Newsletter June 07, 2019

Thank You!

Thank you for signing up to receive my newsletters. I look forward to engaging with you and keeping you updated on the legislative happenings that are affecting our district and the state. I believe open communication will make our community stronger. As such, I invite you to contact me if I can be of help to you in any way. I'd also like to invite you to like, follow, and share my social media pages to receive daily updates about legislative news and activities within our local communities.

NCGA

Serving in the NCGA gives me the opportunity to meet with many policy actors in our district and state. Last week, I had the privilege of meeting with several leaders in our state at the NC Leadership Forum to discuss the issues our state faces and how to continue North Carolina's growth. The constituents of our district are my first priority and I am always available to discuss our challenges and how to solve them. My door is always open!

On this 75th anniversary of D-Day, let us never forget the heroism of the soldiers who fought against tyranny and for the freedom of Europe. The fight for freedom of all people runs through every fabric of our country--from its founding to our present-day interests. I am humbled by the sacrifice that those brave men displayed as they fought for the liberation of Europe and for those who paid the ultimate price in the pursuit of freedom.

Last month, the NC House:

Passed a $23.9 Billion budget, which included teacher pay raises, disaster relief for farmers, and rural broadband expansion, all while maintaining responsible spending
Approved the Highway Storm Recovery Act to continue disaster relief and improve infrastructure
Passed S.B. 310, to expand internet access to rural parts of our state, including our district
Passed H.B. 646 to increase voting access by amending the deadline and criteria for the State Board of Elections to approve voter identification cards

Protecting Children

This week, the House held a vote to override the Governor’s veto of S.B. 359, also known as the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act. This act would require healthcare professionals to provide care to all children born, regardless of whether they were born alive despite an abortion. There is no reason not to offer care to a child that has been born and who is surviving on their own, no matter the circumstances. Providing healthcare for these children goes beyond the abortion debate because these children have already been born and are living and breathing on their own. Unfortunately, in a 67-53 vote, the House did not gain enough votes to override the Governor's veto of this bill. This result is disappointing, but I will continue to be a strong advocate for protecting life.

Expanding Internet Access

Last week, the House passed S.B. 310, which will further the NCGA’s broadband expansion initiative by allowing electric co-operatives to participate in the broadband expansion process. This bill removes regulations that hindered co-operatives from receiving federal grants to bring internet access to rural areas of our state. As a native of rural North Carolina, I understand how underserved rural parts of our state are in terms of their internet access and that broadband expansion is a necessity for economic development. The permission of electric co-operatives to participate in the expansion process is great news for our district and I am proud to have voted in the best interests of rural communities.