Rep. Wray’s Raleigh Report


Annual 7th Senatorial District Public Forum

N.C. Sen. Doug Berger, N.C. Rep.-elect Glen Bradley, and N.C. Rep. Michael H. Wray invite all citizens, civic leaders, and public officials in Franklin, Granville, Vance, and Warren counties to the annual 7th Senatorial District Public Forum on Wednesday, January 19, 2011. This event will be held in the Civic Center at Vance-Granville Community College’s Main Campus in Henderson, beginning at 10:00 A.M. The forum should end by 2:30 P.M.

This year’s forum will be entitled “Tax Reform and Charter Schools: What does the future hold?” Will increasing the number of charter schools improve educational opportunities for North Carolina children or create an elite stratum of schools? Is structural tax reform necessary to make sure the state can cover its bills? Speakers from a variety of points of view will tackle the topics.

Lunch will be provided for all participants. You will have an opportunity to let Rep.-elect Glen Bradley, Rep. Wray, and Sen. Doug Berger know of your concerns for the upcoming long session of the North Carolina General Assembly (convening on January 26, 2011).

Presenters for this forum will include:

Opening Speaker

Richard Vinroot, Attorney
Robinson Bradshaw & Hinson, P.A

Charter School Panel Discussion

Darryl Allison, President
Parents for Educational Freedom

Bryan Hassel, Co-Director
Public Impact

Richard Vinroot, Attorney
Robinson Bradshaw & Hinson, P.A

Leanne Winner, Director of Governmental Relations
NC School Boards Association

Tax Reform Panel Discussion

N.C. Sen. Daniel Clodfelter
District Senatorial District 37

Roland Stephen, Associate Professor
International and Comparative Political Economy
North Carolina State University

Roy Cordato, Vice President for Research
John Locke Foundation

We hope that you will respond to this invitation by calling or emailing any one of the sponsors by January 12, 2011. This event is FREE and open to the public.

Please RSVP to one of the following offices by January 12th:

Senator Berger, (919) 715-8363 or email

Representative Wray, (919) 733-5662 or email

For any additional questions or concerns about the District Forum, please email Dougb@ncleg.net or call (919) 715-8363.

NC Rural Center Grants-House District 27th

The North Carolina Rural Economic Development Center has awarded two grants totaling $515,000 to create jobs and improve the economy in Vance and Warren counties.

The larger of the two grants will be used to refurbish a vacant building in Henderson that will be used for the expansion of Optimum Lighting. The company is expected to add 40 jobs to its payroll after the move. The Rural Center has awarded the project $480,000.

A second grant worth $35,000 will go to help support the Warren Family Institute in Warren County. The institute works to strengthen families and stimulate economic opportunities in the county.

Legislative Assistant Retires

Mrs. Mary Capps, my Legislative Assistant, is retiring January 1, 2011. Mary has worked at the General Assembly since 1974 and in my office since 2005. She has done an outstanding job for me and the constituents I represent in House District 27. I wish for her many happy years of retirement. Mary’s replacement is Mrs. Lisa Brown who has worked at the General Assembly since 2000. Lisa will have the same email address: wrayla@ncleg.net. Please join me in welcoming Lisa to my office.

Kay, Matthew, Phillip and I hope you had a Merry Christmas and we wish for you peace, hope and happiness in the New Year.

Meetings/Events

I plan to attend the following meetings/events:

  • Cool Springs Missionary Baptist Church Northampton NAACP Jubilee Day, Gaston-January 2
  • 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.

    Please remember that you can use the General Assembly’s website to look up bills, view lawmaker biographies and access other information. The site also contains detailed information about the state budget and legislative schedules.