>> HI I'M MARC ROTTERMAN.

COMING UP ON FRONT ROW, RECENT POLLING RAISES RED FLAGS FOR PRESIDENT BIDEN AND THE DEMOCRATS.

STATE COURT STRIKES DOWN NORTH CAROLINA'S VOTER ID LAW, AND A GENERATION OF AMERICAN MEN GIVE UP ON COLLEGE.

NEXT!

A COMPLETE LIST OF FUNDERS CAN BE FOUND AT: ♪ >> WELCOME BACK JOINING THE CONVERSATION, MITCH KOKAI WITH THE JOHN LOCKE FOUNDATION, POLITICAL ANALYST JOE STEWART, JONAH KAPLAN WITH ABC NEWS 11, AND DONNA KING EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OF CAROLINA JOURNAL.

MITCH WHY DON'T WE BEGIN WITH PRESIDENT BIDEN'S DECLINING POLL NUMBERS.

>> PRESIDENT BIDEN'S POLL NUMBERS TOOK A MASSIVE HIT IMMEDIATELY UPON THAT BOTCHED WITHDRAWAL FROM AFGHANISTAN.

HIS SUPPORTERS THOUGHT THAT AFTER THE INITIAL SHOCK, WE'D START TO SEE A CLIMB, BUT HIS NUMBERS REMAIN IN REALLY POOR SHAPE.

JUST GOING TO RUN THROUGH A FEW OF THE RECENT POLLS.

QUINNIPIAC POLL, THE RECENT ONE SHOWED THAT ROUGHLY 70% OF VOTERS ARE DISSATISFIED WITH THE SITUATION THAT WE'RE IN 45% VERY DISSATISFIED ONLY 3% VERY SICK SATISFIED WITH THE COURSE OF THE NATION AND AS FOR THE PRESIDENT'S NUMBERS HIMSELF IN THE LOW 40'S, VERY BAD SHAPE.

REUTERS SAYS MITT 44% APPROVAL, THAT'S THE LOWEST HE'S HAD SINCE HE'S BECOME PRESIDENT IF YOU LOOK AT THE HARVARD HARRIS POLL.

BIDEN IS NOW IN A STATISTICAL DEAD HEAT WITH DONALD TRUMP TODAY IN TERMS OF FAVOR ABILITY AND IF YOU LOOK AT THE GALLUP POLL IS AT A RECORD LOW 43% WELL WITH 53% DISAPPROVAL SO 10 POINTS UNDER WATER, COMPLETELY HIS SUPPORT IS AMONG THE DEMOCRATS WHO HAVE MET ABOUT 90% OF BRIGHT REPUBLICA ABOUT REPUBLICANS AT 6% APPROVAL AND THEN THE INDEPENDENTS WHICH IS WHERE IT'S REALLY BAD NEWS FOR HIM HE'S AT ONLY 37% SUPPORT.

>> YOUR TAKE ON THE POLLS.

>> YEAH, PRESIDENTS USUALLY SUFFER THE MOST WHEN THE ECONOMIC SITUATION OF THE COUNTRY IS BAD AND PEOPLE HOLD THE PRESIDENT ACCOUNTABLE FOR THAT.

THIS ISN'T AT PLAY WOULDN'T SEEM TO ME THE ECONOMY RELATIVELY SPEAKING IS IN PRETTY GOOD SHAPE.

SO YOU WOULD THINK THE PRESIDENT WAS IN GOOD STANDING WITH THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.

I THINK THIS IS ONE OF THOSE SITUATIONS WHERE IN POLITICS YOU CAN HAVE ONE GREAT BIG BAD THING THAT REALLY HURT YOU, OR A LOT OF LITTLE THINGS THAT HURT YOU.

I THINK THE PRESIDENT JUST HAD A STRING OF BAD INCIDENTS OVER THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS, ISSUES RELATIVE TO THE BORDER AFGHANISTAN AS YOU MENTIONED I THINK SOME STILL DISSATISFACTION RELATIVE TO THE STATE OF THE COUNTRY AND ITS RESPONSE TO COVID-19.

THE QUESTION IS DOES THE PRESIDENT BECOME A DEAD WEIGHT TO OTHER DEMOCRATS.

>> CAN HE REBOUND JOE?

>> YOU KNOW PRESIDENTIAL POPULARITY SWINGS WIDE, CAN BE AS MUCH AS A 60% SWING FOR FAVORABLE TO UNFAVORABLE IN THE COURSE OF A PRESIDENTIAL ADMINISTRATION.

I THINK IF THERE ARE TROUBLE SIGNS IN THE ECONOMY, IT'S ONLY GOING TO GET WORSE FOR THE PRESIDENT.

>> IMMIGRATION IS A HUGE ISSUE THOUGH.

THIS IS A CRISIS IS NOT JUST ABOUT REFORM REALLY.

>> IT IS AND IT'S BECOMING MORE OF A CRISIS FOR PEOPLE REGARDLESS OF THEIR POLITICAL SPECTRUM, WHAT USED TO BE SORT OF A REPUBLICAN DRIVEN CRISIS, NOW REALLY EVERYBODY IS CONCERNED BUT WE'RE REALLY SEEING THESE NUMBERS I THINK IT'S WORTH NOTING IS THIS REALLY SPEAKS TO WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN TO CONGRESS IN 2022 BECAUSE GENERALLY WHEN THE PRESIDENT'S NUMBERS ARE LOW THAT HURTS IN THE MIDTERMS, >> THERE NEEDS TO BE FIVE SEATS FOR THE DEMOCRATS TO LOSE CONGRESS.

>> AND WITH 37% OF INDEPENDENTS APPROVING HIM AND IN THAT SAME GALLUP POLL THAT MITCH MENTIONED ONLY 27% OF AMERICANS APPROVE OF WHAT CONGRESS IS DOING 69% DISAPPROVE IT REALLY IT REALLY SPEAKS TO WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN IN THE MID TERMS.

>> JONAH IS THE HONEYMOON WITH THE PRESS OVER YOU THINK?

>> WITH THE PRESS?

MAYBE.

>> WITH BIDEN.

>> I MEAN THE MAN HAS ONLY BEEN IN OFFICE FOR 9 MONTHS NOW AND LET'S NOT FORGET, -- >> THAT PRESS BRUSH OFF THAT THING WITH BORIS JOHNSON IN THERE WAS PRETTY BAD.

>> YES, IT IS [BOTH TALKING] >> I HAD A LOT OF ACCESS TO THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION, I'M NOT GOING TO CHARACTERIZE OR JUDGE THEIR ANSWERS BUT I WAS CERTAINLY ABLE TO ASKED THEM QUESTIONS I HAVEN'T HAD THAT ACCESS RIGHT NOW.

I JUST WILL SAY THIS ABOUT POLL NUMBERS.

IN ELECTION SEASON, WE'RE TOLD NOW NOT TO TRUST THE POLLS.

SO WHEN IT'S NOT ELECTION SEASON ARE THEY ANY MORE ACCURATE?

I DON'T KNOW.

AND AGAIN THE MAN'S BEEN IN OFFICE FOR 9 MONTHS SO MUCH CAN HAPPEN BETWEEN NOW AND JANUARY WHEN IT'S A ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY EVEN MORE CAN HAPPEN BETWEEN NOW AND ELECTION SEASON FOR 2022.

SO IF THIS IS A STOCK I JUST DON'T KNOW THAT I'M BUYING.

>> THIS IS A 21 POINT SWING THOUGH MITCH.

>> IT IS A MAJOR SWING.

HE HAS DROPPED 13 POINTS IN THAT GALLUP POLL JUST SINCE JUNE.

NOW JONAH IS RIGHT THAT YOU CAN'T READ TOO MUCH INTO IT.

A LOT OF THINGS COULD CHANGE BETWEEN NOW AND NOVEMBER.

BUT I THINK ONE THING THAT'S TELLING FROM THESE POLLS IS THAT ONE THING THAT HELPED JOE BIDEN FOR A WHILE WAS SUPPORT FOR HIS POLICIES ON DEALING WITH COVID-19.

ONE OF THESE POLLS SHOWED IT GOING UNDER 50% FOR HIS COVID-19 POLICIES.

IF THAT CONTINUES, HE DOESN'T HAVE ANYTHING GOING FOR HIM.

>> AND HIS STRATEGISTS ARE WORRIED ABOUT THE INDEPENDENTS.

DONNA I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE VOTER ID LAW.

IT'S YOGI BERRA ALL OVER AGAIN.

DEJA VU.

STRUCK DOWN.

>> SURE SURE WELL IT'S BEEN GOING ON SINCE 2018.

WELL THIS TIME, THIS A PANEL OF 3 SUPERIOR COURT JUDGES VOTED 2 TO ONE TO REJECT VOTER ID IN NORTH CAROLINA.

THIS IS ONE OF MULTIPLE LAWSUITS OVER VOTER ID EVER SINCE 2018 WHEN VOTERS VOTED IN FAVOR OF A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION ADDING VOTER ID IT'S NOW BEEN TIED UP IN COURT FOR 3 YEARS AND WITH THIS PARTICULAR SUIT WAS BASED ON THE ARGUMENT THAT VOTER ID WAS IMPLEMENTED IT WAS PASSED AS AN EFFORT TO SUPPRESS THE AFRICAN AMERICAN VOTE AND THEREFORE WAS UNCONSTITUTIONAL LAWMAKERS HAVE SAID, THAT IT'S ABSURD THEY'RE GOING TO APPEAL IT PROBABLY GOING END UP AT THE SUPREME COURT WHICH ALREADY HAS ANOTHER LAWSUIT BEFORE IT RIGHT NOW THAT ONE IS A DIFFERENT LAWSUIT THAT ONE SAYS THAT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY DIDN'T HAVE THE AUTHORITY IN THE FIRST PLACE TO PASS VOTER ID AND PUT IT BEFORE VOTERS BASED ON RACE GERRYMANDERED MAPS, AND SO IF THE JUDGES AGREE WITH THAT.

IF THE SUPREME COURT AGREES WITH THAT THAT PUTS INTO QUESTION ALL THE LAWS PASSED DURING THAT TIME THAT GENERAL ASSEMBLY WAS SEATED, WHICH IS RAISES REGULATORY REFORM TAXES.

YOU NAME IT AND CRIMINAL LAW ALL OF THAT BECOMES AT RISK IF THE JUDGES AGREE THAT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY DIDN'T HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO PASS IT IN THE FIRST PLACE.

>> THAT RULING WAS BROKE DOWN ALONG PARTY LINES THOUGH, 2 TO ONE RIGHT?

>> THERE'S A VERY IMPORTANT DISTINCTION THAT NEEDS TO BE MADE BECAUSE THERE'S THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT WHICH IS THE PRINCIPAL THAT THERE, YOU SHOULD BE TO PRESENT A PHOTO ID TO VOTE.

VOTERS APPROVED THAT.

BUT IT DIDN'T SPELL OUT IN THAT AMENDMENT WHAT KIND OF ID, HOW IT WOULD WORK.

WHO WOULD CHECK IT, ALL THOSE THINGS.

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY THEN PASSED A LAW THAT DEFINED IT.

THAT'S WHAT WAS STRUCK DOWN NOT THE PRINCIPAL.

>> BUT WHAT I'M SAYING WAS 2 OF THE JUDGES WERE DEMOCRAT ONE WAS REPUBLICAN CORRECT?

>> [JOE] THAT'S RIGHT.

>> BUT FOR VOTERS TO UNDERSTAND AND WE'RE IN TROUBLE FOR THE WHOLE JUDICIAL SYSTEM IF WE START LABELING JUDGES.

>> BECOMES POLITICIZED THOUGH?

YOU THINK THAT WAS A POLITICAL VOTE?

RULING?

>> I DON'T KNOW THAT YOU COULD SAY THAT IT WAS A POLITICAL VOTE.

JURISTS OFTEN BRING THEIR PHILOSOPHICAL BEARINGS ON THE LAW, APPLICATION OF A PARTICULAR THING TO THE CONSTITUTION.

I THINK IN THIS REGARD THERE REALLY ARE 2 THINGS THAT ARE ABSOLUTELY TRUE.

THERE IS A TROUBLED HISTORY IN AMERICA OF DISCRIMINATING AGAINST PEOPLE SO THAT THEY COULD NOT CAST A BALLOT.

THAT IS A TRUE PART OF AMERICAN HISTORY.

IT'S ALSO TRUE THAT AMERICANS NEED TO KNOW THAT THERE'S INTEGRITY IN THEIR ELECTIONS AND THAT THERE'S A RELATIVELY SURE WAY TO GUARANTEE THAT THE PERSON VOTING IS ACTUALLY WHO THEY REPRESENT THAT THEY ARE.

WE JUST GOT TO FIND A WAY TO DO THIS THAT ISN'T DISCRIMINATORY THAT ACCOMPLISHES THE GOAL OF GIVING PEOPLE CONFIDENCE IN ELECTIONS.

>> MITCH DO YOU VIEW THIS AS DISCRIMINATORY?

I MEAN LOOK THE VOTERS VOTED FOR THIS, TO HAVE IT IN THE CONSTITUTION.

>> WELL THE VOTERS VOTED FOR IT.

55% SUPPORT -- >> [JONAH] FOR THE PRINCIPLE, >> FOR THE PRINCIPLE, BUT THE LAW FOLLOWS THE PRINCIPLE.

THE ISSUE IS THAT YOU COULD HAVE VOTER ID AND AS LONG AS YOU MAKE SURE THAT EVERY REGISTERED ELIGIBLE VOTER GETS AN ID AND YOU DON'T DISCRIMINATE, YOU DON'T HURT PARTICULAR GROUPS, IT SHOULD FLY.

WHAT HAPPENED IN THIS CASE, THE 2, 1, AND AS YOU CORRECTLY POINTING OUT 2 DEMOCRATIC JUDGES SAID THAT WAS BAD, THE REPUBLICAN JUDGE SAID IT WAS FINE, THE 2 DEMOCRATIC JUDGES BASICALLY SAID WELL THERE'S THIS LONG HISTORY OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION AND SO EVEN THOUGH WE COULDN'T FIND IT ANYWHERE HERE AND THERE'S NO EVIDENCE THEY HAVE BEEN AND NO EVIDENCE OF ANY MEMBER OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY SHOWING RACIAL ANIMUS IT HAD TO BE THERE WHEREAS THE REPUBLICAN JUDGE SAID THERE WAS NOT A SCINTILLA OF EVIDENCE OF ANY RACIAL DISCRIMINATION.

>> OKAY TO BE CONTINUED.

JONAH, I WANT TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION'S REPORT ABOUT YOUNG MEN NOT DECIDING TO GO TO COLLEGE ANYMORE.

>> THIS IS REALLY SOMETHING BECAUSE -- AND PLEASE WITH ALL DUE RESPECT TO DONNA WHO IS A VERY EDUCATED WONDERFUL PERSON, I SAW THIS IS A HUNCH IN COLLEGE WHEN, AT LEAST FOR GUYS ARE LIKE 'OH THIS IS GREAT!

SO MANY GIRLS IN COLLEGE.'

[LAUGHTER] BUT IT'S TRUE.

[ALL TALKING] MY SAYING IN THAT IS IS THAT IT WASN'T JUST A HUNCH.

THE FACTS NOW ARE THERE ARE MORE WOMEN IN COLLEGE THAN MEN, A 60-40 RATIO.

AND WE CAN TALK ABOUT WHY, WE COULD TALK ABOUT ITS IMPLICATIONS.

I THINK THERE ARE A VARIETY OF FACTORS, ONE IS THERE MORE WOMEN IN THE WORKFORCE, AND THERE ARE MORE WOMEN WHO WANT TO BE IN THE HIGH TECH SECTOR AND WHO WANT TO HAVE THESE SKILLS.

THERE ARE ALSO WOMEN WHO ARE PUSHING BACK GETTING MARRIED SO THEY WANT TO PUSH BACK HAVING A FAMILY SO THIS TRADITIONAL IDEA THAT ONLY MEN ARE GOING TO HAVE A CAREER.

ALSO AND WHEN YOU CREATE THAT KIND OF COMPETITION.

WOMEN ARE -- AND POTENTIALLY RIGHTLY SO BECAUSE THEY'RE VERY SMART ARE OUT SCORING AND OUTPERFORMING MEN.

SO IF YOU'RE TAKING ALL THESE APPLICANTS TOGETHER AND YOU GET ALL THESE HIGH SCORE PEOPLE YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE MORE WOMEN THERE.

THE IMPLICATIONS THOUGH ARE IF YOU HAVE ALL THESE PEOPLE AND YOU KNOW WOMEN NOW COMING INTO COLLEGE AND THEN PUSHING BACK, YES, IT HELPS THE WORKFORCE NOW, BUT IF WE KEEP PUSHING BACK FAMILIES, THE BIRTH RATE CONTINUES TO FALL, HOW WE'RE GOING TO SUPPORT A WORKFORCE IN THE FUTURE?

>> DONNA A LOT OF THESE YOUNG MEN ARE GOING TO COMMUNITY COLLEGE IS A RIGHT?

>> WE ARE SEEING THAT.

WE'RE SEEING A BOOST IN THAT AND ONE OF THE THINGS AND JONAH IS CORRECT THAT IT'S NOT JUST THAT MEN ARE NOT APPLYING TO COLLEGE NOT FINISHING, SO OF THE KIDS WHO GO 65% OF WOMEN FINISH BUT BUT LESS THAN 60% OF MEN FINISH EVEN IF THEY STARTED.

SO ONE WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT COLLEGE CAMPUSES ARE WELCOME TO MANDATE THE SUPPORT STRUCTURES IN THERE THAT THE CULTURE ISN'T YOU KNOW TELLING THEM TO SIT DOWN AND SHUT UP, THAT WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY HAVE THE SKILLS THAT THEY NEED AND THE SUPPORT THEY NEED TO GET ALL THE WAY THROUGH.

BUT YOU'RE RIGHT A LOT OF FOLKS ARE GOING TO COMMUNITY COLLEGE, IT'S QUICKER, A HARD SKILL IN MANY CASES, IT'S A TRADE AND THAT'S NOT NECESSARILY A BAD THING, BUT COVID MADE A HUGE IMPACT -- >> YOU THINK IT ACCELERATED THE TREND?

>> IT ABSOLUTELY ACCELERATED THE TREND.

A LOT OF TIMES ONE PARENT STEPPED BACK AND HAD TO STAY HOME WITH KIDS, BECAUSE YOUNGER KIDS BECAUSE SCHOOLS ARE CLOSED AND A COLLEGE AGE KIDS TAKING CLASSES ONLINE SO IN MANY CASES, EITHER THE CLASSES DIDN'T GO WELL WHICH HAPPENED TO A LOT OF KIDS OR THEY SAID 'HEY I'LL THIS YEAR OFF AND HELP SUPPORT MY FAMILY AS MUCH AS I CAN' BECAUSE ONE OF MY PARENTS HAD TO STEP BACK IN AND HELP HOMESCHOOL THE YOUNGER KIDS SO COVID DEFINITELY ACCELERATED THAT PROCESS.

IT'S WHAT WE DO RIGHT NOW, AND I THINK FOR THOSE WHO MAY BE DROPPED OUT MAKE SURE THEY HAVE A HARD SKILL OR A TRADE OR HAVE A PATH TO GO BACK AND DOWN THE ROAD MAKE SURE THE CULTURE REALLY WELCOMES EVERYONE.

>> MITCH DOES THE COST IMPACT THE COST OF COLLEGE?

>> YEAH, IT CERTAINLY DOES.

THAT COST RISING AT A HIGHER LEVEL THAN INFLATION HAS BEEN A BIG FACTOR.

WE'VE SEEN ACCORDING TO THAT REPORT THAT THERE ARE 1.5 MILLION FEWER PEOPLE GOING TO COLLEGE.

NOW THAN 5 YEARS AGO, AND 71% OF THAT DECLINE IS MEN SO THAT'S ANOTHER REASON THAT'S PUSHING THINGS MORE TOWARD HAVING MORE WOMEN THAN MEN IN COLLEGE AND ONE OF THE THINGS ABOUT THIS IT'S VERY IMPORTANT IS THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE LOOK AT COLLEGE TODAY IN A DIFFERENT WAY AS NOT HAVING THE VALUE THAT THEY WERE ALWAYS TAUGHT THAT IT DID.

JOE PUT THIS IN CONTEXT.

>> TO SOME EXTENT THIS IS A DEMONSTRATION OF THE SUCCESS THAT COLLEGES HAVE HAD OVER THE LAST 30, 40 YEARS TO PROMOTE WOMEN TO PROVIDE INFRASTRUCTURE TO ENCOURAGE AND IN TO GIVE RESOURCES TO WOMEN SO THAT THEY COULD BECOME A COLLEGE STUDENT SUCCESSFULLY.

SOME PART IN ONE OF THE REPORTS I READ THE CHALLENGES, THE BOYS APPARENTLY ARE NOT AS DILIGENT GETTING THEIR HIGH SCHOOL TRANSCRIPTS AS GIRLS ARE IN TERMS OF THE APPLICATION PROCESS.

BUT THIS WILL BE A CHALLENGE IS INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION STILL OVERWHELMINGLY LED BY MEN FACULTY OVERWHELMINGLY MALE, CAN THERE BE INFRASTRUCTURE PLACED ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES TO SUPPORT BOYS, WHERE THE POLITICAL ENVIRONMENT MAY SAY WAIT A MINUTE WHY WOULD WE BE DOING THIS TO SEEMINGLY A VERY ENTITLED SEGMENT OF THE POPULATION WITH THOSE RESOURCES MIGHT BE BETTER IF IT'S HELPING WOMEN OR STUDENTS OF COLOR.

>> JONAH, WRAP THIS UP ABOUT 40 SECONDS >> CERTAIN FIELDS ARE STILL PREDOMINANTLY MEN LIKE ENGINEERING AND IN TECH AND THINGS AND THAT'S WHERE WE'RE GOING TO FIND A DIFFERENT BALANCE.

>> I WILL SAY ALSO WHAT COVID DID IS PROBABLY FOR THESE 60, 70 $80,000 A YEAR COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES, IF A LOT OF THEM ARE VIRTUAL AND EVEN IF THEY'RE NOT VIRTUAL IS THE PRICE WORTH THE INVESTMENT AND I THINK YOU'RE GOING TO SEE THE POPULARITY OF COMMUNITY COLLEGES COMING UP, BECAUSE YOUR HIRING MANAGER ARE YOU REALLY GOING TO DECIDE SOMEONE WHO WENT TO TULANE UNIVERSITY AND WHO WENT TO WAKE TECH COMMUNITY COLLEGE?

IF THE WAKE TECH GOT THE SKILL THAT I NEED, WHICH IS WE NEED MORE MASONS AND ELECTRICIANS AND TO ALL THESE DIFFERENT THINGS I THINK THAT'S GOING TO BE MORE IMPORTANT.

I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY'S WEEK JOE.

>> YEAH, THE NEGOTIATION BETWEEN THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE RELATIVE TO THE STATE BUDGET GOES ON IT LOOKS AS THOUGH AS SPEAKER MOORE SAID LOOK AROUND IT'S SEPTEMBER AND WE'RE STILL HERE.

THEY'RE 3 MONTHS PAST THE DEADLINE.

BUT IT LOOKS LIKE THE PROGRESS IS BEING MADE TO THE EXTENT THE FINAL DECISIONS THAT NEED TO BE MADE BY WHAT THEY CALL THE CORNER OFFICES, THE HOUSE SPEAKER AND THE PRESIDENT PRO TEM HIS OFFICERS ARE ON THE FRONT CORNER OF THE LEGISLATIVE BUILDING.

THEY'LL HAVE TO SMOOTH THE FINAL ROUGH EDGES OF THE BUDGET.

BUT THEN IT APPEARS THE INTENTION IS TO TAKE THAT DOCUMENT TO THE GOVERNOR AND TO SEE IF IT'S SOMETHING THE GOVERNOR MIGHT BE WILLING TO SIGN.

IN AN EFFORT I THINK IN GOOD FAITH BOTH THE LEGISLATURE AND THE GOVERNOR WANT TO SIGN THE BUDGET.

WE'LL SEE IF THE GOVERNOR CAN GO ALONG WITH THE PACKAGE OF TAX CUTS, AND PAY TO TEACHERS AND PUBLIC EMPLOYEES THINGS THAT ARE VERY IMPORTANT TO THE GOVERNOR.

I DON'T KNOW HOW THAT PROCESS WILL GO, THE EXPECTATION MAY TAKE A WEEK OR 2 FOR THAT BEFORE A FINAL VERSION OF THE BUDGET GOES BEFORE THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY FOR APPROVAL, I THINK THE INTENTION OF THE REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP IS TO AVOID TRYING TO OVERTURN A GUBERNATORIAL VETO CAUSE IT MAY OR MAY NOT BE ABLE TO GET THOSE VOTES.

REDISTRICTING CONTINUES THIS WEEK WITH PUBLIC HEARINGS AROUND THE STATE, A FEW BILLS OF INTEREST AS WE START TO WIND DOWN THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION, ONE RELATIVE TO CREATING A REGULATORY SANDBOX FOR BANKING AND INSURANCE INTERESTS.

ELECTRONIC NOTARY, A BILL TO TRY TO BRING NORTH CAROLINA LINE WITH NATIONAL STANDARDS HIT A ROAD BUMP WHEN A PROVISION WAS INSERTED RELATIVE TO DISCLOSING CERTAIN FACTS ABOUT STATE EMPLOYEES RELATIVE TO THEIR HIGHER, FIRE, DISMISSAL, SUSPENSION.

WE'LL HAVE TO GET THOSE THINGS WORKED OUT IN THE NORTH COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION THAT KERFUFFLE I THINK HAS FINALLY BEEN RESOLVED AMICABLY BY THE LEGISLATURE AND BY THE LEADERSHIP OF THAT GROUP.

>> DONNA WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN FOLLOWING?

>> I REALLY LIKE WHAT JOE MENTIONED ABOUT THE REGULATORY SANDBOX BILL, SENATE COMMERCE GAVE A THUMBS UP TO THIS, OTHER STATES HAVE DONE IT.

WHAT IT REALLY DOES IS SORT OF CLEAR THE RUNWAY FOR SOME INNOVATIVE PROJECTS IN THE FINANCE AND INSURANCE INDUSTRY.

THEY CAN APPLY TO WHAT I BELIEVE IS CALLED AN INNOVATION COUNCIL AND SAY 'HEY LOOK WE'VE GOT THIS NEW PRODUCT' BECAUSE INEVITABLY PRIVATE INDUSTRY MOVES MUCH FASTER THAN GOVERNMENT, SO THIS COUNCIL CAN SAY, 'OK YES, THIS MEETS CONSUMER PROTECTIONS, IT'S INNOVATIVE,' AND THEN IT WILL SEND IT TO COMMERCE AND COMMERCE TO KIND OF ALLOW IT TO OPERATE AND OR WAIVERS SO THAT IT CAN MOVE FORWARD IN THE REGULATORY ENVIRONMENT WITHOUT SOME OF THE BARRIERS AND RED TAPE TO KEEP BACK OTHER INDUSTRIES AND OTHER BUSINESSES.

SO IT'LL BE REALLY INTERESTING TO WATCH TO SEE WHAT COMES OUT OF THIS BECAUSE PROBABLY BY THE END OF THE YEAR, WE'LL HAVE ABOUT 12 STATES THAT DO IT.

>> YOUR TAKE?

>> ONE OF THE MOST INTERESTING THINGS THAT HAPPENED ON THE SENATE SIDE THEY DEVOTED AN ENTIRE HOUR TO REMINDING PEOPLE JUST HOW IMPORTANT MARK BASSNIGHT WAS TO THE STATE'S POLITICAL HISTORY.

HE WAS THE PRESIDENT PRO TEM OF THE SENATE FOR 18 YEARS, THE LONGEST SERVING LEGISLATIVE LEADER NORTH CAROLINA'S EVER HAD MADE A MAJOR IMPACT FOR HIS COASTAL COMMUNITY AND ACROSS THE STATE WAS A BIG ADVOCATE FOR EDUCATION, ESPECIALLY HIGHER EDUCATION, PITCHED A MAJOR BOND THAT GOT 3 BILLION DOLLARS FLOWING INTO HIGHER EDUCATION SO MARK BASNIGHT WAS LAUDED ON THE FLOOR OF THE SENATE, HE PASSED AWAY LATE LAST YEAR.

AND AMONG THE PEOPLE WHO WAS SITTING IN THE AUDIENCE WATCHING ALONG WITH EVERYONE ELSE OUR GOVERNOR BECAUSE OUR GOVERNOR ROY COOPER USED TO BE A BASSNIGHT LIEUTENANT.

>> JONAH.

>> BACK TO THE BUDGET JUST BECAUSE THAT IS PROBABLY THE IMPORTANT FUNCTION OF STATE GOVERNMENT WHICH IS HOW TO SPEND TAX DOLLARS AND I HATE THIS EXPRESSION, BUT I THINK IT WORKS HERE, THEY ARE GOING TO TRY TO HAVE THEIR CAKE AND EAT IT TOO, BECAUSE THE QUESTION NOW FOR THE GOVERNOR AND REPUBLICANS, CAN YOU AFFORD SOME OF THE PROGRAMS THE GOVERNOR WANTS AND ALSO CUT TAXES?

BECAUSE A YEAR AGO AT THIS TIME NORTH CAROLINIANS ESPECIALLY PEOPLE ON JONES STREET VERY WORRIED THAT THE PANDEMIC WAS GOING TO CUT INTO TAX REVENUES.

ONCE AGAIN WE HAVE LIKE A 6 BILLION DOLLAR SURPLUS SO COULD YOU GIVE TAX CUTS CAPITAL GAINS AND ALL OF THIS AND ALSO FUND MEDICAID EXPANSION?

IF THEY CAN FIND A WAY TO DO THAT THEY MAY HAVE THEIR CAKE AND EAT IT TOO.

>> WE'VE GOT TO MOVE ON LET'S GO TO MOST UNDERREPORTED STORY OF THE WEEK MITCH.

>> WE'VE ALREADY REFERENCED REDISTRICTING.

WE HAVE NO NEW ELECTION MAPS BUT THAT HASN'T STOPPED AT LEAST A COUPLE OF STATE LAWMAKERS FROM SAYING THAT THEY AREN'T GOING TO RUN AGAIN, PROBABLY BECAUSE OF NEW ELECTION MAPS.

WE KNOW OF 4 STATE LAWMAKERS AT THIS POINT WHO ARE NOT GOING TO RUN AGAIN IN 2022 AND AT LEAST A COUPLE OF THE CASES, IT'S BECAUSE THE NEW ELECTION MAPS FOR THE DISTRICTS ARE PROBABLY NOT GOING TO BE FAVORABLE FOR THEM.

>> [MARC] HOW DOES THAT BREAK DOWN ON THE PARTY BUS?

>> BOTH OF THE CASES OF THE PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT RUNNING AGAIN THEY ARE DEMOCRATS WHO ARE IN DISTRICTS THAT ONCE THE NEWS TO DISTRICTS COME OUT MIGHT BE A LITTLE LESS FAVORABLE FOR DEMOCRATS WE'RE TALKING ABOUT SENATOR BEN CLARK WHO'S IN HOKE COUNTY AND ALSO REPRESENTATIVE CHARLES GRAHAM WHO'S AT ROBESON COUNTY.

NOW A LOT OF REDISTRICTING IS ALREADY DETERMINED BECAUSE OF THE POPULATION AND THE WAY THE COUNTIES SIT AND THE GEOGRAPHY, SO THESE FOLKS ARE LOOKING AHEAD AND SAYING I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE MAP ACTUALLY SAYS, BUT I KNOW WHAT IT'S PROBABLY GOING TO SAY IT DOESN'T LOOK GOOD FOR ME.

>> JOE.

>> OVER 3 MILLION AMERICANS NOW HAVE THE BEEN ADDED TO THE ROLLS OF THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT THE OBAMACARE AS A RESULT OF THE EXTENDED PERIOD OF ENROLLMENT AND THE SUBSIDIES, ADDITIONAL SUBSIDIES THAT WERE PROVIDED TO THE COVID RELIEF -- WE'RE 20% MORE PEOPLE IN THE SUBSIDIZED MARKETS THAN THE SAME TIME LAST YEAR.

WE NOW HAVE OVER 12 MILLION AMERICANS GETTING THEIR HEALTH INSURANCE THROUGH THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT MODEL AND OVER 80 MILLION PEOPLE GETTING EITHER MEDICARE OR THE CHILDREN SUBSIDY HEALTH INSURANCE, AS WELL.

THOSE INCREASES ARE PROBABLY GOOD FOR THE INSURANCE MARKET, IT HELPS PEOPLE THAT ARE NOT OTHERWISE COVERED TO GET CARE, BUT IT DOES LOOK AS THOUGH WE'RE STARTING TO CREEP UP IN TERMS OF THE PERCENTAGE OF AMERICANS BEING COVERED BY SOME GOVERNMENTALLY SUBSIDIZED HEALTH INSURANCE.

>> IS IT SUSTAINABLE?

THAT IS A QUESTION.

A BIG PART OF THE INFUSION OF NEW PEOPLE WAS THE FACT THAT THE COVID RELIEF PACKAGE ADDED MORE MONEY TO THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT SUBSIDY, SO PEOPLE ARE GETTING IN EFFECT TO SUBSIDIZED RATE FOR THAT COVERAGE, WE'LL SEE IF CONGRESS HAS THE WHEREWITHAL TO TRY TO CONTINUE THAT OVER THE YEARS.

>> JONAH.

>> I SAW THIS STORY AND I LOVED IT.

OUT OF THE 5 PEOPLE HERE AT THIS TABLE, WE'VE GOT THE VICES OF PHONES AND COMPUTERS AND IPADS AND TABLETS AND WHATNOT.

WE PROBABLY GOT 5 PEOPLE 12 DIFFERENT CHARGERS.

WELL IN THE EUROPEAN UNION, SOME OF THE LAWMAKERS THERE ARE PROPOSING TO MAKE UNIVERSAL CHARGERS AND SAYING, 'WE SHOULD HAVE ONE CHARGER THAT FITS EVERY DEVICE.'

AND IT'S GAINING STEAM, AND YOU KNOW WHO'S AGAINST IT?

APPLE, BECAUSE THEY HAVE THEIR OWN LIGHTNING CHARGER.

>> [MITCH] GET IN THE ADAPTER BUSINESS.

[LAUGHTER] >> WELL, YEAH.

WELL, IN EUROPE IF THEY TAKE THE LEAD ON THIS, LET ME TELL YOU SOMETHING THERE ARE A LOT OF CONSUMERS WHO WILL SAY 'OH YEAH, I WANT THAT TOO!'

ONE CHARGER, ONE DEVICE FOR EVERYTHING.

AND I THINK WE CAN RALLY SUPPORT FOR THAT RIGHT?

>> I THINK THE MARKET WOULD DRIVE THAT I THINK.

[ALL TALKING, LAUGHING] SO ONE OF THE NEW LAWS ON THE BOOKS THAT ALLOWS AMONG OTHER THINGS CURBSIDE PICKUP, AN ABC STORES, WHICH I THINK IS REALLY INTERESTING A POST-COVID WORLD ALSO BILL THAT WAS THAT WAS LED BY TIM MOFFIT IN THE WESTERN PART OF THE STATE'S BEEN SIGNED BY GOVERNOR COOPER.

SO YOU CAN ORDER LIQUOR ONLINE.

AND YOU CAN BUY 2 BEERS AND A STATE GAME OR WHATEVER IT IS.

BUT THE PROBLEM IS CAN YOU GET IT?

BECAUSE THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF PEOPLE IN THE ABC SYSTEM THE ALCOHOL BEVERAGE COMMISSION LATELY WITH EMPTY SHELVES AND SHIPPING PROBLEMS.

SUDDENLY THE ABC COMMISSIONER QUIT HE'S BEEN UNDER A LOT OF HEAT BECAUSE THE BARS, RESTAURANTS, LIQUOR STORES JUST CAN'T GET WHAT THEY NEED SO IT'S MADE A LOT OF PEOPLE TALK ABOUT MODERNIZING THE ABC SYSTEM WHICH THIS BILL HELPS TO DO A LOT OF FOLKS SAYING LOOK DO WE REALLY NEED THIS?

WHY CAN'T WE JUST LET THE FREE MARKET DECIDE WHEN AND WHERE IT GOES AND HOW IT SELLS.

>> OK, LET'S GO TO LIGHTNING ROUND WHO'S UP AND WHO'S DOWN THIS WEEK.

MITCH.

>> MY WHO'S UP FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF JEFF RIGG WHO WAS OF WASHINGTON, NORTH CAROLINA MAN DIED AFTER BEING HOSPITALIZED FROM A CAR CRASH AND HIS NAME HAS BEEN ATTACHED TO A NEW LAW THAT TAKES EFFECT OCTOBER 1ST.

IT WILL ALLOW PEOPLE IN A HOSPITAL TO HAVE A MEMBER OF THE CLERGY VISIT THEM.

EVEN IF IT'S DURING AN EMERGENCY OR A PANDEMIC.

MY WHO'S DOWN FANS OF FOOD TRUCKS IN FARMVILLE.

THE TOWN OF FARMVILLE HAD AN OLD LAW THAT SAID THAT IF YOU WANT TO OPERATE A FOOD TRUCK, YOU HAD TO PAY A $100 ANNUAL FEE.

WELL THEY RAISED THE FEE BECAUSE OF SOME COMPLAINTS FROM BRICK AND MORTAR RESTAURANTS SO IT WENT FROM A $100 A YEAR TO $75 A DAY.

AND SO THERE'S A NEW LAWSUIT CHALLENGING THAT.

>> DIDN'T KNOW THERE WAS A MARKET FOR FOOD TRUCKS IN FARMVILLE.

>> JOE?

>> WHO'S UP AT INDIA ANNOUNCED THIS WEEK THE HEALTH MINISTER THAT THEY'RE GOING TO RESUME EXPORTING COVID-19 VACCINES.

THEY HAD STOPPED EXPORTING IT BACK IN APRIL WHEN THEY HAD TREMENDOUS TROUBLE WITHIN INDIA TO TRY TO INOCULATE THE 933 MILLION ADULTS THAT LIVE IN THAT COUNTRY.

THE PROJECTION IS THAT THEY'LL BE ABLE TO PRODUCE A BILLION DOSES OF THE VACCINE, EXPORT INTERNATIONALLY BY THE END OF THIS YEAR.

SO HOPEFULLY THAT EXPANDS THE EFFORT TO TRY TO GET COVID UNDER CONTROL IN AN INTERNATIONAL BASIS.

WHO'S DOWN WE CONTINUE TO HAVE SHORTAGES OF MANUFACTURED GOODS IN AMERICA, I READ A STORY THIS WEEK WHERE THE AUTOMOBILES ARE MANUFACTURED, BUT A COMPONENT PART LIKE A CHIP IS NOT AVAILABLE.

SO THE ALMOST FINISHED VEHICLE IS JUST SITTING ON A LOT WAITING FOR THE ARRIVAL OF FINAL PRODUCT.

>> ALCOHOL IS A BIG FACTOR IN THIS ALSO I SAW ZIPPERS, WE HAVE A SHORTAGE OF ZIPPERS IN THIS COUNTRY.

SO IF SOMETHING'S GOT TO BE DONE, WE'RE GOING TO BEGIN TO IMPACT OUR ECONOMY.

>> NO SHORTS ZIPPER MERGES ON THE HIGHWAY.

WHAT'S UP IS A BIPARTISAN SUPPORT FOR ISRAEL AT LEAST FOR NOW AFTER A LOT OF NOISE EARLIER IN THE WEEK THERE WAS A VOTE OF 420 TO 9.

>> BASICALLY A SQUAD VOTED AGAINST IT.

>> ALL THE USUAL SUSPECTS.

AND YES, SO BIPARTISAN SUPPORT 429 THE DEFENSIVE IRON DOME SYSTEM WHICH PROTECTS ALL OF RESIDENTS OF ISRAEL, ARAB, CHRISTIAN, JEW AGAINST THESE ROCKETS FROM HAMAS, WHAT'S DOWN IS BIPARTISAN COOPERATION WHEN IT COMES TO POLICE REFORM.

NEGOTIATIONS BREAKING DOWN FAILING BETWEEN TIM SCOTT THE REPUBLICAN FROM TENNESSEE AND COUNTERPARTS ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE.

>> DONNA.

>> SO UP I'M GONNA SAY NEW JOBLESS CLAIMS.

THERE WERE 351,000 PEOPLE APPLYING FOR UNEMPLOYMENT FOR THE FIRST TIME, AND THAT THAT IS A RECORD, AND I THINK IT SPEAKS TO KIND OF THE THE END OF SOME OF THE BENEFITS THAT WE'RE SEEING FRONT LEFT OVER FROM COVID, MY DOWN TO THE RELATIONSHIP WE TALKED ABOUT A LITTLE BIT EARLIER BETWEEN THE PRESS AND THE WHITE HOUSE.

THERE WAS THIS BIZARRE INCIDENT IN THE OVAL OFFICE THIS WEEK WHERE BORIS JOHNSON TOOK QUESTIONS FROM THE BRITISH PRESS, BUT THEN THE AMERICAN PRESS WERE SHOUTED DOWN WHEN THEY TRIED TO TALK, >> STAFF CUT THEM OFF.

>> BIDEN CUT THEM OFF, THEY LEFT THE ROOM WENT STRAIGHT TO FILE A FORMAL COMPLAINT.

SO THE WHITE HOUSE PRESS CORPS HAS FILED A FORMAL COMPLAINT OVER THEIR LACK OF ACCESS TO THE PRESIDENT.

>> MITCH HEADLINE NEXT WEEK MY FRIEND.

>> BUDGET DEAL HEADS TO COOPER WILL THE DETAILS REMAIN SECRET?

>> JOE HEADLINE NEXT WEEK.

>> THE NEGOTIATION BETWEEN THE LEGISLATURE AND THE COOPER ADMINISTRATION IS REVEALED AND IT'S NOT KEPT SECRET!

[LAUGHTER] >> HEADLINE NEXT WEEK.

>> PRESIDENT BIDEN HOLDS LENGTHY NEWS CONFERENCE NO, I'M JUST KIDDING!

[LAUGHING] THE HEADLINE NEXT WEEK ACTUALLY IS DEMOCRATIC INFIGHTING CONTINUES TO THREATEN BIDEN AGENDA.

>> I THINK IT'S GOING TO IMPACT THE 3.5 TRILLION.

I'M NOT SURE THE 1.2 TRILLION GETS THROUGH.

>> I'M NOT SURE I WOULD BET ON ANYTHING.

I DON'T KNOW.

>> HEADLINE NEXT WEEK QUICKLY.

I THINK WE'LL HEAR MORE ABOUT THERE'S ABOUT 1100 AFGHAN REFUGEES THAT ARE GOING TO BE MAKING A HOME IN NORTH CAROLINA, NEEDS RESETTLEMENT.

ORGANIZATIONS ARE TRYING TO GATHER FURNITURE SUPPLIES, FOOD CLOTHES, WHATEVER THEY NEED.

THE FISCAL YEAR ENDS THE FIRST, SO THEY'RE GOING TO BE REALLY WORKING HARD TO GET THEM SETTLED.

>> OKAY, THAT'S IT FOR US, THANKS FOR WATCHING.

GREAT JOB PANEL.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

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