1 00:00:04,879 --> 00:00:05,599 Speaker 1: What's going on? 2 00:00:05,759 --> 00:00:08,119 Speaker 2: Thank you so much for listening to this podcast. It 3 00:00:08,240 --> 00:00:10,080 is heard live every day from noon to three on 4 00:00:10,240 --> 00:00:13,839 WBT Radio in Charlotte. And if you want exclusive content 5 00:00:14,000 --> 00:00:17,160 like invitations to events, the weekly live stream, my daily 6 00:00:17,199 --> 00:00:19,480 show prep with all the links, become a patron, go 7 00:00:19,559 --> 00:00:23,399 to dpeteclendarshow dot com. Make sure you hit the subscribe button. 8 00:00:23,440 --> 00:00:26,320 Get every episode for free right to your smartphone or tablet. 9 00:00:26,359 --> 00:00:28,320 And again, thank you so much for your support. 10 00:00:29,120 --> 00:00:30,120 Speaker 1: I want to welcome to the. 11 00:00:30,079 --> 00:00:34,679 Speaker 2: Program the newly elected, now sworn in and already working 12 00:00:35,079 --> 00:00:37,359 state auditor for North Carolina, Dave Bullock. 13 00:00:37,399 --> 00:00:40,000 Speaker 1: Welcome to the show, sir. How are you, Pete? 14 00:00:40,000 --> 00:00:41,960 Speaker 3: I'm doing great? Thanks for having me, Yes, sir? 15 00:00:42,039 --> 00:00:43,560 Speaker 1: So do I do I call you? 16 00:00:43,679 --> 00:00:43,759 Speaker 3: Like? 17 00:00:44,240 --> 00:00:46,159 Speaker 1: Is it like auditor Bullock? 18 00:00:46,280 --> 00:00:48,359 Speaker 2: And I know you're probably so just Dave is fine, 19 00:00:48,359 --> 00:00:50,520 but like, is there a title that comes. 20 00:00:50,280 --> 00:00:53,880 Speaker 3: Say, yeah, they called me the auditor, but auditor Dave 21 00:00:54,000 --> 00:00:54,560 is good with me? 22 00:00:57,399 --> 00:00:57,719 Speaker 1: All right? 23 00:00:57,759 --> 00:00:59,200 Speaker 3: You do what my kids called me? 24 00:00:59,560 --> 00:01:03,399 Speaker 1: I mean, well, and so I'll throw this out there, 25 00:01:03,439 --> 00:01:04,319 just something to think about. 26 00:01:04,400 --> 00:01:06,439 Speaker 2: You don't have to answer right now, but I'm thinking 27 00:01:06,760 --> 00:01:10,760 just like with the UH Labor Commissioner, pictures on the elevators. 28 00:01:10,760 --> 00:01:13,959 Have you thought about maybe mandating your picture on everyone's 29 00:01:14,040 --> 00:01:16,799 checkbooks or maybe at bank branches. I'm just throwing it out. 30 00:01:16,840 --> 00:01:19,959 There could be a marketing tool for you, just you 31 00:01:19,959 --> 00:01:20,959 could just chew it over. 32 00:01:21,120 --> 00:01:23,159 Speaker 3: You know, that's a great idea. I'm with you. 33 00:01:23,719 --> 00:01:27,439 Speaker 2: Okay, So let me let's start with. First off, what 34 00:01:27,480 --> 00:01:29,200 does the auditor do? I know a lot of people 35 00:01:29,200 --> 00:01:33,920 became aware that the position really even existed when your predecessor, 36 00:01:33,959 --> 00:01:38,200 Beth Wood was the auditor and then you, uh, and 37 00:01:38,239 --> 00:01:41,920 then she she stepped aside after the problems that she had, 38 00:01:41,959 --> 00:01:46,200 She stepped down. Governor Roy Cooper installed another person into 39 00:01:46,200 --> 00:01:49,079 that office. You then ran against that person and beat her. 40 00:01:50,040 --> 00:01:52,239 And so what exactly does the auditor do? 41 00:01:53,640 --> 00:01:56,280 Speaker 3: Yeah? So the auditor, basically, I mean there's three or 42 00:01:56,280 --> 00:02:01,079 four primary functions I like to basically art with where 43 00:02:01,120 --> 00:02:05,680 the watchdog on behalf of taxpayers with respect to fiscal 44 00:02:05,680 --> 00:02:09,800 responsibility across the state of North Carolina. So the bread 45 00:02:09,840 --> 00:02:14,479 and butter is fiscal audits. We also audit information systems 46 00:02:16,000 --> 00:02:18,319 on the flip side of that, or in addition to that, 47 00:02:18,439 --> 00:02:22,479 we do efficiency and effectiveness audits of government as well 48 00:02:22,520 --> 00:02:24,680 as taking a look at program results. 49 00:02:25,159 --> 00:02:27,879 Speaker 2: Is that something that you go through every single jurisdiction, 50 00:02:27,960 --> 00:02:30,639 every municipality all the time, or do you do you 51 00:02:30,680 --> 00:02:32,560 pick and choose or do you is it a complaint 52 00:02:32,639 --> 00:02:33,560 driven process. 53 00:02:35,039 --> 00:02:38,759 Speaker 3: Well, it's a combination there, uppeat. I mean, I've got 54 00:02:38,759 --> 00:02:42,159 a roughly one hundred and sixty person office, So we 55 00:02:42,240 --> 00:02:45,000 have some statue for re mandated audits, Like we just 56 00:02:45,080 --> 00:02:48,639 wrapped up an audit of the Department of Transportee Transportations 57 00:02:48,719 --> 00:02:51,879 cash position. We also wrapped up our portion of the 58 00:02:51,879 --> 00:02:55,599 state financial statement. Have to do the universities, most of 59 00:02:55,639 --> 00:02:59,240 the community colleges. That's sort of bread and butter, and 60 00:02:59,280 --> 00:03:03,080 then it is sort of up to the discretion of 61 00:03:03,680 --> 00:03:06,319 the auditor as to where you go from there. So 62 00:03:06,840 --> 00:03:09,800 we've got some priorities that we're going to put front 63 00:03:09,800 --> 00:03:11,840 and center on behalf of tax payers. 64 00:03:11,759 --> 00:03:14,080 Speaker 2: And you've already talked about one of them very publicly, 65 00:03:14,120 --> 00:03:16,800 the DMV, which I don't know why you would need 66 00:03:16,840 --> 00:03:20,479 to look at them. I mean, my interactions have always 67 00:03:20,560 --> 00:03:21,800 been very quick. 68 00:03:22,520 --> 00:03:23,560 Speaker 1: I'm just kidding now. 69 00:03:23,960 --> 00:03:25,759 Speaker 2: I had to I had to drive an hour outside 70 00:03:25,759 --> 00:03:30,680 of Charlotte to get an appointment to get a driver's license, renewal. Yeah, 71 00:03:30,719 --> 00:03:33,120 it's like the whole from So what are you looking 72 00:03:33,159 --> 00:03:35,479 at in the DMV and how long like how long 73 00:03:35,520 --> 00:03:38,680 of a window are you looking at for it to 74 00:03:38,800 --> 00:03:41,520 take to do an audit of that operation. 75 00:03:42,599 --> 00:03:44,520 Speaker 3: Yeah, so the d m V audit, we are going 76 00:03:44,560 --> 00:03:46,280 to take a look at the finances of the d 77 00:03:46,439 --> 00:03:48,960 m V because I do believe that in all of 78 00:03:49,000 --> 00:03:52,240 the audits really makes a lot of sense, Pete to 79 00:03:52,319 --> 00:03:56,479 come with a set of data to back up your conclusions. 80 00:03:57,319 --> 00:03:59,400 And we want to be able to tell a story. 81 00:03:59,479 --> 00:04:04,159 You know, how are these agencies impactful to North Carolinians? 82 00:04:04,400 --> 00:04:06,840 And we want those audits to be impactful. And the 83 00:04:06,879 --> 00:04:09,879 way those audits can be most impactful is to tell 84 00:04:09,919 --> 00:04:12,599 a story. But we need that data to back it up. 85 00:04:13,759 --> 00:04:16,120 So we're going to do a Florida Ceilant audit of 86 00:04:16,120 --> 00:04:21,600 the DMV and look at effect effectiveness, efficiency and the results. 87 00:04:21,680 --> 00:04:25,600 You know, in twenty eighteen, auditor would actually did an 88 00:04:25,639 --> 00:04:29,360 audit of the DMV and in the recommendations from that 89 00:04:29,480 --> 00:04:33,480 audit were first and foremost that the DMV needed a 90 00:04:33,560 --> 00:04:38,959 system of metrics to measure their effectiveness. To date, they've 91 00:04:39,079 --> 00:04:42,319 never instituted that system of metrics. So we're going to 92 00:04:42,360 --> 00:04:45,920 start there. You know, I had someone tell me one time, well, 93 00:04:45,959 --> 00:04:47,920 I don't know what good a book report is going 94 00:04:48,000 --> 00:04:52,439 to do to help make the DMV better. Well, you know, 95 00:04:52,720 --> 00:04:55,920 a real data driven audit is more than a book report, 96 00:04:56,000 --> 00:05:00,240 and we're going to give solid, common sense recommendations to 97 00:05:00,319 --> 00:05:02,839 both the legislature and the governor own how to fix it. 98 00:05:03,040 --> 00:05:07,240 Speaker 2: Right, because the auditor can't impose a new can't impose 99 00:05:07,279 --> 00:05:09,480 those things onto the DMV. Right, it would have to 100 00:05:09,480 --> 00:05:13,199 be legislative. They'd have the right law, I assume, and 101 00:05:13,199 --> 00:05:14,279 the governor would have to sign it. 102 00:05:15,360 --> 00:05:18,079 Speaker 3: Well, you'd have to have either legislation or you could 103 00:05:18,079 --> 00:05:21,319 have you know, the governor runs the DMV. Yeah, Governor 104 00:05:21,360 --> 00:05:23,879 Stein has said that he won't work across the aisle, 105 00:05:23,920 --> 00:05:25,360 so I'm gonna give him the opportunity. 106 00:05:25,959 --> 00:05:28,279 Speaker 1: So yeah, I will say here's here's one area. 107 00:05:28,399 --> 00:05:30,600 Speaker 2: And I don't know if this would even be part 108 00:05:30,600 --> 00:05:33,839 of your operation, but I could tell you that, Like 109 00:05:33,879 --> 00:05:36,519 when I went to the DMV and I got a license, 110 00:05:36,560 --> 00:05:39,279 I upgraded to the real ID. I had moved into 111 00:05:39,279 --> 00:05:41,199 a house and we weren't it wasn't even a real 112 00:05:41,199 --> 00:05:43,120 address until like the house got built. 113 00:05:42,879 --> 00:05:44,639 Speaker 1: You know, and so it took a long time. 114 00:05:44,800 --> 00:05:46,319 Speaker 2: So I had to go in with like a deed 115 00:05:46,399 --> 00:05:49,639 and like, here's the purchase and this property does exist. 116 00:05:49,759 --> 00:05:51,160 And at that point they were like, do you want 117 00:05:51,199 --> 00:05:53,160 to upgrade to real id I said yes, I got 118 00:05:53,160 --> 00:05:55,160 the new photo taken, all of that, and then a 119 00:05:55,240 --> 00:05:57,319 year later I got to go back in for an 120 00:05:57,319 --> 00:06:00,560 in person renewal and I said, well, he sat for 121 00:06:00,600 --> 00:06:03,279 this last year, got my picture taken, upgraded to the 122 00:06:03,279 --> 00:06:04,759 real idea and they said, no, that counts as a 123 00:06:04,839 --> 00:06:05,879 duplicate license. 124 00:06:06,240 --> 00:06:07,959 Speaker 1: It's like, how was that a d How's that a 125 00:06:08,040 --> 00:06:09,199 duplicate license? 126 00:06:09,839 --> 00:06:13,079 Speaker 3: The you just repanted the same story. My wife went through, 127 00:06:13,240 --> 00:06:15,879 Oh really, because she got half she got halfway through. 128 00:06:15,920 --> 00:06:18,360 It took an entire morning off and she's she's a 129 00:06:18,399 --> 00:06:21,519 business person. Took an entire morning off, went through the DMV, 130 00:06:21,639 --> 00:06:24,240 got an appointment and they actually got her in and 131 00:06:24,279 --> 00:06:26,480 she came back home and told me later, you know, 132 00:06:26,800 --> 00:06:29,240 halfway or three quarters the way through, I was thinking, 133 00:06:29,279 --> 00:06:30,959 why in the heck does day want to audit the 134 00:06:31,040 --> 00:06:32,959 D and V. And then they banged her at the 135 00:06:33,040 --> 00:06:35,600 end with oh, yeah, by the way, you're gonna have 136 00:06:35,600 --> 00:06:38,040 to come back next year and do your license in person. 137 00:06:38,279 --> 00:06:40,360 I mean, you're never more bona fide than when you're 138 00:06:40,399 --> 00:06:44,040 getting the real ID. Why not start it from there? Right? Yeah? 139 00:06:44,439 --> 00:06:44,639 Speaker 2: Yeah? 140 00:06:44,879 --> 00:06:45,079 Speaker 3: Yeah? 141 00:06:45,160 --> 00:06:48,040 Speaker 2: So okay, so you're already aware of that issue, right, 142 00:06:48,199 --> 00:06:49,360 make your wife happy. 143 00:06:50,079 --> 00:06:52,000 Speaker 3: I get that one. Run straight from home. 144 00:06:52,079 --> 00:06:54,560 Speaker 1: Yeah, there you go. All right, so you got the DMV. 145 00:06:54,800 --> 00:06:57,879 Speaker 2: Also, let's talk a lot a little bit of what's 146 00:06:57,879 --> 00:07:00,399 going on in western North Carolina. I saw you put 147 00:07:00,399 --> 00:07:05,560 out a statement after the governor did his five executive orders, 148 00:07:05,959 --> 00:07:07,319 which I was happy to see him do that. He 149 00:07:07,360 --> 00:07:09,600 went to Ashville as soon as he took office, did 150 00:07:09,639 --> 00:07:12,360 five executive orders. So what is the role that the 151 00:07:12,360 --> 00:07:16,920 Auditor's office plays in the recovery efforts out in western 152 00:07:16,920 --> 00:07:17,879 North Carolina? 153 00:07:18,399 --> 00:07:20,480 Speaker 3: So it's a good question. Now the legislature, and the 154 00:07:20,560 --> 00:07:24,360 latest piece of legislation from December center Bill three eighty two, 155 00:07:24,480 --> 00:07:28,920 actually mandated that the auditor do a little bit more 156 00:07:29,000 --> 00:07:32,399 than just looking back at what happens to state tax 157 00:07:32,480 --> 00:07:37,240 dollars and has asked the Auditor's office to do more 158 00:07:37,399 --> 00:07:42,720 of a periodic audit. And I liken it to tracking dollars. 159 00:07:43,040 --> 00:07:47,279 And so you know, Governor Stein has set up a 160 00:07:47,360 --> 00:07:52,319 new agency called GROW to handle Western North Carolina. But 161 00:07:52,519 --> 00:07:55,240 we put a team together on January the second, and 162 00:07:55,279 --> 00:07:59,680 we've already begun getting data and we're hoping in the 163 00:07:59,680 --> 00:08:01,759 next week or so to be able to ramp up 164 00:08:01,759 --> 00:08:05,560 a regular reporting feature on the state Auditor's website to 165 00:08:05,680 --> 00:08:09,639 track those dollars. So that hasn't been announced yet, So 166 00:08:09,680 --> 00:08:12,600 I'm giving you a little bit of news there, Pete. 167 00:08:12,839 --> 00:08:16,439 I think it's really important that we don't relive what 168 00:08:16,560 --> 00:08:20,759 happened about three months ago when the head of ENCORE, 169 00:08:21,360 --> 00:08:26,399 the previous agency that ran Eastern North Carolina's disaster money, 170 00:08:27,079 --> 00:08:31,160 appeared in front of the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee and 171 00:08:31,199 --> 00:08:34,080 it was the dumpster fire. I mean, thirty five million dollars. 172 00:08:34,120 --> 00:08:36,399 We don't know where it is. Oh and by the way, 173 00:08:36,440 --> 00:08:39,200 we need another two hundred and twenty one million dollars 174 00:08:39,240 --> 00:08:42,039 to finish projects that are in the hopper, you know, 175 00:08:42,080 --> 00:08:45,519 And that's a six year run on that. And I've 176 00:08:45,559 --> 00:08:49,480 committed to keeping track of this stuff so we don't 177 00:08:49,519 --> 00:08:52,159 get to a six year period and we're wondering what 178 00:08:52,200 --> 00:08:55,039 the heck happened to multiple billions of dollars. 179 00:08:54,879 --> 00:08:57,840 Speaker 2: Right, because I think what the leader of that agency. 180 00:08:57,960 --> 00:09:00,440 Now she has been ousted from her position there. But 181 00:09:00,480 --> 00:09:03,759 I think we just lost track of the accounting or something. 182 00:09:04,399 --> 00:09:07,600 Speaker 3: Right, Yeah, really, I mean you can't make that up. 183 00:09:07,720 --> 00:09:08,720 Speaker 1: Yeah, I mean. 184 00:09:10,320 --> 00:09:13,799 Speaker 3: Their entire existence was to keep track of the accounting. 185 00:09:15,240 --> 00:09:20,399 Speaker 2: So this new agency g r O w NC, which 186 00:09:20,440 --> 00:09:23,000 is the Governor's Recovery Office for Western North Carolina, and 187 00:09:23,000 --> 00:09:25,519 I would submit that this is merely the creation of 188 00:09:25,559 --> 00:09:29,879 this new agency is probably proof that they know that 189 00:09:30,200 --> 00:09:33,919 the rebuild and c or encore was such a colossal 190 00:09:33,960 --> 00:09:37,879 disaster that they can't do that again. And so so far, 191 00:09:38,080 --> 00:09:40,360 I know you say, and you and the Governor said 192 00:09:40,399 --> 00:09:41,799 that you wanted to work together on this. 193 00:09:41,879 --> 00:09:43,759 Speaker 1: So far, how was that? How is that going? 194 00:09:44,720 --> 00:09:47,519 Speaker 3: It's working great. I mean I've had no pushback from 195 00:09:47,519 --> 00:09:50,919 the governor. He and I both committed to work across 196 00:09:50,919 --> 00:09:55,120 the aisles. I feel good about it. As I've said 197 00:09:55,240 --> 00:09:58,120 to agency heads that I've talked to over the last 198 00:09:58,720 --> 00:10:01,960 couple of months since was elected, you know, you ought 199 00:10:02,000 --> 00:10:04,240 to really welcome the state auditor to come in and 200 00:10:06,679 --> 00:10:10,200 give you some advice and give you some look at 201 00:10:10,200 --> 00:10:13,519 the numbers, take to look under your hood. And I 202 00:10:13,559 --> 00:10:17,399 think we can actually be helpful now when there's waste, 203 00:10:17,759 --> 00:10:20,399 fraud and abuse, we're going to put the hammer down peak. 204 00:10:22,080 --> 00:10:24,559 Speaker 2: So let me I got to ask you about the 205 00:10:24,600 --> 00:10:27,360 elections issue that was part of Center Bill three eighty two. 206 00:10:27,759 --> 00:10:31,559 So now under that law, you will be in charge 207 00:10:31,600 --> 00:10:33,799 of appointing the members of the Board of Elections, right, 208 00:10:33,879 --> 00:10:37,320 and so, like, how how are you ramping up for 209 00:10:37,480 --> 00:10:38,720 that responsibility? 210 00:10:40,000 --> 00:10:44,039 Speaker 3: Well, I mean, first of all, we're making space within 211 00:10:44,080 --> 00:10:46,799 our agency to move the Board of Elections over, so 212 00:10:47,320 --> 00:10:50,279 the Board of Elections. We will be in charge of 213 00:10:50,360 --> 00:10:54,399 managing the budget and sort of those operational issues for 214 00:10:54,440 --> 00:10:57,840 the Board of Elections. My primary responsibility will be to 215 00:10:57,919 --> 00:11:00,919 appoint the state board and the chair of each Board 216 00:11:00,919 --> 00:11:04,440 of Elections, uh, in each North Carolina county. 217 00:11:05,279 --> 00:11:07,759 Speaker 2: Do you get does your office get into the I 218 00:11:07,759 --> 00:11:09,279 don't want to say into the weeds, but are you 219 00:11:09,360 --> 00:11:15,080 getting like into the like the the schedule of list maintenance, 220 00:11:15,519 --> 00:11:19,039 the voter role maintenance issues, you know, because there's there, 221 00:11:19,120 --> 00:11:20,759 I mean, that's I think part of the problem with 222 00:11:20,840 --> 00:11:23,759 the Supreme Court race, for example, is like there it 223 00:11:23,799 --> 00:11:27,440 seems like administrative problems have persisted inside the Board of 224 00:11:27,440 --> 00:11:31,240 Elections for decades. Is that something that now becomes under 225 00:11:31,279 --> 00:11:31,960 your purview. 226 00:11:33,200 --> 00:11:36,840 Speaker 3: Yeah, we believe it will. I had talked about this 227 00:11:36,919 --> 00:11:40,240 on the campaign trail, and that is making those voter 228 00:11:40,399 --> 00:11:43,480 roles more accurate. You know, it seems to me. And 229 00:11:43,879 --> 00:11:47,679 again I've heard from county officials that they're you know, 230 00:11:47,960 --> 00:11:52,000 they need more time whatever. But you know, in between elections, 231 00:11:52,320 --> 00:11:54,159 that's a really good time to go ahead and take 232 00:11:54,159 --> 00:11:56,399 a look at these entries to make sure that we 233 00:11:56,480 --> 00:11:59,320 have all the proper information and to make people make 234 00:11:59,320 --> 00:12:03,279 sure people are properly registered. I mean there's sixty thousand names. 235 00:12:03,320 --> 00:12:07,519 I know that Judge Griffin is got up for question 236 00:12:07,679 --> 00:12:10,159 in front of the Supreme Court. Seems to me that 237 00:12:10,279 --> 00:12:14,080 over a two year period before the midterm, we could 238 00:12:14,080 --> 00:12:18,279 make phone calls, send letters, reach out to all of 239 00:12:18,320 --> 00:12:22,080 those sixty thousand people to make sure that their information 240 00:12:22,200 --> 00:12:24,279 is correct. And I don't think that's too much to ask. 241 00:12:24,679 --> 00:12:27,759 Speaker 2: Yeah, it seems like a common sense approach. We are 242 00:12:27,799 --> 00:12:30,679 at a time you welcome back anytime. We appreciate you 243 00:12:30,759 --> 00:12:34,039 joining us today. Auditor Dave Bullock, Auditor Dave, thanks for 244 00:12:34,080 --> 00:12:37,000 you time, sir, and congratulations on to victory and good 245 00:12:37,080 --> 00:12:37,759 luck to you, sir. 246 00:12:38,480 --> 00:12:41,360 Speaker 3: Appreciate it. Just getting back from VC had a fantastic 247 00:12:41,399 --> 00:12:42,759 weekend up with President Drong. 248 00:12:42,879 --> 00:12:43,679 Speaker 1: Oh sounds good. 249 00:12:43,679 --> 00:12:46,000 Speaker 2: All right, well, glad you safe travels to you and 250 00:12:46,320 --> 00:12:48,440 glad you glad you got back all right and had 251 00:12:48,440 --> 00:12:48,879 a good time. 252 00:12:49,039 --> 00:12:50,399 Speaker 1: Did you see him dance with the sword? 253 00:12:51,519 --> 00:12:55,759 Speaker 3: I did? That was just the commander's ball. You're having 254 00:12:55,759 --> 00:12:58,000 a good time. Yeah, this has a good time at rallies. 255 00:12:58,080 --> 00:12:59,919 Speaker 1: Yeah, no it was. 256 00:13:00,000 --> 00:13:01,639 Speaker 2: It's quite the site. I got a chuckle out of it. 257 00:13:01,679 --> 00:13:04,039 I appreciate your time, sir, thanks so much for joining. 258 00:13:03,879 --> 00:13:05,919 Speaker 1: Us, Yes, sir, all right, take care all right. 259 00:13:05,960 --> 00:13:08,600 Speaker 2: That is the Auditor of North Carolina, Dave Bullock. Here's 260 00:13:08,639 --> 00:13:11,200 a great idea. How about making an escape to a 261 00:13:11,279 --> 00:13:14,799 really special and secluded getaway in western North Carolina. Just 262 00:13:14,799 --> 00:13:17,360 a quick drive up the mountain and Cabins of Asheville 263 00:13:17,480 --> 00:13:21,240 is your connection. 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According to FEMA, residents and families receiving hotel 283 00:14:29,320 --> 00:14:33,360 lodging while looking for alternative housing will be allowed to 284 00:14:33,440 --> 00:14:40,519 stay in hotels until May twenty fifth, with checkout on 285 00:14:40,600 --> 00:14:44,480 May twenty sixth. So technically, doesn't that mean that you're 286 00:14:44,480 --> 00:14:46,879 staying until May twenty sixth? If the checkout is on 287 00:14:46,919 --> 00:14:48,720 the twenty sixth, or do you got to be out 288 00:14:48,720 --> 00:14:51,559 at like midnight on the twenty sixth or something that 289 00:14:51,600 --> 00:14:58,200 would be weird. Federal Emergency Management Administration officials announced Sunday 290 00:14:58,399 --> 00:15:02,080 Sunday Sunday that they extend when did transitional sheltering assistance 291 00:15:02,120 --> 00:15:04,919 to families in western North Carolina affected by the hurricane. 292 00:15:05,759 --> 00:15:10,919 According to FEMA, residents and families receiving the lodging, we'll 293 00:15:10,960 --> 00:15:14,200 be allowed to stay now for another what five months? 294 00:15:14,360 --> 00:15:14,600 Speaker 1: Is that? 295 00:15:14,679 --> 00:15:15,159 Speaker 3: Yeah? 296 00:15:15,639 --> 00:15:17,559 Speaker 1: In March April May four months. 297 00:15:18,080 --> 00:15:22,360 Speaker 2: So this is another extension after I've lost track, Okay, 298 00:15:22,440 --> 00:15:24,600 I've lost track of how many extensions there have been. 299 00:15:24,639 --> 00:15:27,440 Now I think we're up to five. There may be 300 00:15:27,519 --> 00:15:31,720 maybe six. They but it's better, like this is a 301 00:15:31,720 --> 00:15:38,000 better extension length because the previous ones were always like, okay, okay, 302 00:15:38,080 --> 00:15:40,840 I know it's a blizzard outside. Okay, I know it's like, 303 00:15:41,480 --> 00:15:45,279 you know, twelve degrees, so we'll give you an extra. 304 00:15:45,080 --> 00:15:46,120 Speaker 1: Twenty four hours. 305 00:15:47,440 --> 00:15:49,360 Speaker 2: I know the roads are going to be icy, so 306 00:15:49,399 --> 00:15:52,759 you have forty eight hours, you know, so they can 307 00:15:52,759 --> 00:15:55,320 clear the roads and then you're out, Okay, then go 308 00:15:55,399 --> 00:15:57,639 sleep in a tent next to a river someplace where 309 00:15:57,679 --> 00:15:59,679 you don't even have property anymore because the whole side 310 00:15:59,679 --> 00:16:02,519 of the mount and caved in. Okay, like that's the 311 00:16:02,519 --> 00:16:05,879 way they've been doing it, and now they've at least 312 00:16:05,879 --> 00:16:08,919 extended it for another four months. Josh Stein taking a 313 00:16:09,000 --> 00:16:11,240 victory lab saying this was because you know, he had 314 00:16:11,279 --> 00:16:16,879 implored FEMA to extend it beyond like basically the freaking winter, right, 315 00:16:18,360 --> 00:16:21,519 And look, I'll give him credit absolutely if he's the 316 00:16:21,559 --> 00:16:26,039 reason why people have four more months to you know, 317 00:16:26,200 --> 00:16:29,799 not freeze to death literally on the side of a mountain. 318 00:16:31,519 --> 00:16:36,120 Kudos to Governor Stein absolutely, because the deadline was January 319 00:16:36,120 --> 00:16:41,200 twenty fifth, so this weekend, I guess. And so now 320 00:16:41,200 --> 00:16:43,720 it's been extended to May twenty fifth. Oh and by 321 00:16:43,759 --> 00:16:48,279 the way, there was a phone number. Chuck Edwards, congressman 322 00:16:48,360 --> 00:16:51,799 for the district out there, launched a dedicated phone number 323 00:16:52,000 --> 00:16:57,159 two two three Fix FEMA, and that is to help 324 00:16:57,240 --> 00:17:01,440 constituents that have issues regarding FEMA. So if you need 325 00:17:01,480 --> 00:17:04,160 help or having issues with FEMA, you call two two 326 00:17:04,200 --> 00:17:08,440 three fix FEMA and then his office can engage with 327 00:17:08,599 --> 00:17:12,799 FEMA directly on behalf of your application. Two two three 328 00:17:13,319 --> 00:17:17,000 fix FEMA. All Right, I hope you had a happy 329 00:17:17,039 --> 00:17:19,720 holiday season. But tell me if something like this happened 330 00:17:19,720 --> 00:17:22,640 at your house. Your family and friends are gathered around, 331 00:17:22,680 --> 00:17:26,799 maybe y'all are in the living room, You're laughing, swapping stories, reminiscing, 332 00:17:26,839 --> 00:17:30,799 and then somebody says, hey, Dad, remember those old VHS tapes? 333 00:17:30,920 --> 00:17:33,480 Did you ever get them transferred? And then the room 334 00:17:33,480 --> 00:17:37,319 gets all quiet. All eyes are on Dad, who says, oh, 335 00:17:37,400 --> 00:17:39,400 you know, well, I've been meaning to but I just 336 00:17:39,480 --> 00:17:42,440 having gotten around to it. Look, don't let those priceless 337 00:17:42,480 --> 00:17:45,400 memories sit in a box for another year, all right. 338 00:17:45,480 --> 00:17:48,359 Create a Video has been helping families in the Charlotte 339 00:17:48,359 --> 00:17:52,200 area preserve their history since nineteen ninety seven. Simply bring 340 00:17:52,200 --> 00:17:55,119 in your old camp quarter tapes and Creative Video will 341 00:17:55,160 --> 00:17:58,559 transfer them to a USB flash drive for just fourteen 342 00:17:58,640 --> 00:18:02,319 ninety five per tape collection. They've got a discount for you. 343 00:18:02,400 --> 00:18:06,440 And next year, instead of talking about those memories, imagine 344 00:18:06,680 --> 00:18:10,039 gathering the family to watch them together. Talk about a 345 00:18:10,079 --> 00:18:13,119 memorable gift. So do what I did. Trust the experts 346 00:18:13,160 --> 00:18:16,640 at Creative Video, conveniently located in Mint Hill right off 347 00:18:16,680 --> 00:18:20,799 I four eighty five, and online at create avideo dot com. 348 00:18:21,200 --> 00:18:24,480 Mountain Express mountainex dot Com Reporting and thanks by the 349 00:18:24,480 --> 00:18:28,559 way to Andy for sending me this story. Financial impacts 350 00:18:28,559 --> 00:18:33,240 to Buncom County's budget from Tropical Storm Helene are beginning 351 00:18:33,279 --> 00:18:36,240 to come into focus, and the outlook is not sunny. 352 00:18:36,880 --> 00:18:40,920 About seven months into the fiscal year, which ends June thirtieth, 353 00:18:41,279 --> 00:18:45,240 county leadership is projecting revenues will be anywhere from fifteen 354 00:18:45,319 --> 00:18:49,359 to twenty five or almost twenty six million less than projected, 355 00:18:50,680 --> 00:18:53,559 So they are looking at a budget gap of somewhere 356 00:18:53,559 --> 00:18:58,119 between fifteen to twenty six million dollars. Their general fund 357 00:18:59,039 --> 00:19:02,319 is four hundred forty million, that's their budget for forty 358 00:19:03,640 --> 00:19:07,279 By comparison, Mecklenburg County is somewhere in the neighborhood of 359 00:19:07,279 --> 00:19:11,519 about two and a half billion, okay, So Bunkhom County 360 00:19:11,640 --> 00:19:14,319 working with about a fifth of the size of the 361 00:19:14,319 --> 00:19:19,240 budget that Mecklenberg runs on, and they're looking at it 362 00:19:19,480 --> 00:19:23,599 up to a twenty six almost million dollar budget shortfall. 363 00:19:23,920 --> 00:19:28,000 So to balance the budget, county staff is proposing four 364 00:19:28,079 --> 00:19:31,839 percent cuts in most departments and a four percent cut 365 00:19:32,119 --> 00:19:42,400 in K twelve education. They're cutting education in Bunkhom County, which, 366 00:19:42,519 --> 00:19:45,680 by the way, they have a long history out there 367 00:19:45,799 --> 00:19:50,680 of like underfunding education to the point where like I 368 00:19:50,720 --> 00:19:55,039 think the state came in and gave like special tax 369 00:19:55,240 --> 00:20:00,359 authority or something to Yeah, and it's not a consolidated system. 370 00:20:00,400 --> 00:20:02,200 So you've got the Astville City schools, you've got the 371 00:20:02,200 --> 00:20:07,200 Bunkhom County schools. But the Bunkham County Commission is democrat controlled. 372 00:20:07,720 --> 00:20:12,519 I think it's actually completely democrat at this point. And 373 00:20:12,599 --> 00:20:16,319 so they are they're looking at massive cuts. Why because 374 00:20:16,400 --> 00:20:20,880 of the hurricane. County Manager Avrol Pinder already imposed a 375 00:20:21,000 --> 00:20:24,359 hiring freeze across across all departments except for nine to 376 00:20:24,359 --> 00:20:27,519 one to one services, resulting at about two million dollars 377 00:20:27,559 --> 00:20:33,359 in salary savings for eighty nine vacancies. So they just 378 00:20:33,440 --> 00:20:38,240 haven't hired for the vacant positions. Again, this is mountainex 379 00:20:38,319 --> 00:20:41,039 dot Com. Mountain Express is the uh. It's sort of 380 00:20:41,079 --> 00:20:44,759 the it's like the old creative loafing here in Charlotte 381 00:20:45,079 --> 00:20:49,200 before it got shut down. Mountain Express mountain x dot com. 382 00:20:49,200 --> 00:20:53,680 It's a piece by Greg Parlier or Parlor Parley a 383 00:20:53,680 --> 00:20:58,480 p R l I E R. Parliar Parly a anyway. 384 00:20:59,119 --> 00:21:02,440 Budget director for Buncome County, John Hudson said the county 385 00:21:02,440 --> 00:21:04,440 can save a total of four point two million in 386 00:21:04,480 --> 00:21:08,400 salaries and benefits, the county's largest spending category. No filled 387 00:21:08,440 --> 00:21:12,680 positions are going to be eliminated in the proposal. They're 388 00:21:12,680 --> 00:21:17,039 also looking to defer maintenance, which means like, yeah, we're 389 00:21:17,039 --> 00:21:20,279 supposed to be maintaining these things that we have, so 390 00:21:20,319 --> 00:21:23,119 we're just going to put off the maintenance and hope 391 00:21:23,160 --> 00:21:27,480 stuff doesn't break the problem with deferring maintenance is that 392 00:21:27,759 --> 00:21:32,400 stuff breaks, and the longer you don't maintain it, the 393 00:21:32,519 --> 00:21:36,119 chances increase that it's not going to live as long 394 00:21:36,400 --> 00:21:39,599 as it otherwise would, and so it's a short term 395 00:21:39,640 --> 00:21:44,759 gain for a long term loss. They're also going to 396 00:21:44,799 --> 00:21:50,799 be deferring energy efficiency upgrades, and so I'm assuming that 397 00:21:50,799 --> 00:21:54,920 means like solar panels, they're not going to be they're 398 00:21:55,039 --> 00:21:58,160 very green out there, very very very they're green new 399 00:21:58,200 --> 00:22:00,240 dealers out there, So maybe they're not going to be 400 00:22:00,279 --> 00:22:03,640 doing some of that stuff because it's expensive. Deferring information 401 00:22:03,799 --> 00:22:09,079 technology infrastructure upgrades, cuts at the animal shelter, and reductions 402 00:22:09,119 --> 00:22:14,559 in library programming. No, who's going to who's going to 403 00:22:14,640 --> 00:22:19,319 hire the trands to read to the kindergarteners, Hudson found. 404 00:22:19,759 --> 00:22:22,680 Hudson is the budget director, found about two and a 405 00:22:22,720 --> 00:22:25,680 half million in savings from trimming programs or services in 406 00:22:25,720 --> 00:22:31,039 public health, social work services, justice services, economic development and 407 00:22:31,200 --> 00:22:35,200 economics services. Story goes on to say that the county's 408 00:22:35,240 --> 00:22:40,720 projected revenue losses come primarily in four areas high unemployment, 409 00:22:41,279 --> 00:22:44,079 which could mean many can't afford to pay property taxes. 410 00:22:44,920 --> 00:22:48,119 There's also a sharp decline in permits for new single 411 00:22:48,160 --> 00:22:52,640 family home construction. There's been a drop in the occupancy 412 00:22:52,759 --> 00:22:56,480 tax receipts. In other words, people staying at hotels. So please, 413 00:22:56,559 --> 00:22:59,880 if you are considering, you know, a weekend getaway or whatever, 414 00:23:00,039 --> 00:23:04,559 please consider going to western North Carolina and going to 415 00:23:04,599 --> 00:23:10,680 some of these places to help them survive. This is 416 00:23:10,680 --> 00:23:13,359 not the peak of tourist season right now, but they 417 00:23:13,440 --> 00:23:15,799 lost a lot of money and a lot of tourism 418 00:23:15,839 --> 00:23:21,839 revenue has been lost, and that's what that region runs on, tourism. 419 00:23:22,119 --> 00:23:26,160 They've also had a decline in the sales tax receipts 420 00:23:26,640 --> 00:23:31,559 because once again, people not going to visit means not 421 00:23:31,680 --> 00:23:35,960 a lot of sales. In October, Buncom County's unemployment rate 422 00:23:36,000 --> 00:23:38,000 went up to ten point four percent. That is the 423 00:23:38,119 --> 00:23:43,559 highest in the state now. A month prior to the hurricane, 424 00:23:43,680 --> 00:23:46,960 it was the lowest in the state. So that's the 425 00:23:47,039 --> 00:23:49,440 kind of devastation that they are looking at. This is 426 00:23:49,480 --> 00:23:53,480 a long term problem. The county savings account, known as 427 00:23:53,519 --> 00:23:58,119 the fund Balance, was used last fiscal year to balance 428 00:23:58,160 --> 00:24:00,759 the budget for the first time in more than twenty years. 429 00:24:01,759 --> 00:24:04,920 So this is what happens when you run structural deficits 430 00:24:05,599 --> 00:24:09,240 and you start raiding your your reserves to pay for 431 00:24:09,759 --> 00:24:12,319 ongoing operating expenses. 432 00:24:13,039 --> 00:24:14,039 Speaker 1: This is what happens. 433 00:24:14,200 --> 00:24:17,680 Speaker 2: You start siphoning out this money and then when disaster hits, 434 00:24:17,920 --> 00:24:19,240 you don't have the money. 435 00:24:19,599 --> 00:24:21,480 Speaker 1: All right, If you're listening to this show, you know. 436 00:24:21,480 --> 00:24:23,480 Speaker 2: I try to keep up with all sorts of current events, 437 00:24:23,480 --> 00:24:25,559 and I know you do too, And you've probably heard 438 00:24:25,559 --> 00:24:28,279 me say get your news from multiple sources. 439 00:24:28,759 --> 00:24:29,000 Speaker 1: Why. 440 00:24:29,400 --> 00:24:32,119 Speaker 2: Well, because it's how you detect media bias, which is 441 00:24:32,160 --> 00:24:35,279 why I've been so impressed with ground News. It's an 442 00:24:35,319 --> 00:24:38,680 app and it's a website and it combines news from 443 00:24:38,759 --> 00:24:40,920 around the world in one place, so you can compare 444 00:24:41,000 --> 00:24:44,000 coverage and verify information. You can check it out at 445 00:24:44,160 --> 00:24:48,599 check dot ground, dot news slash Pete I put the 446 00:24:48,680 --> 00:24:51,759 link in the podcast description too. I started using ground 447 00:24:51,839 --> 00:24:54,519 News a few months ago and more recently chose to 448 00:24:54,559 --> 00:24:56,519 work with them as an affiliate because it lets me 449 00:24:56,559 --> 00:25:00,400 see clearly how stories get covered and by whom. The 450 00:25:00,440 --> 00:25:03,440 blind spot feature shows you which stories get ignored by 451 00:25:03,480 --> 00:25:04,680 the left and the right. 452 00:25:04,799 --> 00:25:05,680 Speaker 1: See for yourself. 453 00:25:05,960 --> 00:25:10,440 Speaker 2: Check dot ground, dot news slash pete. Subscribe through that 454 00:25:10,519 --> 00:25:13,480 link and you'll get fifteen percent off any subscription. I 455 00:25:13,599 --> 00:25:16,920 use the Vantage plan to get unlimited access to every feature. 456 00:25:17,119 --> 00:25:19,880 Your subscription then not only helps my podcast, but it 457 00:25:19,920 --> 00:25:23,079 also supports ground News as they make the media landscape 458 00:25:23,079 --> 00:25:26,960 more transparent. So talking about disaster In fact, the name 459 00:25:27,000 --> 00:25:30,200 of this piece that was written by Gary Pierce over 460 00:25:30,440 --> 00:25:34,599 talking about politics dot com. Gary Pierce is a Democrat 461 00:25:34,680 --> 00:25:38,680 strategist guy, and he started this website along with Carter 462 00:25:38,880 --> 00:25:42,039 Wren who was a Republican strategist guy, and they started 463 00:25:42,039 --> 00:25:46,279 this website talking about politics. They don't really post a 464 00:25:46,279 --> 00:25:51,640 lot in the recent couple of years to my knowledge, 465 00:25:51,640 --> 00:25:55,000 but anyway, he had a piece early about a week 466 00:25:55,039 --> 00:26:00,279 ago called Disaster Duty and he says climate change where 467 00:26:00,279 --> 00:26:05,519 this is going. Climate change has changed governor's jobs. They 468 00:26:05,599 --> 00:26:10,480 now must be masters of disasters floods, fires, hurricanes, and 469 00:26:10,559 --> 00:26:16,880 winter storms. Okay, look, I suspect that Gary was using 470 00:26:16,920 --> 00:26:19,599 the master of disaster because it was a you know, 471 00:26:19,720 --> 00:26:23,839 kind of turn of phrase from like, you know, Rocky 472 00:26:24,519 --> 00:26:28,960 the Rocky movie Apollo Creed the master of disaster, right, 473 00:26:29,079 --> 00:26:31,079 I was one of his I think that was one 474 00:26:31,079 --> 00:26:34,759 of his names. So maybe that's what he was just 475 00:26:34,960 --> 00:26:40,559 using that for. But nobody expects the governor of any state, 476 00:26:41,240 --> 00:26:44,559 or the president or any leader, any elected leader to 477 00:26:44,640 --> 00:26:48,119 be or anybody really to be a master of disaster 478 00:26:48,599 --> 00:26:51,799 unless you're like blowing stuff up, right then maybe like 479 00:26:51,920 --> 00:26:55,599 al Qaeda. Okay, yes, masters of disaster stuff like that. Okay, 480 00:26:55,759 --> 00:27:00,079 But if you are elected to a position to he 481 00:27:00,279 --> 00:27:05,799 spawned to disasters, See, that's part of the gig, that's 482 00:27:05,839 --> 00:27:09,680 the job. You have all of these resources at your disposal, 483 00:27:10,119 --> 00:27:13,480 and you asked for the job to marshall said resources 484 00:27:13,920 --> 00:27:16,960 in the wake of disasters. So no, it is not 485 00:27:17,160 --> 00:27:20,920 something that I expect you to master the climate or 486 00:27:21,039 --> 00:27:25,559 master a disaster. I do expect you to be competent, 487 00:27:26,000 --> 00:27:30,440 to be competent in the response. Unlike my good friend 488 00:27:30,480 --> 00:27:34,359 Ray former North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, who showed time 489 00:27:34,400 --> 00:27:38,799 and again, through multiple hurricanes and the COVID disaster that 490 00:27:38,880 --> 00:27:43,440 he is not competent as the quote master of disaster, 491 00:27:43,559 --> 00:27:47,839 as the governor who's charged with responding to these types 492 00:27:47,880 --> 00:27:53,039 of disasters. He okay, he goes on to say, he 493 00:27:53,079 --> 00:27:57,359 talks about, of course, you know Donald Trump. He quotes 494 00:27:57,440 --> 00:28:01,640 former Governor Jim Hunt, who after Hurricanes Floyd, which devastated 495 00:28:01,640 --> 00:28:04,720 eastern North Carolina. By the way, my sister who was 496 00:28:04,720 --> 00:28:09,000 living in Wilmington at the time, lost her apartment, her car, 497 00:28:09,400 --> 00:28:13,240 and her job, all of them were destroyed. So that 498 00:28:13,359 --> 00:28:15,599 was actually the very first news report that I was 499 00:28:15,599 --> 00:28:21,799 ever on WBT with. I interviewed her and that got 500 00:28:21,839 --> 00:28:23,680 part of the news, became part of the newscast. Here 501 00:28:24,160 --> 00:28:25,920 just a little bit of personal history there. So I 502 00:28:25,960 --> 00:28:28,880 am aware. But Governor Hunt said his advice to Governor's 503 00:28:28,880 --> 00:28:32,119 two words, take charge. You've got to get out there 504 00:28:32,160 --> 00:28:34,519 and see firsthand. It gives you a real knowledge of 505 00:28:34,559 --> 00:28:37,200 the extent of the disaster. So this is not new 506 00:28:37,400 --> 00:28:41,640 This is not climate change. This is you know, we 507 00:28:41,680 --> 00:28:45,079 have a state agency. We have these tools and this 508 00:28:45,160 --> 00:28:50,240 equipment to go help people after that's your primary core mission. 509 00:28:51,519 --> 00:28:53,400 You don't have to be a master of it. He says, 510 00:28:53,720 --> 00:28:57,599 while wildfire's ravage California. You know, Trump is more likely 511 00:28:57,640 --> 00:29:02,680 to attack governors than to help them. It'll take superhuman 512 00:29:02,759 --> 00:29:06,559 patience and persistence for Governor Stein in the state's congressional delegation, 513 00:29:06,759 --> 00:29:09,680 especially Senator Tom Tillis to get help from a Trump 514 00:29:09,759 --> 00:29:13,200 White House when disasters hit, as they inevitably will, maybe 515 00:29:13,240 --> 00:29:16,680 Trump will toss us a few rolls of paper tels 516 00:29:17,400 --> 00:29:21,359 Pierce just cannot help himself. Just can't help himself this 517 00:29:21,440 --> 00:29:26,000 kind of snide remark, because what is he talking about. 518 00:29:26,240 --> 00:29:30,519 After Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico, Donald Trump went there 519 00:29:31,680 --> 00:29:34,960 to boost morale. Get a look at the scene on 520 00:29:35,000 --> 00:29:37,799 the ground, and then he's out there handing out stuff 521 00:29:38,039 --> 00:29:41,799 as every politician does. Are they actually helping? No? Did 522 00:29:41,880 --> 00:29:45,200 Kamala Harris actually help by putting like a toothbrush in 523 00:29:45,240 --> 00:29:49,799 a bag during the one of the relief Hurricane Helene 524 00:29:49,839 --> 00:29:51,680 relief efforts. 525 00:29:51,799 --> 00:29:51,880 Speaker 3: No? 526 00:29:52,160 --> 00:29:52,920 Speaker 1: Did she really help? 527 00:29:53,039 --> 00:29:53,119 Speaker 3: No? 528 00:29:53,599 --> 00:29:55,519 Speaker 2: But you go, you make a present, You make your 529 00:29:55,519 --> 00:29:59,200 presence known. If you take an adversarial, combative posture with 530 00:29:59,279 --> 00:30:01,680 the president, you should expect a similar thing in return. 531 00:30:02,519 --> 00:30:04,079 Speaker 1: That's all I'm saying all right. 532 00:30:03,920 --> 00:30:06,279 Speaker 2: That'll do it for this episode. Thank you so much 533 00:30:06,319 --> 00:30:08,359 for listening. I could not do the show without your 534 00:30:08,400 --> 00:30:11,160 support and the support of the businesses that advertise on 535 00:30:11,200 --> 00:30:14,000 the podcast, so if you'd like, please support them too 536 00:30:14,039 --> 00:30:15,720 and tell them you heard it here. You can also 537 00:30:15,759 --> 00:30:18,319 become a patron at my Patreon page or go to 538 00:30:18,480 --> 00:30:22,200 dpecleanershow dot com. Again, thank you so much for listening, 539 00:30:22,279 --> 00:30:25,319 and don't break anything while I'm gone.