Governor Cooper's Budget
The Governor submitted a
Bold Budget
to the General Assembly last week. I support his vision for a North Carolina that is
better educated and healthier, with more money in our pockets
.
That is a formula for success.
This budget will provide for our public schools, close the coverage gap by expanding Medicaid, and significantly expand broadband infrastructure in rural North Carolina communities.
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I stand with our governor and his vision for a strong, healthy, educated North Carolina.
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Education First
The Governor's Budget puts our state's schools first. It includes our state's first education bond since the 1990s. If passed, it would put a
$3.9 Billion
school improvement package
to a vote of the people in our next election.
Additionally, the Governor's Budget will increase teacher pay, putting North Carolina on track to be the best in the Southeast in just four years. We have been at the bottom for too long.
It is time to give our teachers the pay, the respect, and the support they deserve.
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Close the Coverage Gap
Governor Cooper's Budget expands Medicaid. This is the single biggest step that we can take in 2019 to fight the opioid crisis, give
ALL
North Carolinians access to affordable healthcare, and improve
ALL
our state's economies.
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Address the Rural-Urban Divide
Governor Cooper's budget includes $134.7 million in rural economic development, broadband expansion, and affordable housing.
His budget will triple the amount of funds currently going toward rural broadband projects.
The budget also invests in affordable housing. Our rural communities in Haywood, Jackson, and Swain need quality, affordable housing options. The Governor is investing in the Housing Trust Fund, the Community Living Housing Fund, and the Rural Neighborhood Revitalization Program. These programs work, and they will help us in the mountains.
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Social Work Advocacy Day
I'm always happy to see students from our mountain schools here in Raleigh. Last week, students from WCU's Social Work program visited for the statewide Social Work Advocacy Day. We had a great discussion about their program and the needs of social workers in North Carolina.
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A large crowd of social work students from WCU came down to Raleigh. What inspiring young adults!
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Cheri Beasley, Our New Chief Justice
I had the pleasure of attending the investiture of
Cheri Beasley,
Governor Cooper's historic NC Supreme Court Chief Justice appointee. Chief Justice Beasley is a first-rate judge, and she will represent the interests of North Carolinians well.
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I joined Rick Glazier, the executive director of the NC Justice Center, at Cheri Beasley's swearing in.
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It's Self-Evident
It's time to pass the
Equal Rights Amendment
. I am a proud
co-sponsor of the Equal Rights Amendment legislation that was filed in the House last week. ERA supporters from across the state traveled to the General Assembly to advocate for the bill, and I was glad to see supporters from the mountains in the crowd! Only one more state is necessary to finally pass the ERA. Let's make in North Carolina.
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I'm joined by Jimmie Cochran Pratt, who was in Raleigh to show some mountain support for the ERA!
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A Determined North Carolina
The Governor's Budget mirrors his State of the State address. "The state of our state is determined." I stand by our governor and his Bold Budget. We must take his lead on education, healthcare, and jobs. North Carolina will succeed if we invest in quality education for every child, accessible healthcare for those who need it most, and the infrastructure of the 21st century to everyone, everywhere, for everything.
Sincerely,
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