Friends,

I want to let you know about an opportunity for students to get involved in the Legislature this session.

The House Page Program is an opportunity for students between the ages of 15 and 18 to learn about and be involved in the legislative process for four days. More information about the Page program may be found in  this digital brochure  .

Every member can sponsor five pages during the long session and three pages during the short session. My office will accept applications for our long session spots until Wednesday, March 20th at noon . We will reopen the applications in 2020 for the short session.

Electronic applications may be submitted  here  . Printable applications may be found  here.

Please feel free to forward information about this program to any students in our district that might be interested in or benefit from this opportunity. I look forward to reading their applications!

Sincerely,

Representative Julie von Haefen
Town Hall on March 28th
Ending the Redistricting Game
On Thursday March 28th, please join me, Rep. Sydney Batch, Jane Pinsky (Director of the NC Coalition for Lobbying & Government Reform) and David Heinen (Vice President of Public Policy and Advocacy for the NC Center of Nonprofits) for a Town Hall on Redistricting.

  • Event - Ending The Redistricting Game
  • Date - Thursday, March 28th
  • Time - 6:30PM - 8:30PM
  • Location - Wake Tech's Student Services Building (room 214)
  • 9101 Fayetteville Rd, Raleigh, NC 27603

We will discuss the history of gerrymandering in North Carolina and current legislative efforts to enact redistricting reform.
The Equal Rights Amendment
Equal Protection Under the Law
On March 5th, I was proud to join Representatives Carla Cunningham, Susan Fisher, and Evelyn Terry as a primary sponsor on HB 271. This bill would ratify the Equal Rights Amendment to the United States constitution and would guarantee that women have the constitutional right to equal treatment under the law.

Advocates from across the state and country came in support of the ERA and our efforts to make NC the 38th and final state needed for ratification.
I was honored to meet national leaders in the women’s rights movement- Eleanor Smeal, former President of the National Organization for Women & current President of the Feminist Majority Foundation, as well as Carol Jenkins, Co-President of the National ERA Coalition.

Thank you to  ERA NC Alliance  for organizing a fantastic day! I’m proud to be a part of the effort! 
Legislative Updates
I promise...

To review all pertinent information when I make decisions that affect citizens of North Carolina.

To bring your input and your stories to the floor.

To advocate on your behalf.
Primary Sponsorships:
  • HB 271 - Ratify the Equal Rights Amendment to the U.S. Constitution

Co-Sponsorships:
  • HB 248: Restore Longevity for Teachers
  • HB 269: Enact the NOrth CArolina Caregivers Act
  • HB 296: Respect for Families of Law Enforcement
  • HB 273: Add Member to NC Training Standards Commission
  • HB 341: North Carolina Sunshine Act
  • HB 334 NCSU Honey Bee Laboratory/Funds
  • HB 354: Modify Weighting/School Performance Grades
  • HB 359: $15/hr Minimum Pay for Noncertified School Employees
  • HB 362: 15-Point Scale for School Performance Grades

How to Tell if a Bill Has a Good Chance at Passing:
Check out this article in the News and Observer that details a few key things to look for if you're wondering if a bill is going to pass this session.

Hint: Did your favorite bill go straight to the 'Rules' Committee? It might be there for the rest of session.
House Passes School Bond
North Carolina has over $8 billion in unmet school renovation and construction needs, according to a Department of Public Instruction study from several years ago. The NC House took a first step to addressing these needs this week by passing HB 241, a bill to ask the voters to approve a bond referendum for $1.5 billion in school facility financing, $200 million for community college needs, and $200 million for the UNC System. The vote was bipartisan with all Democrats supporting and almost all Republicans supporting.
How does our area fare under the bill? HB 241 provides nearly $110 million for Wake County schools.

I supported HB 241, but am concerned that we still have so much work to do. Governor Cooper had proposed a $2 billion bond for public schools which would have been a stronger first step. With debt payments from past bonds declining steadily and interest rates low, now is the time to invest in our schools.

Investing in local school construction will also help with local construction and contracting jobs.

HB 241 now goes to the State Senate where its fate is uncertain. Senate Republican leadership opposes the bond referendum approach and instead favor diverting money from the General Fund (which pays for schools, public safety, etc.) and other state capital needs to pay for school facility needs.
Voter Photo ID Implementation Delayed
Last year North Carolina voters approved a photo ID amendment without knowing how legislators would fill in the details. We still don’t know a lot of the details. So legislators approved  SB 214  to delay the implementation of photo ID until the 2020 elections. Voters will not need to show a photo ID to vote this year.

Democrats also attempted unsuccessfully to amend  SB 214  to move back a deadline that threatens to prevent many college and community college IDs from being used in the 2020 elections.

Last year, after voters approved the photo ID requirement, Republican legislators pushed through a series of stringent and confusing requirements that a college or community college must meet in order for students at their schools to use their IDs to vote. Schools appear to be struggling to meeting the legislative demands and Democrats attempted to give them more time, but the amendment was defeated.
Office Hours
Every First Friday & Third Thursday
Stop by my office hours to talk about your district needs.
There will be no set agenda. RSVPs are not required, but they do help me plan ahead.
District News
Accepted items:  Expired, unused, over-the-counter and prescription medication in pill form.

Prohibited items:  Vitamins, needles, liquids, creams, aerosols, batteries, combustible or radioactive materials.
Operation Medicine Drop
Do you have unused and outdated prescription medicine filling up your cabinets?

The Town of Cary Police Department has a permanent drop box in its lobby for disposal of unused or expired medicine.

Location: Town of Cary Police Department, 120 Wilkinson Ave

Hours:  Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Education Spotlight
Swift Creek
Elementary School
On March 1st, I visited Swift Creek Elementary School for Read Across America Day!

 I loved the opportunity to read to 3rd graders in House District 36. The lessons of “The Lorax” and “Yertle The Turtle” seem especially relevant for the NCGA this year.
Thanks for Stopping By!
Girl Scouts - NC Coastal Pines
As a former Girl Scout, and as a past Girl Scout leader and mom of a Girl Scout, I was so happy to meet with Girl Scouts from Girl Scouts- NC Coastal Pines Council on their organization's birthday, March 12th!

Happy 107th Birthday to an amazing organization that builds girls of courage, confidence and character.
Alzheimer's Association
Thanks to members of  Alzheimer's Association Eastern North Carolina for sharing your legislative priorities during their Advocacy Day. As someone with a family member who is living with Alzheimer’s, I understand the issues & public health crisis facing our state. Thank you for your advocacy!
Did you Know?
North Carolina's current legislative building opened for use in 1963. It was designed by the architect Edward Durrell Stone, who most famously designed the Kennedy Center, Radio City Music Hall, and the Museum of Modern Art.
The Kennedy Center
The NC Legislative Building