RALEIGH REPORT
The Week in Raleigh
Eastern Band of Cherokee Legislative Reception

I joined other members of the legislature on Tuesday to meet with a delegation of EBCI leadership at their legislative reception in Raleigh.
From left to right: Principal Chief Sneed's Chief of Staff Paxton Myers, Councilman Perry Shell, Councilman Tom Wahnetah, Chairman Adam Wachacha, Councilman Albert Rose, Representative Joe Sam Queen, Councilman Jeremy Wilson, and Councilman Bo Crowe
I am proud to represent the interests of the EBCI here at the General Assembly, and I was glad to have the opportunity to speak with Chief Sneed, Chairman Wachacha, and the members of the Tribal Council. They always make a great impression here in Raleigh.
Principal Chief Sneed giving a speech to the attendees of the EBCI legislative reception in Raleigh.
NC School of Science and Math

I had the pleasure of meeting with several students from the NC School of Science and Math. As the father of a NCSSM graduate, I was excited to meet with these bright young folks. It is always encouraging to speak with young adults who are already engaged in our political system.

I am looking forward to the ribbon cutting for NCSSM's Western Campus in Morganton on June 21. This new campus is a product of the NC Connect Bond, and it will be a significant benefit for students in Western North Carolina.
The NC School of Science and Math is a great asset to our state. Bright young folks like these are the future of our state, and I was glad to meet with them.
Several important bills from this week

I was proud to sign on as a cosponsor to House Bill 248 , which will restore longevity pay for our state's public school teachers. Giving those who dedicate their careers to serving our state's youth the pay that they deserve is one more step in the right direction.

I also cosponsored House Bill 238 to reinstate the earned income tax credit. This tax credit is incredibly important to provide relief to low- and middle-income individuals and families in North Carolina.

I met with registered nurses from across North Carolina this week, and after learning about the SAVE Act (HB 185) , I was honored to co-sponsor this bill. The SAVE Act is designed to modernize the healthcare industry and increase access to quality, affordable healthcare.

Finally, I co-sponsored the bipartisan FAIR Act (HB 140) , which will amend the North Carolina Constitution to require a non-partisan redistricting process. This is the second bipartisan redistricting initiative that I have co-sponsored this session. The first was a statutory solution, this is a constitutional solution. We need to get one of these passed this session. North Carolina deserves a system where people get to choose their representative, not the other way around .
Looking Forward
Meeting with Down Home in Waynesville

This weekend I will be back in Haywood, Jackson, and Swain to meet with members of Down Home NC. Their leadership was in Raleigh this past week to advocate for Medicaid expansion, and I am looking forward to following up with their Western North Carolina team.
Joe Sam's Notes
The State of our State is Determined

Governor Roy Cooper and I are determined. Our governor is a true leader. I am encouraged by him and I couldn't agree more with his points of emphasis in his State of the State address last week. Here are the highlights in his words.
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!
Sincerely,
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