Asheville Reporter

Sen. Chuck Edwards (R-Buncombe) presented what he considered the highlights of the North Carolina General Assembly short session, which came out with a balanced budget while addressing state needs in a message to constituents. 

In an emailed newsletter, Edwards highlighted the Greater Asheville Regional Airport Authority, Compensation of Certain School Employees, North Carolina First Step Act, The Second Chance Act and Medicaid Funding Act addressed during the eight-week session. 

The Greater Asheville Regional Airport Authority bill will space out the terms of those serving on the airport board, according to the newsletter. The Compensation of Certain School Employees legislation will provide bonuses of $350 to teachers and other support personnel.  

"It also encourages the governor to give a $600 bonus to teachers, instructional support personnel and noncertified personnel from the $94 million federal Emergency Education Relief Fund, for a total bonus of $950," Edwards said in the newsletter. "This bill also provides teachers, instructional support personnel, and assistant principals with salary step increases based on years of experience."

The North Carolina First Step Act won't allow nonviolent offenders to face harsher sentences or penalties than those of violent offenders, according to the newsletter. The Second Chance Act, will give rehabilitation to teenagers in the criminal justice system. It also prevents them from serving lifelong sentences. The Medicaid Funding Act will put $463 million into the program, which will help extend the transformation in Medicaid. 

"Transformation will include a groundbreaking program that will screen patients to determine if they need to be connected to other programs that focus on food security, housing, transportation, employment and interpersonal safety," Edwards said in the newsletter. "Medicaid Transformation is a holistic program to treat not only a person's health but also other social and environmental factors."