THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, April 24, 1996 TAG: 9604240428
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B2 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY PAUL SOUTH, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: KILL DEVIL HILLS LENGTH: Medium: 66 lines
The General Assembly probably will pass some form of a capital funding plan for schools in the coming short session, North Carolina Lt. Gov. Dennis Wicker said Tuesday.
Last session, the House and Senate failed to reach a compromise on the funding proposal. The Senate had passed a $1.8 billion bond proposal, while the House approved about half that amount. The amount of funding each school district would have received from the package would be determined by growth, as well as financial need.
``I think there's a better than even chance of getting something passed during the short session,'' Wicker said. ``I think we'll see a combination of bonds and one-time money.''
The legislature has a strong commitment to school construction, Wicker said.
``Some school districts have just exploded in terms of population, others have lost population,'' he said. ``Some districts have tax bases that are so low that they haven't built a new school since before the Depression.
``What we need to find is a reliable funding stream for capital improvements to our schools.''
Wicker, a member of the State Board of Education and chairman of the State Board of Community Colleges, said that even in an election year, voters will support improvements in education. That issue, he said, will be the theme of the short session, which begins May 13.
``I believe the public supports education, as long as we make it clear what the money will be spent for,'' Wicker said. ``Surely if we can find money to build prisons, we can find money for our children.''
One proposal for funds for schools is a statewide lottery. While the idea of a lottery may come up in the General Assembly, Wicker said, he believes the chances for a statewide referendum on the issue are slim because of staunch opposition in the House.
``I believe the people of the state want to vote on this issue, and I believe they should have the right to let their elected leaders know how they feel about the idea of a lottery, even if it's non-binding,'' he said. ``But I'm not optimistic.''
Wicker, who faces no opposition in the May Democratic primary, said voters will have a clear choice at the polls in November.
``I believe this election will be very instructive in terms of the direction the people of North Carolina want to take in the next century,'' he said. ``I believe the Hunt-Wicker message will be successful.
``I believe there is a clear and stark choice for the voters. We support quality education for our children, investing in the lives of working people, and a strong commitment to the environment.''
Wicker, 44, said he will continue to push for campaign reform.
``I'm concerned about the growing amount of money that's required for an individual to seek elective office,'' he said. ``Working people are shut out of the process because it's so expensive. It's part of the reason that people are turning their back on the electoral process and becoming so cynical.''
Over the last 30 years, voter registration has increased, while voter participation has declined, Wicker said.
``That sends a dangerous and alarming signal for our democratic process,'' he said.
Wicker concluded a two-day visit to Dare County Tuesday with visits to local schools and civic groups. by CNB