>> HI I'M MARC ROTTERMAN.

COMING UP NORTH CAROLINA'S HOUSE AND SENATE LEADERS REACH AN AGREEMENT ON THE BUDGET.

A TOUGH WEEK FOR PRESIDENT BIDEN'S AGENDA, AND THE IMPACT OF THE SUPPLY CHAIN CRISIS ON THE ECONOMY.

NEXT!

>> A COMPLETE LIST OF FUNDERS CAN BE FOUND AT: ♪ >> WELCOME BACK JOINING THE CONVERSATION POLITICAL ANALYST JOE STEWART, DEMOCRATIC STATE SENATOR CINDY BATCH, JAY CHAUDHRY THE DEMOCRATIC WHIP IN THE SENATE, AND NELSON DOLLAR SENIOR ADVISOR NORTH CAROLINA SPEAKER HOUSE.

NELSON, WHY DON'T WE BEGIN WITH THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY'S WEEK.

>> YES HOUSE AND SENATE LEADERS DID REACH AN AGREEMENT THIS WEEK ON THE STATE BUDGET.

THE TWO-YEAR BUDGET SETS A NUMBER OF RECORDS.

OVER 3 BILLION DOLLARS IN TAX REDUCTIONS FOR INDIVIDUALS AND BUSINESSES, 4.2 BILLION DOLLARS AND THE SAVINGS RESERVE, 6.4 BILLION DOLLARS IN A MULTI YEAR INVESTMENT IN CAPITAL PROJECTS, AND THAT INCLUDES 800 MILLION DOLLARS FOR LOCAL SCHOOLS, 2.7 BILLION DOLLARS FOR UNIVERSITIES AND CAPITAL PROJECTS WITH COMMUNITY COLLEGES, OVER 2 BILLION DOLLARS FOR LOCAL PROJECTS, AIRPORTS, PARKS, ALL KINDS OF LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS ALL ACROSS THE STATE.

400 MILLION DOLLARS FOR DISASTER RELIEF INCLUDING RELIEF FOR HURRICANE, FRED, 5.7 BILLION DOLLARS IN STATE RECOVERY FUNDS WITH RECORD INVESTMENTS IN BROADBAND WATER AND SEWER INFRASTRUCTURE ACROSS THE STATE ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS, EDUCATION, AND OF COURSE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

STATE EMPLOYEES AND TEACHERS ON THE BIENNIUM WILL SEE RECEIVE A 4% RAISE, RETIREES WILL RECEIVE A BONUS, AND ALSO WE HAVE PAY RAISES FOR THOSE WHO ARE SERVING AGED AND DISABLED AND THAT'S A REALLY CRITICAL HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES PIECE.

THIS BUDGET REALLY REPRESENTS A ONCE IN A GENERATION INVESTMENT IN OUR STATE IMPROVING OUR ECONOMY, EDUCATION, HEALTH CARE AND OUR QUALITY OF LIFE.

>> JAY YOU HAVE THE FLOOR.

WHAT WAS LEFT ON THE TABLE?

>> WELL, I THINK THERE ARE GOING TO BE A NUMBER OF THINGS LEFT ON THE TABLE ONCE THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE LEADERSHIP STARTING ENGAGING GOVERNOR COOPER AND SENATE AND HOUSE DEMOCRATS AND I THINK THERE'S REASONS TO BE OPTIMISTIC CAUSE THERE'S ONGOING CONVERSATIONS BETWEEN STAFF AND AT THE PRINCIPAL LEVEL AND I THINK THERE WILL BE NEGOTIATIONS IN GOOD FAITH BUT TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION MARC, I THINK A COUPLE OF THINGS, WHETHER YOU CAN HAVE GUARD RAILS ON TAX CUTS FOR EXAMPLE, SAY THE ECONOMY GOES SOUTH, CAN YOU PUT SOMETHING IN MEASURE TO PREVENT THOSE TAX CUTS GOING IN PLACE?

I THINK WE HAVE A CONSTITUTIONAL OBLIGATION TO PROVIDE A SOUND BASIC EDUCATION, HOW MUCH MONEY IS GOING TO GO TOWARDS THAT FOR EXAMPLE AND THEN I WOULD SAY THERE ARE A NUMBER OF BAD POLICY PROVISIONS IN THE BILL TOO.

THERE ARE SOME PROVISIONS THAT TAKE THE POWERS AWAY FROM THE GOVERNOR, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, SO I THINK IT'S A QUESTION OF WHETHER THAT POLICY PROVISIONS ARE REMOVED, AND LASTLY I WOULD SAY THERE'S THE ISSUE OF MEDICAID EXPANSION, AND WHETHER THEY WILL BE MEDICAID EXPANSION -- >> PROBABLY AN ISSUE FOR THE GOVERNOR.

>> I THINK A TOP ISSUE FOR THE GOVERNOR.

>> SYDNEY?

>> YEAH, I THINK -- WE HAVEN'T SEEN THE BUDGET TO BE CLEAR BUT BASED ON WHAT NELSON JUST SAID I THINK ONE OF THE ASPECTS WHICH IS REALLY GREAT IS THE EXPANSION PARTIALLY OF MEDICAID EXPANSION ALLOWING 12 MONTHS POSTNATAL CARE FOR WOMEN WHO HAVE CHILDREN, BUT THAT DOESN'T GO FAR ENOUGH AND WE KNOW THAT WE NEED TO GO AHEAD AND TALK ABOUT EXPANDING HEALTH CARE FOR MORE INDIVIDUALS.

WITH REGARDS TO EXECUTIVE POWERS.

ONE OF THE ISSUES AS WELL IS THAT WHETHER OR NOT YOU KNOW WE HAVE A GOVERNMENT, HE WAS JUST ELECTED, WE HAVE BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT THAT ARE ACTUALLY SUPPOSED TO DO THEIR JOB THAT IS AN ISSUE BECAUSE WHILE WE FARED MUCH BETTER IN NORTH CAROLINA WITH REGARDS TO THE COVID WITH REGARDS TO DEATHS AND ALSO WITH REGARDS TO THE LOSS OF JOBS, THE GOVERNOR DID A REMARKABLE JOB WITH REGARDS TO NAVIGATING US THROUGH THESE UNCHARTED TERRITORIES AND TO REMOVE THAT POWER IN THE BUDGET IS NOT APPROPRIATE PROCESS, DO IT IN A SEPARATE BILL, SEE WHAT WE DO WITH THAT BUT IT DOESN'T ACTUALLY DEAL WITH TABLE TOP ISSUES THAT PEOPLE DEAL WITH EVERY SINGLE DAY IN THEIR FAMILIES.

>> JOE, PUT THIS IN CONTEXT.

>> WELL, THIS IS AN INTERESTING WAY TO HANDLE A BUDGET.

WE DON'T TYPICALLY SEE THE LEGISLATURE GO TO THE GOVERNOR FIRST AND SAY HEY WHAT CAN WE WORK OUT, IT'S USUALLY PRESENTED TO THE GOVERNOR WHO EITHER SIGNS IT OR DOESN'T SIGN IT SO WE'LL HAVE TO SEE HOW THAT PART OF THE PROCESS WORKS.

IT'S A LITTLE UNTILLED SOIL AND IT'S NOT ENTIRELY CLEAR IF THE GOVERNOR IS UNHAPPY WITH SOME SIGNIFICANT PART OF THE BUDGET, WHAT DO LEGISLATIVE LEADERS DO?

ARE THEY ABLE TO COMPROMISE IN GOOD FAITH WITH THE GOVERNOR IN THE HOPES THEY CAN COME BACK TO THE LEGISLATURE FOR A FINAL VOTE THAT EVERYONE CAN AGREE DEMOCRAT OR REPUBLICAN IS THE RIGHT PACKAGE FOR TAXES AND SPENDING.

>> NELSON ARE YOU OPTIMISTIC THE GOVERNOR WILL SIGN THIS?

>> I'M VERY OPTIMISTIC.

YOU CANNOT LEAVE ON THE TABLE, THE BILLIONS OF DOLLARS THAT ARE GOING INTO HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AND THE BILLIONS THERE GOING INTO PROJECTS THAT IMPACT BROADBAND, EDUCATION THAT IMPACT EVERY CITIZEN IN THIS STATE, YOU CAN'T LEAVE THAT ON ON THE TABLE, AND I DO THINK THE GOVERNOR WILL EITHER SIGN, OR WE'LL HAVE AN OVERRIDE.

>> OK WANT TO CHANGE TOPICS, TALK ABOUT WASHINGTON, IT'S BEEN A VERY TOUGH WEEK FOR PRESIDENT BIDEN'S AGENDA IN WASHINGTON.

>> PRESIDENT BIDEN RAN FOR ELECTION TO BUILD BACK BETTER THIS IDEA THAT THE UNITED STATES NEEDED TO MAKE SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENT IN THE SORT OF TRADITIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE THAT WE THINK BRIDGES AND HIGHWAYS AND AIRLINES, BUT ALSO IN HEALTH CARE, CHILD CARE PROVISION OF WHAT WHAT WE WERE GENERALLY REFERRED TO AS THE SOCIAL SAFETY NET OF THE UNITED STATES.

THIS WEEK, THE PACKAGE THAT THE SENATE HAD APPROVED, IT'S WHERE THE CONVENTIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT OF A BILLION DOLLARS WAS PART OF WHAT THE HOUSE WANTED TO LEVERAGE FOR THE BIGGER INFRASTRUCTURE, THE SOCIAL PROGRAM -- >> [MARC] TRILLION DOLLARS.

>> 3.5 BILLION DOLLARS THEN THERE WAS DISCUSSION WHETHER THAT NUMBER WAS TOO -- >> [MARC] TRILLION.

>> EXCUSE ME, TRILLION!

>> WHAT WAS I THINKING?

ONLY A BILLION?

THAT WOULD BE SILLY!

ONLY A BILLION!

[LAUGHTER] SO JOE MANCHIN FROM WEST, VIRGINIA SAID HE THOUGHT THAT NUMBER WAS TOO BIG, SAID THIS WEEK, MAYBE 1.5 TRILLION WOULD BE A SIZE BIG ENOUGH BUT PROGRESSIVES IN THE HOUSE ARE DISAGREEING WITH THAT THEY FEEL LIKE THIS IS THEIR ONE CHANCE TO HANDLE THE PACKAGE, SO IT'S ALL KIND OF DEVOLVED INTO A BACK AND FORTH.

WE'LL SEE WHAT CAN BE WORKED OUT IN TERMS OF THE NEGOTIATION BETWEEN THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE, BUT ALSO AMONG THE DEMOCRATS IN THE HOUSE THE MORE PROGRESSIVE DEMOCRATS AND THE MORE CENTRIST DEMOCRATS.

>> IS A.O.C.

JAY, HOLDING ALL THE CARDS?

>> NO, I DON'T THINK SHE'S HOLDS ALL THE CARDS, I THINK -- >> SHE'S PRETTY DUG IN, THE PROGRESSIVES, THERE'S ABOUT 60 DEMOCRATS IN THE HOUSE.

>> WELL I THINK WE'RE REALLY EARLY ON.

I MEAN I THINK WE'VE GOT A FRONT ROW SEAT TO LEGISLATIVE SAUSAGE-MAKING WHICH IS ALWAYS UGLY.

I THINK WHEN YOU'RE TRYING TO PASS BIG LEGISLATION WITHIN MAJORITIES IT CAN BE TOUGH, I MEAN I THINK ONE THING I WOULD NOT COUNT OUT AS SPEAKER PELOSI AND LEADER SCHUMER TRYING TO GET THIS BILL DONE.

THAT THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS INTERESTING THAT THINK THERE'S A LOT OF MEDIA COVERAGE ON THE DISSENT BETWEEN PROGRESSIVES AND AND MODERATES - >> [MARC] THEY HAVE A LITTLE CONTROVERSY.

>> THEY DO BUT IMPORTANT POINT IF YOU ACTUALLY LOOK AT HOW HOUSE DEMOCRATS HAVE VOTED, 203 OUT OF 223 DEMOCRATS HAVE VOTED 100% WITH BIDEN'S AGENDA.

AND IF YOU WOULD TAKEN 201 OF 223 VOTED 90% WITH BIDEN'S AGENDA.

SOMETHING THERE'S REASON TO BE OPTIMISTIC.

>> NELSON, YOUR TAKE ON THIS PACKAGE.

>> WELL IN 2017 REPUBLICANS COULDN'T UNITE AROUND A REPLACEMENT FOR OBAMACARE NOW 2021 DEMOCRATS CANNOT UNITE AROUND AN AMBITIOUS DOMESTIC AGENDA.

THE COUNTRY ITSELF IS DIVIDED.

THE ECONOMY IS IN TRANSITION AND THIS IS A WRONG TIME.

>> IS IT INFLATIONARY?

>> IT IS, AND THAT'S WHERE YOU COME BACK TO BIDEN'S AGENDA EVEN IF HE FINDS A WAY TO PASS HIS AGENDA, HE IS FACING RISING INFLATION, LABOR DISLOCATION, SHORTAGES, HIGHER TAXES CAPITAL COST, THE POTENTIAL FOR OF STAGFLATION I MEAN WITH ALL THESE WITH ALL THESE PROPOSED TAX INCREASES AND CONSUMER SENTIMENT IS RUNNING AGAINST HIM RIGHT NOW.

>> YOU KNOW WHAT GOT MY ATTENTION SYDNEY, 80 BILLION DOLLARS IN THERE TO HIRE A WHOLE LOT MORE IRS AGENTS.

[LAUGHTER] >> BECAUSE WHY NOT?

GO AHEAD AND DEAL WITH THAT.

>> THEY'RE GOING TO CRACK DOWN ON SMALL BUSINESSES I THINK.

BUT HAVE THEY DONE A GOOD JOB ON MESSAGING?

THE WHITE HOUSE?

>> YEAH, I MEAN I THINK THE WHITE HOUSE IS DOING THE BEST JOB THEY CAN WITH REGARDS TO MESSAGING THE ISSUES IS THE INFIGHTING.

THE MAJOR DIFFERENCE BETWEEN REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS IS THAT EVERY ONE INFIGHTS.

REPUBLICANS JUST DO IT QUIETLY.

UNFORTUNATELY, DEMOCRATS ARE JUST LOUD IN PUBLIC ABOUT IT.

BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY WHETHER OR NOT AS REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRATIC MAJORITY THERE'S INFIGHTING AND ARE TRYING TO WORK IT OUT.

THEY NEED TO WORK IT OUT BECAUSE AMERICA NEEDS TO ACTUALLY DEAL WITH INFRASTRUCTURE ISSUES THAT WE HAVE AND IT'S ONLY GOING TO COMPOUND ITSELF, WE ALSO HAVE THE MONEY TO BE ABLE TO DO IT WE JUST NEED TO GO AHEAD.

>> HAS BIDEN LAST HIS POLITICAL CAPITAL?

HIS NUMBERS ABOUT 43% RIGHT NOW JOE.

>> YEAH, I THINK THE PRESIDENT NEEDS A WIN YOU KNOW, AND ONE OF THE CRITICISMS, EVEN THOUGH THE WHITE HOUSE HAS BEEN VERY ENGAGED IN THIS BIDEN AS A LONG-TERM MEMBER OF THE U.S. SENATE HAS SAID BEFORE HE NEVER LIKE TO HAVE HIS ARM TWISTED BY A PRESIDENT WHEN HE SERVED IN THE SENATE AND SO THERE'S A LITTLE HESITATION I THINK ON THE PART OF THE PRESIDENT TO DO THAT WITH THE MEMBERS OF CONGRESS.

I THINK THE TIME HAS COME FOR THAT.

>> OKAY, WE'RE GOING TO MOVE ON WE STARTED TO TALK ABOUT THE SUPPLY CHAIN CRISIS, IT'S HUGE.

>> WELL, I MEAN CERTAINLY THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF MEDIA COVERAGE ABOUT WHAT'S CALLED THE GREAT SUPPLY CHAIN DISRUPTION AND THAT WE'RE EXPERIENCING NOT ONLY UNITED STATES BUT REALLY ACROSS THE WORLD AND YOU KNOW THE BEST WAY TO GET PEOPLE TALKING ABOUT THEM AS YOU ASK HIM ABOUT RENTAL CAR OPPORTUNITIES OR LACK OF OPPORTUNITY, >> [MARC] OR INVENTORY.

>> OR INVENTORY.

BUT THERE WAS A STORY IN THE LOS ANGELES TIMES ABOUT A FATHER AND HIS 2 KIDS THEY WANTED TO GO TO DISNEYLAND THEY WERE GOING TO GET A COMPACT CAR AND THEY ENDED UP WITH A VAN THAT WAS FILLED WITH MARIJUANA AND CIGARETTES, AND SO THAT'S KIND OF WHERE -- >> [MARC] THAT MIGHT HAVE PAID FOR THE TRIP!

[LAUGHTER] >> THAT'S KIND OF AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THE SUPPLY CHAIN DISRUPTION.

I GUESS YOU COULD BE ENTREPRENEURIAL MARC.

BUT I THINK IF YOU LOOK AT THE SUPPLY CHAIN DISRUPTION, A COUPLE OF THINGS TO LOOK AT, ONE IS OBVIOUSLY COVID, COVID-IMPACT ON PLANTS IN ASIA WHICH IS CAUSE PROBLEMS AND SHORTAGES WITH SEMICONDUCTORS WHICH IS A KEY COMPONENT OF CARS.

WE SEE A LABOR SHORTAGE WHICH WE DISCUSSED ON THE SHOW SEVERAL TIMES I MEAN A LOT OF WORKERS DON'T WANT TO GO BACK TO WORK BECAUSE OF INFECTION THAT THEY MAY GET FROM COVID, AND THEN THERE'S A LACK OF CHILD CARE AS WELL AND THEN FINALLY ONE THING THAT WE DON'T REALLY TALK ABOUT IS SEVERE WEATHER.

THE WILDFIRES THAT WE SEE OUT WEST ARE PREVENTING TRAINS FROM TRANSPORTING SUPPLIES TO THE EASTERN PART OF THE STATE AND HURRICANE IDA FOR EXAMPLE WRECKED ALMOST A QUARTER MILLION DOLLARS A QUARTER MILLION CARS SO IT'S A REAL CHALLENGE ON MULTIPLE FRONTS.

>> NELSON YOU'VE STUDIED THIS PROBLEM.

>> YES, WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE INTRICATE GLOBAL MANUFACTURING SUPPLY CHAINS THEY WERE REALLY MADE POSSIBLE BY THE SECURITY OVERWATCH OF THE U.S. NAVY IN THE POST COLD WAR ERA.

NOW THAT THE COLD WAR'S OVER, THE U.S. BEGAN TO BACK AWAY, YOU HAD THE GREAT RECESSION THAT HAMMERED THE FINANCIAL MARKETS NOW THE PANDEMIC WHICH IS ACCELERATING A DECADES LONG PROCESS OVERNIGHT IN THE U.S., IT WILL HOLD THE TOILET PAPER FOR A WHILE, WE'RE GOING TO BE OKAY, WE HAVE THE ENERGY WE ARE NOT AN IMPORT/EXPORT LED ECONOMY.

WHO'S GOING TO HAVE THE PROBLEMS LONG TERM WILL BE THOSE COUNTRIES WHO ARE LED WHO ARE EXPORT OR IMPORT LED ECONOMIES.

THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE THAT THE TROUBLE NOT HERE IN NORTH AMERICA.

>> [MARC] BUT THEY ARE SAYING IF YOU YOU WANT TO BUY CHRISTMAS GIFTS YOU BETTER START BUYING NOW CORRECT SYDNEY?

>> YEAH, THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS THAT THEY ACTUALLY SAID, I MEAN EVEN STEVE MADDEN HAS MOVED I BELIEVE SOME OF HIS MANUFACTURING FROM ASIA AND ACTUALLY TO BRAZIL AND MEXICO BECAUSE IT HE THINKS IT'S GOING TO BE EASIER RIGHTFULLY SO RIGHT THE CORPORATION, THANKS TO EASIER TO GET TO NORTH AMERICA AND TO AMERICA SO THEY'VE SAID YOU BETTER START BUYING NOW THERE COULD BE A LOT OF UNHAPPY KIDS AT CHRISTMAS AND DURING HANUKKAH WHO ARE NOT GOING TO GET THE GIFTS THAT THEY WANT SIMPLY BECAUSE THEIR PARENTS NOT BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T TRY TO BUY HIM BUT JUST BECAUSE THERE'S GOING TO BE ASSURED US OF OF SUPPLY AND I THINK THE MOST IMPORTANT PART WE NEED TAKE ABOUT TO TAKE AWAY FROM THIS IS THAT THE SUPPLY CHAIN HAS HAD FISHERS WE'VE SEEN THAT THE PANDEMIC IT'S ACTUALLY BEEN EXACERBATED WE NEED TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO FOR THE NEXT PANDEMIC MAY BE A 100 YEARS FROM NOW, BUT WE NEED TO TAKE THE LESSONS LEARNED FROM THIS AND TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE CAN GO AHEAD.

>> BUT THAT BUT WE HAVE A SHORTAGE OF CHIPS TO FOR CARS AND OTHER THINGS CORRECTED AND FRANKLY COULD IMPACT THE MILITARY LITTLE BIT COULD ABSOLUTELY EYE ON MANUFACTURERS REPORT A LARGE NUMBERS OF THE VEHICLES TO SIMPLY PARKED WAITING FOR THE CHIP TO ARRIVE SO CAN FINALLY BE INSTALLED, MAKE THE CAR WORK YOU KNOW THIS IT'S INTERESTING THIS IS REALLY THE POINT OF EVOLUTION IN THE GLOBAL ECONOMY.

WE'RE REAL TIME DELIVERY TAKEN ALL THE INEFFICIENCY OUT OF MANUFACTURING WITH A PROMISE TO CREATE A GREATER FRAGILITY IN TERMS OF INTERRUPTIONS TO THE SPA YOU TALK ABOUT NATURAL DISASTERS MEAN THIS IS JUST SORT OF IN AN EXACERBATING FEATURE WHAT WE'LL HAVE TO SEE IN THE THING TO REMEMBER THE UNITED STATES, A 5% OF THE WORLD'S POPULATION, BUT IT'S 20% OF THE CONSUMER CULTURE WHEN THE CHINESE FINALLY HAVE A 400 MILLION PERSON MIDDLE CLASS THE KIND OF DEMAND FOR CONSUMER GOODS IN THIS WORLD WILL BE FAR GREATER THAN IT IS NOW.

THESE DISRUPTIONS COULD BE REALLY PROBLEMATIC IN THAT ENVIRONMENT.

>> JAY ANY FINAL THOUGHTS MY FRIEND?

YOU CAN JUMP IN QUICKLY.

>> I MEAN LOOK I THINK THERE'S A BIPARTISAN OPPORTUNITY FOR DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS TO FOCUS ON MANUFACTURING HERE BACK IN THE UNITED STATES AND ONE OF THE THINGS THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION'S BEEN TALKING ABOUT IS MAKING SURE THAT SEMICONDUCTORS NOW ARE MANUFACTURED HERE NOT CHINA AND I HOPE THAT PLACES LIKE NORTH CAROLINA WHERE WE GOT GREAT TALENT NATURAL RESOURCES THAT WE CAN BE THE SAME.

I THINK THERE'S A REAL OPPORTUNITY FOR THE PANDEMIC.

>> NELSON CLOSE OUT IN ABOUT 20 SECONDS.

>> THIS ERA OF ECONOMIC GLOBALISM AND THESE VERY INTRICATE SUPPLY CHAINS IS OVER.

WE'RE MOVING TO A NEW ERA, YOU'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE THESE TYPES OF CONNECTIONS THEY'RE NOT GOING TO WORK IN THE FUTURE WE'RE HEADING INTO.

>> OKAY, I WANT TO CHANGE TOPICS WILL MORE TIME AND TALK TO SYDNEY ABOUT THE SNAP PROGRAM, THEY GOT AN INCREASE, A PERMANENT INCREASE THIS WEEK.

PRESIDENT BIDEN INCREASED THE SNAP PROGRAM, THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM ALSO KNOWN AS SNAP TO 25%.

IT'S THE LARGEST INVESTMENT AND THE LARGEST AMOUNT OF MONEY SINCE THE PROGRAM ACTUALLY BEGAN.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT IT HAD NOT BEEN REVIEWED SINCE 2006, SO WE ALL KNOW WHEN WE GO THE GROCERY STORE, FOOD HAS OBVIOUSLY INCREASED SINCE 2006 AND ESPECIALLY DURING THE PANDEMIC.

THERE'S A TEMPORARY INCREASE TO 15% THAT IS ACTUALLY GOING TO EXPIRE NOW.

BUT TODAY 42 MILLION MORE AMERICANS WELL ACTUALLY HAVE ACCESS TO MORE MONEY FOR FOOD.

THAT GOES FROM AN AVERAGE OF $121 PER PERSON TO $157 PER PERSON AND ALLOW INDIVIDUALS TO ACTUALLY BUY HEALTHIER FOODS AND SO THE PROCESSED FOODS THAT ARE SIGNIFICANTLY CHEAPER, BUT WHEN YOU'RE LIVING ON A SHOESTRING BUDGET MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT FOR YOU TO BE ABLE TO FEED YOUR FAMILY AND YOURSELF WITH REGARDS TO NUTRITIONAL FOOD.

>> NELSON LOT OF FAMILIES DO DEPEND ON THIS BUT ARE WE BECOMING VERY DEPENDENT IN ALL REALMS IN A LOT OF DIFFERENT WAYS ON THE GOVERNMENT?

>> WELL WE ARE.

THE PROBLEM, THE DEMOCRATS HAVE IS THEY WANT MORE ENTITLEMENT PROGRAMS.

THIS 3.5 TRILLION DOLLAR PROPOSAL WILL DOUBLE THE SIZE OF THE FEDERAL BUDGET DOWN THE ROAD.

IT'S NOT FULLY PAID FOR EVEN WITH MASSIVE TAX INCREASES, YOU HAVE THE SOCIAL SECURITY TRUST FUND AND MEDICARE TRUST FUNDS THAT ARE RUNNING OUT OF MONEY THIS DECADE AND IN THE FOLLOWING DECADE AND A LOT OF AMERICANS AGREE WITH WHAT JOE MANCHIN SAID THIS WEEK WHEN HE SAID I CANNOT ACCEPT OUR ECONOMY OR BASICALLY OUR SOCIETY MOVING TOWARDS AN ENTITLEMENT MENTALITY AND I DON'T BELIEVE THAT AMERICA CAN AFFORD IT.

>> JAY, I THINK YOU MAY DISAGREE WITH THAT.

>> YEAH NELSON'S REALLY ON MESSAGE TODAY.

[LAUGHTER] >> I THINK IF WE BRING IT BACK TO THE SNAP PROGRAM AS SYDNEY SAID, THE PROGRAM HAS NOT BEEN REEVALUATED FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS.

THIS IS THE FIRST INCREASE SINCE 2006.

I THINK MORE IMPORTANTLY THIS WAS ACTUALLY A PRODUCT OF THE 2018 FARM BILL THAT HAD BIPARTISAN SUPPORT AND SO IT WAS A NECESSARY INCREASE AND I THINK THAT INCREASE THAT WE FORGET THE IMPACT OF IT'S GOING TO COMBAT POVERTY DEAL WITH HUNGER ISSUES AND DEAL WITH FOOD INSECURITY BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY IT'S GOING TO INCREASE THE OVERALL WELL-BEING OF THESE FAMILIES AND OUR KIDS.

>> JOE.

>> THERE ARE A LOT OF ISSUES ASSOCIATED WITH HEALTH NUTRITION.

WE HAVE A PROBLEM SOME PLACES IN NORTH CAROLINA, RURAL NORTH CAROLINA, THERE'S A DESERT OF GOOD PROVIDERS OF FOOD FOR FAMILIES THERE TOO.

THIS IS INTERESTING AS WE TALK ABOUT THE COMPLEXITY OF A GLOBAL ECONOMY.

GETTING SOMETHING TO EAT IS A PRETTY BASIC THING THAT EVERY HUMAN BEING NEEDS.

WE REALLY NEED TO FOCUS ON THIS INFRASTRUCTURE FIGURE OUT THE RIGHT WAY TO DO IT.

I THINK YOU TRY TO STRIKE A HEALTHY BALANCE BETWEEN CREATING OF A MENTALITY WHERE PEOPLE FEEL LIKE THIS IS BEING PROVIDED FOR THEM, BUT THERE'S CLEARLY SOME WEAKNESS IN THE SYSTEM THAT WE NEED TO ADDRESS THAT FAMILIES DO HAVE ACCESS TO HIGH QUALITY FOOD THAT'S AFFORDABLE.

>> SYDNEY, WRAP THIS UP IN ABOUT 40 SECONDS PLEASE.

>> I CHALLENGE ALL OF US AT THIS TABLE EAT OFF OF A $157 A MONTH.

>> RIGHT.

>> THERE YOU GO.

>> OKAY.

I WANT TO GO TO THE MOST UNDERREPORTED STORY OF THE WEEK JOE.

>> INTERESTINGLY ENOUGH A COPY OF THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION, THEY PRINTED 500 OF THESE THINGS FOR THE ORIGINAL CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION BACK IN 1787.

ONLY 11 REMAIN, 10 OF THEM ARE HELD BY INSTITUTIONS OF MUSEUMS AND SUCH.

ONE WAS PURCHASED BY A GENTLEMAN NAMED HOWARD GOLDMAN BACK IN 1988 FOR ABOUT A $165,000.

HIS WIDOW IS NOW GOING TO HAVE IT PUT UP FOR AUCTION.

THEY THINK IT COULD BRING 20 MILLION DOLLARS FOR THIS PRINTED COPY OF THE U.S. CONSTITUTION.

I'M NOT ENTIRELY SURE WHAT YOU WOULD DO WITH -- >> [MARC] ARE YOU BIDDING ON IT?

>> WELL, IT'S NOT THE KIND OF THING YOU TO SHOW TO PEOPLE, FOLD IT UP AND PUT IT IN YOUR WALLET AND SAY, 'HEY YOU WANT TO SEE MY COPY OF THE CONSTITUTION?'

SO I'M SURE COLLECTOR SOMEWHERE WILL PAY FOR IT AND PRESERVE IT IN AN APPROPRIATE WAY.

>> THANKS FOR BRINGING THAT TO OUR ATTENTION.

SYDNEY?

>> MY UNDERREPORTED IS ACTUALLY WE'VE HEARD A LOT ABOUT VACCINE MANDATES FOR THE THE HEALTH CARE INDUSTRY, A LOT OF INDIVIDUALS ARE REALLY WORRIED BECAUSE IT'S ALREADY OVERLY STRAINED THAT WORKERS WOULD QUIT THEIR JOBS AND A LOT OF WORKERS SO THAT THEY WOULD.

WHAT WE ACTUALLY HAVE AS PROOF NOW THAT MANY OF THOSE WORKERS WHO SAID THEY'D QUIT THEIR JOB ARE ACTUALLY GETTING VACCINATED.

THE PROOF IS IN NOVIS HEALTH.

RIGHT NOW IN NORTH CAROLINA THEY HAVE 15 SYSTEMS ACROSS THE STATE, THEY MADE THE NEWS THIS WEEK BECAUSE I THINK 175 OF THEIR UNVACCINATED EMPLOYEES WERE FIRED.

BUT WHAT WAS UNDERREPORTED IS THAT OUT OF THE 35,000 EMPLOYEES THAT THEY HAVE 99% OF THEM COMPLIED AND ARE VACCINATED.

>> SHOULD COMPANIES COMPEL THEIR EMPLOYEES TO GET VACCINATED DO YOU THINK?

CAN GOVERNMENTS TO DO THAT?

>> I THINK THAT IF YOU ARE IN HEALTH CARE AND YOU'RE A FORWARD FACING INDUSTRY YOU'RE DEALING WITH HEALTH CARE I DO NOT WANT A NURSE WHO IS UNVACCINATED TO POTENTIALLY GO IN TO A COMPROMISED INDIVIDUAL SO I THINK THAT WE NEED TO LOOK AT SPECIFIC SECTORS WHERE THERE'S A HIGHER RISK AND SO I SUPPORT THOSE.

WITH REGARDS TO SMALL BUSINESSES AND WHAT THEY CHOOSE TO DO WITH THEIR EMPLOYEES, I THINK THEY SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED TO DO SO, BUT DEFINITELY AT THIS POINT I DON'T THINK THAT IT'S NECESSARY THAT WE ACTUALLY ENTER INTO MANDATING EVERY SINGLE PERSON >> JAY.

>> SO MY UNDERREPORTED STORY OF THE WEEK IS ROBERT KAGAN A BROOKINGS INSTITUTION FELLOW AND A LIFELONG NEOCONSERVATIVE MARC, YOU AND I WILL HAVE TO HAVE A DEBATE ABOUT CONSERVATIVE VERSUS NEOCONSERVATIVE AUTHORED A REMARKABLE OP ED PIECE IN THE WASHINGTON POST THAT LAYS OUT THE THREAT OF DONALD TRUMP AND TRUMPISM AND HIS OPENING OP ED PIECE WHICH IS QUITE LENGTHY SAYS THE UNITED STATES IS HEADING INTO THE GREATEST POLITICAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL CRISIS SINCE THE CIVIL WAR WITH THE REASONABLE CHANCE OVER THE NEXT 3 TO 4 YEARS OF INCIDENTS OF MASS VIOLENCE.

AND SO WHETHER YOU AGREE THAT TRUMPISM IS OVERBLOWN OR NOT IT'S CERTAINLY WORTH A READ.

>> WHILE TRUMP AND KAGAN CLASHED ON INTERVENTIONISM AND THERE'S NEVER BEEN A WAR THAT KAGAN DIDN'T WANT TO GET US INTO.

>> NELSON.

>> THE U.S. UK SUBMARINE DEAL WITH AUSTRALIA HAS BEEN WELL REPORTED.

WHAT'S UNDER REPORTED IS FIRST THE DEAL INCLUDES LONG-RANGE, TOMAHAWK CRUISE MISSILES AN EXTENDED RANGE AIR TO SURFACE MISSILES, THIS CREATES A STRATEGIC CHALLENGE TO CHINA'S ECONOMY WHICH IS DEPENDENT ON THE SHIPPING LANES AND AS A CHECK ON THEIR ABILITY TO PROJECT POWER IN THE REGION.

SECOND, MANY SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS ARE PRIVATELY PLEASED TO SEE A RENEWED SECURITY COMMITMENT IN THE REGION BY THE AMERICANS AND THE BRITISH AND 3RD ALLIANCES LIKE AUKUS, THE QUAD, THE 5 EYES COUNCIL ARE NOW AS IMPORTANT IF NOT MORE IMPORTANT TO THE UNITED STATES THAN NATO.

>> DID THIS ACTUALLY START UNDER TRUMP?

>> IT DID.

THE REVIEW OF THE SUBMARINE DEAL STARTED DURING TRUMP'S PRESIDENCY AS THE U.S. BEGAN TO REACH OUT AND THINK MORE BROADLY ABOUT THEIR STRATEGIC INTERESTS IN THE REGION.

>> THERE WAS A DIPLOMATIC FAUX PAS ABOUT THIS STUFF.

THE FRENCH WERE PRETTY UPSET.

WELL, THE FRENCH WERE UPSET.

THE FRENCH ALWAYS GET UPSET, AND THEY ALWAYS WHINE ABOUT THINGS >> THEY PULLED THEIR AMBASSADOR FOR A TIME, >> THEY PULLED THEIR AMBASSADOR, BUT WHAT IS KEY IS THE U.S. AND THE FRENCH ARE COOPERATING IN AFRICA ON THE DISRUPTION OF TERRORIST NETWORKS EVEN TODAY AS WE SPEAK IN SPECIAL OPERATIONS.

THEY'RE WORKING ACTUALLY VERY CLOSELY BEHIND THE SCENES UNDER THE RADAR.

>> SO ALL IS FORGIVEN BY THE FRENCH?

>> EVENTUALLY IT WILL BE.

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

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

>> WHO'S UP, WOMEN IN POLITICS.

ICELAND BECOMES THE FIRST NATION IN EUROPE TO HAVE A FEMALE MAJORITY LEGISLATURE AFTER A RESULT OF ELECTIONS, A CENTRIST COALITION THERE.

THE PEOPLE OF ICELAND FELT AS THOUGH THE GOVERNMENT HAD DONE A GOOD JOB TO COVID-19.

WE HAVE NEVADA AS THE FIRST STATE IN AMERICA THAT HAD ALL OF FEMALE MAJORITY LEGISLATURE, SO MAYBE THIS IS A TREND, >> IT IS A TREND ISN'T IT?

BECAUSE WOMEN ARE MORE ELECTABLE THAN MEN NOW DON'T YOU THINK?

I MEAN ACTUALLY THAT IS TRUE.

>> I THINK WOMEN ARE EASIER TO WORK WITH AS LEGISLATORS.

[LAUGHTER] >> I GOT HALF THE VOTES AT THIS TABLE.

[LAUGHTER] WHO'S DOWN MODERATE DEMOCRATS.

WHAT ARE NOW WHAT USED TO BE CALLED LIBERAL DEMOCRATS CALLED PROGRESSIVE DEMOCRATS ARE SAYING THAT THE TERM SHOULD NOT BE MODERATE, WHEN YOU REFER TO A CENTRIST DEMOCRAT IT SHOULD BE CENTRIST, BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT THE MONIKER OF MODERATE TO MAKE IT SEEM LIKE THEY'RE MODERATE.

>> EXPLAIN THAT TO ME AGAIN PLEASE?

>> [SYDNEY] CAUSE THAT'S EXHAUSTING.

>> IT'S TRILLION, NOT BILLION.

[LAUGHTER] >> SYDNEY, WHO'S UP AND WHO'S DOWN THIS WEEK?

>> WHO IS UP ARE THE PRICES OF HOMES IN THE U.S.

THERE ARE AT AN ALL-TIME HIGH 19.7% HIGHER IN JULY AND ONCE AGAIN POSTING THE BIGGEST JUMP IN OVER 30 YEARS.

WHO IS DOWN UNFORTUNATELY IS THE CONGENIALITY AT SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS THEY HAVE REACHED A FEVER PITCH WITH PROTESTS ALL THE TIME AND I THINK THAT THERE ARE GOING TO BE LONG TERM EFFECTS ABOUT WHO'S WILLING TO ACTUALLY STEP FORWARD AND RUN FOR SCHOOL BOARD.

>> OKAY, WHO'S UP AND WHO'S DOWN THIS WEEK, JAY?

>> SO POLICE CHIEF EDDIE BUFFALO, A FORMER CORRECTIONAL OFFICER FORMER NORTH CAROLINA CURRENT NORTH CAROLINA NATIONAL GUARD, AND INTERIM CITY MANAGER AND POLICE CHIEF OF ELIZABETH CITY HAS BEEN APPOINTED BY GOVERNOR COOPER AS A NEW HEAD OF DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY REPLACING ERIC HOOKS AND HIS POSITION IS GOING TO OVERSEE THE STATE HIGHWAY PATROL SBI HIGHWAY PATROL AND NORTH CAROLINA, CAN'T THINK OF A BETTER PERSON QUALIFIED TO LEAD THAT AGENCY, BUT CHIEF BUFFALO IS UP.

WHO'S DOWN, FORMER GOVERNOR PAT MCCORY, THE NORTH CAROLINA INSIDER REVEALED THIS WEEK THAT THERE ARE A HOST OF CURRENT AND FORMER STATE LEGISLATORS BACKING CONGRESSMAN TED BUDD'S CAMPAIGN.

SENATOR BERGER HAS NOT ENDORSED IN THAT CAMPAIGN BUT HE IS HOSTING A FUNDRAISER FOR BUDD'S CAMPAIGN.

BUDD HAS BEEN ENDORSED AS WE KNOW BY DONALD TRUMP, McCRORY HAS ALSO BEEN ATTACKED BY MARK WALKER THIS WEEKEND, THE CLUB FOR GROWTH THAT'S ALSO BACKING BUDD, BECAUSE McCRORY LOST MULTIPLE CAMPAIGNS.

>> AND THE CLUB FOR GROWTH IS RUNNING ADS.

I MEAN CONSTANTLY ON FOX NEWS.

I KNOW YOU WATCH IT.

[CHUCKLING] >> WHO'S UP, NC STATE CHANCELLOR RANDY WOODSON, NOT FOR WINNING THE TEXTILE BOWL OR RECEIVING A 1.5 MILLION DOLLAR BONUS FOR WHICH HE AND SUSAN ARE DONATING TO STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP.

WOODSON IS UP BECAUSE HE HAS POSITIONED NC STATE TO SERVE THE LONG-TERM INTERESTS OF OUR STATE IN SOME VERY UNIQUE WAYS AND HE IS ABSOLUTELY ONE OF THE BEST CHANCELLORS IN AMERICA TODAY WHO'S DOWN?

CHAIRMAN XI.

THE CHINESE LEADER USED TO MAKE AT LEAST ONE OVERSEAS VISIT A MONTH, SOMETIMES EVEN MORE THAN THAT.

HE HAS NOT TRAVELED OUTSIDE OF CHINA IN THE LAST 20 MONTHS COVID IS NOT THE REASON FOR THIS.

XI WHO IS TRYING TO EMBODY MAO THESE DAYS IS IN TROUBLE WITH THE CHINESE COMMUNIST PARTY.

>> BUT WHY HAVE WE SEEN ANY POLLS ON THAT McCRORY PRIMARY?

AND WHO DO YOU EXPECT ON THE SENATE ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE TO EMERGE?

>> I'VE NOT SEEN ANY POLLS ON THE PRIMARY SIDE BUT JUSTICE BEASLEY CAME OUT WITH A POLL THAT POLLED KIND OF HER BIOGRAPHY WITH JEFF JACKSON'S BIOGRAPHY, THE STATE SENATOR FROM WHAT THE FORMER CHIEF JUSTICE THAT HAD HER UP AHEAD, BUT I STILL THERE'S A LARGE GROUP OF VOTERS ARE UNDECIDED IN THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY, SO WE'LL HAVE TO TAKE A WAIT AND SEE.

>> OKAY HEADLINE NEXT WEEK, JOE.

>> DEMOCRATS HOUSE AND SENATE MODERATE AND PROGRESSIVE COME TOGETHER, BUT ARE THERE DEEPER FISSURES IN THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY?

>> THEY PASS BOTH BILLS?

>> I THINK SOMETHING WILL GET WORKED OUT ON BOTH ISSUES.

OK TO DATE, NOTHING SO FAR.

>> OKAY.

HEADLINE?

SO BERGER, MOORE AND GOVERNOR COOPER TRY TO WORK OUT A DEAL WITH THE BUDGET THAT ALL OF THEM CAN LIVE WITH.

>> WILL THEY LIVE WITH IT?

>> I THINK SO.

>> JAY?

>> THAT'S MY HEADLINE, YEAH.

[LAUGHTER] >> THIS IS WHAT WE CALL PIVOT.

>> MICK JAGGER DECIDES HE'S GOING TO BUY A HOUSE IN IN CHARLOTTE AFTER BEING SPOTTED THE BAR BY HIMSELF.

>> HEADLINE NEXT WEEK PLEASE.

>> THAT'S WHAT I WAS GOING TO SAY!

GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND GOVERNOR STRIKE A BUDGET DEAL BUT THEN AGAIN I'M ALWAYS THE OPTIMIST.

I THINK WE'RE GOING TO GET A BUDGET DEAL.

GREAT JOB PANEL, 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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