Gov. Perdue vetoed House Bill 2, titled the “North Carolina Health Care Protection Act,” citing questions about the bill’s constitutionality, necessity and unintended consequences.

On Wednesday, the N.C. House sustained the veto.

“This is an ill-conceived piece of legislation that’s not good for the people of North Carolina,” Gov. Perdue said last week when she vetoed the bill.

Gov. Perdue’s priorities remain jobs, education and resetting state government. She said this week she looks forward to working with the General Assembly on those issues.

The constitutionality of the federal health care law is already going to be decided in the U.S. Supreme Court, which made House Bill 2 unnecessary, Gov. Perdue said. There were also serious questions about whether the bill itself would have been constitutional and whether it would have cost North Carolina federal Medicaid funding.

To see a short video clip about Gov. Perdue’s veto, click here.

Gov. Bev Perdue announced that several Urban Loop projects scheduled to begin between 2014 and 2019 will begin earlier, because of available cash and cost-savings from a favorable construction environment.

While no additional money exists to add new Loop projects to the construction schedule, the N.C. Department of Transportation expects to see additional savings of about $50 million by being able to take advantage of today’s lower real estate and construction costs, which could move forward other Loops in their priority order.

At a transportation roundtable event in Charlotte U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood praised Gov. Perdue’s aggressiveness and leadership on transportation issues. Watch a clip here.

The accelerated projects are:

Charlotte I-485 widening:

Construction will begin in 2012, two years sooner.

Greensboro Western Loop:

Part C (Bryan Boulevard to Battleground Avenue) – Construction will begin in 2013, one year sooner.

Part D (Battleground Avenue to Lawndale Drive) – Buying right of way will begin in 2011, eight years sooner.

Greensboro Eastern Loop:

Part B (US 70 to US 29) – Buying right of way will begin in 2011, four years sooner and construction will begin in 2014, three years sooner.

Wilmington US 17 Bypass:

Part B (US 74/76 to US 421) – All grading and structures work will be consolidated into one contract in 2013. Paving work will be done under a separate contract in 2017, completing the overall project in 2018, two years sooner.

An N.C. Medicaid initiative to better manage utilization of prescription pain relievers and other powerful drugs has produced significant savings and improvements in quality of care.

Only a few months old, the controlled substances “lock-in” program limits Medicaid recipients who have a medical need for those drugs to a single prescriber and to a single pharmacy. The heightened tracking that results helps ensure Medicaid recipients are receiving appropriate treatment, and in appropriate amounts. Around 950 of 3,000 eligible N.C. Medicaid recipients are currently “locked in.” Early analyses show the lock-in program could reduce Medicaid expenditures by $9 million annually — $3 million of which would be state tax dollars.

The lock-in serves as part of Governor Bev Perdue’s strategy to reduce waste, fraud and abuse in the Medicaid system.

“This is a perfect example of my priority of setting government straight,” Gov. Perdue said. “We’re providing better health care and saving taxpayer dollars.”

Monday, March 14

Office time, Raleigh

Visit Eaton Corporation, Arden

Speak to Governor’s Conference on Hospitality and Tourism, Asheville

Tuesday, March 15

Legislative meetings, Raleigh

Staff meetings, Raleigh

Press conference, Raleigh

Wednesday, March 15

Legislative meetings, Raleigh

Office time, Raleigh

Thursday, March 16

Office time, Raleigh

Sign proclamation for Wilmington’s Azalea Festival and greet Azalea Queen and Court at the Executive Mansion

Visit Northeast N.C.

Friday, March 17

Conference Call with weekly papers

Charlotte will play host to the 2012 Democratic National Convention, putting the city and North Carolina on a national stage.

Gov. Bev Perdue said the announcement will provide a boon for the entire state, regardless of political affiliation.

“A national political convention is a keystone event that will boost North Carolina’s economy, while showcasing Charlotte and our state to the nation and the world,” Gov. Perdue said. “What they will see when they get here is what hundreds of businesses already know – Charlotte’s smart investments in infrastructure, cultural attractions and amenities have produced a climate perfect for work and play.”

Gov. Perdue this week urged lawmakers to reject a Senate proposal to raid funds the state uses to attract new jobs and to help existing businesses expand.

A bill moving through the Senate would raid the funds, which have helped Gov. Perdue attract pledges of more than 24,000 new jobs and more than $3.4 billion in new investments for the state’s recovering economy.

Gov. Perdue, who has made jobs a top priority, urged senators to reconsider the proposal.

“The proposed cuts to North Carolina’s jobs and economic development funds will damage our ability to recruit new jobs and to expand existing businesses in the state. Other Southern states, notably Virginia, have called for an increase in similar funds so they can take our jobs away,” she said.

“I am truly surprised that Senate leadership is considering taking North Carolina’s jobs money as a way to balance the budget. It won’t work – and what’s more, our people won’t work if we can’t bring new companies and new industries to our state. We have many hundreds of new jobs in the pipeline right now, and they depend on that money. If we don’t win those projects, those jobs go somewhere else. It’s that simple.”

Gov. Perdue first publicly released objections to the bill on Twitter. Click here to follow her Twitter feed.

Monday, Feb. 7

- Staff meetings

- Speak at Emerging Issues Forum, Raleigh

- Budget meeting

Tuesday, Feb. 8

- Speak at AFL-CIO meeting, Raleigh

- call in to Council of State meeting

- Budget meeting

- Weekly news conference

- Cabinet meeting

Wednesday, Feb. 9

- Staff meetings

- Office time

Thursday, Feb. 10

- Call Time

- Staff meetings

This week, Gov. Bev Perdue announced that a major transportation project on Interstate 85 came in at half the anticipated cost and is expected to be finished five months early.

The N.C. Department of Transportation has awarded a contract for the second phase of the Interstate 85 Corridor Improvement Project in Davidson County. The $65.5 million project will widen 3.8 miles of the interstate to eight lanes and update the Belmont Road interchange, which will make travel and commerce more efficient while creating new jobs for North Carolinians.

This is the first project funded by Gov. Perdue’s Mobility Fund. Phase two exemplifies the type of greatly needed transportation projects of regional or statewide significance that the Mobility Fund will make a reality.

“Without the Mobility Fund, we would not have the money needed to pay for this critically important project,” Gov. Perdue said. “Phase two will make this heavily used stretch of I-85 last longer while helping people and goods more easily reach their destinations.”

The low bid came in at half the cost of the original project estimates of $120-$130 million. The remaining funds will be used for future Mobility Fund projects across the state.

NCDOT awarded the contract for phase two to Balfour Beatty Infrastructure Inc./Austin Bridge and Road LP, A Joint Venture of Irving, Texas. The joint-venture team estimates that the project will create or sustain about 150 jobs. Many of those workers will be hired locally.

The contractor is scheduled to complete phase two by May 2013, five months earlier than NCDOT required. Phase one is set to wrap up in January 2013, which means all construction along I-85 in Davidson and Rowan counties will be finished by spring 2013.

Continuing her pledge to reset state government and eliminate bureaucracy, Gov. Perdue this week asked the members of the General Assembly to review a full list of 345 boards and commissions with an eye on eliminating or consolidating some.

Last year, Gov. Perdue announced her plan for Setting Government Straight. Her plan included a review of a list of 150 boards and commissions. Gov. Perdue told reporters this week that after studying the list, she decided there was an opportunity for lawmakers to be more aggressive about eliminating bureaucracy.

“After reviewing the list, I look forward to working with the General Assembly as we efficiently and systematically streamline the way North Carolina does business,” Gov. Perdue said. “We need to consolidate and eliminate wherever possible.”

Gov. Perdue emphasized that some boards – such as trustees for college campuses – are obviously beneficial. Others may have outlived their purpose.

Perdue asked that the legislature conduct their review in a spirit of bipartisanship that respects the balance of appointment powers in both the executive and legislative branches.

She also pledged to sunset any necessary new commissions by an executive order with a clear and specific end date.

“Working together, we can hone boards and commissions down to just those we truly need to best serve the people of this state,” Gov. Perdue said.

Gov. Perdue focused on boards and commissions in a video message she posted this week. Watch it here.

Gov. Perdue this week helped celebrate the opening of the state’s 100^th winery at Cauble Creek Vineyard in Salisbury.

“Our wine industry is made up of small business owners, entrepreneurs and farmers.  Most importantly it creates jobs in our state,” said Gov. Perdue.   “Our wineries and vineyards provide a compelling reason to visit our state and they are a significant economic engine.”

(Pictured: Gov. Perdue introduces vineyard owner William Yost, at right).

North Carolina ranks seventh in wine production and 10th in grape production nationally.

Research funded by the North Carolina Wine & Grape Council reports the wine and grape industry in this state accounts for more than 5,700 jobs with total economic impact as much as $813 million.

North Carolina also ranks among the top five states in the country as a destination for culinary tourism according to a 2007 Travel Industry Association (now known as U.S. Travel Association) survey.

Gov. Perdue made two jobs announcements this week as she continued to focus on creating jobs and helping North Carolina’s economy move forward.

In Winston-Salem, she announced this week that NS Aviation, a start-up provider of aircraft maintenance and repair services, will locate in Forsyth County.

The company plans to create 308 jobs and invest $1.27 million during the next four years in Winston-Salem.  The project was made possible in part by a $300,000 grant from the One North Carolina Fund.

“NS Aviation is part of North Carolina’s transformation to a highly-skilled, knowledge-driven economy, as they join the growing aerospace industry in the Triad,” said Gov. Perdue.  “Not only are our workforce, infrastructure and strong-business climate helping us attract new investments, but we are helping hundreds of North Carolina families get back on their feet.”

Also this week, Gov. Perdue announced that Providencia USA, Inc., a global manufacturer of nonwoven fabrics, will expand in Iredell County.  The company plans to create 28 jobs and invest $60 million during the next three years in Statesville.  The project was made possible in part by a $42,000 grant from the One North Carolina Fund.

“Providencia is an example of how our textiles industry is transforming, and the company’s leaders know that North Carolina will provide a highly-skilled workforce and top-rated business climate that will fuel Providencia’s innovation and growth,” said Gov. Perdue. “Companies from all over the world are making the same decision, and these investments will help counties like Iredell for years to come.”

Providencia USA, Inc. is a subsidiary of Brazilian-based Companhia Providencia Industria e Comercio, the premier source for spunmelt nonwoven fabric in South and Latin America with just over 50% of market share. Spunmelt fabrics are used in a number of disposable products such as diapers, feminine pads and surgical gowns.   Providencia will install a second state-of-the-art spunmelt machine at its Statesville facility, doubling the company’s North American capacity.  The company currently employs 53 in Iredell County.

The One NC Fund provides financial assistance, through local governments, to attract business projects that will stimulate economic activity and create new jobs in the state.  Companies receive no money up front and must meet job creation and investment performance standards to qualify for grant funds.  These grants also require and are contingent upon local matches.

North Carolina continues to have a top-ranked business climate.  Through Gov. Perdue’s JobsNOW initiative, the state works aggressively to create jobs, train and retrain its workforce, and lay the foundation for a strong and sustainable economic future.