Friends,
 
It's been 37 days since Governor Cooper proposed a compromise budget.
  
This Monday and Tuesday, we were called into session to vote on one bill each day and we were done with business in less than 20 minutes. Voting days like that have become common place this session, but that's not the way it should be. Our constituents deserve legislative leadership that respects the need for government efficiency. Keeping our legislative body in session costs $46,000 a day. 
 
Last week, I joined 51 other House Democrats in signing a letter pledging that I will sustain the Governor's veto of the budget. Legislative Leadership refuses to hold a veto override vote on the budget because they know they simply don’t have the votes they need to override it. So, instead of letting our elected government work for its citizens, House and Senate leaders are imparting their will upon the citizens of our state by drawing out the process and forcing the state to operate on recurring levels of funding.
 
Every day we don't vote on the budget is a day that could have been spent accomplishing real change for North Carolinians. But even in the face of irresponsible leadership, many members have taken the lead and have started to do something.
 
Last week, I joined several other members in signing Discharge Petitions for two bills: HB 86 (Gun Violence Prevention Act) and HB 454 (Allow Extreme Risk Protection Orders) . A discharge petition allows primary bill sponsors to petition the legislative body for signatures. If a majority of the legislative body signs the bill's discharge petition, the bill must be immediately moved out of committee and onto the floor for a vote.
 
We have not yet reached the number of signatures required for the bills to be discharged from committee, but we are hopeful that members from across the aisle will join us and do what's right. At the end of the day, I hope we can all agree: it is time for us to do our jobs, have substantive debate about the issue of gun violence, and discuss real policy options that can curb the gun violence epidemic. 
 
I was also proud to stand next to a constituent, Drew Pescaro, who survived the UNCC shooting in April. Please take a moment and listen to the press conference where he spoke eloquently about gun violence prevention.
 
Drew said it best, "I don’t want your pity, I want your action ."
 Sincerely,

Representative Julie von Haefen
Education Town Hall: TONIGHT
Please join us tonight for a town hall on The State of Public Education. Topics will include policy & funding decisions made by the NCGA that affect our economy, teachers, students & local school districts.

Joining us are Kris Nordstrom from the NC Justice Center, Tim Lavalle from the Wake Ed Partnership, and Lindsay Mahaffey who serves on the WCPSS School Board for District 8.

This event is being hosted by Wake Technical Community College on its Southern Campus. The event space is located in the Student Services Building (Building L) and in room 212. There will be signs in the lobby of the building and volunteers ready to direct you to the event space.

  • Date & Time: Thursday, August 15th from 7:00-8:30PM
  • Location:Wake Technical Community College, Building L, 9101 Fayetteville Rd, Raleigh, NC 27603
Medium Article: 83 Counties
"A recent report released by the NC Department of Administration entitled “ The Status of Women in North Carolina: Health and Wellness ” reveals a dire situation for women’s reproductive health in our state. [i]  The report’s findings state that, “Wide disparities persist in the health of women by race and ethnicity, as well as by geography.” The report also states that policy makers have the power to improve health and wellness. However, in the case of reproductive health care, it appears that policy makers in the General Assembly have instead made every effort over the last several years to make it more difficult for women to access the full spectrum of care...

Women need laws that make reproductive health care more accessible and less expensive, not laws that are passed with the intention of removing a woman’s ability to pay for health care. And most importantly, women need legislators who listen to experts and enact the policy proposals coming out of our state agencies."
The Governor's School Supply Drive
Governor Roy Cooper has launched the 3rd Annual Governor’s School Supply Drive to encourage school supply donations for public-school students and teachers across the state. On average, teachers spend about $500 of their own money on supplies for their classrooms each year.

The School Supply Drive runs until Friday, Aug. 16. Supplies requested for donation include:
  • paper - all types, including copy paper
  • pens and pencils
  • USB flash drives
  • dry erase markers
  • folders
  • sanitizing Wipes
  • tissues
Donation bins are available in state government buildings, businesses that partner with the North Carolina Business Committee on Education and all NC State Employees Credit Unions locations .
District News
State Health Plan
Standoff Ends
Good news for our state employees and teachers who have been concerned about the future of the State Health Plan! The State Treasurer recently announced that the SHP will continue reimbursing medical providers at previous years' rates.

My family is covered under the SHP so I understood the anxiety as we waited for this situation to be resolved. I’m glad that the Treasurer has relented and that families across our state will have the same access to providers that they currently do.
Xerox comes to Cary!
Governor Cooper just announced that Xerox is bringing about 600 new jobs to Cary!

Check out this News and Observer article to learn more about the company's investment in our district.
Office Updates
Wake Tech Convocation
"Take people where they are and carry them as far as they can go.” 

I was happy to attend Wake Technical Community College's annual Convocation for the new academic year! I’m proud to have two Wake Tech campuses in  HD 36.
National Alliance on Mental Illness Meeting
Great to meet with staff and Athens Drive HS interns from  NAMI Wake - National Alliance on Mental Illness  today to learn about their “Ending the Silence” program for middle & high school students, helping to raise awareness & change perceptions about mental health conditions.  #EndTheStigma

Because of my work with PTA units in Wake County, I am helping NAMI connect with schools in our area so they can bring this important 50 minute presentation to students who can help to end the silence and stigma surrounding mental illness.
If you’re interested in finding out more about the program, or having NAMI come to your school, PTA meeting, church, youth group or other organization, contact Andrea Chase at andrea@nami-wake.org, or visit their website below.
House Page Program
Charlotte was my page a couple of weeks ago but I never got the chance to meet with her- so I was glad she came to the House this week so we could have a chance to talk.

She has a bright future ahead of her! I'm thankful she chose to serve at the NCLEG this summer!

If you are a high school student between the ages of 15 and 18, you can apply to be a page using the link below. Please know, I have filled my slots for the long session but you can apply for the 2020 short session.
Reconnect NC
I attended a fantastic program yesterday hosted by Leadership NC. W e learned how to listen to other first in order to have civic conversations . The mission of Reconnect NC is to start facilitating more meaningful conversations in our communities.

Will you join me?
District Events
Click the links for more details about each event!
August

September
Did you Know?
Visitors to the NC General Assembly might notice that each quadrant is adorned with beautiful green plants.
Most thrive in large pots in the lobbies, but some hang in large diamond shaped pots from the ceiling. Our office was curious about how the gardener managed to keep them well watered. The answer? They're made out of very expensive and realistic silk!