As for this week, a $300 million shortfall in the state’s Medicaid budget was addressed first thing with additional funding, along with other changes meant to cut costs, including the program’s spending on autism therapy.In conversations with lawmakers, one thing is clear: Constituents are engaged. They’re worried about PFAS in drinking water, lead in playgrounds, and skyrocketing energy bills. We hope this energy helps us improve some very bad water pollution rules under consideration right now , and that it helps block any new legislation Duke Energy may pursue later this session to undo clean energy goals or otherwise boost fossil fuels. Water supply issues in Franklin County took a controversial turn this week when the Senate quietly added a provision to Senate Bill 214 that would let Franklin County condemn land in Vance, Halifax and Warren counties without local approval. The bill seems to be about water access. It passed the Senate, but House members halted it and asked the Attorney General’s Office to weigh in on its constitutionality. We’re hearing it’s unlikely to survive in the House. | 
