Areas of Opportunity

Fiscal Modernization:  The stimulus package gives the state a little breathing room to work on longer-term measures.  Structural changes this session won’t help the immediate budget challenges, but they will make future budget cycles easier.

Energy Policy:  Great changes are already underway in energy policy.  Stimulus funds distributed under renewed state leadership can jump-start the state’s efforts to prosper in the future from the economic development opportunities of the new energy economy.

Water and Sewer Systems:  There are significant dollars for water systems in the stimulus package, to be combined with new money from federal agencies.  The crucial policy choice, as part of a statewide vision, is to impose strict requirements on inefficient and poorly maintained systems across the state, ensuring consolidation and interconnection.

Transportation:  In addition to providing badly needed dollars for the TIP, the package also provides more than $100 million for transit, in addition to significant dollars for high-speed rail projects.  There is already a new regional transit plan for the Triangle to provide a framework for future investments, while the Southeast High Speed Rail Corridor is far along in planning, and should be an early beneficiary of new federal funds.  We need a statewide logistics strategy, and local financing options to match state and federal dollars.

Housing:  The stimulus represents and extraordinary increase in money for home weatherization.  If this is to be effectively leveraged, the community colleges and other workforce agencies must quickly provide the training required to help the businesses and workers in the building trades adapt.