This past Friday, the House of Representative, along with the Senate, adjourned the 2008 short session.
Earlier in the session, the Democratic caucus established an agenda that we used to guide us in our work. I’m proud to say that we have accomplished all that we intended to do. This week, I wanted to update you on those accomplishments.
Thank you for your support over this past session. If you have any questions at all, please feel free to contact my office.
Helping Families Make Ends Meet
One of our goals this session was to ease the economic strain that homeowners are feeling. One of the ways we intend to do this is through better mortgage foreclosure laws. The governor is expected to soon sign into a law a bill (H2623) that will require servicers of subprime mortgage loans to send a notice at least 45 days prior to the foreclosure. The notice must also have information about why the home is in foreclosure and contact information for a mortgage counselor. This bill gives homeowners and banks enough time to send and receive help with foreclosures. We also agreed to expand our earned income tax credit beginning next fiscal year.
Improving Education
We increased teacher pay by 3 percent, continuing our efforts to bring it to the national average. Also, we have re-established the Committee on Dropout Prevention, which will assess which schools, groups and agencies will receive $15 million in grants to improve graduation rates. We also financed a number of projects and initiatives from pre-school through college.
Expanding Access to Health Care
We need to continue to expand access to health care for many people in North Carolina. We included more money in our budget this year for health centers and hospitals, as well as children’s health programs and programs to help minorities.
We have also improved our mental health system. Millions of dollars were set aside in the budget to increase the number of psychiatric beds, add crisis teams and improve our facilities.
Supporting Our Military
Our country would not be what it is without our military members and their families. It is only fitting that we repay them for their hard work and dedication. During this session, we passed a bill that will allow tuition-free education at a North Carolina community college or University of North Carolina system school for dependent children of veterans who are killed while serving our country. In the budget, money has also been allocated for Traumatic Brain Injury Services and the North Carolina State Veterans Park.
Protecting the Environment
My colleagues and I have made a lot of strides to make North Carolina greener. The Land for Tomorrow Initiative will receive $50 million to help acquire land and conservation areas. We have also passed legislation that will help with our state’s current and future drought problems. With recommendations from the Environmental Review Commission, people who transport more than 100,000 gallons of groundwater or more per day must register the amount. Also, local governments and communities will develop and implement water conservation procedures.
Ensuring Prosperous and Safe Communities
My colleagues and I believe that safe communities are a must. We have passed three very important pieces of legislation to help ensure this. Pending the governor’s signature, anyone who knowingly violates a domestic violence protective order and has been previously convicted of two violations will be guilty of a Class H felony. The new Street Gang Prevention Act makes it a serious crime to initiate gang activity, encourage or involve a minor in gang activity, discharge a firearm for the purpose of gang activity in an enclosure or participate in other gang-related crimes. The new Jessica Lunsford Act will make child sex offenders guilty of a B1 felony. Those who are found guilty will receive lifetime GPS monitoring or life in prison without parole. The act also increases the penalties for prostituting a minor and for the exploitation of a minor.
Improving Transportation
We began a phase out of the longstanding transfer from the Highway Trust Fund to the general fund and have dedicated the money to congestion relief projects.
Strengthening Confidence in Government
One of the most important things we need is for the citizens of North Carolina to have total faith in their government. We made important changes in our election and campaign finance laws this year that will make these laws stronger and better.
Meetings/Events
I plan to attend the following meetings/events:
Please invite me to attend your county, city, community or civic, etc. meetings or events.
As I’ve said many times before, I hope you will continue to let me know how you feel about the issues that are being debated by the North Carolina Legislature and the challenges you and your family are facing each day.
By working together, we can make Northampton, Vance and Warren Counties and all regions of North Carolina a better place to live, work and raise a family.
For more information, please visit the General Assembly’s website.