GOV. EASLEY SIGNS MILITARY BILLS INTO LAW

Bills provide in-state tuition and financial assistance to members of the military and N.C. National Guard

RALEIGH – Gov. Mike Easley today signed into law Senate Bills 1058 and 1144, which provide in-state tuition rates for universities and colleges within the UNC and N.C. Community College systems as well as financial assistance for members of the military and N.C. National Guard.

“Each day, the courageous members of our military make sacrifices to fulfill their call to duty,” said Easley. “Deployment puts a tremendous strain on our soldiers, their families and their communities. It is our responsibility here at home to do all we can to meet their needs and ease their burden.”

Senate Bill 1058 provides military students, their dependents and members of the National Guard in-state tuition rates for universities and colleges within the UNC and N.C. Community College systems.

“By enabling more of our soldiers and airmen to increase their skills and their education, we are enabling our state to better compete in today’s knowledge-based economy,” said Easley. “It is a win-win situation not only for our military families, but for all of North Carolina.”

Senate Bill 1144 authorizes the N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles to issue an “In God We Trust” special registration plate. Proceeds will go to the Aubrey McLellan Soldiers and Airmen Assistance Fund, created in honor of Col. Aubrey McLellan, a chaplain with the N.C. National Guard for nearly 40 years. The fund helps National Guard members and their families pay for unexpected expenses while the soldier is activated and deployed in federal service.

Last week, Easley and Idaho Gov. Dirk Kempthorne were appointed leaders of the National Governors Association’s (NGA) efforts on issues related to the National Guard.

The NGA cited several of North Carolina’s initiatives including the shipment of safety supplies and electronic equipment to the N.C. National Guard’s 30th Heavy Separate Brigade in April and Operation Reaching Out To Children (ROTC), a partnership with 133 banks across the state to provide free financial counseling and funding for extended daycare for National Guard families.

Also, in North Carolina state employees who have been deployed receive the difference in pay between their military and state pay, and there is a state tax exemption for pay when in a combat zone.

The military sector contributes more than $18 billion to North Carolina’s economy each year. In addition to the National Guard and Reserve, North Carolina is home to six major military installations and the Coast Guard Station in Elizabeth City, which is now under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. North Carolina is also home to more than 772,000 veterans and 74,000 military retirees.