May 22, 2025 | Proudly representing Guilford County and the 57th District

It’s budget week for the NC House! We saw portions of the House budget proposal in our various committee meetings last Thursday, but the full budget was not released for our comprehensive review until Monday at 4pm. We reviewed it extensively over 48 hours and voted on it Wednesday. Needless to say, it was a whirlwind!

I have a lot of concerns about this process overall, specifically the lack of transparency and extremely limited time for public review and comment. This is $32.6 billion of taxpayer dollars that was determined almost entirely behind closed doors by a few Republican leaders. Regardless, I joined House Minority Leader Robert Reives and 25 other Democrats and per recommendation by Gov. Stein in voting FOR the budget. Here is why:

• For beginning teachers: Starting teacher pay increase to $48,000 in FY 2025-26 and $50,000 in FY 2026-27. If enacted, this would make NC the top state in the Southeast by the end of the biennium at long last!
• For tenured teachers: Average teacher pay increases of 6.4% in FY 2025-26 and 8.7% in FY 2026-27 relative to FY 2024-25 levels. This is significantly higher than the NC Senate proposed. Negotiations still need to take place but hopefully the House numbers will prevail.
• For advanced-degree teachers: Restores master's pay to mirror the supplement policy in place prior to 2013. This is great news as it will encourage teachers to continue their education and reward those who choose to attain graduate degrees.
• For our communities in need: There are many grants to valuable non-profits, including a $5 million grant for Boys & Girls Clubs and another $5 million grant for Second Harvest Food Banks across our state. The NC Senate budget did not appropriate ANY funds to non-profits.
• For our young families relying on childcare: Reduces the monthly co-pay for families receiving subsidized childcare services from 10% of gross family income to 7%. As an example, a family making $20k would now have to pay a lower $1,400/year co-payment (vs $2k) and the state is allocating $25 million to make up this deficit.

Some of the downsides:

• Below-inflation-based-raises for many: A 2.5% across-the-board increase in FY 2025-26 for most State agency employees, University employees, and State-funded Community College employees. No further increases planned for 2026-27.
• Removes vacant positions across almost all departments: While I appreciate the attempt at fiscal responsibility, I question if this will add undue burdens to the existing workforce. As an example, they are requiring DHHS to eliminate enough vacant positions to achieve a $10 million recurring General Fund savings.
• Concerning move considering Federal Medicaid unknowns: They recommend reallocating the Medicaid Contingency Reserve ($976.5 million) to the State Emergency Response and Disaster Relief Fund (SERDRF). See my amendment below.

The North Carolina Senate passed their budget plan last month, cutting hundreds of vacant positions and eliminating the Innocence Inquiry Commission, among other priorities. The Senate budget is laser-focused on reducing state revenue by slashing corporate income tax. The corporate income tax is on schedule to be zeroed out by 2030. The proposed cuts would put North Carolina on the path to a fiscal cliff, something nonpartisan economists and the governor warned about in February. Their projections show that the state could face a significant decline in revenue by the 2026-27 fiscal year. Compared to the House proposal, the Senate's budget is alarming.

With both the House and Senate versions of the budget passed, it's up to Republicans from both chambers to decide what the final budget will look like. It is hard to guess when an agreement might be struck, and the final, agreed upon version will have to be voted on and sent to Governor Stein for his signature. Speaker Hall has mentioned he would like it done by June. Wouldn't we all?!

We noticed the Majority Party drained the entire Medicaid relief fund - $976.5M. I filed an amendment to restore a portion of that fund, given the concerning unknowns at the Federal level. This amendment would have kept $776.5M in Medicaid reserves and still appropriate $200M to the Helene relief fund as originally requested.

The Medicaid Reserves are critical emergency funds meant to fund Medicaid in case of cuts from the Federal Administration. If President Trump's budget bill is enacted, we will need to pick up the bill to ensure North Carolinians get the healthcare they need.

My amendment failed, and every Republican voted against it. This is incredibly worrisome to me, given the drastic cuts that just passed the U.S. House today decimating Medicaid.

In addition to the amendment I ran, there were 45 other amendments introduced, 41 of which were frustratingly voted down. Several worthy attempts included:

• Free school lunch
• Funding Superintendent Mo Green's top 3 priorities (this one was tabled - meaning Republicans didn't want to go on record for voting for or against it ...)
• Opportunity scholarship accountability
• HVAC grants for schools
• Raise state minimum wage
• Revise corporate tax rate

The last newsletter I sent was in the midst of Crossover, the self-imposed deadline in the North Carolina General Assembly to pass a bill from its chamber of origin. Bills that make this deadline, May 8th, may continue to be heard, and bills that don't are dead for the remainder of session. I voted on a flurry of roughly 100 bills during the week of May 8th, so I would like to recap what made it past the finish line and what didn't.

HB 434: The CARE FIRST Act

This bill passed with wide bipartisan support. The Care First Act cuts red tape and allows medical professionals to provide the care they need without constantly needing insurance providers' approval. This reduces treatment delays and gets people the care they need. Learn more.

HB 906: Reagan's Law

Reagan's Law was the result of a bipartisan effort to improve healthcare access for amputees. This bill expands coverage for North Carolinians living with limb loss. Learn more.

HB 297: Breast Cancer Prevention Imaging Parity

This bill was filed by my Democratic colleague Mary Belk and is one of the only Dem-led bills to make it out of Crossover. HB297 will provide health coverage parity for preventative screenings for breast cancer. Learn more.

HB 578: The Jason Flatt Act of North Carolina

The Jason Flatt act is named for a young man who died from suicide and would provide suicide prevention training to school personnel. Having lost a loved one to suicide, I am proud to have sponsored such a critical piece of legislation that will hopefully save lives.

HB 618: The Ivermectin Access Act

This ill-advised bill makes Ivermectin available without a prescription. I tried to run an amendment on the floor to require medical physicians to diagnose, prescribe, and consult with the patient for access to this drug. This bill seems inspired by President Trump's touting of this drug as a treatment for COVID-19, echoing conspiracy theorists and right-wing influencers. To this day, Ivermectin is not approved by the FDA or any credible experts to treat COVID-19. Like any other medication, this is best taken with medical approval. This bill falls in line with the dangerous misinformation schemes of Trump and RFK Jr. Regrettably, this bill passed, but I was an adamant NO.

HB 193: Firearm Law Revisions & HB 674: Firearms Liberty Act

These are two dangerous gun bills that both passed the House during Crossover. These bills, if enacted, would:

1. Allow for a lifetime concealed carry permit
2. Allow guns in private schools
3. Allow "defensive weapons" in public schools

HB 270: Revise Law on the Death Penalty

We heard this in the State and Local Government committee, where it has thankfully died since then. HB 270 would direct North Carolina to restart executions with firing squads as an option to kill. I researched how South Carolina recently started using firing squads and questioned this bill in committee hearing. Thankfully, it never made it for a floor vote.

We held a "funeral" at the General Assembly. NC Democratic Senators and House Representatives hosted a press conference to highlight the 707 bills that we filed in our respective chambers that went directly to the Rules Committees to die unheard and undebated.

When I took office, I didn't know that was even an option. I naively assumed that since we are all elected officials representing the same number of constituents that all bills would be heard in their applicable committee by our peers to be considered and debated. Turns out, you don't even get a seat at the table.

Because Republicans control both chambers, the Rules Chairmen decide that Republican bills can be voted on, and almost every single Democrat-led bill is pushed to the "bill graveyard."

Showing off the "bill tombstone" with Senator Chitlik

This press conference brought attention to some bills we wanted to highlight. Each and every one of them are popular policies supported by the vast majority of North Carolinians:

HB 20: Fair Maps Act

This bill would have ended Gerrymandering by establishing an independent redistricting process.

HB 269: Workforce Freedom and Protection Act

This bill would have restored labor rights and allow workers to negotiate better wages.

HB 303: Make Corporations Pay What They Owe

Ends the corporate tax bailout, which will soon give corporations a 0% tax rate.

HB 316: Child Care Act

Child Tax Credit, Free School Lunches, and expand Pre-K

HB 353: Fair Minimum Wage Act

Raises the minimum wage to $18/h by 2030.

HB 413: Marijuana Legalization and Reinvestment Act

HB 420: Sound Basic Education for Every Child & HB 807: Strong Public Schools for a Strong NC

HB 503: Don't Tread on Me Act

Ensures an individual's right to healthcare, privacy, and free expression from State interference.

HB 509: Right to Reproductive Freedom Act

This bill affirms access to safe and legal abortions and reproductive care.

HB 541: Ranked Choice Voting Bill

Allows the option to implement Rank Choice Voting for more representative elections.

HB 626: Housing Choice Act

Addresses the housing affordability crisis by cutting red tape and allowing more housing types.

HB 641: Transportation for the Future Act

Invests in public transportation options and infrastructure so cities can be walkable.

HB 786: Working Families Act

$15/h minimum wage, paid family leave, child tax credit, first-time homeowners support.

Today, the House voted unanimously to pass HB 1012: Disaster Recovery Act of 2025: Part II. This bill allocates more than $450 million to support ongoing recovery efforts in Western North Carolina, including critical infrastructure and building repairs, as well as relief for small businesses.

Key funding provisions include:

• $70M in additional state funds to match federal recovery programs
• $60M in Small Business Disaster Grants, up to $100k per eligible small businesses
• $50M for local governments

This brings total state funding to $1.85 billion in relief. The federal response, however, is another thing. Policies enacted by the federal government are continuing to have an impact on Western North Carolina’s efforts to recover from Helene. New reporting from NOTUS suggests that uncertainty around the status of FEMA is affecting planning for recovery efforts.

I hope you all will join me at the Town Hall hosted by Common Cause NC. This is an opportunity to ask your lawmakers directly whether they're keeping (or breaking) their promises to their constituents. I will be joined by my colleagues representing Guilford and Rockingham Counties, and I look forward to seeing some of you there! Register here.

Virtual Office Hours

It is always a priority for me to hear from constituents, thus I have created a calendar for anyone to book a phone call with me. I have availability on Mondays anytime from 9am-3pm. Please use this link to book your time and if you have a specific topic or bill you would like to discuss, please share at time of booking so that I can be prepared for our discussion.

What's on the calendar?

The General Assembly will break next week in observance of Memorial Day. We will continue voting the following week of June 2nd.

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