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When the U.S. House debated a measure governing funding on higher education last week, most of the attention focused on how federally subsidized student loans would be parceled out. (For more on that, see the vote tally section.)

But two North Carolina representatives found time to spar over a section of the bill that would pour hundreds of millions of dollars into community colleges over the next 10 years. The money is part of what President Barack Obama has called The American Graduation Initiative, an effort to generate 5 million more community college degrees and certificates by 2020.

Rep. Virginia Foxx, a Banner Elk Republican who represents the Winston-Salem-based 5th District, wrote an amendment that would have struck that funding from the legislation.

“With unemployment as high as it is, I know that all the community colleges in North Carolina are setting priorities to work with people who need to get the education they need to get jobs,” Foxx said. “But there is so much taxpayer money wasted here on administration and bureaucracy and very little lack of accountability, despite what my colleagues have said.”

She also expressed concerns about part of the bill that would fund online education efforts, calling it “duplicative” and saying it would interfere with states’ ability to set their own curricula.

“In my opinion, this is a step towards federal curriculum for schools and colleges,” Foxx said.

Before getting into politics, Foxx was president of Mayland Community College in Spruce Pine. Currently, she is a member of the Congress’ Community College caucus, as is Rep. Brad Miller.

The Raleigh Democrat who represents parts of Rockingham and Guilford counties did not take kindly to Foxx’s offering.

“It’s astonishing that when unemployment in many parts of North Carolina is more than 13 percent that I have to defend an investment in community colleges,” Miller said in response to Foxx’s amendment.

Miller said that the sour economy has made community colleges all the more important and said it made sense for the federal government to invest.

“I welcome the Obama administration’s recognition of the importance of community colleges to working families, to breadwinners willing to work hard to learn new skills. It is long overdue,” Miller said.

Local community college presidents weren’t up on all the details last week, but they weren’t about to look a gift horse — or infusion of federal tax money — in the mouth.

“We’re talking about the economic engine that provides a trained work force for America,” said Donald Cameron, president of Guilford Technical Community College. “Do I think these funds would help community colleges meet their goal of providing a trained work force? Absolutely.”

Rockingham County Community College President Robert Keys said he also welcomed the funding.

“This, like all issues, can be politicized,” he said. “On the other hand, Rep. Foxx has a community college background and knows how much community colleges need the funding, so I’m a little surprised she’d oppose it.”

The Foxx amendment failed 126-301. Foxx and fellow Republican Howard Coble of Greensboro voted for it. Miller and Rep. Mel Watt, a Charlotte Democrat who represents parts of Guilford County, voted against.

Money

U.S. Energy Department Secretary Steven Chu announced last week that $21 billion in federal stimulus funding would come to North Carolina to help support energy efficiency projects in the state. The money will support items like wind power and projects designed to capture and use methane produced by landfills.

To market, to market

The U.S. Senate on Thursday unanimously passed a measure recognizing the High Point Furniture Market on its 100th anniversary. The measure was sponsored by Sen. Richard Burr, a Winston-Salem Republican, and Sen. Kay Hagan, a Greensboro Democrat.

“North Carolina has a great history in home furnishings, and the centennial anniversary of the High Point Furniture Market demonstrates North Carolina’s great success story in the industry,” Hagan said in a statement.

For those not up to speed, the market covers about 12 million square feet in downtown High Point, hosting a semi-annual trade show for the furniture business and other events throughout the year. The measure was passed on a voice vote so there’s no word on how the people representing Nevada — Las Vegas is the High Point market’s chief rival — voted.

House votes

Among the votes taken the House last week:

HR 3221: Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2009. This is the higher education funding bill over which Foxx and Miller sparred. Among other things, the measure would keep private-sector lenders out of the student-loan market, instead giving all such aid directly from the federal government.

The measure passed 253-171 and awaits Senate action.

Democrats Watt and Miller voted for the bill.

Republicans Coble and Foxx voted against.

HR 744: Raising a question of privilege. This was the resolution that “disapproved” of Rep. Joe Wilson’s “breach of decorum” during President Barack Obama’s speech to Congress on health care. The resolution condemned the South Carolina Republican for shouting “you lie” during a part of the speech when Obama said that health reform would not provide care for illegal immigrants.

The measure passed 240-179.

Democrats Miller and Watt voted in favor.

Republicans Coble and Foxx voted against. One North Carolina Republican, Rep. Walter Jones of the 3rd District, voted for the resolution.

Senate votes

The Senate passed amendments to two bills last week that would prohibit federal funds going to the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, or ACORN.

The community organizing group has come under fire after videotapes surfaced showing workers giving questionable advice to a pair posing as a pimp and a prostitute.

HR 2996: Would fund the Department of Interior, EPA and related agencies, and the amendment would have stopped any money under that bill from going to ACORN.

The vote was 85-11, and Hagan and Burr voted in favor.

HR 3288: Makes appropriations to the departments of Transportation and Housing and Urban Development. An amendment to that bill would prohibit any HUD funds from going to ACORN.

The vote was 83-7 with Hagan voting in favor. Burr is listed as not voting.

The House would have to approve both those amendments before they became law.

Senate amendment 2366: Modifies a transportation funding bill. An amendment would require AMTRAK, the passenger train service, to allow passengers to check firearms in their luggage or risk losing its $1.6 billion federal subsidy.

The measure passed 63-35. Burr and Hagan voted yes. The measure awaits action by the House.
 

Contact Mark Binker at (919) 832-5549 or mark.binker@news-record.com