Friends,
 
This morning, I marched with teachers, school staff, bus drivers, parents, students and public school allies as they urged my fellow lawmakers to invest in public education. It was definitely a one-of-a-kind day at the General Assembly.
I even had the opportunity to march with a few teachers from my kids' school!
Every day, our teachers do their best to build a brighter future for our children and our state, but we are asking them to do more with less. Our teachers, schools and children deserve to have the resources and support they need to succeed.

Right now, lawmakers are working on the budget which will determine salaries for our teachers and for non-certified school staff who are vital to the daily functions of our public schools. The budget will also determine whether or not North Carolina schools are measuring up to national standards regarding the number of nurses, counselors, psychologists, and social workers we have on staff state-wide.

Budget negotiations are going to be tough this session, so please reach out to me and let me know what your priorities are. As always, my door is open to meet with you and hear what you think our state should invest in this biennium.
 
Sincerely,
 
Representative Julie von Haefen
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 788: Electric Vehicle Charging Station / Parking
  • On Tuesday, this bill passed the Transportation committee and moved on to Judiciary!
  • HB 790: Restore State Emp/Teacher Retiree Med Benefit
  • HB 890: Restore Master's Pay for Certain Teachers
  • HB 980: Reward Excellence in Teachig - NBPTS

Co-Sponsorships:
  • HB 752: Respect Personal Needs/Assisted Living Residents
  • HB 753: Increase Personal Needs Allowance/MEdicaid
  • HB 754: Advocacy for Long-Term Care Residents Act
  • HB 764: Women's Cancer Research and Prevention Task Force
  • HB 808: Community Cats/Animal Shelter Disposition
  • HB 811: Raise Personal Needs Allowance/Special Assistance Recipients
  • HB 818: Allow Curbside Voting for Caregivers
  • HB 882: Early Childhood Recommendations/DHHS
  • HB 895: Opportunity Gap Task Force
  • HB 897: Annual Review/Broadband Service Competitive
  • HB 944: Protect the Integrity of NC Elections Act
  • HB 948: Funds for Universal NC Pre-K
  • HB 986: Restore Local Education Agency Sales Tax Benefit
My Daughter Can't Afford to Wait
CORRECTION:
The last newsletter was published with a broken link, but this one should work!
"My middle school daughter has a bright future ahead of her. She is smart, curious about science and attends a wonderful public school where she is supported and encouraged to pursue any career she wants. But right now, no matter what field she decides to pursue, she will get paid less than the boy sitting next to her in class.

Why? Because she is a female."
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.
Community Spotlight
Tammy Lynn Center
Secrets, civics, and smiles – what a way to spend a Monday morning!

I was so happy to spend time with the students and educators at the Tammy Lynn Center in Raleigh this week. We talked about voting and even had our own election: which is the best type of ice cream?
Advocating for Our District
NC Policy Watch
Thank you NC Policy Watch for hosting us at this month’s Crucial Conversations!

I’m proud to serve with these amazing women in the NCGA & I’m always happy to share our experiences with others to encourage more women to join us in leadership!
NCAE Transportation Workers
On April 25th, Wake NCAE members met with me, Representatives Jackson, Everitt, and Dahle to share the incredible responsibility and training that NCAE transportation employees take on in their role as Safety Assistants.

These state employees deserve at least a $15/hr wage for the skilled labor they provide. 
National Alliance on Mental Illness
At the  NAMI Wake - National Alliance on Mental Illness   Celebration of Courage Breakfast, we learned about permanent supportive housing solutions for the mentally ill in Wake County. Our area’s growth creates many challenges for our most vulnerable. Thanks to Lorena McDowell, Wake County Housing Director, for sharing.
Holly Springs Fest & Fuquay Varina International Cultural Festival
Rep. Sydney Batch and I both represent parts of Holly Springs and Fuquay-Varina so we spent last weekend visiting two new events in Districts 36 and 37: Holly Springs Fest and the Fuquay-Varina International Cultural Festival!

It was a beautiful day to celebrate these growing areas of Wake County & to see all the families enjoying their communities.
PTA: Night of Stars
Celebrating Wake County’s best PTA volunteers tonight at Wake PTA Night of Stars event, including my friends from Washington Elementary PTA ! I’m honored to still sit on the board for Wake PTA Council, an amazing group of volunteers who serve W ake County Public Schools with full hearts for ALL kids.
Did you Know?
When the government of the State of North Carolina was organized, the
Constitution adopted in 1776 provided for a state seal that should be called the “Great Seal of the State of North Carolina”. In 1972, the Seal was made one sided. In 1983, the date April 12, 1776, was added at the bottom to commemorate the Halifax Resolves, a document which gave North Carolina’s delegates to the Continental Congress the authority to vote for independence. The date May 20, 1775, is thought to be the date of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence. This document made a statement in favor of independence from England for the colonies. The State Motto, “Esse Quam Videri”, which is Latin for “To be rather than to seem”, appears at the bottom of the Seal.