New HQ for PTRC

Piedmont Triad Regional Council delegates overwhelmingly voted to build a new $4 million headquarters, over the objections of High Point City Council member Latimer Alexander:

“It’s a real disappointment, because I really, honestly believe that not every elected official with the 74 bodies knows what we did today, but they’re going to be dealing with it down the road,” Alexander said. “They said, ‘We’ve always had revenue in the past, and we’ll have it in the future.’ They said they’ve been working on this for a year-and-a-half and they can get into one building for economies of scale.”

Bit of an understatement on the vote, considering exactly one other delegate — Denton Mayor Scott Morris —voted with Alexander in opposition.

And who knew PTRC was primarily funded by —drum roll please —–the federal Department of Health and Human Services?

Alexander says changes are coming next year–whether through Obamacare or a Romney administration, so funding could be compromised. If that happens, member governments will balk at the added burden and “it will be a run for the door,” as he put it. With a nice new office and everything.

N.C. Department of Medicaid?

Researching election stories, came across this via Rep. Marian McLawhorn:

The staff of the General Assembly has been asked to study the feasibility of creating a separate Department of Medicaid. A joint recommendation will be made to the 2013 Regular Session of the General Assembly no later than February 5, and will include a review of the administration of other state Medicaid programs; an analysis of benefits and disadvantages to creating a Department of Medicaid; any adverse impact a Department of Medicaid may have on the administration of other agencies within the Department of Health and Human Services; and an identification of various Medicaid organizational structures, including any associated costs and savings.

Sounds like a plan, but it could be a whole new world in 2013.