LUNCH WITH THE LEGISLATORS A GREAT SUCCESS
Rocky Mount - "Lunch With The Legislators" proved to be a successful event as legislators Bob Martin, Gene Arnold, and Joe Tolson led a discussion with area business leaders. Each politician gave a "run-down" of how the current session of the General Assembly will affect the local area. Senator Martin said that he could "describe the events with one word 'budget'" and discussed how the state government is combating the budget shortfall. Representative Tolson discussed how the area can and will be improved by science and technological improvements. Representative Arnold discussed, among many issues, the possibility of new taxes.
Representative Joe Tolson (pictured at right) focused primarily on science and technology, as he discussed how the Internet can attract businesses to the area. Tolson believes that with the new plan to expand dial-up internet access to rural areas by August 2001 and in one year to upgrade that service to high-speed internet, that it would attract small technological businesses to the area, helping the area become, as he put it, the "RTP of the East." These "mushrooming companies" could attract up to 1,000 employees each and would be further supported by "our strong community college system in facilitating assembly line workers to fill the $12-20/hr. positions". The science industry would also be attracted to the area by using land to grow agricultural products such as tobacco and corn for both research and to be used to produce mass quantities of protein for use in other products.
Senator Bob Martin discussed that in dealing with the budget crisis, the government is now forced to begin "sharpening knives" and cutting back any excess. Martin addressed the tough year in an optimistic light saying that even though the state government has been burdened with "a tremendous task on hand" and has been "tied-up with the budget" there is light at the end of the tunnel, and relief will soon come. Preserving 1,000 acres of farmland, refurbishing the local 4-H show facility, and promoting tourism in the area were among many topics discussed as Martin had a positive outlook on the growth of the area.
Representative Gene Arnold concluded the speaking session by addressing the possibilities of new taxes after looking at tax loopholes such as door-to-door newspapers and internet purchases, referring to the most likely possibility that the lottery will not go through, leaving a shortfall in the budget which anticipated that revenue. Also discussed was the possibility of the mass transport region transit authority extending its fast track rail to Rocky Mount after the initial development from Charlotte to Raleigh is concluded. Arnold also expressed interest in eliminating such fact-based tests as the SAT and relying more heavily on exit exams and GPA scores.
The politicians then went on to answer questions from the audience. The teacher shortage was addressed, and some of the solutions included increasing the number of Teaching Fellows scholarships, adding/improving teacher incentives, waiting two years until giving a new teacher an evaluation, extending the school year to 200 days to give teachers ample time to cover an entire textbook, and in the next four years raising teachers' salaries 6% or greater. Questions concerning the lottery arose, of which the legislators replied that the lottery may be a difficult sell because of moral issues, expense issues for the convenience stores that would sell the tickets, and other unknowns. Medicaid was also discussed, especially the concern that it might provide little benefit to community-based care.
The event was attended by approximately 60 area business leaders and Chamber members. The information exchange proved beneficial to both the attendees and the guests. "Lunch With The Legislators" is one of many events the Chamber conducts to expand the relationship between businesses and our elected officials.
