTERS OUTSIDE OF THE TRUMP ENDORSEMENT, THINGS LIKE CRITICAL RACE THEORY IN THE SCHOOL, WANTING TO SPEND MORE ON EDUCATION WANTING TO DO MORE TO MAKE VIRGINIA ECONOMICALLY SUCCESSFUL.

MCAULIFFE HAS A GOOD TRACK RECORD TO RUN ON.

VIRGINIA JUST LISTED AS A TOP STATE TO DO BUSINESS IN, THE ECONOMICS OF THIS RACE, IT REALLY IS WHO CAN WIN OVER WHITE SUBURBAN WOMEN IN VIRGINIA PRINCIPALLY IN THE NORTHERN VIRGINIA AREA, DO SCHOOL ISSUES RESONATE WITH THEM MORE THAN PERHAPS OR DISLIKE OF DONALD TRUMP AND BY PROXY, GLENN YOUNGKIN.

>> YOU KNOW MITCH, NORTHERN VIRGINIA HAS BEEN PROBLEMATIC FOR THE GOP IN THE LAST SEVERAL CYCLES.

>> IT REALLY HAS AND VIRGINIA IN GENERAL HAS GOT MUCH BLUER SO I THINK IF TERRY MCAULIFFE WITH THE GREATER NAME RECOGNITION AND HAVING BEEN A FORMER GOVERNOR, IF HE WINS I THINK THE REPUBLICANS SAY WELL, YOU KNOW, WE GAVE IT A NICE SHOT.

IF THE REPUBLICANS WIN THAT'S REALLY BAD NEWS FOR THE DEMOCRATS WITH THE WAY THAT THE STATE HAS BEEN BLUEING IN RECENT YEARS.

>> DONNA DO YOU THINK THAT VIRGINIA IS A GROUND 0 FOR THE CULTURAL WAR RIGHT NOW?

>> I THINK IT'S IT'S A GOOD EXAMPLE OF WHAT'S HAPPENING ACROSS THE COUNTRY IN THE CULTURE WARS, AND THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS THAT IN THIS CASE, THE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE IS REALLY ZEROING IN ON VIRGINIA'S REALLY MORE LIKE TO SAY ITS HANDS VERY BLUE IN THE NORTHERN PART IN THE DC SUBURBS LOUDOUN COUNTY BEING ONE OF THEM, IT'S MUCH REDDER AS YOU GET FURTHER SOUTH.

SO I THINK WHAT YOU'RE REALLY SEEING IS THAT THEY HAVE GRABBED ON TO THE SENSE THAT AFTER DURING COVID PEOPLE HAVE GOTTEN PRETTY FED UP WITH BUREAUCRACIES, WHETHER IT'S THE PUBLIC SCHOOL, OR THE ACC, THE NCAA, OR THEY'RE TIRED OF BEING TOLD HOW TO LIVE.

>> [MARC] CURRICULUM IN SCHOOLS HAS BECOME A HUGE ISSUE >> PEOPLE HAVE BECOME MORE ENGAGED IN THEIR CHILDREN'S EDUCATION, AND I THINK A LOT OF REPUBLICANS HAVE GRABBED ON TO THAT SENSE THAT PEOPLE ARE NOT GOING OVER LOOK IT ANYMORE.

>> BIDEN'S COMING INTO NORTHERN VIRGINIA FOR MCAULIFFE.

IS HE A PLUS YOU THINK?

>> WELL, I THINK SO.

BIDEN HAS DONE PRETTY WELL WITH NORTHERN VIRGINIA AT THE VERY LEAST, AND VIRGINIA OF COURSE WENT FOR BIDEN IN THAT STATE.

I THINK HE'LL DO WELL WITH MCAULIFFE >> YOUR TAKE?

>> YEAH I THINK THIS IS GOING TO BE A VERY EXPENSIVE RACE, WE'RE GOING TO SEE A LOT OF ATTENTION FOCUSED ON IT NATIONALLY AND AS MITCH POINTED TO, I THINK WHATEVER THE OUTCOME IS OF COURSE THE PUNDITS AND THE POLITICAL INSIDERS ARE GOING TO POINT TO THAT RESULT IS EITHER FAVORING THEIR CANDIDATES OR DISFAVORING THEIR OPPONENTS IN THE ELECTIONS NEXT YEAR.

>> WELL, YOU KNOW MITCH, I THINK THE ISSUES IN NORTH CAROLINA ARE VERY SIMILAR TO WHAT'S HAPPENING IN VIRGINIA.

>> THEY'RE GOING TO BE VERY SIMILAR ISSUES AND SO IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE VIRGINIA VOTERS GO TO THE POLLS.

I FOUND VERY INTERESTING THE FACT THAT EDUCATION PLAYED SUCH A HUGE ROLE OR AT LEAST IT HAS SO FAR IN THIS CAMPAIGN.

MCAULIFFE TALKING ABOUT RAISING SPENDING FOR TEACHERS AND THROWING MORE MONEY INTO THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM, WHICH HAS BEEN SORT OF A STANDARD DEMOCRATIC LINE WE NEED TO INVEST MORE MONEY INTO THE EDUCATION SYSTEM WHEREAS YOUNGKIN HAS BEEN FOCUSING MORE ON SORT OF THE BIG ISSUES LIKE THE CRITICAL RACE THEORY AND TRANSGENDER RIGHTS AND THAT SORT OF THING.

>> DO YOU THINK TRUMP WILL COME IN FOR HIM AND WHERE DO YOU THINK THEY'D BRING HIM?

>> WELL IT COULD BE PROBLEMATIC, ESPECIALLY GIVEN THAT YOUNGKIN KIND OF WANTS TO GET THAT TRUMP ENDORSEMENT WITHOUT HAVING TO BE SEEN TOO MUCH WITH HIM.

IF THEY DO BRING HIM IN DON'T DO IT IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA, PUT IT IN THE SOUTHERN PART OF THE STATE WHERE THERE BE MUCH MORE LIKELY TO BE A HUGE TRUMP CROWD.

>> OK I WANT TO TURN TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY'S WEEK LESLIE.

>> YES, SO IT'S BEEN A LITTLE SLOW IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, BUT THINGS ARE MOVING.

WHAT WE'RE SEEING IN THE SENATE SIDE MEDICAL MARIJUANA IS MOVING FORWARD IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY SENATE BILL 7.11 IS THE COMPASSIONATE CARE ACT JUST GOT PASSED OUT OF SENATE FINANCE THIS WEEK.

AND THIS HAS BEEN A LONG-AWAITED BILL WITH A LOT OF A STRONG PUBLIC SUPPORT.

73% OF NORTH CAROLINIANS SUPPORT LEGALIZING MEDICAL MARIJUANA.

NORTH CAROLINA'S REALLY SLOW TO EVOLVE IN THIS, BUT BEING THAT'S THIS IS A REPUBLICAN SPONSORED BILL.

I THINK WE REALLY HAVE SOME HOPE TO SEE SOME PROGRESS HERE.

ALSO I WILL SAY THAT THE JURY IS STILL OUT ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM.

IN JUNE THE SENATE PASSED UNANIMOUSLY SENATE BILL 300, BY A STRONG BIPARTISAN EFFORT IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM.

WHAT WE'RE SEEING ON THE HOUSE SIDE WITH HOUSE BILL 8.05 THERE'S SOME PROBLEMATIC PROVISIONS COMING BACK IN THAT WOULD PUT FELONY RIOTING CHARGES ON TO PEACEFUL ACTORS WHEREAS THE SENATE VERSION HAD A MUCH MORE NARROW TAILORED DEFINITION OF THAT.

SO WE'VE GOT A LONG WAY TO GO BEFORE WE GET TO MEANINGFUL CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM IN THE SESSION.

>> DONNA WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN FOLLOWING?

>> ALSO FROM THE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE.

A BILL CAME THROUGH WAS VOTED MOST RECENTLY TO DISMANTLE THE 100 YEAR OLD NORTH CAROLINA HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETICS ASSOCIATION.

THIS HAS BEEN SOMETHING OF A LONG TIME COMING.

THIS GROUP OF SENATORS HAS BEEN INVESTIGATING FOR MANY MONTHS NOW AFTER THERE'S A LOT OF COMPLAINTS FROM PARENTS AND SCHOOLS THAT SAY -- >> [MARC] JOE BROUGHT THAT UP A LONG TIME AGO.

>> WELL NOW WE HAVE A BILL.

SO WHAT THIS WOULD DO WAS IT WOULD DISMANTLE THIS NONPROFIT HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION AND CREATE A COMMISSION HOUSE UNDER THE DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION THAT WOULD HAVE MUCH MORE OVERSIGHT, A LOWER CAP OF HOW MUCH MONEY THEY CAN COLLECT.

IT WOULD HAVE MORE CONTROL OVER THE FEES THEY CAN CHARGE THESE FINANCIALLY STRAPPED HIGH SCHOOLS THAT OFTEN SELLING POPCORN TO BUY JERSEYS, BUT YET THEY'RE PAYING FEES TO THE HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION AND PENALTIES.

SO THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF PUSH BACK OF COURSE IS AN OLD ORGANIZATION.

IT USED TO BE HOUSED NOT TOO LONG AGO 10 YEARS OR SO AGO UNDER THE UNC SYSTEM AND BECAME A NONPROFIT AT THAT POINT SO IT'S NOT BEEN INDEPENDENT FOR A 100 YEARS.

SO I ANTICIPATE THIS TO ACTUALLY MOVE FAIRLY QUICKLY BECAUSE THERE IS A LOT OF MOMENTUM AND THE SENATORS SAY THEY REALLY AREN'T GETTING A LOT OF COOPERATION.

>> JOE, WHAT STRUCK YOU ABOUT THE WEEK?

>> YEAH INTERESTING PIECE OF LEGISLATION TO EXPAND THE NUMBER OF PRESCRIBED MEDICINES THAT A PHARMACIST CAN ADMINISTER TO A PATIENT.

IN PART RECOGNIZING THAT IN PRINCIPALLY THE RURAL PARTS OF THE STATE THERE'S SORT OF A SHORTAGE OF MEDICAL CARE PROVIDERS, SO SOMEONE WHO NEEDS A PARTICULAR TYPE OF INJECTABLE MAYBE NOT ABLE TO FIND A DOCTOR LOCALLY TO GO TO TO GET IT DONE.

THERE'S A PHARMACY IN EVERY COUNTY IN NORTH CAROLINA.

THERE'S NOT A DOCTOR NECESSARILY IN EVERY PART OF THE STATE.

BUT THIS WAS COOPERATIVELY DONE BETWEEN THE LEADERSHIP OF THE HOUSE AND SENATE HEALTH COMMITTEES REALLY WELL THOUGHT THROUGH, ALL OF THE STAKEHOLDERS AND INTERESTED PARTIES WERE BROUGHT TOGETHER, LEGISLATION MOVING THROUGH THE SENATE NOW, FINALLY A BILL WILL BE DONE PROBABLY DOESN'T LIKE THE LEGISLATURE'S GOING TO BE MEETING MUCH NEXT WEEK.

BUT CERTAINLY ONE OF THOSE THINGS THAT'S WELL INTENDED IN PURPOSEFUL PIECE OF LEGISLATION.

WIDE BIPARTISAN SUPPORT, THOUGHTFULLY DONE.

IT'S PROBABLY GOING TO GET PASSED AND IMPLEMENTED TO THE BENEFIT OF THE PEOPLE NORTH CAROLINA.

>> MITCH CLOSE THIS OUT IN ABOUT A MINUTE AND PUT IT IN CONTEXT PLEASE.

>> WELL AS THE BUDGET TALKS ARE GOING ON THAT'S THE MAIN THING.

A LOT OF THESE OTHER ISSUES ARE COMING TO THE FORE AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I THOUGHT WAS INTERESTING EVEN THOUGH IT'S A LITTLE BIT LOWER ON THE RADAR IS WE SAW DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC THAT A LOT OF RULES AND REGULATIONS WERE RELAXED OR PUT TO THE SIDE BECAUSE YOU JUST REALLY COULDN'T ENFORCE THEM DURING THE COURSE OF THE PANDEMIC.

NOW WE'RE SEEING SOME LEGISLATION THAT WOULD HELP MAKE SOME OF THOSE TEMPORARY CHANGES, PERMANENT, LIKE HAVING REMOTE BUILDING CODE INSPECTIONS.

IMAGINE ALL THE TIME AND MONEY THAT WILL SAVE IF THAT BECOMES A PERMANENT CHANGE NOT JUST A TEMPORARY CHANGE.

ANOTHER ONE IS TO ALLOW FOR MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELORS TO BE ABLE TO OPERATE ACROSS STATE LINES WHICH I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE THOUGHT 'WHY WEREN'T THEY DOING THAT BEFORE?'

THOSE ARE THE TYPES OF BILLS THAT WERE TO SEE HAPPENING AND I THINK BECAUSE THE BUDGET HAS BEEN TAKING A LITTLE BIT LONGER A LOT OF THESE OTHER ISSUES NOW ARE PLAYING OUT DURING THE COURSE OF THE CAMPAIGN.

>> OKAY GREAT REP COMING RIGHT BACK TO WHAT'S THE MOST UNDERREPORTED STORY OF THE WEEK?

>> MOSQUITO BITES CAUSE A MILLION DEATHS A YEAR MOSQUITO BITES ARE WHAT GIVE PEOPLE GET THE YELLOW FEVER OR MALARIA OR SOME OTHER DISEASE.

WELL, RESEARCHERS, SCIENTISTS AT NC STATE UNIVERSITY HAVE NOW COME OUT WITH A NEW FABRIC THAT'S DESIGNED TO MAKE THOSE MOSQUITO BITES LESS DEADLY.

>> [INAUDIBLE].

>> YEAH EXACTLY [LAUGHTER] SAVE LIVES BY SHIELDING PEOPLE FROM THE BITES.

THIS FABRIC IS 3 TIMES MORE RESISTANT TO THE BITES THAN A NORMAL PIECE TREATED WITH INSECTICIDE THE RESEARCHERS WHO ARE WORKING ON THIS HAVE ALREADY STARTED A COMPANY NOW TO COMMERCIALIZE THIS AND MAKE SOME MONEY WHICH WOULD BE OF OF INTEREST HERE IN NORTH AMERICA, BUT CERTAINLY IN OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD WOULD BE A MUCH BIGGER BUSINESS PROBABLY IN AFRICA, ESPECIALLY.

>> LESLIE UNDERREPORTED PLEASE.

>> WELL SENATE REPUBLICANS ARE PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO THE STATE'S CONSTITUTION.

THIS WOULD ESSENTIALLY ABOLISH AFFIRMATIVE ACTION FOR NORTH CAROLINA.

GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS AS WELL AS THE PUBLIC UNIVERSITY SYSTEMS.

IT'S SOMETHING THAT VOTERS REALLY NEED TO EDUCATE THEMSELVES ON.

IT COULD BE ON THE BALLOT MAY 2022, >> OK, JOE?

>> INTERESTINGLY ENOUGH THERE'S A 3RD BILLIONAIRE WHO WANTS TO GO UP IN SPACE, SO MOVE OVER BRANSON AND BESOS, WELCOME TO JARED ISAACSON WHO'S GOING TO GO UP MAYBE AS EARLY AS SEPTEMBER.

HE'S GOING TO GO HIGHER IN ORBIT THAN THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION, SO IN THIS COMPETITION TO GET INTO SPACE HE'S GOING UP HIGHER AND ACTUALLY STAYING LONGER MAYBE UP THERE 3 DAYS.

WELL INTENDED, HE DID THIS AS AN INITIATIVE TO BRING ATTENTION AND RAISE MONEY FOR SAINT JUDE'S CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL.

WE'LL SEE IF THIS CONTINUES TO BE A TREND.

MARC PERHAPS YOU WANT TO PUT SOME OF YOUR OWN PERSONAL RESOURCES AND GO UP AND WE COULD DO FRONT ROW FROM THE ALTITUDES OF HIGHER LEVELS IN THE ORBIT OF THE EARTH.

>> IT IS INTERESTING THOUGH, SPACE TOURISM IS COMING TO FRUITION ISN'T IT?

>> IT REALLY IS GOING TO BECOME A DYNAMIC IN OUR COUNTRY.

I THINK AS MORE OF THESE ENTERPRISES GO FORWARD IT WILL BECOME MORE AFFORDABLE MORE PEOPLE WILL BE ABLE TO DO IT.

IT WILL BECOME A DESTINATION VACATION FOR MANY MORE PEOPLE I THINK NOT JUST THE UBER WEALTHY.

>> IT SHOWS THE PREMARKET WORKS.

>> DONNA?

>> SO STUDY JUST FOUND THAT 90% OF THE COVID MONEY THAT WAS ALLOCATED FOR EDUCATION, ABOUT 90% OF IT STILL HASN'T BEEN SPENT.

ABOUT 5.2 BILLION DOLLARS WAS APPROPRIATED FOR COVID RELIEF IN SCHOOL DISTRICTS, IT'S NOT BEEN SPENT YET AS WE ALL GET READY TO GO BACK TO SCHOOL AND SEE HOW THE STUDENTS ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO CATCH UP FROM A LOST YEAR LAST YEAR.

SOME OF THAT SPENT OVER THE SUMMER BUT HOPEFULLY THERE WILL BE MORE RESOURCES GOING TOWARDS -- >> WHAT'S THE HOLDUP?

>> WELL I THINK SOME OF IT IS JUST NORMAL BUREAUCRACY, THAT'S GOING THROUGH THE SYSTEM AND GETTING IT TO THE ACTUAL PEOPLE WHO NEED TO SPEND IT DOWN AT THE LOCAL LEVEL.

>> AND ONE OF THE ISSUES ALSO IS THE FACT THAT SOME OF THAT MONEY WAS DESIGNED TO BE SPENT OVER SEVERAL YEARS AND SOME PEOPLE ARE LOOKING AT THAT AND SAYING WAIT A MINUTE ISN'T THIS SUPPOSED TO BE EMERGENCY MONEY WHY DID YOU MAKE IT A 3 YEAR PLAN?

>> YOU THINK THERE'S GOING TO BE MORE COVID MONEY COMING FROM WASHINGTON?

>> THERE COULD BE.

I THINK THIS IS SOMETHING THAT'S A WINNER POLITICALLY WHEN YOU SAY YOU'RE SPENDING MORE MONEY FOR EMERGENCY ISSUES.

THAT LAST PACKAGE THE MAJOR PACKAGE THAT PRESIDENT BIDEN SIGNED IN THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE AT THAT TIME SAYING WE DON'T REALLY NEED MORE COVID RELIEF BUT HE NEEDED IT POLITICALLY.

>> I'M HEARING THEY'RE GOING TO EXTEND THE EXTRA UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS IN WASHINGTON.

IF SO, THAT WOULD MAKE FOR AN INTERESTING DILEMMA FOR THE STATES THAT ARE TRYING TO GET PEOPLE BACK TO WORK BECAUSE THAT OF COURSE WAS A MAJOR DEBATE HERE IN NORTH CAROLINA, WHETHER TO END THE BENEFITS EARLY.

>> OKAY, LET'S GO TO LIGHTNING ROUND.

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

>> MY WHO'S UP IS A GENTLEMAN NAMED BILLY WEST.

HE IS THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY IN CUMBERLAND COUNTY AND RECENTLY WAS ELECTED PRESIDENT OF THE NATIONAL DISTRICT ATTORNEYS ASSOCIATION SAYS DURING HIS TERM AS PRESIDENT THEY'RE GOING TO FOCUS ON TRYING TO ADDRESS THIS SURGE IN VIOLENT CRIME, BUT ALSO ALTERNATIVES LIKE INTERVENTIONS DIVERTING PEOPLE FROM THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IN TREATMENT COURTS.

SO THAT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE.

MY WHO'S DOWN, FORMER STATE SENATOR ERICA SMITH, WHO IS ONE OF THE CONTENDERS FOR THE NEXT US SENATE RACE, BUT IF YOU LOOK AT ALL THE TOP TIER CANDIDATES, SHE'S THE ONLY ONE WHO HAS ALMOST NO MONEY, SHE'S GOT ABOUT $50,000 IN HAND IF YOU LOOK AT THE OTHER DEMOCRATS IN THIS RACE WHO ARE THE BIG NAMES, THEY HAVE $800,000 PLUS EACH.

>> HOW DID THE REPUBLICANS DO?

>> THE REPUBLICANS, ACTUALLY THEY'RE ALL KIND OF IN ABOUT THE SAME BOAT MONEY WISE, WHICH IS INTERESTING BECAUSE PAT MCCRORY, THE FORMER GOVERNOR GOING INTO IT SEEMED TO BE SORT OF THE BIG CANDIDATE, THEN TED BUDD THE CONGRESSMAN GOT PRESIDENT TRUMP'S ENDORSEMENT.

RIGHT NOW THAT MEANS THAT THEIR MONEY TOTAL HAS BEEN GETTING A LITTLE BIT CLOSER.

>> BUDD HAD MONEY LEFT OVER FROM HIS CONGRESSIONAL CAMPAIGN.

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

>> MY UP IS STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL JOSH STEIN.

HE WAS PART OF A HISTORIC 26 BILLION DOLLAR NATIONAL SETTLEMENT WITH OPIOID MANUFACTURER JOHNSON AND JOHNSON AND THIS IS GOING TO RESULT IN 750 MILLION DOLLARS FOR NORTH CAROLINA ALONE.

YOU KNOW, STEIN REALLY LED THE NEGOTIATIONS ON THIS AND THIS IS THE SECOND BIGGEST SETTLEMENT BEHIND THE TOBACCO SETTLEMENTS BACK IN THE 1990'S, AND WE'VE GOT CLOSE TO 2000 PEOPLE A YEAR THAT DIE FROM OPIOID OVERDOSES HERE IN NORTH CAROLINA, SO THIS FUND IS GOING TO GO A LONG WAY FOR US >> DOWN?

>> ALL RIGHT DOWN IS THE INTERNATIONAL HANDBALL ASSOCIATION.

THE ORGANIZATION FINED THE NORWEGIAN WOMEN'S OLYMPIC TEAM FOR NOT WEARING REGULATED BIKINI BOTTOMS.

[LAUGHTER] THE ASSOCIATION COULDN'T EXPLAIN WHY THEY HAVE THIS RULE BUT THE DECISION BY THE NORWEGIAN WOMEN'S TEAM TO PUSH BACK ON IT REALLY UNDERSCORES THE DOUBLE STANDARDS THAT THE OLYMPICS HOLD FOR MALE AND FEMALE ATHLETES.

>> JOE UP AND DOWN PLEASE MY FRIEND.

>> UP UNFORTUNATELY, THE DISCONNECT BETWEEN WHITE BLACK AMERICANS.

A GALLUP POLL CAME OUT TO SHOW 57% OF THE PEOPLE SURVEYED SAID THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN WHITE AND BLACK PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTRY IS EITHER BAD OR SOMEWHAT BAD.

UNFORTUNATELY THAT'S DOWN 9 POINTS OR UP 9 POINTS I GUESS FROM 2 YEARS AGO PROBABLY A REFLECTION OF ONE OF THE LEVELS OF DIVISION WE'RE FEELING IN THIS COUNTRY.

WHO'S DOWN, UNFORTUNATELY LIFE EXPECTANCY IN THE UNITED STATES DROPPED BY A YEAR AND A HALF -- [MARC] ARE YOU SWEATING IT?

>> -- AS A RESULT OF THE PANDEMIC, THE ONLY OTHER TIME HAS GONE DOWN BY AT LEAST THIS MUCH WAS DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR, A PRETTY SIGNIFICANT THING.

OF COURSE THE GOOD NEWS IS WOMEN STILL OUTLIVE MEN 80.5 YEARS TO 75.1 YEARS.

HOPEFULLY THIS WILL REBOUND BUT ONE OF THE TROUBLING PHENOMENONS THAT'S TAKING PLACE IS WHAT'S LEVELED OUT LIFE EXPECTANCY FROM CONTINUING TO INCREASE IN THIS COUNTRY IS WHAT'S CALLED DEATHS OF DESPAIR OVERDOSE AND SUICIDE RATES HAVE CREPT UP SLOWLY OVER THE PAST DECADE.

SO A LOT THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE TO OF TRYING TO FORESTALL THAT FROM IMPACTING LIFE EXPECTANCY IN OUR COUNTRY.

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

UP, I'M GONNA SAY BIOTECH JOBS IN NORTH CAROLINA.

WE'RE SEEING A VERY STEADY GROWTH OF BIOTECH JOBS, PARTICULARLY HERE IN THE TRIANGLE AND COMMUNITY COLLEGES, NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY, NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL, ALL CREATING THESE TRAINING PROGRAMS TO MAKE SURE WE CAN PUT NORTH CAROLINIANS IN THOSE WELL PAYING JOBS.

>> ARE WE BECOMING THE SILICON VALLEY OF THE EAST?

>> I WOULD LIKE TO THINK SO, I THINK BIOTECH IS REALLY DRIVING A LOT OF THAT BECAUSE WE HAVE A GREAT UNIVERSITY SYSTEM AND GREAT MEDICAL SYSTEM HERE.

MY DOWN IS GOING TO BE THE TOKYO OLYMPICS WERE ALREADY -- THEY'RE SITTING IN HOTEL ROOMS WITH THEIR UNIFORMS ON AND WE'RE HEARING THAT IT'S POSSIBLE THAT THE HEAD OF THE OLYMPIC TEAM.

HEAD OF THE OLYMPICS SAYS THEY MIGHT EVEN CANCEL.

>> HEADLINE NEXT WEEK, MITCH.

>> PARENTS PEPPER LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS ACROSS NORTH CAROLINA ABOUT MANDATORY MASKS.

>> LESLIE HEADLINE NEXT WEEK?

>> PARENTS SPEND THOSE MONEY THOSE FEDERAL DOLLARS ON SWIM LESSONS AND MAYBE SOME TUTORING >> HEADLINE NEXT WEEK, JOE.

>> FINANCIAL MARKETS CONTINUE TO BE UNSETTLED BY RESURGENCE OF COVID-19 AND THE LACK OF AN INFRASTRUCTURE BILL OUT OF CONGRESS.

>> DONNA HEADLINE NEXT WEEK.

>> I HOPE NORTH CAROLINA UNEMPLOYMENT RATE DROPS.

SOME OF THOSE FIGURES ARE DUE OUT NEXT WEEK.

>> WE ARE SEEING JOBLESS RATES INCREASE CORRECT?

>> WE ARE, WE ARE.

>> OKAY.

GREAT JOB PANEL.

GREAT JOB GUYS AND GALS, THAT'S IT FOR US, THANKS FOR WATCHING.

SEE YOU NEXT WEEK ON FRONT ROW.

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