Gov. Perdue Issues Order to Ensure Access for All At-Risk Four Year Olds
On Wednesday, Gov. Perdue issued Executive Order 100 which instructed the Department of Health and Human Services to preserve the high standards, quality and accessibility of NC Pre-K (formerly known as More at Four). The order also requires DHHS to work closely with North Carolina’s education agencies during the transfer process in order to ensure and preserve NC Pre-K’s quality and academic integrity.
“It is absolutely essential that this program remain an academic Pre-K program,” said Gov. Perdue. “Data has proven that at-risk children who complete a year of academic preschool education show accelerated learning in language, math, social awareness and other skills – skills that persist through third grade. These children are far more likely to succeed in a career or college down the road.”
The General Assembly’s budget made significant changes to this crucial academic program for at-risk children. Changes include a 20 percent cut in funding that reduces the availability of the program to at-risk children, and the transfer of the program from the Department of Public Instruction to the Department of Health and Human Services.
Gov. Perdue Named to National Governors Association Economic Development and Commerce Committee
On Tuesday, Gov. Bev Perdue was named to the National Governors Association (NGA) Economic Development and Commerce Committee by NGA Chair Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman and NGA vice Chair Delaware Gov. Jack Markell.
The Economic Development and Commerce Committee has jurisdiction over a broad range of issues in the areas of transportation infrastructure, telecommunications, international trade promotion, financial services regulation, science and technology development and affordable housing. Members of the committee ensure that the governors’ views are represented in the shaping of federal policy.
Gov. Perdue will also serve on the NGA Center for Best Practices Board with chair Gov. Jack Markell, Puerto Rico Gov. Luis Fortuno and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker.
Founded in 1908, the National Governors Association (NGA) is the collective voice of the nation’s governors and one of Washington, D.C.’s, most respected public policy organizations. Its members are the governors of the 50 states, three territories and two commonwealths. NGA provides governors and their senior staff members with services that range from representing states on Capitol Hill and before the Administration on key federal issues to developing and implementing innovative solutions to public policy challenges through the NGA Center for Best Practices. For more information, go to www.nga.org.
Governor’s Restructuring Plan Streamlines Three Agencies into One Dept. of Public Safety
As part of her belt-tightening efforts to streamline state government, Gov. Bev Perdue announced this week that Secretary Reuben Young will serve as secretary of the new, restructured Department of Public Safety. The new agency will fold in the responsibilities of the current Department of Crime Control and Public Safety, which Secretary Young currently heads, and the Departments of Correction and Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.
The new agency is the result of Gov. Perdue’s consolidation plan, announced in December 2010, to streamline state government, to make it leaner and more responsive to citizens. The Department of Public Safety is expected to save several million dollars, in part by eliminating duplicative functions such as human resources, purchasing, training and administration.
“Reuben Young led North Carolina’s state law enforcement and emergency management communities over the past two-and-a-half years through many challenges,” Gov. Perdue said. “He knows North Carolina and is respected up and down the ranks of law enforcement. He is the right person to guide this new agency.”
Governor Perdue Presents Hunt Papers
Gov. Perdue spoke at the presentation of Gov. Jim Hunt’s papers at the North Carolina History Museum in Raleigh, on Tuesday August 9th. Former Governor James B. Hunt Jr. received the first copy of “Addresses and Public Papers of James Baxter Hunt Jr., Governor of North Carolina, 1997–2001,” which documents the fourth term of the state’s longest-serving chief executive.
Governor Perdue hailed Former Governor Hunt “as a leader that served with integrity, vision, and courage.”
The Southeast Raleigh Magnet High School’s 18 Karat Vocal Ensemble provided music for the program which was attended by approximately 300 participants. Many attendees took advantage of the opportunity to meet Former Governor Hunt as he signed and personalized books.
The Hunt papers were edited and published by The Historical Publications Section, a part of the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources. (www.ncpublications.com)
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