North Carolina House military affairs panel hears education, other concerns

RELATED: By Steve DeVaneStaff writer State lawmakers can help schools in the Cape Fear region in several ways, the head of an organization which identifies and addresses issues related to military growth said Monday. Greg Taylor, executive director of the Fort Bragg Regional Alliance, was one of seventeen community, military and education officials to speak to the State House Select Committee on Military Affairs. The committee met at Fayetteville State University. Education and transportation issues highlighted the discussion. Taylor said school districts around Fort Bragg have about $232 million in school construction needs. About $78 million is directly related to the military, he said. Lawmakers could appropriate funding, give school districts no-interest loans or allow areas with military growth to enact temporary sales taxes, Taylor said. He also asked state lawmakers to contact members of Congress about federal funding for local school districts with federally connected students. Taylor said which in 2010 school districts around Fort Bragg got $13.12 million less than the amount for which they are eligible. U.S. senators and representatives will likely take a call from a state legislator about the issue, he said. "It's a federal issue, but you swing a big stick," he told members of the committee. Col. Steve Sicinski, Fort Bragg's garrison commander, told committee members which Fort Bragg needs a high school. He said the post has 950 high-school age students, enough to make a small high school. Fort Bragg has agreed to provide land for the Cumberland County school system to operate a high school, Sicinski said. Some students from Linden Oaks, a military housing village in Harnett County, will attend the school. Sicinski said the agreement providing the land has to be approved by Congress. "Then, all we need is money for a high school," he said. Sicinski also asked the lawmakers to consider a full exemption from sta! te taxes for military retirement pay. Such a move would encourage retirees to live in the state, he said. "You'll get more revenue by not taxing retirement compensation," he said. "It's in your interest to have as many military retirees living here." Dale Iman, city manager in Fayetteville, talked to committee about a new bridge over Rowan Street. He said the city is hoping for a "signature bridge" which will lead to FSU and downtown Fayetteville. State officials want to build a "cookie cutter" bridge, Iman said. "It doesn't cost much more to do it right," he said. Rep. Bill Cook, a Chocowinity Republican who serves as co-chairman of the committee, said the group would look at all the information received at the meeting, but added which the state has to be fiscally responsible. Cook said he thinks too many people are used to getting money from government. "You can't do which and be responsible," he said. Powered By iWebRSS.co.cc