Governor Roy Cooper kicked-off a busy week in Raleigh with the delivery of his annual State of the State address on Monday night.  To a joint session of the General Assembly, Cooper declared the state “determined to overcome the ravages of hurricanes, help cities and rural communities, and support public schools.”  The Governor urged more support for public education, specifically early childhood education, and announced his support for a bond referendum for school construction.  However, Medicaid expansion is the top priority, according to Cooper.  Unable to pass expansion without consent from the legislature, the Governor repeatedly told the body that “it’s time” to provide insurance to uninsured working people.  Senate leader Phil Berger provided the Republican response and said he was hopeful for bipartisanship during this legislative session.  Berger stressed the merits of low taxes, reasonable spending, and common-sense regulations. https://abc11.com/politics/watch-live--gov-roy-cooper-delivers-2019-state-of-the-state-address/5152003/

A bipartisan bill was introduced in the House on Tuesday that would form a joint legislative study committee on “the sustainability of the State Health Plan.”  HB 184, Study State Health Plan Design, is an effort from the legislature to find compromise between State Treasurer Dale Folwell and healthcare systems/advocates about provider reimbursement rates affecting the State Health Plan (SHP).  According to bill sponsors, the goal of the legislation is to “redesign the SHP in a way that adopts new practice and payment methodologies that promote health while incentivizing participation from both enrollees and providers.”  Treasurer Folwell says his plan could save the state $60 million initially, $300 million overall.  https://www.wral.com/bill-filed-to-stop-state-health-plan-changes/18220014/

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Mark Johnson and State Board of Education Chair Eric Davis spoke before the Senate Education/Higher Education Committee on Wednesday to promote goals and priorities of the #2030 education initiative announced by DPI at the Innovation and Leadership Dinner last week.  Several proposals were discussed, including collaboration to improve the efficacy of Read to Achieve and working with the GA to develop a more concerted plan for turning around low-performing districts and schools.  https://www.ednc.org/2019/02/27/education-leaders-make-their-cases-to-education-committee/