Gov. Roy Cooper released his proposed state budget adjustments for 2018-19 on Thursday with a number of provisions of interest to cities and towns. Calling it his "Common Ground Solutions" plan, it's essentially the first step in the budget-adjustment process that the state legislature will largely drive. The governor's proposal includes $43 million for rural-area needs, including broadband access, with $17.5 million for access and service improvements in Tier 1 and 2 counties. It also includes $2.5 million for mobile hotspots and devices for students who don't have broadband access at home, and would put more than $12 million toward building-reuse funding, infrastructure and main-street aid. The proposal also marks nearly $140 million for ongoing disaster recovery assistance. More than $9 million is slated for mental health and treatment expansions as the opioid crisis persists. Close to $3 million would serve as state matching funds for drinking-water infrastructure project money from the federal government. The governor also proposes more aid for the state's TV and movie production industry, in the form of a rebate for large productions capped at $15 million per TV series and $5 million per film. (The plan would repurpose the film grant program for smaller, indie productions.) In brief, Gov. Cooper's spending proposal also puts more focus on Connect NC bond projects, the NC Ready Job Fund, water contaminants, preparation for the 2020 Census and more. Anyone can peruse the plan in full online. The House and Senate, which are drafting their own proposals, would have to align on any specifics before final approval.
