GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1997

S	1 

SENATE BILL 911

Short Title:  Maintain Outstanding Comm. Colleges.	(Public)

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Sponsors: Senators Dalton; Albertson, Ballance, Ballantine, Carpenter, Clark, Cochrane, Conder, Cooper, Dannelly, East, Foxx, Garwood, Hartsell, Hoyle, Jenkins, Kerr, Lucas, Martin of Guilford, McDaniel, Miller, Odom, Page, Phillips, Rand, Reeves, Rucho, Shaw of Cumberland, Soles, Warren, Weinstein, and Wellons.

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Referred to:  Appropriations.

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April 17, 1997

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO MAINTAIN NORTH CAROLINA'S OUTSTANDING COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
Section 1.  The General Assembly finds that the North Carolina Community  College System, developed in the 1960s, has been a wise and beneficial investment of the tax dollars of the citizens of this State and has significantly contributed to the economic development of this State.  Furthermore, the General Assembly finds that the Community College System has enhanced the capabilities of the State to provide for better secondary and higher education through coordination with the public school systems and the colleges and universities of this State.  In addition, it has offered cultural opportunities and a quality of life that benefits the State and its citizens and makes the State more attractive to expanding or locating industries.
The General Assembly recognizes the need for education, training, and technology as our workforce prepares to compete in a global economy.  The General Assembly also, however, recognizes its commitment to public education and higher education and the need to fund necessary programs which benefit the State and its citizens.  The General Assembly recognizes the finite fiscal resources of the State but also finds the funding provided for herein is an appropriate use of these resources and is essential  to the continued integrity of the Community College System and should be provided in the expansion budget for the fiscal years referenced; therefore, there is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Community Colleges the sum of fifty-one million six hundred thousand dollars ($51,600,000) for the 1997-98 fiscal year and the sum of ninety-four million two hundred thirty thousand dollars ($94,230,000) for the 1998-99 fiscal year.  These funds shall be used as follows:
(1)	$28,990,000 for the 1997-98 fiscal year and $53,990,000 for the 1998-99 fiscal year for job skills enhancement programs offered by the North Carolina Community College System.  These funds shall be used (i) to increase the funding unit value of occupational extension courses, (ii) to provide  additional funds for the New and Expanding Industry Program, which is a tremendous advantage in recruiting new industries and helping existing ones grow, and (iii) for educational equipment, so that the community colleges can buy the state-of-the-art equipment for preparing students for tomorrow's high-tech workplaces;
(2)	$6,070,000 for the 1997-98 fiscal year and $7,140,000 for the 1998-99 fiscal year shall be used for the Basic Skills Program, which produces 20% of the high school graduates in the State and helps employers meet demands for workers who can read, write, and speak English, and compute and solve problems; and
(3)	$16,540,000 for the 1997-98 fiscal year and $33,100,000 for the 1998-99 fiscal year shall be used for the Curriculum Instruction Program, to improve faculty/student ratios, enhance faculty salaries, and strengthen critical technical and academic programs that lead to degrees, diplomas, and certificates.
Section 2.  This act becomes effective July 1, 1997.