A new program called Upromise could put money in shoppers' college savings accounts every time they buy something from one of their favorite vendors. Working with big-name corporate sponsors such as McDonald's and Toys-R-Us, Upromise hopes to attract investors by giving rebates for college whenever a costumer purchases something from a sponsor.
Even though President Bush's budget proposal for the 2002-03 fiscal year would boost education spending, N.C. higher-education officials are worried the proposal would not leave adequate funds for financial aid. According to a press release from the U.S. Department of Education, North Carolina would receive $1.1 billion under the Bush proposal -- a $51 million increase. The press release also stated that the nationwide Pell Grant program will receive $549 million more, a 5.3 percent increase.
Local transportation experts are offering different perspectives on whether a proposed regional rail system will ease traffic in the Triangle. If constructed, the regional rail's 16 stations would connect downtown Durham, Research Triangle Park, Cary and downtown Raleigh in December 2007. North Raleigh would be connected in 2010. Amanda Arnold, transportation planner for the Triangle Transit Authority, said she is optimistic about the economic impact of the regional rail.
Funding for the UNC-Chapel Hill Department of Public Safety could be reduced by a court ruling calling for a statewide change in the distribution of civil fines. Civil fines include parking tickets and library fines. Money from the fines goes into the state's general fund or is funneled back to the agencies that collect them, such as a police department or library. But Wake County Superior Court Judge Abraham Penn Jones ruled Dec. 14 that local public schools are the rightful recipients of civil fines. Jones based his verdict on a provision of the N.C.
North Carolina ranks 47th in the nation for funding tobacco prevention and cessation programs, according to a recent study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The study also stated that North Carolina has the 12th highest death rate from tobacco use in the nation. The study recommends that a minimum of 6 percent of all tobacco settlement funds be used on tobacco prevention or cessation programs. North Carolina is to receive a settlement of more than $161 million in 2001 from a lawsuit filed by several states against large tobacco corporations in 1999.
N.C. Officials: Terrorism Won't Hurt Tourism By Russ ThompsonStaff Writer Despite a troubled airline industry, officials said North Carolina's tourism industry should fair well. North Carolina's tourism industry is worth more than $12 billion and brings in more than $1.1 billion to the state through tax revenue. In an effort to help support the state's tourism industry, the N.C. Travel and Tourism Board crafted a plan to monitor people's opinions on the industry.
