>> HI I'M MARC ROTTERMAN.

COMING UP, BUSINESSES ACROSS NORTH CAROLINA STRUGGLE TO FIND WORKERS.

THE LATEST FROM THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, AND SPEAKER PELOSI WANTS TO MAKE THE EXPANSION OF THE CHILD TAX CREDIT PREMANENT.

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, DONNA KING EDITOR-IN-CHIEF FOR THE CAROLINA JOURNAL.

MORGAN JACKSON CHIEF POLITICAL STRATEGIST FOR GOVERNOR COOPER.

>> JONAH KAPLAN WITH ABC NEWS, 11, AND NELSON DOLLAR SENIOR ADVISER TO NORTH HOUSE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE.

JONAH, BUSINESSES ACROSS NORTH CAROLINA ARE HAVING A HARD TIME FOR FINDING WORKERS.

TALK TO US ABOUT THAT.

>> WELL, IT'S KIND OF IRONIC BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT HAVING A HARD TIME FINDING CUSTOMERS.

I MEAN IF YOU REMEMBER A YEAR AGO AT THIS TIME, MOST PEOPLE ARE AT HOME AND THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY, ESPECIALLY, HOTELS AND RESTAURANTS AND AIRLINES, I MEAN THEY WERE BEGGING FOR PEOPLE TO COME BACK THOUGH THEY UNDERSTOOD THAT THEY WERE HOME WORRIED ABOUT THE VIRUS, AND THE BIG TALK WAS BRING THE JOBS BACK, BRING THE JOBS BACK, HOW ARE WE GOING TO BRING THE JOBS BACK?

THE JOBS ARE BACK.

GO TO ANY SHEETZ, GO TO ANY LOCAL RESTAURANT, GO TO A HOSPITAL.

NOW A NEW REPORT OUT OF THE WASHINGTON POST THIS WEEK SAYING THAT 3 IN 10 NURSES ARE CONSIDERING LEAVING THE BUSINESS ALTOGETHER.

SO THERE ARE A LOT OF RETIREMENTS, BUT THERE'S NO ONE TO FILL THESE POSITIONS AND THE QUESTION BECOMES, WHY?

WHERE ARE THE SKILLS?

WHERE IS THE MOTIVATION TO JOIN THE WORKFORCE?

IS IT THERE AREN'T LIVING WAGES IN SOME OF THESE POSITIONS?

ARE PEOPLE SAYING YOU KNOW THE PANDEMIC TAUGHT ME 'I CAN GET A JOB THAT'S BETTER PAYING I'M NOT GOING TO DO THIS' IS IT UNEMPLOYMENT WHICH HAS BEEN EXPANDED AND EXTENDED?

IT EASIER TO STAY HOME AND NOT WORK WHEN I CAN HAVE A PAYCHECK COMING IN NO MATTER WHAT?

IS IT SOME OTHER FACTOR?

PEOPLE ARE THINKING ABOUT NEW SKILLS OR THEY WANT TO GO INTO TECH OR THEY WANT TO GO INTO MORE EDUCATION.

BUT IT'S A REAL PROBLEM, BECAUSE CONSUMERS ARE THERE AND THE MONEY IS THERE TO SPEND IT, BUT, IF YOU DON'T HAVE WORKERS, YOU'RE NOT GOING TO PROVIDE SERVICES THAT PEOPLE WANT.

>> NELSON, ARE THE ENHANCED UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS THE $300 A WEEK EXTRA CAUSING THE PROBLEM?

>> YES, ABSOLUTELY SO YOU SAW IN THE LAST APRIL'S JOBS REPORT 266,000 NEW JOBS WHEN THEY WERE EXPECTING A MILLION NEW JOBS.

BUSINESSES CANNOT CREATE NEW JOBS WHEN PEOPLE ARE BEING PAID TO STAY HOME, SO WE'VE HAD 21 STATES THAT ARE SAYING NO THANKS TO THE ADDITIONAL $300 A WEEK IN ENHANCED UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS, AND YOU HAVE SENATOR RUBIO IN WASHINGTON INTRODUCING TO GET BACK TO WORK ACT THAT WOULD CUT OFF THESE ENHANCED BENEFITS, AND IF YOU LOOK AT IN NORTH CAROLINA ON AVERAGE WITH THE REGULAR UNEMPLOYMENT IN NORTH CAROLINA PLUS THE ENHANCED BENEFITS YOU CAN MAKE ROUGHLY ON AVERAGE AROUND $28,000 A YEAR AND STAY HOME.

SO THAT'S HAMMERING SMALL BUSINESSES SOME BUSINESSES ARE CLOSING THEY JUST DON'T HAVE ANYBODY TO WORK FOR THEM, AND AS JOHN WAS SAYING IS REALLY HITTING THE HEALTH CARE AREA AS WELL YOU JUST DON'T HAVE HEALTH CARE WORKERS.

>> LET ME ASK YOU THIS MORGAN 21 STATES HAVE DROPPED THE ENHANCED UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS BUT NOW I SEE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT PAYING PEOPLE TO COME BACK TO WORK THERE'S SOMETHING ON THE SENATE FLOOR TALKING ABOUT THAT RIGHT?

>> THAT'S RIGHT.

SO FIRST, WE'LL MEET A LITTLE SORE WHAT THE GOVERNOR'S BEEN WORKING ON THIS IS THE FIRST THING HE'S DONE IS HE HAS PUT BACK THE RESTRICTIONS THAT WERE A LOT OF THAT WERE PREPANDEMIC THE SAID YOU HAD TO LOOK FOR A JOB DURING A PANDEMIC IT WAS REALLY HARD WHEN FOLKS -- THERE WEREN'T JOBS FIRST OF ALL, AND SECOND OF ALL, IT WASN'T NECESSARILY SAFE TO GO IN PERSON TO LOOK FOR JOBS, AND SO HE'S PUSHED THOSE BACK AND THEY'RE GOING TO BE PRE PANDEMIC FORM SOON, BUT IT'S ALSO IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND, FROM THE HEIGHT OF THE PANDEMIC UNEMPLOYMENT NUMBERS ARE WAY DOWN.

WE HAD 14% UNEMPLOYED DURING THE HEIGHT OF THE PANDEMIC PREPANDEMIC IT WAS JUST UNDER 4% IN NORTH CAROLINA, IT'S ROUGHLY 5% NOW.

SO WE'VE MADE SOME GREAT GAINS.

I THINK JONAH MADE A EXCELLENT POINT IN THAT IT'S THE CONFLUENCE OF SO MANY FOLKS OPENING BACK UP WITH THE CAPACITY LIMITS GONE, THE SEASONAL TOURISM INDUSTRY HAS REALLY TAKEN OFF AND I THINK ONE OF THE BIG CHALLENGES WAGE GROWTH HAS BEEN SO STAGNANT IN THIS COUNTRY, THAT FOLKS ARE LOOKING FOR OTHER JOBS, WE TALK ABOUT THE HEALTH INDUSTRY.

IF YOU'VE BEEN A NURSE OVER THE LAST YEAR YOU'RE BURNED OUT AND WORN OUT AND THINKING ABOUT SOMETHING ELSE.

>> DONNA WRAP THIS UP IN ABOUT 4O SECONDS.

>> I THINK ALL OF THESE ARE MAJOR FACTORS IN WHY WE'RE SEEING THIS.

ABOUT 42% OF BUSINESSES SAY THAT THEY ARE HAVING A LOT OF TROUBLE STAFFING AND THAT IS DRIVING WAGES UP EVEN WITH DISMAL JOBS NUMBERS THAT NELSON TALKED ABOUT IN APRIL.

WE'RE STILL HAVE MORE JOBS AND PEOPLE WILLING TO TAKE THEM.

THERE'S ONE FAST FOOD RESTAURANT PAYING PEOPLE $50 TO COME IN FOR AN INTERVIEW.

SO ALL OF THOSE THINGS ARE DRIVING WAGES UP BUT WE'RE REALLY NOT GOING TO SEE THE JOB GROWTH UNTIL THERE'S PEOPLE FORCED TO GO BACK AND GET BACK INTO EMPLOYMENT.

>> OK WANT TO COME RIGHT BACK TO TALK ABOUT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY'S WEEK.

>> SURE, SO THIS WEEK WAS A LITTLE BIT CALMER THAN THE PREVIOUS WEEK LAST WEEK CROSSOVER MEANT THAT IT WAS A BIT CHAOTIC THIS WEEK A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE HEAD DOWN WORKING ON THE BUDGET.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE ALSO WORKING ON IS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO WITH THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN MONEY, THERE'S YOU KNOW 5, 6 BILLION DOLLARS TO FIGURE OUT WHAT TO DO, A LOT OF FOLKS ARE TALKING INCLUDING THE GOVERNOR ARE TALKING ABOUT DOING GRANTS TO PARENTS TO HELP THEIR KIDS CATCH UP OVER THE SUMMER.

A BILL WAS FILED THIS WEEK AS WELL THAT WOULD BE BETWEEN A $1000 AND $3000 THAT PARENTS CAN APPLY FOR A GRANT TO BE USED FOR CAMPS OR EVEN THERAPY IF THEY NEEDED, TUTORS, LOTS OF OTHER THINGS, WAYS FOR PARENTS TO KIND OF CONTROL HOW THAT MONEY HELPS THEIR CHILD BUT ONE OF THE THINGS I REALLY WAS WATCHING IN THE SENATE.

THERE WAS A HEARING FROM ENERGY EXPERTS HASHING HOW VULNERABLE NORTH CAROLINA IS IN THE FUEL SHORTAGE THAT WE SAW WITH THE COLONIAL PIPELINE HACK.

NORTH CAROLINA GETS GASOLINE FROM ONE PIPELINE, GETS NATURAL GAS FROM ONE PIPELINE, AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT PUTS US AT UNUSUALLY HIGH RISK COMPARED TO OTHER STATES IN REALLY HAVING AN ENERGY CRISIS AND THAT'S WHY WE SAW IN NORTH CAROLINA HIT SO HARD WITH COLONIAL PIPELINE.

PLUS CONSTRUCTION OF NEW PIPELINES HAS BEEN MET WITH SORT OF A HOSTILE REGULATORY ENVIRONMENT, SO IT'S SOMETHING WE REALLY HAVE TO BE LOOKING AT GOING FORWARD.

>> MORGAN THE GOVERNOR DID WEIGH IN SPECIFICALLY ON HOW HE WANTED TO SEE THAT 6 BILLION SPENT.

>> SO THAT'S RIGHT AND SO HE LAID OUT A PLAN THIS WEEKEND, A VISION FOR NORTH CAROLINA TO INVEST THIS MONEY IN OUR STATE AND OUR PEOPLE.

IT'S ABOUT 5.7 BILLION, WHICH IS A LOT OF MONEY AND CAN DO A LOT OF GOOD.

THE GOVERNOR BELIEVES THAT AS I SAID IT'S A ONCE IN A GENERATION OPPORTUNITY.

HE LAID OUT VERY SPECIFIC PLANS AND LOOKS FORWARD TO WORKING WITH THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO GET THESE THROUGH, IS FIRST AND FOREMOST MAJOR INVESTMENTS IN BROADBAND INFRASTRUCTURE WE'VE SEEN WHAT THE PANDEMIC HAS SHOWN US EVEN MORE, WHETHER IT'S KIDS THAT WERE ZOOMING OR WHETHER IT IS FOLKS THAT WERE WORKING FROM HOME, OR BUSINESSES, ESPECIALLY IN EASTERN NORTH CAROLINA.

THAT DIDN'T HAVE ACCESS TO HIGH-SPEED INTERNET IT'S REALLY CRITICAL.

SO ABOUT 1.2 BILLION DOLLARS IN THAT.

YOU'RE ALSO LOOKING, AS DONNA MENTIONED, ABOUT EXPANDING AFFORDABLE ACCESS TO EDUCATION, NOT JUST PRIMARY CARE EDUCATION AND KIDS OVER THE SUMMER, BUT LOOKING AT HOW YOU GET MORE WORKERS TRAINED BY MAKING SURE FOLKS CAN GET FINISH THOSE COMMUNITY COLLEGE GRADUATIONS AND GO TO GO TO UNIVERSITY AND ALSO LOOKING AT MAJOR WASTEWATER AND WATER INFRASTRUCTURE PROVES I THINK THAT'S THAT'S BEEN ONE THE MOST NON PARTISAN ISSUES OUT THERE OUR CITIES AND OUR TOWNS HAVE THESE 80 YEAR-OLD WATER SYSTEMS ARE 100 YOUR WATER SYSTEMS AND SO IT'S A VERY BIG DEAL AND IN THE LAST THING, I'LL MENTION.

IT IS THE THE INVESTMENTS GIVEN TO THE HOSPITALITY IS FOR THE STRUGGLING SO HARD TO HELP THEM GET BACK ON THEIR FEET.

>> NELSON YOU HAVE FLOOR.

>> WELL, WHILE THE GOVERNOR WAS PROPOSING WHAT TO DO WITH 5.7 BILLION THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY WAS TAKING ANOTHER 6.4 BILLION DOLLARS OF RESCUE FUNDS AND APPROPRIATING THOSE OUT, SO THAT WAS CALM PUSH THIS WEEK.

OVER HALF OF THOSE FUNDS WILL GO TO ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS EMERGENCY RELIEF FUNDS.

THERE WERE 29 CATEGORIES OF FUNDS THAT WERE APPROPRIATED IN THIS LARGE CHUNK MOST OF IT TO THINGS LIKE CHILDCARE GRANTS, HIGHER EDUCATION FUNDS, EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE FUNDS, FOOD SECURITY, AND SOME LAB AND VACCINE FUNDS AS WELL.

ALL TOLD IT'S GOING TO BE 15.5 BILLION DOLLARS.

>> CLOSE THIS OUT IN ABOUT 30 SECONDS MY FRIEND.

>> I THINK CHILDCARE IS GOING TO BE CRITICAL BECAUSE IF WE NEED PEOPLE TO GET BACK TO WORK WHAT ARE THEY GOING TO DO WITH THEIR CHILDREN?

SO EARLY EDUCATION WATCH FOR THAT AS BUDGET NEGOTIATIONS CONTINUE.

>> OKAY, NELSON I WANT TO TALK TO YOU TALK ABOUT CHILDCARE.

SPEAKER PELOSI WANTS TO MAKE THE CHILD EXTENSION OF THAT OUT TAX CREDIT PERMANENT.

>> WELL THAT'S RIGHT MARC.

SO THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN PASSED IN MARCH INCREASED THE CHILD TAX CREDIT FROM $2000 TO $3,000 PER CHILD, AND TO $3600 PER CHILD FOR THOSE UNDER AGE 6 AND THAT IS A REFUNDABLE CREDIT FOR THE LOWEST INCOME HOUSEHOLDS, AND THAT ALSO DIRECTS THE IRS TO BEGIN PREPAYMENTS OF THOSE FUNDS SET ON A MONTHLY BASIS BEGINNING IN JULY.

PRESIDENT BIDEN IS PROPOSING EXTENDING THAT PROGRAM FOR 5 YEARS.

SPEAKER PELOSI AND THE CONGRESSIONAL DEMOCRATS WANT TO MAKE THE PROGRAM A PERMANENT ENTITLEMENT AT AN ESTIMATED COST OF ABOUT 1.6 TRILLION DOLLARS OVER THE NEXT 10 YEARS, AND JUST FOR SCALE OF THIS ENTITLEMENT, THAT'S AS MUCH AS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SPENDS ANNUALLY ON ITS DISCRETIONARY PROGRAMS, ALL OF THEM COMBINED CAN WE AFFORD ANOTHER ENTITLEMENT DONNA?

>> I JUST DON'T THINK SO.

IT'S HARD TO UNRING THAT BELL.

ONCE YOU'VE ALLOWED IT THEN IT'S GOING TO BE EXPECTED AND YOU'RE REALLY TALKING ABOUT KIND OF A PILOT OR A SAMPLE OF WHAT A UNIVERSAL BASIC INCOME MIGHT LOOK LIKE.

ECONOMISTS I THINK ARE PRETTY UNIVERSAL IN SAYING THAT THE GOOD THING IS IF IT REPLACES A WELFARE BASED SYSTEM AND PEOPLE HAVE CONTROL OVER WHERE IT'S SPENT THAT COULD BE GOOD, BUT IT CAN ALSO DRIVE UP INFLATION, WHICH MEANS THAT PRICES GO UP AND WHETHER PEOPLE HAVE IT, THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR THE POOREST AMONG US IS NOT REALLY GOING TO CHANGE IF PRICES GO UP.

>> JONAH?

>> AS SOMEONE HERE WITH 2 KIDS UNDER THE AGE OF 6, LET ME SAY I THINK THIS IS KIND OF A CREATIVE - I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S GOOD OR BAD - BUT A CREATIVE SOLUTION AS KIND OF A STIMULUS TO BOTH SUPPORT THE CHILDCARE INDUSTRY WHICH IS NOT A GOOD BUSINESS MODEL.

ASK ANY CHILD CARE PROVIDER.

EITHER YOU'RE GOING TO CHARGE A FORTUNE TO PAY OUR TEACHERS AND KEEP THE LIGHTS ON OR YOU'RE GOING TO NEED SOME SORT OF GOVERNMENT SUPPORT TO STAY OPEN.

SO IF THIS MAY BE CAN BE MORE DIRECTED AT SAYING WELL YOU CAN USE THIS MONEY ON CHILDCARE THAT WOULD MAKE IT DEDUCTIBLE, MAYBE THERE'S SOMETHING THERE.

IT'S ALSO - LOOK AT THE BIRTH RATE THAT CONTINUES TO FALL IN THIS COUNTRY.

SO ARE WE GOING TO FURTHER INCENTIVIZE YOU KNOW GROWING FAMILIES AND YOU KNOW MARRIAGES AND KIND OF A NUCLEAR FAMILY IDEA.

THIS COULD BE THAT TOO.

I DON'T NECESSARILY SEE IT AS JUST AN ENTITLEMENT.

>> MORGAN IS THIS A TALKING POINT FOR 2022 IN THE MIDTERMS?

>> I THINK CAN BE.

IT'S A VERY, VERY POPULAR PROGRAM.

IT'S BEEN AROUND SINCE 1997 ACTUALLY.

IT'S LIKE A 25 YEAR-OLD PROGRAM.

I THINK PART OF THE ISSUE IS THE CHALLENGE THEY'RE TRYING TO ADDRESS, ONE IN 7 CHILDREN IN THIS COUNTRY LIVE IN POVERTY.

THAT'S A STARK REMINDER OF REAL LIFE FOR SO MANY FOLKS AND SO MANY MORE ARE JUST ABOVE THE POVERTY LINE.

WHAT WE SEE LONG-TERM, A CHILD WHO GROWS UP IN POVERTY IS MUCH MORE LIKELY TO HAVE LONG-TERM HEALTH CARE ISSUES, MUCH LESS LIKELY TO GET AN EDUCATION, AND SO MUCH MORE LIKELY TO LIVE IN A CYCLE OF POVERTY THAT'S SO HARD TO BREAK IN THIS COUNTRY.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT CHILD CARE DOLLARS ARE SOME OF THE BEST SPENT IN THIS COUNTRY BECAUSE THAT MONEY GOES RIGHT BACK INTO THE ECONOMY.

IT DOESN'T SIT IN PEOPLE'S POCKETS AND PEOPLE'S BANK ACCOUNTS, IT GOES TO SPEND FOR CHILD CARE, GOES TO GROCERIES, TO GO SPEND FOR CLOTHES, THINGS THAT GO RIGHT BACK INTO THE ECONOMY AND WE'VE WE'VE SEEN ON SOME LEVELS OF EVERY DOLLAR SPENT ON CHILDCARE GENERATES A DOLLAR AND A HALF OF ECONOMIC GROWTH IN THIS COUNTRY.

>> YOU AGREE WITH THAT?

>> WELL, I THINK JONAH'S POINT MAYBE THE BEST ONE AND THAT IS WHAT DO WE DO LONG TERM.

>> TO HAVE THE SIZE JOB FORCE THAT WE NEED BECAUSE AMERICA'S AGING, WE AT LEAST HAVE AN MILLENNIALS GENERATION MOTION TO MAKE THE MOST OF THE MAJOR INDUSTRIALIZED COUNTRIES DO NOT.

BUT WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT THE SIZE OF OUR WORKFORCE.

THERE ARE FEWER ZOOMERS COMING ALONG THAN MILLENNIALS, SO THIS IS GOING TO BE A CRITICAL ISSUE IN TERMS OF DEMOGRAPHICS IN THE U.S. OVER THE NEXT FEW DECADES.

>> DONNA CLOSE THIS OUT ABOUT 30 SECONDS.

>> I THINK ALL OF THESE ARE REALLY IMPORTANT POINTS AND WHEN THE PANDEMIC THE COVID PANDEMIC HAS PUT A REAL -- FORCED US TO REALLY LOOK AT HOW OUR ECONOMY IS DEVELOPING, IT'S REALLY IMPACTED SOME OF THE SMALL BUSINESSES AND THE MOTIVATION TO GO OUT AND START A SMALL BUSINESS IS EVEN FRIGHTENING FOR A LOT OF FOLKS WHO SAW WHAT HAPPENED TO THEIR NEIGHBORS.

SO YOU KNOW GOING THROUGH AND HELPING THOSE BUSINESSES HELP THEM MAKE THEIR OWN DECISIONS CONTROL THEIR OWN MONEY IT'S REALLY GOING TO KEY TO RECOVERING.

>> OKAY TALKING ABOUT THE PANDEMIC, THE GOVERNOR LIFTED THE MASK MANDATE - SORT OF LAST WEEK.

>> LISTEN, IT'S A BIG DEAL.

IT'S A BIG DEAL FOR A LOT OF FOLKS, ESPECIALLY THOSE THAT ARE VACCINATED.

THROUGHOUT THIS PANDEMIC THE GOVERNOR FOLLOWED ADVICE OF SCIENTISTS AND DATA AND WHEN THE CDC REMOVED THE MASK MANDATE, ESPECIALLY FOR THOSE THAT ARE VACCINATED LAST WEEK, THE GOVERNOR OBVIOUSLY FOLLOWED SUIT.

IT IS A BIG DEAL FOR NORTH CAROLINA.

IT IS THE FIRST SIGNAL OF EMERGING FROM THE PANDEMIC FIRST BIG SORT OF TANGIBLE SIGNAL.

AS YOU KNOW WHEN YOU DON'T HAVE TO PUT A FACE COVERING ON IF YOU'VE BEEN VACCINATED.

FOR EVERYBODY BUT A FEW DIFFERENT CATEGORIES, THE CATEGORIES ARE HEALTH CARE SETTINGS, PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION AND SCHOOLS, AND LARGELY BECAUSE THE SCHOOLS, PARENTS SAY WHY DO MY KIDS HAVE TO WEAR A MASK?

ANYBODY -- THE 12 TO 15 YEAR-OLDS JUST GOT ELIGIBLE FOR VACCINES A COUPLE WEEKS AGO.

UNDER 12 CAN'T BE.

AND SO THE GOAL WAS TO STOP THE SPREAD OF THE PANDEMIC WITH THOSE THAT ARE UNVACCINATED.

>> WHAT PERCENTAGE OF KIDS ARE GETTING - 12 TO 15 ARE GETTING COVID?

>> WELL IT -- >> IT'S PRETTY LOW ISN'T IT JONAH?

>> IT'S LOW AND MOSTLY THEY'RE ASYMPTOMATIC THANK GOD.

I MEAN THAT'S THAT'S THE STORY HERE.

IF WE TALK ABOUT THE GOVERNOR, I THINK YOU KNOW HE DESERVES A LOT OF CREDIT FOR BEING REMARKABLY CONSISTENT THROUGH THIS.

IT WAS REALLY THE CDC WHO DIDN'T JUST PIVOT, IT WAS AN ABOUT-FACE.

AND SO THAT KIND OF THREW THE GOVERNOR AND SECRETARY OF HEALTH HUMAN SERVICES DR. MAN -- >> WAS IT A POLITICAL DECISION BY THE CDC?

>> UH, WE NEED A LONGER SHOW.

TO DISCUSS THAT.

BUT I THINK THOUGH IT TO KIND OF MATCH WITH THE CDC WAS SAYING, THE GOVERNOR IS KIND OF PUT INTO A LITTLE BIND AND IT WAS VERY ABRUPT AND I THINK EVERYONE'S JUST KIND OF TRYING TO GET USED TO IT.

>> DONNA.

>> I THINK IT'S INTERESTING THIS PARTICULAR SAYING IS A PUBLIC POLICY THAT LITERALLY TOUCHES EVERY SINGLE PERSON.

A LOT OF US KNOW A LOT ABOUT PUBLIC POLICY WE DIG IN EVERY DAY, WE STUDY IT EVERY DAY, NOT EVERYONE DOES AND THIS IS SOMETHING THAT THEY'RE REALLY STARTING TO PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT THEIR EXECUTIVE BRANCH JUST WHAT THE LEGISLATURE DOES AND THAT MAY BE A TREND THAT CONTINUES.

THOSE WHO ARE AVID MASK WEARERS ARE GOING TO KEEP DOING IT.

THOSE WHO AREN'T WEARING THEM IN THE FIRST PLACE THAT REALLY AFFECTS THAT MIDDLE SLICE WHO WERE WEARING IT EITHER TO AVOID YOU KNOW A VERBAL ASSAULT IN PUBLIC OR THEY WERE WEARING IT TO KEEP THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD STORES OPEN.

>> AND A LOT OF OUR FOLKS HAD TO LEARN ALONG THE WAY A LOT OF PEOPLE IN AUTHORITY DIDN'T THEY NELSON?

>> WELL THEY DID.

MASKS WERE ONLY INTENDED AS A TEMPORARY MEASURE TO SLOW THE SPREAD OF THE VIRUS.

THE VACCINES ARE THE CURE TO THE PANDEMIC, SO OPERATION WARP SPEED CUT THE REGULATORY ROADBLOCKS PROVIDED THE MONEY FOR THE AMERICAN PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES TO SHOW THEIR CAPACITY TO INNOVATE TO RAPIDLY MANUFACTURE AND DISTRIBUTE THE VACCINES ON A MASSIVE SCALE.

SO PFIZER, MODERNA, JOHNSON & JOHNSON, THIS IS AMERICA'S SYSTEM AT ITS BEST, AND WHAT I WORRY ABOUT GOING FORWARD OR POLICYMAKERS IN WASHINGTON WHO ARE CLAMPING DOWN ON EVERYTHING.

THAT MADE THIS PHENOMENAL SUCCESS POSSIBLE.

>> WELL SPEAKER PELOSI STILL HAS MASK ON THE FLOOR, BUT THEY DON'T HAVE THEM IN THE WHITE HOUSE.

THAT'S A LITTLE BIT STRANGE IN MY VIEW.

>> [MORGAN] YOU KNOW, I THINK HER ARGUE IT WAS OF SOME OF THE HOLDOUTS WOULD GET VACCINATIONS.

EVERYBODY IN THE WHITE HOUSE HAS VACCINATIONS.

THERE'S ABOUT 30% PEOPLE ON THE HOUSE FLOOR THAT DON'T.

>> HAVE TO CLOSE THIS OUT REAL QUICKLY.

>> WELL I THINK WHAT WE'RE NOW SEEING IS WHERE A LOT OF PEOPLE SAY WE SHOULD HAVE STARTED IN THE FIRST PLACE IF YOU FELT COMFORTABLE WEARING ONE, WEAR IT.

IF YOU'RE AFRAID TO NOT WEAR ONE WEAR IT, IF YOU DON'T, THEN DON'T, AND IF YOU LET A BUSINESS SET THEIR OWN RULES AND IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT BECAUSE THEY REQUIRE IT OR BECAUSE THEY DON'T, VOTE WITH YOUR FEET GO SOMEWHERE ELSE.

>> OKAY, I WANT TO GO TO THE MOST UNDERREPORTED STORY OF THE WEEK DONNA.

>> SO MY MOST UNDERREPORTED STORY OF THE WEEK IS MITCH MCCONNELL AND KEVIN MCCARTHY.

SO FROM WASHINGTON OF COURSE THEY'RE NOW SAYING THAT THEY'RE NOT GOING TO BACK A COMMISSION INTO INVESTIGATING THE PROTEST AT THE CAPITOL, SO I THINK THAT THAT WILL REALLY KEEP THEM FROM GETTING THOSE 10 REPUBLICAN VOTES.

OF COURSE THE COMMISSION BILL PASSED THE HOUSE THAT'S NOW IN THE SENATE AND DEMOCRATS NEED 10 REPUBLICANS TO GET OVER AND VOTE TO ESTABLISH THIS COMMISSION.

I DON'T THINK THEY'RE GOING TO GET IT WITHOUT MCCONNEL'S SUPPORT.

>> YOU HAVE THOUGHTS ON THAT DON'T YOU?

>> YEAH, I THINK YOU KNOW THE MORE REPUBLICANS THINK THEY CAN AVOID A DISCUSSION ABOUT THE JANUARY 6TH INSURRECTION BY NOT HAVING A COMMISSION, I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT THE TV ADS THAT WILL BE RUN IN 2022 WILL REMIND EVERY VOTER IN THIS COUNTRY ABOUT IT.

THEY GOING TO IMPEACH TRUMP AGAIN?

>> 3 MORE TIMES!

[LAUGHTER] >> YOU'RE MOST UNDERREPORTED.

>> SO BIG NEWS OUT OF DURHAM THIS WEEK FOR A LOT OF PARENTS IS SOME OF YOU MAY BE FAMILIAR THAT ATTORNEY GENERAL JOSH STEIN, AND THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA HAVE SUED THE VAPE COMPANY JUUL.

JUUL HAS ABOUT 75, 80% OF THE THE E-CIGARETTE MARKET AND AS THOSE, DONNA I'LL TELL YOU, IS WITH KIDS AND HIGH SCHOOL, IT'S EVERYWHERE.

IT'S ON COLLEGE CAMPUS ON HIGH SCHOOL CAMPUSES, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SUED THEM FOR DECEPTIVE MARKETING >> ATTORNEY GENERAL STEIN.

>> ATTORNEY GENERAL STEIN SUED FOR DECEPTIVE MARKETING AND MARKETING SPECIFICALLY TO CHILDREN.

BUT THIS IS A PRE TRIAL MOTION THAT TOOK PLACE AND A PRE-TRIAL RULING THIS WEEK WHICH IS A BIG DEAL BECAUSE IT'S BEFORE THE TRIAL EVEN STARTED.

THE JUDGE RULED THAT JUUL HAD NOT ONLY DESTROYED DOCUMENTS, THEY HAD REFUSED AND DISOBEYED COURT ORDERS AND DESERVED TO HAVE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN FINES PRE TRIAL, AND SO IT DOESN'T TAKE A LAWYER TELL YOU THAT WHEN YOU START OUT THE TRIAL THAT WAY IT'S NOT GOING TO END WELL FOR JUUL, BUT IT IS A GOOD NEWS FOR NORTH CAROLINA PARENTS.

>> JONAH, UNDERREPORTED.

>> I THINK WHAT'S THE SAYING THE 2 CONSTANTS IN LIFE, DEATH AND TAXES WELL, ACTUALLY THERE'S A 3RD AND THAT'S ANTI-SEMITISM.

AND WHAT WE'VE SEEN THIS WEEK IS ABOUT A 400% INCREASE IN ANTI-SEMITIC INCIDENTS, THE VIDEOS ARE ARE FRIGHTENING FOR AN AMERICAN JEW LIKE ME.

PEOPLE BEING ATTACKED AT A RESTAURANT IN LOS ANGELES, PEOPLE THROWING FIRECRACKERS AT A BAGEL SHOP IN A DIAMOND DISTRICT IN NEW YORK CITY, A SYNAGOGUE IN ARIZONA IN TUCSON WAS VANDALIZED.

YOU KNOW IF YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WITH A GOVERNMENT POLICY OF A NATION- STATE, IF YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WITH A JEWISH STATE, WELL, THEN YOUR PROBLEM IS RACISM AND I JUST - I DON'T UNDERSTAND IT FIRST OF ALL FOR ME EVEN TO BE A JEW, BRINGING IT UP, I FEEL LIKE IT'S AWKWARD LIKE PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE JUDGING ME FOR BRINGING THIS UP NOT HERE AT THIS TABLE, BUT WHY DOES IT NOT REGISTER ON THE SAME SCALE AS OTHER FORMS OF RACISM?

WHERE IS THE OUTRAGE?

IT'S VERY MUCH A UNDERREPORTED STORY I HAVEN'T SEEN MUCH ON THE NEWS ABOUT IT.

>> NO, I MEAN IMAGINE IF THEY WERE ASIAN SITTING AT A RESTAURANT AND THEY WERE ATTACKED?

WHERE WOULD THAT BE ON THE NIGHTLY NEWS?

IMAGINE IF IT WAS A BLACK OWNED BUSINESS?

>> OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS ARE NOT SPEAKING OUT ABOUT IT.

>> AND WHAT IF IT WAS A BLACK OWNED BUSINESS?

NOTHING BY THE WAY FROM PELOSI OR FROM MCCONNELL OR ANYBODY ELSE ON THE OTHER SIDE, THE REPUBLICAN SIDE.

>> BIDEN HAD AN OPPORTUNITY, I THOUGHT HE SPOKE VERY WELL ON THURSDAY WHEN CEASE-FIRE WAS ANNOUNCED, BUT HE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY JUST LIKE HE DID WHEN HE TALKED ABOUT COVID BEING OVER, STOP THIS ANTI-ASIAN HATRED AND GEORGE FLOYD'S STOP THIS RACISM.

HE COULD HAVE SAID STOP THE ANTI SEMITISM, BUT HE DIDN'T.

>> NELSON UNDERREPORTED PLEASE.

>> AND IT WAS EGYPT THAT BROKERED THE CEASE-FIRE BETWEEN THE TWO.

I THINK THAT'S VERY SIGNIFICANT.

ON MONDAY UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT RULED AGAINST WARRANTLESS SEARCHES BY POLICE FOR HEALTH AND PUBLIC SAFETY REASONS.

THE UNANIMOUS DECISION AUTHORED BY JUSTICE THOMAS A RULE THAT A PLAINTIFF'S 4TH AMENDMENT RIGHTS AGAINST UNREASONABLE SEARCH AND SEIZURE WERE VIOLATED WHEN POLICE ENTERED THE PLAINTIFF'S HOME WITHOUT A WARRANT TOOK HIM TO A HOSPITAL FOR A MENTAL EVALUATION AND CEASED AND WOULD NOT RETURN HIS FIREARM.

SO BIDEN'S JUSTICE DEPARTMENT JOINED THE SIDE OF THE POLICE IN THIS CASE, AND LOST 9-0.

>> WHAT'S THE PRACTICAL IMPACT.

>> I THINK THE PRACTICAL IMPACT IS, FOR EXAMPLE, THERE'S BEEN DISCUSSION OF RED FLAG LAWS IN CONGRESS AND IN THE VARIOUS STATES.

I THINK PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE VERY CAREFUL EVEN THOUGH THIS WAS A 4TH AMENDMENT CASE AND NOT A SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHTS CASE.

IT WILL HAVE BEARING ON SECOND AMENDMENT ISSUES.

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

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

>> I GOT TO SAY UP IS GAS PRICES.

IN MAY OF 2019, GAS PRICES WERE RIGHT AROUND $1.75 A GALLON NOW IN MAY OF 2021.

>> [MARC] WE NEED THE ATLANTIC COAST PIPELINE.

>> YEAH, >> [MORGAN] I DIDN'T BRING GAS.

[LAUGHTER, VAROUS COMMENTS] >> [DONNA] NOW IT'S LIKE 3.06 A GALLON.

SO YOU'RE SEEING A LOT AND THAT IMPACTS GROCERIES IT IMPACTS EVERYTHING WE DO IT'S TRUCKERS IT'S EVERYBODY EVEN BEFORE THE COLONIAL PIPELINE, PRICES WERE GOING UP.

DOWN I GOT TO SAY CALIFORNIA'S UNEMPLOYMENT PROGRAM.

DON'T KNOW IF YOU CAUGHT THIS STORY, BUT THEY'RE SAYING UP TO ABOUT 30 BILLION DOLLARS IN POTENTIAL FRAUD, SO THEY FROZEN ALL THESE UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIMS OF LIKE 19 MILLION PEOPLE -- >> [JONAH] WELL THEY'RE GREAT ACTORS OUT THERE!

>> [DONNA] A WELL RUN PROGRAM APPARENTLY.

>> MORGAN WHO'S UP AND WHO'S DOWN?

>> UP THIS WEEK IS CLEAN AIR IN CHARLOTTE.

THE EPA LED BY NORTH CAROLINA'S OWN MICHAEL REAGAN HAS SMACKED DOWN ON A SOUTH CAROLINA COMPANY, AND FOR THOSE OF YOU NOT FAMILIAR WITH THE ISSUE, THIS PULP PAPER MILL HAS BEEN EMITTING THESE HORRIBLE SMELLS THAT HAS PERMEATED ALL THROUGHOUT CHARLOTTE AND THE REGION, AND IS MAKING A LOT OF FOLKS SICK AND THE EPA HAS CRACKED DOWN THIS WEEK AND BE GOOD FOR THE EPA FOR DOING SO BECAUSE NORTH CAROLINA HAS NOT DONE IT.

WHO'S DOWN THIS WEEK I WOULD SAY COUPS ARE DOWN THIS WEEK.

DUKE ENERGY INSTITUTIONAL INVESTOR ELLIOTT MANAGEMENT CAME OUT THIS WEEK AND SAID WE THINK THERE SHOULD BE BROKEN UP INTO MULTIPLE PIECES.

THE BIG 5 GOVERNOR COOPER, PRESIDENT PRO TEM BERGER, SPEAKER MOORE DEMOCRATIC LEADERS RIEVES, AND BLUE SAID NOT SO FAST.

THE UTILITY COMMISSION IS NOT GOING TO LIKE THAT.

>> JONAH WHO'S UP AND WHO'S DOWN?

>> SO THE NORTH CAROLINA GOP IS UP, LOOK WHATEVER YOU THINK OF DONALD TRUMP HE'S STILL THE FORMER PRESIDENT UNITED STATES, HE'S A DOMINANT POLITICAL FIGURE AND HE'S KIND OF JUST BEEN HANGING OUT IN FLORIDA.

BUT NOW HE'S GOING TO COME OUT OF HIS - WELL NOT HIS BASEMENT, BUT MAYBE THE POOL, WHATEVER YOU WANT TO CALL IT.

AND HE'S COMING TO NORTH CAROLINA AND THAT'S A BIG DEAL FOR NORTH CAROLINA, AND DOWN AS PARTY UNITY, AT THIS WHOLE BIG TENT IDEA.

I MEAN DEMOCRATS ARE SPLIT ON ISRAEL, REPUBLICANS SPLIT ON THE INSURRECTION, MAYBE JUST BIG TENT PARTIES AREN'T GOING TO WORK ANYMORE.

>> IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE IF TRUMP TALKS ABOUT THE PAST OR THE FUTURE.

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

>> FRENCH IS UP THE FRENCH ACADEMY, THE GUARDIANS OF THEIR LANGUAGE HAVE BANNED SCHOOLS FROM USING GENDER NEUTRAL SPELLINGS OF WORDS SAYING THE PRACTICE IS HARMFUL AND THREATENS THE FRENCH LANGUAGE.

VIVA LA FRANCE!

SO THERE AGAIN IS "WOKEISN'.

>> YEAH, ABSOLUTELY AND THEE'S A GEOPOLITICAL ANGLE TO THIS AS WELL WE'LL TALK ABOUT THAT, >> WHO'S DOWN?

BIDEN'S PIPELINE POLICY.

SO IN A VICTORY FOR RUSSIA, BIDEN IS DROPPING SANCTIONS ON COMPLETION OF THE NORDSTREAM 2 NATURAL GAS PIPELINE GOING INTO GERMANY.

OF COURSE HE IS STILL OPPOSED TO KEYSTONE XL PIPELINE.

AND A COUPLE OF PIPELINES TRYING TO COME INTO NORTH CAROLINA, AND TO DONNA'S POINT, THOSE ARE NATURAL GAS PIPELINES.

WHAT IF YOU HAVE A CYBER ATTACK ON THOSE?

THEN YOUR INDUSTRY SHUTS DOWN AND YOUR HOMES SHUT DOWN.

>> DONNA HEADLINE NEXT WEEK.

>> SO I'M GOING TO BE WATCHING CLOSELY IT'S SUPER EARLY IN THE MORNING, BUT ON THE 26 WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A TOTAL LUNAR ECLIPSE AND NORTH CAROLINA WILL BE ONE OF THE FEW PLACES -- >> [MARC] WHAT TIME IS THAT?

>> IT SUPPOSED TO BE LIKE 4:45AM >> [MORGAN] RECORD IF FOR US.

[LAUGHTER] >> I'LL LET YOU KNOW HOW IT TURNS OUT, BUT IT'S BROUGHT NORTH CAROLINA, THE CENTRAL AREA OF NORTH CAROLINA IS ONE OF THE FEW PLACES THEY'RE GOING TO ABLE TO SEE IT ON EARTH.

>> MORGAN HEADLINE NEST WEEK?

>> MARC AND I DON'T GET UP UNTIL 10AM SO THAT'S -- >> [DONNA] I'LL CALL YOU!

>> SO THE HEADLINE NEXT IS AMERICA'S LONG AWAITED SUMMER BEGINS.

THE LONG AWAITED SUMMER AFTER COVID BEGINS.

GUYS IF YOU HAVEN'T BEEN VACCINATED, YOU NEED TO GET VACCINATED SO YOU CAN FULLY ENJOY IT.

>> HEADLINE NEXT WEEK?

>> CAROLINA HURRICANES CONTINUE PLAYOFF SEARCH.

>> HEADLINE NEXT WEEK?

>> DEMOCRATS AGENDA IN WASHINGTON BOGS DOWN.

>> WE MISS ANYTHING?

QUICKLY?

>> MITCH KOKAI.

WE MISSED HIM!

>> OKAY.

GREAT JOB PANEL.

THAT'S IT FOR US.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

HOPE TO SEE YOU NEXT WEEK ON FRONT ROW.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

>> 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: ♪