>> HI I'M MARC ROTTERMAN.

COMING UP, GOVERNOR COOPER PRESENTS HIS BUDGET PLAN.

DEMOCRATS IN CONGRESS PUSH FOR DC STATEHOOD, AND THE WHITE HOUSE IS FACING GROWING PRESSURE TO SUPPORT VACCINE PASSPORTS.

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 CAROLINA JOURNAL COMMUNICATIONS CONSULTANT DONNA KING, ROBERT REIVES THE DEMOCRATIC MINORITY LEADER IN THE STATE HOUSE, AND NELSON DOLLAR, SENIOR ADVISOR TO THE NORTH CAROLINA SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE, MITCH WHY DON'T WE BEGIN WITH THE GOVERNOR'S BUDGET PLAN.

>> GOVERNOR ROY COOPER PRESENTED HIS FIRST MAJOR BUDGET PLAN SINCE REELECTION AND OF COURSE, THE FIRST SINCE NORTH CAROLINA HAS BEEN DEALING WITH THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND THIS TWO-YEAR BUDGET PLAN HAD SOME A CLEAR PRIORITIES.

THE GOVERNOR PUTTING ABOUT A BILLION DOLLARS MORE INTO EDUCATION, FOCUSING ON ISSUES LIKE 10% PAY RAISES FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS OVER THE NEXT 2 YEARS OF COURSE, ONE OF THE REASONS TO FOCUS ON TEACHER PAY RAISES IS HIS VETOES OF PAST BUDGETS HAVE PREVENTED TEACHERS FROM GETTING RAISES FOR THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS.

STATE EMPLOYEES OTHER THAN TEACHERS AND FOLKS IN EDUCATION WOULD SEE 5% PAY RAISES OVER THE NEXT 2 YEARS AND ALL OF THESE WORKERS WOULD ALSO GET SOME ONE-TIME BONUSES MIXED IN.

THE GOVERNOR ONCE AGAIN AS HE HAS SINCE HE WAS ELECTED THE FIRST TIME, PUSHES ONCE AGAIN IN THE BUDGET FOR MEDICAID EXPANSION, AND HE SAID IN UNVEILING THE BUDGET THAT HE THINKS CIRCUMSTANCES HAVE CHANGED BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC AND ALSO BECAUSE OF MAJOR NEW INCENTIVES FROM THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION.

THE GOVERNOR ALSO WANTS A 4.7 BILLION DOLLAR BOND PACKAGE WITH MUCH OF THAT MONEY GOING TOWARD EDUCATION PROJECTS.

NOW BRIEFLY ON THE CRITIC'S SIDE THEY SAY THAT THIS IS MUCH TOO MUCH NEW SPENDING, AN 11.6% INCREASE FROM THE CURRENT BUDGET TO WHAT THE GOVERNOR WANTS FOR THE NEXT BUDGET YEAR.

AND ALSO WITH THE BILLION DOLLARS OF NEW SPENDING ON EDUCATION HE TAKES SPECIFIC AIM AT A HIGH PRIORITY FOR REPUBLICANS AND THAT IS OPPORTUNITY SCHOLARSHIPS.

>> ROBERT YOU HAVE THE FLOOR.

>> WELL, I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS THAT YOU LOOK AT, THE NEW BUDGET AS STATED, MEDICAID EXPANSION IS A PRIORITY OPPORTUNITY THIS YEAR AS OPPOSED TO THE LAST COUPLE YEARS.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT YOU NOTICE IS THAT THE AMERICAN RELIEF PLAN HAS GIVEN A BIGGER INCENTIVES SO THAT BASICALLY WE COULD HAVE MEDICAID FREE THE NEXT 6 YEARS IF YOU SPREAD EVERYTHING OUT, SO THAT IS A BIG DEAL.

THE CAPITAL PROJECTS SO THEY PUSHED OUT DURING THE BOND PACKAGE IS REALLY SUBSTANTIAL IF YOU THINK ABOUT IT BECAUSE THAT'S SOMETHING THAT BOTH THE HOUSE AND THE GOVERNOR AGREED ON DURING THE LAST BIENNIUM, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE'VE GOT TO LOOK AT, I THINK THAT YOU'VE GOT MORE MOVEMENT EVEN IN THE SENATE NOW THAT WE AGREE.

WE NEED SOME TYPE OF BOND PACKAGE, WE JUST DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT'S GOING TO BE.

>> NELSON, WHAT WAS THE REPUBLICAN RESPONSE AND WHERE IS THERE ANY ROOM FOR COMPROMISE, YOU THINK MY FRIEND?

>> WELL, IT'S A GOOD START, THERE'S ROOM FOR COMPROMISE.

OVER THE PAST 10 YEARS, THE REPUBLICAN LED GENERAL ASSEMBLY HAS PUT NORTH CAROLINA ON A LONG-TERM SUSTAINABLE PATH FOCUSED ON THE STATE'S HIGHEST PRIORITIES AND THOSE HAVE INCLUDED PRO-GROWTH TAX REFORM, MEDICAID REFORM, REFORMING OUR MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEM, STRENGTHENING EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION, RAISING TEACHER PAY, AND ALSO MAKING SURE THAT WE CREATED A REAL SAVINGS RESERVE IN THE STATE.

SO THIS YEAR UNLIKE MANY OTHER STATES WE HAD NO FURLOUGHS WE HAD NO CUTS TO EDUCATION OR OTHER CRITICAL PROGRAMS.

OUR ECONOMY IS BOUNCING BACK NOW WE HAVE THE FUNDS TO MAKE IMPORTANT INVESTMENTS.

BUT WE WILL NOT MIRROR THE WASTEFUL SPENDING THAT YOU'RE SEEING IN WASHINGTON RIGHT NOW.

>> DONNA YOUR TAKE ON THIS BUDGET AND DO YOU THINK IT'S A DEAL BREAKER THAT THE OPPORTUNITY SCHOLARSHIPS ARE NOT IN THE BUDGET?

>> I THINK THAT THAT REALLY COULD BE FOR A LOT OF REPUBLICANS PARTICULARLY AFTER YEAR WHERE A LOT OF FAMILIES FELT LIKE THEIR CHILD WAS TRAPPED IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM AND COULDN'T GO INTO CLASS RIGHT NOW, SO IT MAY COME ACROSS AS A BIT TONE DEAF FOR SOME OF THE REPUBLICANS WHO SAY THIS SHOWS YOU WHAT OPPORTUNITY SCHOLARSHIPS COULD DO FOR KIDS SO THAT THEY HAVE AN OPTION AND THEY AREN'T TRAPPED IN A SYSTEM THAT DOESN'T SERVE THEM, BUT I ALSO THINK THAT YOU KNOW THE IDEA OF MEDICAID EXPANSION IN THIS PARTICULAR CASE A LOT OF REPUBLICANS ARE SAYING WELL CIRCUMSTANCES HAVE CHANGED, BUT MAYBE NOT ENOUGH TO BRING EVERYBODY TO THE TABLE ON THIS.

THERE WAS SOME SUPPORT FOR MEDICAID EXPANSION AMONG REPUBLICANS IF IT HAD A WORK REQUIREMENT OR SOME LEVEL OF COPAY, BUT MAYBE WITH THE INCREASE IN CONVERSATIONS BETWEEN THE GOVERNOR AND THE REPUBLICAN LED LEGISLATURE OVER REOPENING SCHOOLS MAY BE THAT SORT OF WARMED WATERS OR AT LEAST THAWED THE ICE NEGOTIATING A MEDICAID EXPANSION PLAN.

>> OKAY, WE NEED TO MOVE ON.

WE'LL CONTINUE TO FOLLOW THIS OBVIOUSLY.

ROBERT I WANT TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT DC STATEHOOD.

IT'S GETTING A LOT OF MOMENTUM IN CONGRESS.

>> YEAH IT IS, AND INTERESTINGLY MOST OF YOU REMEMBER DC STATEHOOD WAS PUSHED ON FOR ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO, IT WAS PASSED IN THE HOUSE.

WELL THIS TIME THERE'S BEEN A NEW MOVEMENT AND THE EXPECTATION IS THAT THERE'S A BETTER CHANCE BECAUSE OF COURSE THE SITUATION WITH THE SENATE.

DC FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT HAVE KEPT UP GOT 700,000 RESIDENTS.

THAT WOULD MAKE THEM AT THIS POINT THE 49TH BIGGEST STATE IF THEY WERE PUT AHEAD OF WYOMING AND I THINK IT'S VERMONT.

AND SO WITH THAT BEING SAID, THEY PAY FEDERAL TAXES, 700,000 PEOPLE.

THEY DON'T REALLY HAVE A SAY IN A LOT OF THINGS THAT HAPPENS TO THEM BECAUSE THEY ARE CONSIDERED PART OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SO A LOT OF PEOPLE FEEL RIGHT NOW THAT THIS IS THE TIME FOR DC TO BECOME A STATE.

THE FLIP SIDE OF THAT IS EVEN THOUGH THE SENATE MAKEUP HAS CHANGED, YOU STILL HAVE TO GET 60 VOTES IN THE SENATE FOR THIS TO HAPPEN.

A LOT OF PEOPLE THINK THAT'S UNLIKELY BECAUSE AT THIS POINT IN TIME YOU'VE ONLY GOT 40 OF THE 50 DEMOCRATS AND IN THE SENATE THEY'RE EVEN SUPPORTING THE ORIGINAL BILL THAT HAS BEEN PUT OUT AS A COMPANION TO THE HOUSE BILL.

AND SO THINKING THAT YOU'RE GOING TO GET 10 MORE DEMOCRATS MAY BE ABLE TO GET THE OTHER 10 REPUBLICANS THAT YOU'RE GOING TO NEED, IS REALLY GOING TO BE A TOUGH ROAD TO HOE.

BUT IT'S A SITUATION THAT'S REALLY REALLY FRAUGHT WITH A LOT OF HISTORY WHEN IT COMES DOWN TO VOTING AND IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE THINK WE'VE GOT TO AT LEAST HAVE A FULL DISCUSSION ABOUT AND SO THAT PEOPLE UNDERSTAND IF IT DOESN'T HAPPEN WHY IT HAPPEN BECAUSE A LOT OF PEOPLE IN DC FEEL LIKE THEY'RE BEING SHORTED RIGHT NOW.

>> DO YOU VIEW IT AS AN EQUALITY ISSUE?

>> I THINK THAT PEOPLE WHO ARE CONCERNED >> GO AHEAD.

>> PEOPLE WHO ARE CONCERNED ABOUT IT DO FEEL IT'S INEQUALITY YES, THEY DEFINITELY - THAT IS THE BIG THING THAT YOU HEAR PEOPLE TALKING ABOUT AND I THINK THAT'S REALLY WHAT YOU GOT TO PAY ATTENTION TO BECAUSE IT TENDS TO BE NOT ABOUT WHAT OUR PERCEPTIONS ARE ELECTED OFFICIALS BUT WHAT THE CITIZENS BUILD THEMSELVES.

AND I THINK THE CITIZENS SAY THAT.

>> NELSON IS THIS CONSTITUTIONAL?

IS THIS WHAT THE FRAMERS HAD IN MIND?

>> NO.

ARTICLE ONE SECTION 8 OF THE CONSTITUTION ESTABLISHED A DISTRICT FOR THE SEAT OF GOVERNMENT IN THE UNITED STATES WITH FEDERAL JURISDICTION OVER FEDERAL PROPERTY, AND IN 1961, THE SPECIAL CONSTITUTIONAL NATURE OF THE DISTRICT WAS AFFIRMED BY THE 23RD AMENDMENT WHICH DID GIVE RESIDENTS 3 ELECTORAL VOTES.

AND WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS FOR ESTABLISHING A STATE, THEY ARE NOT INTENDED TO CREATE THESE RUMP ENTITIES, SO FOR EXAMPLE, WHY SHOULD ONE CITY WITH A POPULATION A 3RD SMALLER THAN CHARLOTTE HAVE TWO UNITED STATES SENATORS?

THIS BILL CERTAINLY ONLY KEEPS THE MAIN GOVERNMENTAL COMPLEX AS THE CAPITAL AREA.

SO THE 23RD AMENDMENT WOULD HAVE TO BE REPEALED OTHERWISE YOU WOULD END UP WITH TWICE THE NUMBER OF ALLOWABLE ELECTORAL VOTES IN THIS PARTICULAR GIVEN AREA THAN THE SMALLEST STATE, AGAIN CREATING A CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUE, SO THIS IS FRAUGHT WITH CONSTITUTIONAL CHALLENGES AND A LOT OF PROBLEMS.

>> MITCH IS THIS A POWER GRAB?

YOU THINK THEY'LL USE THE THE FILIBUSTER TO GET THIS DONE?

THERE'S A LOT OF TALK NOW THAT THEY'RE GOING TO END THE FILIBUSTER.

AND FRANKLY, THE PRESIDENT MENTIONED THAT HE WAS IN FAVOR OF REFORM IN HIS PRESS CONFERENCE THIS WEEK.

>> SOME PEOPLE CERTAINLY WANT THE SENATE TO GET RID OF THE FILIBUSTER, SO SOMETHING LIKE THIS COULD HAPPEN AND YOU ASKED EARLIER IS IT A POWER GRAB, THAT'S ENTIRELY WHAT IT IS.

THE VOTING POPULATION WITHIN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA IS OVERWHELMINGLY DEMOCRAT, SO IT WOULD BE BASICALLY TO DEMOCRATIC VOTES ON THE U.S. SENATE MORE THAN WHAT THEY HAVE NOW.

THAT'S THE ENTIRE GOAL.

BUT THE FRAMERS, GOING BACK TO THE BEGINNING OF THIS NATION THOUGHT IT WOULD BE A BAD IDEA TO HAVE THE SEAT OF GOVERNMENT IN A STATE THAT COULD END UP BEING HOSTILE TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND YOU WOULD HAVE PEOPLE LEADING THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT WOULD BE BEHOLDEN TO A STATE GOVERNMENT.

>> DONNA CLOSE THIS OUT ABOUT 20 SECONDS.

>> SURE.

A NATIONAL SURVEY RECENTLY FOUND THAT ONLY ABOUT 35% OF AMERICANS SUPPORT THE IDEA OF DC BECOMING A STATE, BUT OTHER OPPONENTS SAY IT'S REALLY COMES DOWN TO MONEY.

CAN DC SUPPORT ITSELF WITHOUT A BROAD MANUFACTURING OR AGRICULTURE AND THAT KIND OF AN ECONOMIC BASE THAT'S RELYING VERY HEAVILY ON THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND TOURISM?

>> OK, I WANT TO MOVE ON, COME RIGHT BACK TO YOU.

THERE'S A LOT OF SUPPORT FOR VACCINE PASSPORTS AMONG THE PRESIDENT'S ALLIES, INCLUDING BIG TECH AND THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY.

>> YES, YES, WELL, YOU KNOW, I THINK THEY'RE HOPING IT WILL BE A SHOT IN THE ARM OR A FAST TRACK TO GETTING TOURISM UP AND RUNNING AGAIN, BUT SOME GROUPS URGING THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION TO CONSIDER CREATING A PLAN THAT WOULD ALLOW PEOPLE TO SHOW AN APP ON THEIR PHONE THAT THEY HAVE BEEN VACCINATED IN ORDER TO GO TO THE THEATER OR GO OUT IN PUBLIC OR PARTICIPATE IN ACTIVITIES, THE IDEA BEING THAT THEY THINK THEY CAN REALLY INCREASE OPENINGS AND REOPENING THE ECONOMY, IF THEY CAN ENSURE THAT EVERYBODY HAS THERE IS VACCINATED AND THEY CAN PREVENT AN OUTBREAK.

BUT THIS REALLY RUBS UP AGAINST A HIPPA LAWS, THERE'S A LOT OF QUESTION OF PRIVACY, WHO WOULD CONTROL THE DATA, BUT AMONG THE THINGS THAT IS ALARMING TO PEOPLE WHO ARE OPPOSING THIS, THEY SAY YOU KNOW YOU'VE GOT THE SAME GROUPS WHO ARE SAYING YOU SHOULD NOT NEED AN ID TO VOTE, BUT SOMEHOW YOU SHOULD NEED AN APP ON YOUR PHONE SHOWING YOUR VACCINATED TO GO TO A THEATER OR GO TO THE GROCERY STORE.

BUT WE'RE ALREADY SEEING THIS COMING UP.

NEW YORK CITY IS WORKING ON A PLAN SO THAT PEOPLE WOULD SHOW THEIR VACCINATION IN ORDER TO GO TO A THEATER, HAWAII'S EVEN THINKING ABOUT THAT LETTING PEOPLE BYPASS QUARANTINE WHEN THEY GET ON THE ISLAND IF THEY'RE VACCINATED.

>> MITCH BIDEN'S VERY HESITANT TO DO THIS ISN'T HE?

>> HE IS, AND I SAW A VERY ENCOURAGING SIGN IN A POLITICAL STORY THAT THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION DOESN'T WANT THE GOVERNMENT TO BE THE ONE IN CHARGE IF THERE IS SOMETHING LIKE THIS AND DOESN'T WANT THE GOVERNMENT TO BE STORING THE DATA.

IF SOMETHING LIKE THIS HAPPENS IT OUGHT TO BE DONE THROUGH THE PRIVATE SECTOR IN A SECURE WAY AND A FREE WAY, AND IN A WAY THAT DOESN'T TAKE ADVANTAGE OF DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITIES, BECAUSE IF THIS IS DONE THROUGH SOMETHING LIKE AN APP WHAT ABOUT THE PEOPLE WHO DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO APPS?

YOU COULD HAVE ANOTHER WAY IN WHICH THE GOVERNMENT IS DIVIDING THE HAVES AND HAVE NOTS AND I DON'T THINK ANYONE WANTS THAT, EVEN THE FOLKS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN GETTING THIS SORT OF PASSPORT.

>> SO IT COULD BE AN EQUITY ISSUE.

>> YEAH, IT DEFINITELY COULD BE.

I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING THAT YOU HAVE TO WATCH OUT FOR.

ANYTHING THAT REQUIRES A STRONGER USE OF TECHNOLOGY IS GOING TO HURT THOSE WHO DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO THAT TECHNOLOGY.

>> NELSON JUMP IN HERE.

>> WELL, EVERYONE IS SYMPATHETIC TO THE TRAVEL INDUSTRY AND THE AIRLINES BUT REQUIRING US TO PROVIDE OUR MEDICAL RECORDS TO A NATIONAL DATABASE, THAT'S NOT THE ANSWER.

AND THIS IS REALLY ABOUT LAWYERS AND MONEY, I MEAN THE AIRLINES WANT TO BE PROTECTED AGAINST LIABILITY AND THEY ALSO WANT MORE PASSENGERS IN THE SEATS AND WHILE YOU UNDERSTAND THAT, THAT IS AS DONNA SAID AT THE EXPENSE OF PERSONAL PRIVACY, SO, YOU KNOW THIS PANDEMIC HAS YIELDED SOME GREAT SCIENTIFIC ACHIEVEMENTS BUT SOME MAJOR POLICY FAILURES, AND WE DON'T NEED THE GOVERNMENT TO COME OUT OF THIS PANDEMIC FAR MORE IN CONTROL OF OUR PERSONAL LIVES.

>> MISTER REIVES?

>> WELL, I THINK YOU KNOW ONE OF THE THINGS I DIDN'T REALLY KNOW THAT THE TECH INDUSTRY WAS IN THE VOTER ID DEBATE, BUT WITH THAT BEING SAID, I THINK THE BIG THING THAT YOU'VE SEEN WITH THIS ISSUE IS THE PRIVACY ISSUE, AND I THINK AS AN ATTORNEY I WOULD SAY YOU'VE GOT TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT ANY TIME THAT YOU'RE TRYING TO GET SOMEBODY TO DO SOMETHING THEY MAY NOT WANT TO DO IS REALLY A PRIVATE BUSINESS ISSUE AND I THINK THAT PART OF THE REASON ALSO THAT THE PRESIDENT IS HESITANT BECAUSE THE BOTTOM LINE IS BUSINESS WANT A WAY TO INDEMNIFY THEMSELVES, THAT'S GREAT.

SHOULD THE GOVERNMENT BE INVOLVED, THAT'S A WHOLE DIFFERENT ISSUE, BUT I'M JUST LIKE NELSON IN THE SENSE OF EVERYBODY'S VERY SYMPATHETIC TO WHAT'S HAPPENED TO THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY, AND EVEN WITH VACCINATIONS GOING AS WELL AS THEY ARE, THE BIG ISSUE THAT ALL OF US HAVE, IS IT GOING TO BE AS MUCH ABOUT VACCINATIONS AS PEOPLE FEELING UNCOMFORTABLE, RETURNING BACK TO REGULAR LIFE ONCE THEIR VACCINATED.

THAT'S GOING TO BE A TOUGH ROAD TO HOE.

>> OKAY, DONNA FINAL WORD IN ABOUT 40 SECONDS.

>> SURE THE BIG RISK REALLY IS WHO'S GOING TO CONTROL THAT DATA AND WHETHER WE'LL SET UP A SITUATION WHERE PEOPLE ARE BEING DISCRIMINATED AGAINST AND DENIED ACCESS TO PUBLIC FACILITIES BECAUSE THEY EITHER FOR RELIGIOUS REASONS DECIDED NOT TO GET VACCINATED OR THEY SIMPLY DON'T HAVE THE MEANS TO HAVE ACCESS TO AN APP OR WHATEVER IT'S REQUIRED TO SHOW WHICH COULD BE YOU KNOW THEATERS, GROCERY STORES, CHURCHES, YOU KNOW WHATEVER IT IS WHATEVER DECIDES TO IMPLEMENT IT COULD CREATE A SITUATION WHERE PEOPLE ARE BEING EXCLUDED FROM THE COMMUNITY.

>> OK I WANT TO MOVE ON.

NELSON REPUBLICAN AG'S ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE CHALLENGING BIDEN'S AGENDA IN COURT.

FILL US IN.

>> YES, THEY'RE 26 REPUBLICANS STATES ATTORNEYS GENERAL AND THEY ARE PICKING UP WITH THEIR DEMOCRATIC COLLEAGUES LEFT OFF SUING THE PRESIDENT, SO DEMOCRAT AG'S SUED TRUMP OVER IMMIGRATION, CLIMATE CHANGE, HEALTH CARE, KEYSTONE PIPELINE, NOW REPUBLICAN AG'S ARE SUING BIDEN OVER EXACTLY THE SAME ISSUE.

IMMIGRATION, CLIMATE CHANGE, PIPELINES, GOVERNOR ABBOTT OF TEXAS, A FORMER ATTORNEY GENERAL SUED PRESIDENT OBAMA VERY FAMOUSLY OVER OBAMACARE, NOW THE NEW HHS SECRETARY XAVIER BECERRA, WHO WAS AN AG IN CALIFORNIA, HE FILED OVER 100 SUITS AGAINST TRUMP DURING HIS TERM, SO WHAT WE REALLY SEE MARC IS PRESIDENTS ARE ISSUING FAR TOO MANY EXECUTIVE ORDERS, FEDERAL AGENCIES ARE ISSUING RULES THAT EXCEED THEIR STATUTORY AUTHORITY, UNELECTED FEDERAL JUDGES ARE ISSUING NATIONAL INJUNCTIONS AGAINST ACTIONS OF BOTH THE PRESIDENT AND THE CONGRESS AND NOW OF COURSE STATE ATTORNEYS GENERALS ARE TRYING TO SHAPE NATIONAL POLICY AS WELL BY LAWSUITS.

MARC ONLY IN AMERICA.

>> OKAY, LET ME ASK YOU MITCH, YOU THINK THE PRESIDENT IS ATTEMPTING TO LEGISLATE THROUGH EXECUTIVE ORDER AT POINT THAT SOMETIMES?

>> YES, HE CERTAINLY IS, AND HE'S NOT THE FIRST TO DO THIS.

THIS WAS CERTAINLY DONE UNDER THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION IT WAS DONE UNDER PRESIDENT OBAMA, WHO TALKED ABOUT HAVING THE PEN AND THE PHONE, IT WAS DONE TO A LESSER EXTENT UNDER GEORGE W BUSH.

I THINK ONE OF THE REASONS THAT WE'RE SEEING THESE ATTORNEY GENERALS TAKE THE ACTIONS THAT THEY ARE, WHETHER IT'S NOW REPUBLICANS WITH THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION OR BEFORE THEM THE DEMOCRATS WITH THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION, IS THAT SO MUCH OF THE PROCESS OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS TAKING PLACE OUTSIDE OF THE NORMAL LAWMAKING PROCESS.

CONGRESS PASSES A LAW IT'S HARDER FOR THESE AGEE'S TO TAKE SOME SORT OF ACTION WHEN IT'S JUST THE PRESIDENT MOVING BY EXECUTIVE ORDER.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT'S EASIER TO CHALLENGE IN COURT.

>> ROBERT DO THE REPUBLICANS HAVE A POINT OR IS THIS JUST POLITICAL POSTURING YOU THINK?

>> WELL, I NEVER LIKED TO CALL ANYBODY'S LAWSUITS POLITICAL POSTURING, BUT I WOULD SAY THIS, IS THAT WHAT THE BIG PROBLEM IS LIKE MITCH IS TALKING ABOUT IS THAT YOU GOT SO MUCH LEGISLATING THAT'S GOING ON OUTSIDE OF THE BUILDING NOW.

AND I THINK THAT'S THE RESULT OF THE GRIDLOCK THAT YOU SEE IN WASHINGTON AND THIS IS ONE OF THE OFFSHOOTS THAT'S GOING TO CONTINUE TO HAPPEN UNTIL WE GET TO A POINT WHERE WE GET A FUNCTIONAL NATIONAL GOVERNMENT THAT REALLY UNDERSTANDS THAT, LOOK YOU GUYS GOT TO COME TO COMPROMISE AND GOT TO MAKE DECISIONS TO MAKE LAWS YOU'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO SEE LAWSUITS OUTSIDE OF THE LAW MAKING PROCESS TRYING TO DEFINE WHAT THE -- REALLY SHOULD BE AND I THINK THAT THIS IS JUST FOLLOWING INTO THAT SAME MODE.

>> DONNA, TYPICALLY THESE LAWSUITS MAY GO THROUGH HIS FIRST TERM, CORRECT?

AND WITH NO OUTCOME.

>> I THINK SO I THINK WE SAW THAT WITH THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION, BUT YOU KNOW WHAT WE'RE REALLY SEEING IS THAT OUR NATURAL SYSTEM OF CHECKS AND BALANCES, THE YOU KNOW FRAMERS SET UP LOTS OF DIFFERENT WAYS THAT STATES COULD DEFEND THEMSELVES AND HAVE A ROLE EVEN IF THEY'RE YOU KNOW SMALLER THAN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

I THINK THIS WILL CONTINUE JUST AS IT DID IN THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION.

>> NELSON WRAP THIS UP IN ABOUT 40 SECONDS MY FRIEND.

>> WELL MARC, YOU KNOW TO THE POINT OF WHAT THE FOUNDERS ACTUALLY INTENDED, I THINK THEY INTENDED FOR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO DO FAR LESS, THEY WANTED THE STATES TO REALLY BE EMPOWERED AND JUST BE UNIFIED FOR PURPOSES OF NATIONAL DEFENSE FOREIGN POLICY, AND COMMERCE BETWEEN THE STATES SO THE REAL INNOVATION THAT WE'VE BEEN SEEING THE LAST DECADE OR 2 HAS BEEN IN THE STATES WHILE CONGRESS HAS BEEN LARGELY LOG JAMMED AND I THINK UNFORTUNATELY YOU'RE SEEING GREATER PARTISANSHIP IN OUR NATIONAL POLITICS AND HOPEFULLY THAT IS GOING TO SORT ITSELF OUT OVER THESE NEXT FEW YEARS.

>> OKAY, GREAT CONVERSATION I WANT TO MOVE ON TO THE MOST UNDERREPORTED STORY THE WEEK MITCH.

>> NORTH CAROLINA'S US SENATORS RICHARD BURR AND THOM TILLIS ARE AMONG THE REPUBLICANS WHO HAVE RE INTRODUCED SOMETHING CALLED THE PROTECT AND SERVE ACT.

THIS IS A PIECE OF LEGISLATION THAT WOULD ADD SOME FEDERAL PENALTIES WHEN SOMEONE PURPOSELY ATTACKS A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER, TARGETS THEM FOR VIOLENCE, IT WOULD APPLY TO THOSE WHO ARE FEDERAL OFFICERS, IT COULD ALSO APPLY THOUGH, TO LOCAL OR STATE OFFICERS IF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS SOME SORT OF JURISDICTION.

PENALTIES COULD BE UP TO 10 YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON, OR THE CASE OF A MURDER, KIDNAPPING COULD EVEN HAVE THE FEDERAL DEATH PENALTY.

SO THIS IS AN INTERESTING PIECE OF LEGISLATION, ESPECIALLY WITH ALL THAT WE HAVE SEEN IN RECENT YEARS DEALING WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT ISSUES AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE.

>> DONNA UNDERREPORTED PLEASE?

>> WHY LIKE THIS ONE.

A PIECE OF THE WRIGHT BROTHERS ORIGINAL PLANE, IT'S ON MARS, SO NASA SAID THAT THEY HAVE A HELICOPTER THAT THEY'RE GETTING READY TO FLY.

IT WILL BE THE VERY FIRST POWERED CONTROLLED FLIGHT ON ANOTHER PLANET.

NOW THAT HELICOPTER, NASA'S HELICOPTER, HAS A LITTLE SWATCH OF THE WRIGHT BROTHERS' ORIGINAL 1903 WRIGHT FIRE AND SO IT'S EXCITING FOR NORTH CAROLINA.

LITTLE PIECE THAT FLYER ON MARS.

>> THERE'S STILL A DEBATE BETWEEN OHIO AND NORTH CAROLINA ABOUT THE WRIGHT BROTHERS, CORRECT?

>> THERE IS.

I'M GOING TO GO WITH NORTH CAROLINA.

>> OKAY, ROBERT UNDERREPORTED PLEASE.

>> RUTGERS UNIVERSITY IS GOING TO BECOME THE FIRST LARGE SCHOOL IN THE NATION THAT IS GOING TO REQUIRE VACCINATION FOR ALL THE STUDENTS BEFORE COME BACK IN.

OBVIOUSLY, ESPECIALLY IN LIGHT OF WHAT WE'VE ALREADY TALKED ABOUT, THIS GOING TO BE A CONTROVERSIAL STAND, BUT AN INTERESTING ONE BECAUSE RUTGERS IS DEDICATED, AND ACCORDING TO THEIR STATEMENT, TO TRYING TO GET PEOPLE BACK INTO A REGULAR FLOW ON CAMPUS, BUT OF COURSE NOW WE'RE RUNNING INTO ALL OF THE SAME ISSUES WE TALKED ABOUT BEFORE, ABOUT WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR PEOPLE AND THEIR PERSONAL PRIVACY.

>> YOU THINK NORTH CAROLINA OR UNC MIGHT FOLLOW THAT EXAMPLE?

>> I'D BE VERY SURPRISED TO SEE THAT.

>> OK NELSON UNDERREPORTED PLEASE?

>> LARRY SUMMERS, FORMER TREASURY SECRETARY UNDER BILL CLINTON RECENTLY SAID THIS IS THE LEAST RESPONSIBLE MACROECONOMIC POLICY WE HAD IN THE LAST 40 YEARS.

AND WHAT HE MEANS BY THAT IS EVEN THOUGH THE ECONOMY IS RAPIDLY ACCELERATING, CONGRESS IS ON A RECORD SPENDING SPREE.

AND THE FEDERAL RESERVE IS HOLDING INTEREST RATES NEAR 0 WHILE CONTINUING TO BUY ASSETS.

SO THE WAY SUMMERS SEES IT, WE HAVE A 3RD OF A CHANCE, RISK OF ACCELERATING INFLATION THAT RESULTS IN STAGFLATION SIMILAR TO THE LATE 1960'S ABOUT A 3RD OF A RISK OF THE FEDERAL RESERVE HITTING THE BRAKES TOO HARD AT SOME POINT IN TIME AND ACTUALLY THROWING US INTO RECESSION.

AND ONLY ABOUT A 3RD OF A CHANCE THAT WE ACTUALLY FIND A WAY TO THREAD THE NEEDLE.

THE IMPORTANT POINT IS THAT THE LAWS OF ECONOMICS HAVE NOT BEEN REPEALED AND I THINK THAT FOLKS BOTH IN CONGRESS AND IN THE FEDERAL RESERVE NEED TO SORT DUST OFF THE OLD ECONOMIC BOOKS AND SEE WHAT THEY'RE DOING NOW.

>> YOU KNOW I THINK A LOT OF AMERICANS WOULD SETTLE FOR THE CLINTON ECONOMY RIGHT NOW DON'T YOU?

>> WELL IT WOULD BE.

IT WOULD BE A BALANCED BUDGET, IT WOULD BE GROWING AND GOVERNMENT LIVING WITHIN ITS MEANS.

>> FACT IS, THE LAST TIME WE HAD A BALANCED BUDGET WAS BETWEEN NEWT GINGRICH, AND BILL CLINTON.

THAT'S A LITTLE HISTORICAL TRIVIA FOR YOU >> YES.

>> OK, I WANT TO GO TO LIGHTNING ROUND.

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

>> I'M GOING TO GO WITH A WHAT'S UP THIS TIME AND THAT IS EDUCATION IN NORTH CAROLINA PUBLIC SCHOOLS ABOUT THE HOLOCAUST.

THE STATE HOUSE'S EDUCATION COMMITTEE PASSED A BILL ON THAT FRONT.

THERE WAS SOME DEBATE ABOUT WHETHER THIS LEGISLATION SHOULD ADD IN OTHER MINORITY GROUPS THAT HAVE BEEN TARGETED FOR TERRIBLE TREATMENT, BUT THE FOLKS WHO ARE PUSHING THIS SAID IF YOU WANT TO DO THAT, PASS ANOTHER BILL.

THIS IS PARTICULARLY FOCUSING ON THE HOLOCAUST.

GOT THROUGH THE HOUSE EDUCATION COMMITTEE.

WE'LL SEE WHERE IT GOES FROM THERE.

MY WHO'S DOWN, KAREN BRINSON BELL, SHE'S THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE NORTH CAROLINA STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS.

SHE UNDERWENT MORE THAN 2 HOURS OF GRILLING BY STATE SENATORS WHO ARE STILL UNHAPPY ABOUT A 2020 DEAL BETWEEN THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS AND DEMOCRATIC SUPER LAWYER MARC ELIAS, THAT CHANGED SOME OF NORTH CAROLINA'S ELECTION RULES.

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

>> WELL, I'M GOING TO SAY THOSE ADVOCATES WHO HAVE BEEN CALLING FOR SCHOOLS TO REOPEN.

THIS WEEK GOT MECKLENBURG COUNTY SCHOOLS AND WAKE COUNTY SCHOOLS, OUR 2 LARGEST SCHOOL DISTRICTS ANNOUNCED THAT THEY ARE BRINGING KIDS BACK INTO PLAN A WHICH IS FULL TIME 5 DAYS A WEEK, AND THEY'LL PROBABLY START WHEN THEY COME OUT OF SPRING BREAK WAKE COUNTY STARTING IN APRIL, AND MECKLENBURG IS WORKING THEIR WAY UP WITH 4 DAYS IN APRIL IN 5 DAYS IN MAY.

SO THAT'S UP FOR THEM.

MY DOWN ACTUALLY IS NC DEPARTMENT TRANSPORTATION HAS BEEN GETTING A LOT OF HEAT LATELY FOR TRASH ALONG OUR HIGHWAYS.

IF YOU'VE TRAVELED BACK AND FORTH TO THE BEACH RECENTLY YOU MAY HAVE NOTICED THERE'S AN INORDINATE AMOUNT OF TRASH ON THE HIGHWAYS, THEY SAY THEY HAD SCALED BACK DURING COVID FOR DOING THOSE LITTER SWEEPS ALONG THE HIGHWAYS, THEY USED TO DO 6 A YEAR.

DURING COVID THEY ONLY DID 3, PLUS THE ADOPT A HIGHWAY GROUPS COULDN'T MEET.

SO THE END OF IT WE'VE REALLY HAD PROBLEMS WITH TRASH ON THE HIGHWAYS, BUT THEY SAY THEY ARE ON IT AND THEY HAVE COLLECTED 2 MILLION POUNDS OF TRASH OVER THE LAST 3 MONTHS AND MORE TO COME.

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

>> UP, SMALLER SCHOOLS.

LOYOLA CHICAGO AND ALSO ORAL ROBERTS HAVE TAKEN THE PLACE OF THE BLUE BLOODS LIKE UNC, DUKE AND KENTUCKY, AND THEY'RE HAVING A GREAT TIME IN THE NCAA'S.

SO I WOULD SAY THAT ALL THE SMALL PROGRAMS FEEL PRETTY GOOD RIGHT NOW WHO'S DOWN?

THE EUROPEAN UNION.

WHEREAS AT ONE POINT IN TIME WE WERE STARTING TO LAG A LITTLE BIT BEHIND THE EUROPEAN UNION IN HOW THEY WERE HANDLING COVID.

SUDDENLY, THE US FIGUREED OUT HOW TO VACCINATE, EUROPE HASN'T AND THEY'RE LOOKING AT A WHOLE BUNCH OF SURGES SINCE THEN.

>> ALL EMAILS ON UNC BASKETBALL GO TO ROBERT REIVES.

I'LL GET THAT FOR YOU AFTER THE SHOW.

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

>> WHO'S UP, THE NETHERLANDS.

DUTCH VOTER TURNOUT WAS 82.6% IN RECENT NATIONAL ELECTIONS.

WITH ONLY THOSE 70 AND OLDER ACTUALLY BEING ALLOWED TO VOTE BY MAIL.

SO THEY TURNED OUT AT THE POLLS.

SADLY IN THE U.S. ONLY 62% OF ADULTS TURNED OUT IN NOVEMBER.

BUT THIS WAS OUR HIGHS TURNOUT SINCE 1960. WHO'S DOWN?

THE GROUNDED CONTAINER SHIP EVER GIVEN THIS THING IS LONGER THAN 4 FOOTBALL FIELDS, IT CARRIES OVER 20,000 BOXCAR SIZE CONTAINERS, IT IS BLOCKING 12% OF GLOBAL SHIPPING RIGHT NOW AT A COST OF OVER 10 BILLION DOLLARS A DAY, AND THE REAL DOWNSIDE IS THIS IS A PREVIEW OF WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN IN THE NEXT MAJOR MIDDLE EASTERN WAR.

>> OKAY HEADLINE NEXT WEEK, MITCH DEMOCRATS, REPUBLICANS PURSUE CONTRASTING FORMS OF ELECTION CHANGES IN THE WEEKS AHEAD.

>> THAT'S GOING TO BE A BIG FIGHT ISN'T IT?

>> VERY BIG FIGHT.

WE JUST HEARD THAT THE DEMOCRATS HAVE A SERIES OF PROPOSALS THAT WOULD PUT INTO PLACE BASICALLY THE RULES THAT WE USED IN 2020.

>> DONNA HEADLINE NEXT WEEK.

>> YES, PRESIDENT BIDEN IS SCHEDULED TO UNVEIL A 3 TRILLION DOLLAR INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN AND HE'S SCHEDULED TO GO TO PITTSBURGH.

WHICH OF COURSE IS A HISTORICALLY UNIONTOWN TO MAKE THAT BIG ANNOUNCEMENT.

>> ROBERT HEADLINE NEXT WEEK.

>> AMAZON CONTINUES TO TAKE A PR HIT AS THEY CONTINUE TO FIGHT WITH THEIR PEOPLE DOWN IN ALABAMA AND ALL THEIR WORKERS.

>> WILL THAT BECOME UNIONIZED YOU THINK?

>> I THINK THAT THE WORKERS ARE GOING TO UNIONIZE.

YES.

>> OKAY HEADLINE NEXT WEEK QUICKLY, NELSON.

>> AMERICANS DRAINED AT THE PUMP AS GAS PRICES RISE.

>> OKAY, GREAT JOB PANNEL I THINK WE COVERED A LOT TODAY THAT'S IT FOR WATCHING HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND SEE YOU NEXT WEEK ON FRONT ROW.

>> 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: ♪