RALEIGH REPORT

11

Rural Day

Last week I attended the Rural Center's Rural Day Convention in Raleigh. We listened to an incredible slate of speakers from across the state and around nation on important issues in rural North Carolina. Healthcare access and broadband expansion led the conversation.

Broadband Everywhere we have Electricity Former FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn, Katherine Bates from the US Department of Commerce, and Broadband Infrastructure Office Director Jeff Sural led an issue brief on broadband in rural North Carolina. Their view on internet access mirrors my own; everywhere that we have electricity, we should have high-speed internet. That's a public policy that will get it done.

Jeff Sural, Director of the Broadband Infrastructure Office, presented at the broadband breakout session at Rural Day. The screen behind him shows the BIO's mission statement: "Every North Carolinian should be able to access affordable high speed internet anywhere, at any time."

It's Time for Medicaid Expansion Former Governor of Ohio and Republican Presidential Candidate John Kasich voiced his passionate support for Medicaid Expansion to a large crowd at Rural Day. Medicaid Expansion worked miracles in his home state of Ohio. In Dayton, opioid deaths were cut in half the first year of Medicaid Expansion.

John Kasich spoke on the benefits of Medicaid Expansion to a large crowd at Rural Day.

Arts Day

Advocates for the Arts from WNC I had the pleasure of meeting with many constituents from Haywood, Jackson, and Swain Counties last week during Arts Day. They came to Raleigh to make the case for the arts in Western North Carolina. Our mountain communities have wonderful traditions in the arts, from the Appalachian square dance to Cherokee basket weaving, and from the fabulous arts opportunities at WCU and our Community Colleges to wonderful arts-infused downtowns all across WNC.

Maria White, Nealy Andrews, Nancy Lowe, and Justin Allman were in Raleigh representing Jackson County's arts communities.

Chase Sneed, Jessica Winchester, Brett Robertson, and Yona Wade visited from the Cherokee School System for Arts Day here in Raleigh.

Joe Sam's Notes

This week's events underscored just how important it is to close the rural-urban divide. Rural North Carolina is a wonderful place to live, but a great community needs good schools, accessible healthcare, and connection to the rest of the world. Expanding broadband and Medicaid are the most important goals we can meet this year to help our rural communities thrive. The Rural Day speakers, especially John Kasich, championed Medicaid Expansion because closing the coverage gap works . We have real data from 37 other states that have already expanded Medicaid proving that it leads to lower healthcare costs, more coverage, and better care. Broadband is also incredibly important because connecting our communities with the technology of the 21st century is essential for everything: jobs, education, business, healthcare, you name it! Everywhere that we have electricity we should have quality, high speed broadband. That's our goal. The speakers at Rural Day mirrored our Governor's budget. Governor Roy Cooper has prioritized our rural communities by proposing his education bond, expanding Medicaid, and funding rural broadband initiatives. Let's work together for a North Carolina that works for everyone, everywhere!

Sincerely,

Please share this with your friends! 

P.S. check out our legislative web page at www.joesamqueennc.com . You can find all of my previous newsletters and more!