>> HI I'M MARC ROTTERMAN.

COMING UP PRESIDENT BIDEN'S AGENDA STALLS IN THE SENATE.

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY REACHES AN AGREEMENT ON SPENDING FOR NEXT YEAR'S BUDGET, AND FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP ENDORSES TED BUDD IN THE NORTH CAROLINA SENATE RACE, NEXT.

>> MAJOR FUNDING FOR FRONT ROW IS PROVIDED BY: ADDITIONAL FUNDING PROVIDED BY: FUNDING FOR THE LIGHTNING ROUND PROVIDED BY: A COMPLETE LIST OF FUNDERS CAN BE FOUND AT: IT'S FRONT ROW WITH HOST MARC ROTTERMAN.

>> WELCOME BACK.

JOINING THE CONVERSATION, MITCH KOKAI WITH THE JOHN LOCKE FOUNDATION, JAY CHADHURI THE DEMOCRATIC MINORITY WHIP IN THE STATE SENATE, DONNA KING EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OF CAROLINA JOURNAL.

AND NELSON DOLLAR SENIOR ADVISER TO NORTH CAROLINA SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE.

MITCH IT APPEARS LIKE PRESIDENT BIDEN'S AGENDA IS ON HOLD IN THE U.S. SENATE.

>> TO SOME EXTENT PRESIDENT BIDEN AND HIS SUPPORTERS KNOW THAT NOW IS THE MOST OPPORTUNE TIME TO GET ANY MAJOR TRANSFORMATIONAL CHANGE IS DONE THE CLOSER YOU GET TO MIDTERMS THE MORE POLITICS ENTER INTO ANY CALCULATIONS AND SOME MAJOR ITEMS HAVE GOTTEN THROUGH THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES WHERE IT TAKES A SIMPLE MAJORITY TO PASS MEASURES VERY DIFFERENT IN THE U.S. SENATE WHERE TO GET ANYTHING MAJOR DONE YOU NEED TO HAVE 60 VOTES AND DEMOCRATS HAVE 50 VOTES, 51 IF THE VICE PRESIDENT GETS TO CAST THE TIE BREAKER, AND SO THAT'S MEANT SOME TALL ORDERS FOR SOME MAJOR ITEMS LIKE THE BIG ELECTION OVERHAUL HR ONE S ONE DEPENDING ON WHICH BORDERS WAS OUT FOR THE PEOPLE ACT WHICH WOULD HAVE A MAJOR FEDERAL INFLUENCE ON ELECTIONS ALSO THE BIG INFRASTRUCTURE PACKAGE TRILLION DOLLAR PLUS THAT'S BEEN TALKED ABOUT IN SOME RESPECTS.

THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION HAD BEEN TALKING TO REPUBLICAN SENATORS THEY HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO REACH AGREEMENT THERE WAS A 10 MEMBER BIPARTISAN GROUP INCLUDING KIRSTEN CINEMA AND JOE MANCHIN WHO ARE SEEN TO BE SORT OF THE THAT THE DEAL BREAKERS ON THINGS LIKE ENDING THE FILIBUSTER.

THEY CAME UP WITH A AN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN BUT OTHER DEMOCRATS HAVE SAID NO THAT ONE IS DEAD IN THE WATER BECAUSE IT DOESN'T GO CENTER ONE FROM OREGON.

SENATOR WYDEN SAID CERTAINLY COMING OUT SAYING THIS IS A NONSTARTER SO IT'S GOING TO TAKE A A MAJOR SHIFT TO BE ABLE TO GET SOME OF THESE MAJOR PACKAGES THROUGH THE U.S. SENATE.

>> JAY IS A MANCHIN, THE KINGMAKER IN THE SENATE NOW.

>> WELL THE MANCHIN CERTAINLY HOLDS OUTSIDE INFLUENCE.

IN THE IN THE UNITED STATES SENATE AND PART OF THAT IS BECAUSE IT REFLECTS WEST VIRGINIA.

I MEAN HE IS NOT A SOCIAL WHERE HE'S A KITCHEN TABLE.

DEMOCRAT HE IS FOCUSED ON ISSUES THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO WEST VIRGINIA, HE'S IT'S IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT HE ACTUALLY VOTED AGAINST THE TAX CUTS PROPOSED BY DONALD CROP.

HE'S VOTED AGAINST REPEALING THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT, BUT HE WAS ALSO THE MOST IMPORTANT VOTE IN PASSING THE 1.9 TRILLION DOLLAR RESCUE PACKAGE AND SO I THINK DEMOCRATS ARE STRUGGLING WITH HIM BECAUSE HE'S COME OUT AGAINST THE VOTING RIGHTS BILL, BUT IT'S IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT HE HAS OUTSIDE INFLUENCE BECAUSE HE'S THE 50TH VOTE ON A LOT OF ISSUES THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO PRESIDENT BIDEN.

>> BUT WILL HE SIGN ON RECONCILIATION YOU THINK TO GET THE INFRASTRUCTURE BILL PASSED?

>> I THINK IT'S UNCLEAR, I MEAN I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE'RE READING ABOUT IS THE FACT THEY MIGHT BREAK UP THAT INFRASTRUCTURE PACKAGE INTO TWO PACKAGES.

ONE THAT HAS BIPARTISAN SUPPORT AND ONE THAT DOESN'T.

AND I THINK THAT'S GOING TO BE THE REAL QUESTION.

I THINK ON INFRASTRUCTURE, MANCHIN STRIKES ME AS SOMEONE THAT FITS IN THAT KITCHEN TABLE DEMOCRAT IDENTITY.

>> THIS IS THE FIRST BIG TEST NELSON FOR THE PRESIDENT.

HE'S OVERSEAS NOW AT THE G7 AND HE MEETS WITH PUTIN NEXT WEEK.

>> WELL THAT'S RIGHT SO WHEN THINGS AREN'T GOING WELL AT HOME THE BEST MOVE FOR ANY PRESIDENT IS TO GO ABROAD.

SO FIRST HE'S OVER MEETING WITH BORIS JOHNSON, AND THE QUEEN OF GREAT BRITAIN THAT WILL BE ALL VERY WARM VERY RECEIVING BECAUSE BRITAIN WANTS A TRADE DEAL WITH THE UNITED STATES, SO THEY WILL AGREE TO ALMOST ANYTHING IN ORDER TO GET THAT.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE BALANCE OF THE EUROPEAN POWERS.

THEY'RE GOING TO BE VERY MUCH IN LINE WITH JOE BIDEN'S AGENDA PUBLICLY, PARTICULARLY ON ISSUES LIKE CLIMATE CHANGE, BUT BEHIND THE SCENES, EUROPE IS VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE UNITED STATES VIS A VIS THE US CHINA POLICY AND THEY'RE ALSO CONCERNED ABOUT SECURITY.

WILL THE U.S. LONG TERM CONTINUE TO PAY FOR THE WORLD SECURITY AND SECURITY FOR TRADE?

>> DONNA WRAP THIS UP IN ABOUT 40 SECONDS.

PUT THIS IN CONTEXT PLEASE.

>> SURE I THINK A LOT OF THE FOLKS THAT PUT BIDEN IN THE WHITE HOUSE PERHAPS WHERE MORE VOTING AGAINST DONALD TRUMP AND THEY REALLY WANTED TO SEE SOMEBODY WHO COULD BRING EVERYBODY TOGETHER THAT COULD YOU COULD NEGOTIATE ON CAPITOL HILL AND COULD USE THAT FOREIGN POLICY EXPERIENCE AND A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE STILL WAITING TO SEE IT AND THAT POPULISM THAT SWEPT DONALD TRUMP IN OFFICE HAS REALLY YOU KNOW REALLY SWEPT THE GLOBE AND I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING THAT HE'S FIGHTING AGAINST PARTICULARLY AS HE GOES TO EUROPE.

>> OKAY, LET'S GO TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY'S WEEK PRETTY BIG WEEK.

>> A MAJOR WEEK MARC.

SPEAKER MOORE AND PRESIDENT PRO TEM BIRDER AGREED TO A PATH FORWARD ON THE BUDGET AS WE KNEW THEY WOULD.

GENERAL FUND SPENDING NUMBER FOR THE FIRST YEAR OF THE BUDGET WILL BE 25.7 BILLION DOLLARS OR 3.45% INCREASE OVER THE CURRENT YEAR, A 26.65 BILLION DOLLAR BUDGET FOR THE SECOND YEAR, THE BUYING, THAT'S A 3.65 INCREASE IN SECOND YEAR.

THEY'VE AGREED ON CERTAIN PARAMETERS AROUND THE BUDGET AS WELL SO THE STATE CONSTRUCTION INFRASTRUCTURE FUND WILL BE AT A MINIMUM 4.2 BILLION DOLLARS.

SO THAT MEANS ROUGHLY 3 BILLION DOLLARS FOR CONSTRUCTION, IN TERMS OF UNIVERSITIES, COMMUNITY COLLEGES, ZOOS, MUSEUMS.

HISTORIC SITES.

ALSO WHEN YOU CONSIDER ALL THE STORMS THAT NORTH CAROLINA HAS HAD COME ITS WAY OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS AS WELL AS THE PANDEMIC AND OTHER SHOCKS, THE SAVINGS RESERVE FUND WILL BE BUILT BACK BY THE END OF -- INTO 2.7 BILLION DOLLARS THAT'S BEEN AGREED UPON AND THERE'S SOME OTHER RESERVES HAVE BEEN AGREED TO AS WELL.

ALSO BEING APPROPRIATED THE SAME TIME WILL BE ROUGHLY 5.7 BILLION DOLLARS IN FEDERAL FUNDS SO THE SENATE WILL FINISH THE BUDGET.

SOME TIME BEFORE THE END OF JUNE AND IN A FEW WEEKS, THE HOUSE BY EARLY AUGUST AND THEN PROBABLY A COUPLE OF WEEKS FOR CONFERENCE WE SHOULD HAVE A BUDGET MID TO LATE AUGUST FOR THE GOVERNOR TO SIGN.

>> DONNA WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN FOLLOWING?

>> SO WE'VE BEEN FOLLOWING THESE NUMBERS VERY CLOSELY AND OF COURSE, YOU KNOW ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE'RE SEEING IS REPUBLICANS ARE REALLY USING A STRATEGY THAT THEY'VE USED THE LAST DECADE OR SO OF KEEPING SPENDING LOW, YOU KNOW INCORPORATING THE RATE OF GROWTH IN POPULATION INFLATION AND THAT FORMULA SEEMS TO BE PUTTING NORTH CAROLINA REALLY SOLID FINANCIAL FOOTING THAT ALLOWS US TO DO THINGS LIKE WHAT HE WAS SAYING, BUILD THE RAINY DAY FUND, SURVIVE HURRICANES AND PANDEMICS AND ALL THESE THINGS.

BUT WE'RE ALSO FINDING THAT THERE'S ALWAYS CONSISTENTLY, A SURPLUS.

6 OF THE LAST 7 YEARS WE'VE HAD SURPLUS.

MAYBE IT'S TIME TO GIVE SOME OF IT BACK TO THE TAXPAYERS.

>> MISTER LEADER YOU VOTED AGAINST THE TAX PACKAGE.

TELL US WHY.

>> WELL I VOTED AGAINST THE TAX PACKAGE BECAUSE FRANKLY THAT WOULD TAKE AWAY THE OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO INVEST MORE IN BUILDING ROADS AND SCHOOLS IN MAKING SURE THAT WE GIVE TEACHER THE PAY THAT THEY DESERVE AND MAKING SURE THAT WE ALSO FOCUS ON OTHER GREAT NEEDS.

WE'VE GOT 8 BILLION DOLLARS SCHOOL INFRASTRUCTURE NEED A LOAN SO WE'VE GOT A LOT OF NEEDS THAT HAVEN'T BEEN MET.

I THINK WE CAN FOCUS ON TAX CUTS BUT THE PROBLEM BY ABOUT THE TAX CUTS THAT THEY'RE NOT TARGETED ENOUGH.

>> LET ME ASK YOU THIS ARE THE VOTES THERE TO OVERRIDE THE GOVERNOR'S VETO?

8 DEMOCRATS DID VOTE WITH THE REPUBLICANS.

>> SO I MEAN I THINK WE HAVE TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS WITH THAT WHEN IT WHEN THE BILL GOES OVER TO THE HOUSE, I MEAN I DON'T THINK ANYBODY'S AGAINST THE IDEA OF TAX CUTS THE QUESTION IS WHETHER IT'S TARGETED AND WHETHER THERE'S STILL GOING TO BE REVENUE THAT COMES BACK TO FOCUS ON THAT THE SPENDING NEEDS AND THE INVESTMENTS WE NEED TO MAKE IN THE STATE GOING FORWARD.

>> MITCH YOUR TAKE ON THE WEEK.

>> ONE OF THE INTERESTING THINGS ABOUT THE SENATE HOUSE COMING UP WITH AN AGREEMENT ON THAT BUDGET NUMBER IS IT OPENS UP THE FLOODGATES ON GETTING OTHER THINGS DONE I THINK THERE WAS A BRIEF PERIOD WHERE BOTH THE HOUSE AND SENATE SAID WELL IF YOU'RE NOT GOING TO COME TO AN AGREEMENT ON THE BUDGET WE'RE NOT GONNA TAKE UP YOUR BILLS SO A LOT OF BILLS WERE REALLY STUCK IN COMMITTEE NOW WE'RE SEEING A LOT OF ACTION ON A NUMBER OF IMPORTANT ISSUES.

HEALTH CARE ISSUES, ELECTION ISSUES, OTHER THINGS THAT ARE THAT ARE IMPORTANT HAVE BEEN KIND OF SITTING TO THE SIDE WHILE THE BUDGET HAS BEEN ON CENTER STAGE.

>> NELSON, WRAP THIS UP IN ABOUT 40 SECONDS PLEASE SIR.

>> WELL, I DO THINK YOU'RE GOING TO SEE LEGISLATION MOVING FORWARD ON A NUMBER OF IMPORTANT FRONTS.

YOU SAW A FAIRLY NARROW GROUP OF BILLS THAT CAME OUT IN THE SENATE AND A SOMEWHAT NARROW GROUP OF BILLS COMING OUT OF HOUSE RELATIVE TO THE SIZE OF THE HOUSE.

THERE ARE ONGOING NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN THE CHAMBERS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HANDLE ALL OF THE HAVE TO DO THINGS AND GET DOWN TO THOSE CONTENTIOUS ISSUES THAT WILL REQUIRE ADDITIONAL NEGOTIATION.

>> OK I WANT TO CHANGE TOPICS.

DONNA PRESIDENT TRUMP WAS BACK IN NORTH CAROLINA THIS WEEK LAST WEEKEND REALLY AND BACK ON CENTER STAGE.

>> YES, AND YOU SAW HIM TRYING OUT A FEW KEY MESSAGES OF COURSE WITH REPUBLICAN PARTY FAITHFUL.

I COVERED THE CONVENTION, THE BIGGEST NEWS OUT OF THAT CONVENTION OF COURSE IS HIS ENDORSEMENT OF CONGRESSMAN TED BUDD IN THE SENATE PRIMARY RACE.

IT WAS A SURPRISE EVERYBODY, IT APPEARED TO BE A SURPRISE EVEN TO BUDD, WALKER AND PAT MCCRORY.

FORMER CONGRESSMAN MARK WALKER AND FORMER GOVERNOR PAT MCCRORY WERE THERE WHEN THAT ANNOUNCEMENT WAS MADE, AND IT WAS INTERESTING TO SEE THE REACTION IN THE CROWD.

SO THE STRAW POLL, THE BEGINNING OF THE CONVENTION FOUND MARK WALKER TO BE AHEAD IN THAT RACE, WE'VE RUN POLLS, OURSELVES THAT SAY PAT MCCRORY'S GOT AN EDGE.

NOW WITH THIS HOW DOES THIS CHANGE THE FORMULA IT'S HARD TO PREDICT BECAUSE IT REALLY IS DIFFICULT TO UNDERESTIMATE THE POPULARITY OF FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP TO THE REPUBLICAN PARTY FAITHFUL.

IT LOOKED LIKE A ROCK CONCERT.

THERE WERE TRUMP HATS, TRUMP SHIRTS, TRUMP PURSES, YOU NAME IT ALL OVER THE CONVENTION FLOOR THAT NIGHT AND I THINK THAT WE'RE REALLY SEEING THE FORMER PRESIDENT EXERCISE WHAT'S GOING TO BECOME A KINGMAKER STATUS MOVING FORWARD IN CONSERVATIVE POLITICS.

>> MITCH, WHAT STRUCK YOU ABOUT THE SPEECH OTHER THAN THE ENDORSEMENT?

>> WELL I THINK THE FACT THAT HE ISN'T TALKING ENTIRELY ABOUT THE FACT THAT HE THINKS THE ELECTION IN 2020 WAS STOLEN FROM HIM IS A POSITIVE SIGN.

YOU CAN'T KEEP WITH THAT MESSAGE FOR THE NEXT 3 YEARS.

>> [MARC] TALK ABOUT THE FUTURE.

>> HAVE TO LOOK AT THE FUTURE, SO THAT THAT WAS AN IMPORTANT ADDITION TO THE TO THE AGENDA THAT HE'S BEEN PUTTING FORWARD.

I THINK IF HE IS GOING TO RUN AGAIN OR IF HE JUST WANTS TO BE A KINGMAKER FOR WHOEVER IS GOING TO RUN AGAIN NEXT, HE HAS TO COME UP WITH SOME IDEAS OF HOW TO GET BACK TO THAT THEME THAT WAS SO SUCCESSFUL FOR HIM IN 2016 OF MAKING AMERICA GREAT AGAIN.

DOES HE SAY MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN AGAIN, OR SOME PEOPLE HAVE SUGGESTED THAT HE COME UP WITH A NEW HAT THAT SAID I TOLD YOU SO, AND GO WITH THAT THEME, SO I THINK THAT WAS IMPORTANT ALSO I THINK ONE OF THE PIECES OF THIS BUDD ENDORSEMENT THAT WE HAVE TO GET OUT THERE IS THE FACT THAT WE NOW KNOW LAURA TRUMP IS NOT GOING TO RUN AND THAT IS A MAJOR ADDITION TO THIS RACE, BECAUSE THAT CREATED UNCERTAINTY FOR ALL THE OTHER CANDIDATES WILL SHE JUMP IN AND TAKE MUCH OF THE OXYGEN AWAY FROM THE ROOM.

NOW THAT SHE ISN'T IN, IT REALLY IS A FIGHT AMONG MCCRORY, WALKER AND BUDD.

>> YOU KNOW I DON'T THINK TRUMP'S CAN GET A FREE PASS IF HE DOES RUN.

I SEE PENCE SEPARATED HIMSELF ON THE INSURRECTION ON JANUARY 6.

HE SAID HE DOESN'T THINK THEY'LL EVER SEE EYE TO EYE AGAIN ON THAT ISSUE NELSON.

>> WELL THAT'S TRUE.

BUT TRUMP ALWAYS MAKES HIS BASE HAPPY, BUT IF HE IS GOING TO RUN AGAIN I THINK HE DOES NEED TO GET BACK TO THE WORKING CLASS ISSUES HIS AMERICA FIRST MESSAGE HE NEEDS TO LING FORDE ANY NEEDS TO FOCUS MORE ON HIS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS THAN HIS ANTAGONISTS AND THE OTHER THING I WOULD ADD FROM THE CONVENTION IS BUDD HIMSELF, YOU KNOW, BUDD IS FROM THE MIDDLE OF THE STATE, RESPECTED BUSINESS FAMILY WITH STRONG BUSINESS TIES HE BEAT A FIELD OF 17 CANDIDATES IN A PRIMARY TO GET TO CONGRESS TO START WITH AND THE CLUB FOR GROWTH WHICH IS A VERY IMPORTANT GROUP THEY CONTRIBUTED $285,000 TO HIS INITIAL PRIMARY CAMPAIGN THEY ARE GOING TO COME BACK IN.

HE WENT TO APPALACHIAN STATE WHERE I WENT, KNOWN FOR BEATING THE ODDS.

SO -- >> I THINK THIS IS GOING TO BE A SUPER PAC RACE.

LET ME ASK YOU JAY, ON YOUR TEAM SIDE WHOSE EMERGING TO RUN FOR SENATE?

>> WELL I THINK THE TWO CLEAR LEADERS ARE REALLY SENATOR JEFF JACKSON WHO HAS AN INCREDIBLY LARGE SOCIAL MEDIA FOLLOWING HE'S FROM MECKLENBURG COUNTY, A FORMER PROSECUTOR, MILITARY.

FOR CURRENT MILITARY VETERAN AS WELL AS A STATE SENATOR AND THEN WE'VE GOT CHERI BEASLEY WHO WAS A FORMER CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE NORTH CAROLINA STATE SUPREME COURT WHO JUST ANNOUNCED AFTER SENATOR JACKSON CAME OUT AND I REALLY THINK THAT WE'RE GOING TO SEE A REAL BATTLE BETWEEN THE TWO OF THEM.

>> YOU KNOW DONNA, I REALLY JUST THINK THIS IS A NAME ID RACE RIGHT NOW BETWEEN BUDD, MCCRORY AND WALKER.

IT'S NOT CLEAR TO ME THOUGH THAT WALKER HAS THE MONEY TO REALLY PUT A CAMPAIGN TOGETHER AT THIS POINT.

>> WELL, IF BUDD HAS DONALD TRUMP FUNDRAISING FOR HIM AND TRAVELING FOR HIM AND CAMPAIGNING FOR HIM THAT'S GOING TO CHANGE THE EQUATION DRAMATICALLY BECAUSE HE'S REALLY PINPOINTING A FEW CANDIDATES ACROSS THE COUNTRY WHERE HE'S GOING TO TEST OUT THIS NEW ROLE.

AND IT SOUNDS LIKE GROUND 0 IS REALLY MAR-A-LAGO.

>> YEAH, I WOULDN'T BE SURPRISED IF TRUMP SUPER PAC IS INVOLVED IN THIS RACE.

OK, JAY I WANT TO TALK TO YOU.

IT WAS AN INTERESTING PROPOSAL BY SENATOR BURGIN THIS WEEK ABOUT LEGISLATIVE REFORM.

FILL US IN.

>> SO SENATOR JIM BURGIN, A TRUE GENTLEMAN AND SOMEONE WHO COMMANDS GREAT RESPECT BIPARTISAN RESPECT IN THE CHAMBER FILED A BILL THIS SESSION THAT WOULD ADDRESS AN ISSUE THAT A LOT OF LAWMAKERS WANT TO STAY AS FAR AS POSSIBLE FROM, AND THAT'S THE IDEA OF LEGISLATIVE PAY.

SENATOR BURGIN HAS GOT A VERY CREATIVE IDEA THAT IS TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU'VE GOT EIGHT MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC THAT DECIDE INDEPENDENTLY ON ADDRESSING A FEW ISSUES; ONE IS LEGISLATIVE PAY, THE OTHER IS TERM LIMITS.

AND THE OTHER IS THE LENGTH OF TERMS THAT HOUSE AND SENATE MEMBERS SERVE.

AND FROM SENATOR BURGIN'S PERSPECTIVE, IT'S IT'S SIMILAR TO THE IDEA OF AN INDEPENDENT LEGISLATIVE REDISTRICTING COMMISSION THE SENSE OF THE LEGISLATURE MAY BE SELF-SERVING SO IT'S BETTER FROM THESE IDEAS OVER TO A 3RD PARTY.

SENATOR BURGIN SAID THAT A LOT OF HIS CONSTITUENTS THINKS THAT LEGISLATORS MAKE SIX-FIGURE SALARIES AND WE WORK FULL TIME WHEN IN FACT WE MAKE AROUND $14,000 A YEAR AND SO I THINK HE'S GOT A REALLY CREATIVE IDEA.

I THINK THE QUESTION IS WHETHER IT GAINS ANY TRACTION IN THE CHAMBER.

>> THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.

DOES IT HAVE LEGS NELSON?

>> IT'S DIFFICULT.

I'VE TRIED TO SPONSOR A BILL THAT WAS JUST THE PER DIEM AND THE MILEAGE AND GOT HAMMERED FOR IT, SO I THINK AS JAY IS SAYING SENATOR BURGIN IS A HIGHLY RESPECTED AND I HOPE THAT IT DOES WORK.

IN THE HOUSE, WE ARE MORE OPEN NOW.

WE TELEVISING SESSIONS MORE ACCESSIBLE ON THE WEB SITE FOR THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE.

THE RULES IN BOTH CHAMBERS ARE FAR MORE OPEN AND LEGISLATORS TODAY HAVE FOR MORE TIME TO ACTUALLY READ THE BILL AS THEY DID BEFORE BUT HERE'S THE PROBLEM.

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY HAS ONE FOOT ON THE BOAT AND ONE FOOT ON THE DOCK.

WE'RE NOT A TRUE CITIZEN LEGISLATURE, AND WE'RE NOT A PROFESSIONAL LEGISLATURE EITHER AS JAY MENTIONED ON PAY.

AND WE NEED TO CHOOSE I THINK THE MOST NEEDED REFORM IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY IS SESSION LIMITS.

LIMIT THE TIME LIKE VIRGINIA, FLORIDA, TEXAS WHO ALL HAVE SESSIONS BETWEEN 60 AND 140 DAYS, THE OPPORTUNITY TO LIMIT THOSE SESSIONS AND THEN THEY CAN HAVE SPECIAL SESSIONS FOR THE BUDGET AND THE LIKE IF THEY NEED THEM.

BUT I THINK THAT YOU KNOW GET THE WORK DONE AND GO HOME AND WE NEED THOSE CONSTRICTURES I THINK IN NORTH CAROLINA.

>> MITCH, WHAT STRIKES YOU ABOUT THIS PROPOSAL, THIS LEGISLATION?

>> ONE OF THE MOST INTERESTING THINGS ABOUT IT THAT'S BEEN ALLUDED TO IS THE FACT THAT IT DOES TAKE SOME OF THE DECISION-MAKING PROCESS OUT OF THE LEGISLATORS' HANDS BECAUSE EVEN IF THIS IS A GREAT IDEA AND OUR LEGISLATORS ARE UNDERPAID AND SHOULD BE PAID MUCH MORE BASED ON THE AMOUNT OF WORK THEY DO, A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE GOING TO LOOK AT THIS AND, SAY YEAH YOU JUST GIVING YOURSELVES MORE MONEY IF SOMEONE ELSE AND I BELIEVE EVERYONE WHO SERVES ON THIS COMMISSION CANNOT BE ELECTED OFFICIAL, IF PEOPLE WHO ARE OUTSIDE OF THE GOVERNMENT CLASS SAY LOOK THESE PEOPLE NEED TO GET PAID MORE I THINK THAT WILL CARRY A LOT MORE WEIGHT THAT LEGISLATORS SAYING ABOUT THEMSELVES.

>> DONNA?

>> I THINK THE IMPORTANT THING TO KNOW IS THAT AS YOU SAID THEY MAKE YOU KNOW, 13,000 $14,000 A YEAR, WHICH MEANS YOU'RE REALLY LIMITING WHO CAN RUN.

YOU HAVE TO BE INDEPENDENTLY WEALTHY OR RETIRED, AND THAT'S NOT A REAL CROSS SECTION OF WHO WE ARE AS NORTH CAROLINIANS, AND ONLY 4 STATES PAY LESS THAN NORTH CAROLINA AND NONE OF THOSE HAVE.

NONE OF THOSE HAVE THESE OPEN ENDED SESSIONS THEY ALL HAVE SESSION LIMITS.

SO YOU REALLY EITHER PAY THEM MORE OR ASK LESS OF THEM IN TERMS OF ACTUAL DAYS IN SESSION.

>> JAY CLOSE THIS OUT ABOUT 40 SECONDS MY FRIEND.

>> WELL I THINK NELSON IS RIGHT.

I THINK ONE OF THE SOLUTIONS IS REALLY LOOKING AT LEGISLATIVE SESSION LIMITS BECAUSE WE'RE ONE OF ONLY 7 STATES THE COUNTRY THAT DOESN'T HAVE LEGISLATIVE SESSION LIMITS.

I THINK IT'S VERY DIFFICULT FOR LEGISLATORS TO RAISE THEIR PAY BECAUSE IT'S ESSENTIALLY POLITICAL SUICIDE AND SO I THINK THE BEST WAY TO GO ABOUT IT IS TO REALLY LIMIT THE AMOUNT OF WORK WE DO LIKE OTHER GOT MANY OF OUR SOUTHERN STATES DO.

>> DO IT IN A NON-ELECTION YEAR.

OKAY, LET'S GO TO THE MOST UNDERREPORTED STORY OF THE WEEK MITCH.

>> ERIC HOLDER WHO IS A FORMER U.S. ATTORNEY GENERAL UNDER BARACK OBAMA HAS GOT VERY INVOLVED IN THE ISSUE OF REDISTRICTING, HE LEADS A GROUP CALLED THE NATIONAL REDISTRICTING ACTION FUND THAT WANTS TO CHANGE THE WAY PEOPLE DRAW ELECTION MAPS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

THEY HAVE COME OUT WITH A NEW CAMPAIGN THAT SAYS BILLIONAIRES SHOULDN'T BE BUYING ELECTIONS.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT THEY'RE NOT EMPHASIZING IS THE FACT THAT MUCH OF THE MONEY THAT GOES TO THE NATIONAL REDISTRICTING ACTION FUND COMES FROM NOT JUST A BILLIONAIRE A FOREIGN BILLIONAIRE.

A SWISS BILLIONAIRE NAMED HANSJöRG WYSS WHO HAS CONTRIBUTED A LOT OF MONEY TO THAT GROUP 3 MILLION DOLLARS IN RECENT YEARS.

HE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ABOUT 40% OF THAT GROUPS BUDGET IN 2018.

A QUARTER OF ITS BUDGET THE FOLLOWING YEAR.

SO APPARENTLY THE MESSAGES BILLIONAIRE SHOULDN'T BUY ELECTIONS BUT FOREIGN BILLIONAIRES SHOULD TELL US HOW WE SHOULD RUN OUR ELECTIONS.

>> EVERYBODY DESERVES AN OPPORTUNITY.

JAY MOST UNDERREPORTED STORY.

>> SO ACCORDING TO AXIOS, CRIMINALS MAY HAVE STOLEN MORE HALF OF THE UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS, THE UNITED STATES HAS PUMPED INTO THE ECONOMY DURING THIS PAST PANDEMIC.

>> [MARC] ABOUT 400 BILLION DOLLARS.

>> 400 BILLION DOLLARS, THAT'S WHAT THEY BE AND THAT MAKES IT AND THIS IS BECAUSE OF POTENTIAL FOR CRIMINAL SYNDICATES, SO THAT MAKES IT NOT ONLY A FRAUD ISSUE BUT A NATIONAL SECURITY ISSUE.

AS WE ALL KNOW STATES ARE REALLY UNPREPARED TO DEALING WITH A ADMINISTERING UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE PROPER TECHNOLOGY THAT WAS OUTDATED, SO I THINK IT REALLY PRESENTS A CHALLENGE FOR THE STATE AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY HAVE THE TECHNOLOGY TO COMBAT THAT KIND OF FRAUD.

>> I THINK THAT NUMBER'LL GO UP OVER 400 BILLION?

>> I MEAN I HOPE NOT.

>> OKAY, DONNA UNDERREPORTED PLEASE?

>> WELL THERE'S AN ELECTION INTEGRITY BILL THAT'S BEING CONSIDERED IN THE UNITED STATES SENATE AND ONE OF THE CHARACTERISTICS OF IT IS IT WOULD FUND MOBILE VOTER ID UNITS.

SO YOU HAVE TROUBLE GETTING AN ID, WE WILL BRING IT TO YOU.

IT'S A VEHICLE THAT WOULD COME AROUND AND HELP PEOPLE GET AN IDENTIFICATION THAT THEY MIGHT NEED TO GO VOTE.

I THINK IT'S A REALLY INTERESTING KIND OF INNOVATIVE WAY TO APPROACH THIS ISSUE.

>> DOES IT HAVE LEGS.

NELSON?

>> THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION.

IT'S LIKE ALL GOOD GREAT IDEAS THAT ARE NOT ALWAYS APPRECIATED.

[PANELISTS CHUCKLING] >> UNDERREPORTED PLEASE?

>> GREENS CHALLENGING GREEN ENERGY PROJECTS, BATTLE BORN SOLAR PROJECT 14 SQUARE MILE PROJECT IN THE MOJAVE DESERT IS BEING CHALLENGED OVER CONCERNS FOR THE DESERT TORTOISE AND THE VIEW.

BIDEN OF COURSE, MAJOR SUPPORTER OF WIND PROJECTS BUT RECENTLY CANCELED TWO POLITICALLY UNPOPULAR WIND PROJECTS OFFSHORE IN NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY.

FISHERMEN ARE STILL OPPOSING THE LARGEST WIND PROJECT THAT'S BEEN APPROVED THUS FAR, THE VINEYARD WIND PROJECT UP IN MASSACHUSETTS OF COURSE, THE SOARING DEMAND FOR LITHIUM AND RARE METALS AND THE NEED FOR DOUBLE THE CURRENT NUMBER OF TRANSMISSION LINES IF YOU'RE GOING TO GO GREEN.

ALSO RAISING CONCERN AND OPPOSITION AMONG SOME ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS.

GOOD NEWS.

WYOMING ANNOUNCED THEIR FIRST NATRIUM MODULAR NUCLEAR REACTOR.

THESE ARE SAFER SCALABLE PLANTS, THEY STORE ENERGY IN MOLTEN SALT AND THEY CAN RUN A 100% OF CAPACITY CONSTANTLY.

>> IN THE INFRASTRUCTURE BILL AND I'M CHANGING TOPICS JUST LITTLE BIT THERE'S A LOT OF MONEY FOR FOR GREEN, THE GREEN NEW DEAL ISN'T THERE?

>> THERE'S QUITE A BIT OF MONEY, BUT YOU KNOW THE DEAL THAT THEY PUT ON THE TABLE AS MITCH SAID BY THE BI-PARTISAN GROUP 1.2 BILLION DOLLARS, THAT MONEY WAS REJECTED.

>> THERE'S WHAT 700 BILLION FROM THE FROM THE COVID RELIEF IN THAT BILL?

>> YES, THERE'S SOME RE PROMISING A FUNDS THAT ARE THERE THAT ARE IN THE SYSTEM AND THERE ARE CURRENTLY NOT BEING USED, PLUS ADDITIONAL FUNDS.

SO THOSE WOULD BE SPENT OUT.

IN THAT PROJECT OVER THE COURSE OF 7 YEARS.

THE OTHER INTERESTING THING IS THE SENATE PARLIAMENTARIAN RULED THIS WEEK THAT THEY ARE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO USE RECONCILIATION JUST TO RUN THROUGH AND PASS ALL THESE BILL SO AGAIN JOE MANCHIN IN SOME OF THE THEY MODERATE SENATORS ARE IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT AND HIT JOE MANCHIN'S COVERED FOR A LOT OF MODERATE SENATORS TOO DON'T YOU THINK?

I THINK SOME AGREE WITH HIM, BUT THEY JUST WON'T COME FORWARD.

>> WELL, I THINK THAT'S RIGHT.

I THINK YOU SAW THAT WHEN THEY TRIED TO OVERRULE A PARLIAMENTARIAN HOME THE $15 MINIMUM WAGE AND YOU HAD A NUMBER OF SENATORS THAT DID ACTUALLY VOTE NOT TO OVERRULE DEMOCRAT SENATORS.

THAT VOTED NOT TO OVERTURN THE PARLIAMENTARIAN'S RULING.

>> OKAY, LET'S GO TO LIGHTNING ROUND WHO'S UP AND WHO'S DOWN THIS WEEK, MITCH?

>> WHO'S UP, PEOPLE WHO WOULD LIKE TO TEACH IN SCHOOL BUT DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO GO THROUGH THAT LONG EDUCATION SCHOOL PROCESS THERE'S A BILL, SENATE BILL 5.82 IT HAD UNANIMOUS APPROVAL IN THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE.

IT WOULD CREATE SOMETHING CALLED ADJUNCT INSTRUCTORS AFTER ONLY A SEMESTER OF CLASSES AT A COMMUNITY COLLEGE, YOU'D BE ABLE TO TEACH A CLASS IN YOUR DEGREE THERE, YOUR BACHELOR'S DEGREE OR GRADUATE DEGREE.

MY WHO'S DOWN THOSE NEW CONT -- OR ACTUALLY WHAT'S DOWN, NEW CONTROVERSIAL SOCIAL STUDIES STANDARDS FOR THE K-12 SCHOOLS IN A BILL THAT GOT THROUGH THE HOUSE ON A 74 TO 34 VOTE.

THOSE STANDARDS WOULD BE DELAYED A YEAR.

>> JAY WHO'S UP AND WHO'S DOWN THIS WEEK MY FRIEND?

>> SO THE LOTTERY, I KNOW THIS HAS BEEN DISCUSSED LAST WEEK'S EPISODE, GOVERNOR COOPER'S ANNOUNCED AN EFFORT TO ROLL OUT 4 MILLION DOLLARS IN SUMMER CASH DRAWINGS TO GET MORE FOLKS VACCINATED, ANY NORTH CAROLINIAN THAT'S OVER 18 -- >> I SHOULD'VE WAITED.

>> YEAH.

[ALL LAUGH] >> ANY NORTH CAROLINIAN 18 YEARS OR ABOVE WOULD QUALIFY FOR ONE OF THE FOUR 1 MILLION DOLLAR PRIZES THAT WILL GO FROM EARLY JUNE TO EARLY AUGUST, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT THE VAX-A-MILLION HAS WORKED IN OHIO NOW WE'RE BRINGING IT TO NORTH CAROLINA.

AND SO WHO'S DOWN, CORNELL UNIVERSITY.

SO CORNELL UNIVERSITY EVIDENTLY SOUGHT TO EVALUATE HOW LEGISLATORS WILL RESPOND A CONSTITUENT E-MAILS BY SENDING FICTITIOUS EMAILS.

MY SENATE COLLEAGUE WARREN DANIELS WAS NOT HAPPY ABOUT THAT.

SO HE AMENDED A HOUSE BILL THAT SAID THAT ONE COULD BRING A LAWSUIT IF IT WAS A BUSINESS, UNIVERSITY OR NONPROFIT THAT SENT A FICTITIOUS E-MAIL, AND SO I WOULD SAY THAT THE CORNELL BIG RED IS DOWN.

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

>> SO UP I'M GOING TO SAY WOMEN MAYBE IN THE DRAFT.

THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT IS CONSIDERING A CASE RIGHT NOW THAT WOULD WOULD REQUIRE -- THAT WOULD STOP ONLY MEN FROM BEING REQUIRED TO REGISTER FOR SELECTIVE SERVICE THAT WOULD THEORETICALLY INCLUDE WOMEN, DEPENDS ON HOW THE DECISION COMES OUT, BUT BASICALLY WAS BROUGHT BY THE ACLU WHO SAYS THAT REQUIRING ONLY MEN IMPLIES THAT WOMEN CAN'T SERVE IN THIS WAY OR THAT MEN AREN'T ABLE TO STAY HOME IN THE EVENT OF A DRAFT.

EITHER WAY WE HAVEN'T HAD A DRAFT SINCE VIETNAM.

SO I'M NOT SURE HOW REALISTIC IT IS THIS WILL EVER BE ENACTED.

MY DOWN IS NORTH FACE.

I'VE DRESSED MY KIDS IN IT FOR YEARS, BUT APPARENTLY THERE IS A HASHTAG THANK YOU NORTH FACE TWITTER CAMPAIGN BECAUSE THEY REFUSED TO MAKE JACKETS FOR AN OIL PETROLEUM COMPANY, EVEN THOUGH THEY'RE THE LARGEST BUYER OF THOSE PRODUCTS >> QUICKLY NELSON WHO'S UP AND WHO'S DOWN THIS WEEK?

>> UP EL SALVADOR BECAME THE FIRST COUNTRY TO ADOPT BITCOIN AS A CRYPTOCURRENCY AS LEGAL TENDER SO WITH THE BARRIERS BROKEN, I WOULD EXPECT A NUMBER OF NATIONS IN CENTRAL SOUTH AMERICA, AFRICA TO SOON FOLLOW THEIR CITIZENS REALLY DON'T TRUST THE BANKS.

THIS WILL ALLOW HIM TO USE THEIR PHONE APPS TO BUY SELL AND PAY BILLS.

WHO'S DOWN, THE VALUE OF YOUR MONEY INFLATION CONTINUES TO RISE RAPIDLY UP 5% A YEAR, EVERY YEAR IN MAY, THE HIGHEST IN 13 YEARS.

ANNUAL PRICES ARE SOARING LAST 3 MONTHS 9.7%.

SO FED THINKS IT'S TEMPORARY, BUT THERE IS A LONG TERM RISK FOR INFLATION.

>> MITCH HEADLINE NEXT WEEK MY FRIEND.

>> BIPARTISAN SENATE VOTE ON TAX CUT COULD FORCE COOPER'S' HAND ON VETO.

>> JAY HEADLINE?

>> FOR THE 2022 ELECTION STATE SENATE REPUBLICANS WANT ELECTION INTEGRITY AND STATE SENATE DEMOCRATS WANT VOTER ACCESS AND THEY CAN'T AGREE.

>> SO WHAT HAPPENS?

STALEMATE?

>> I THINK IT'LL BE A STALEMATE AND POSSIBLY GOVERNOR VETO.

>> DONNA HEADLINE NEXT WEEK?

>> I THINK THE LEGISLATORS WILL BE TALKING A LOT ABOUT ACADEMIC TRANSPARENCY, PARTICULARLY AS KIDS WRAP UP THIS VERY DIFFICULT SCHOOL YEAR.

>> HEADLINE NEXT WEEK?

>> LOVE FEST IN EUROPE, ANGER IN WASHINGTON.

>> WHY DO YOU SAY ANGRY IN WASHINGTON?

>> BECAUSE THE PARLIAMENTARIAN'S RULING IN THE SENATE - THE PROGRESSIVES ARE FURIOUS RIGHT NOW.

THEY'RE JUST NOT GOING TO ABLE TO GET THEIR AGENDA.

>> ALL RIGHT THAT'S IT FOR US, THANKS FOR WATCHING.

HOPE TO SEE YOU NEXT WEEK ON FRONT ROW.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

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