Dart to another consequence of proposed cuts in state eduction funding — more high-mileage school buses kept in public school fleets rather than being replaced with safer, more fuel-efficient models. The N.C. Senate’s budget would increase the mileage limit on buses to 250,000 miles — up from the current 200,000 — while imposing a 42 percent cut in the school bus replacement budget. This comes on top of earlier cuts to the bus replacement budget made in 2011, when the Democrats were still in charge of the legislature. Currently the law requires North Carolina’s local school districts to replace their school buses after logging 200,000 miles or reaching 20 years of age. At least the 20-year-limit would remain in force. Otherwise, we might end up with school buses bearing “antique vehicle” license plates.

Laurels to the law-enforcement officers working to keep people safer this summer through North Carolina’s “On the Road, On the Water, Don’t Drink and Drive” campaign. Judging from the infraction reports for the long Memorial Day weekend, these officers will have a busy summer. Wildlife Resource officers issued 25 citations to impaired boat operators (as well as 471 other violations) last weekend. On the road, the State Highway Patrol charged 285 people with driving while impaired. DWI isn’t the only way drivers put themselves and others at risk. The patrol also issued 1,300 tickets for seatbelt violations and 178 for child-restrain violations. The “On the Road, On the Water” campaign is a multiagency initiative that includes the Alcohol Law Enforcement Division, as well as the Highway Patrol and N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission. It continues through the summer, with special emphasis on the July 4 and Labor Day weekends.

Dart to irresponsible pet owners who mistreat and neglect animals while creating nuisances in their neighborhood. It’s a common complaint in many communities, one highlighted this week as dozens of animal advocates met in Salisbury to discuss ways to address such concerns and prioritize ideas that a task force will present to the Salisbury City Council. While nuisance animals are a concern, it’s the pet owners who are the real problem. For those who are indifferent to the well-being of fellow creatures — whether neighbors or pets — the best recourse may be, as has been suggested, putting more teeth into penalties and taking a bigger bite out of violators’ wallets.