Education is First
"To start, we must come together and insist our public schools come first."
"Too often, public schools have taken a back seat to tax breaks for those at the very top. Simply put,
public education is our most important job as a state.
We must do better."
"I believe that there is bipartisan agreement that
education will succeed with a good teacher in every classroom and a good principal in every school.
"
Democrats and Republicans alike rose to their feet in applause after this refrain.
Second, "it's time" to Expand Medicaid
"And we know too many North Carolinians don't have health insurance. Tonight, I want to talk about a bi-partisan way we can get 500 thousand working North Carolinians some help.
"There are neighbors in your hometowns who are working two jobs that don't provide any health insurance. Doctors and nurses across our state see it every day. Are we willing to help them?
It's time.
"Police chiefs and sheriffs say they're overwhelmed by the wreckage of opioid overdoses and people who need treatment--not jails. Are we willing to help them?
It's time.
"Business owners say they're tired of paying higher premiums to cover the cost of treating the uninsured in emergency rooms. Are we willing to help them?
It's time.
"Rural hospitals are bordering on bankruptcy and even closing because many of their patients don't have health insurance. Are we willing to help them?
It's time.
"Our communities could use an extra 30 to 40 thousand more good-paying jobs. Are we willing to help them?
It's time.
"Many North Carolinians are tired of their tax dollars going to Washington to cover people in other states, but not our state. Are we willing to help them?
It's time."
It is time to Close the Coverage Gap by Expanding Medicaid in North Carolina.
Third, Bridge the Digital Divide
"Among households without broadband, about
95 percent are in rural areas--
a digital divide with very real consequences. This legislative session we can make a real dent in this problem. I'm asking you to join me in an expansive effort to complete rural broadband projects. We can leverage public/private partnerships to bridge the digital divide and
connect all parts of our state to opportunity."
My priorities as your representative align with those of our governor; ensuring quality education for all children, closing the coverage gap by expanding Medicaid, and bridging the digital divide for rural NC by providing broadband access to all parts of our state.
Now together, let's do our job and get 'er done!
