Safer at Home Update
As we enter Phase 2, I want to emphasize that a thoughtful Reopening Plan is critical to ensuring North Carolinians' safety and the steady recovery of our economy.

The COVID-19 Pandemic is still very much upon us, please continue to be thoughtful and careful. We are all in this together. We will all get through this together.
Useful Resources
Congratulations Seniors
In these extraordinary times I'd like to congratulate all the seniors from District 119's High Schools graduating this month. We are looking forward to what each of you will accomplish in your future endeavors.
Congratulations Tuscola Seniors!
Congratulations Swain County Seniors!
Congratulations Smoky Mountain Seniors!

And congratulations to Cherokee High School, Blue Ridge School and all of our Charter school graduates as well.
Affordable Broadband Access
I have worked in the short session to introduce HB1122 - Provide Affordable Broadband Access to North Carolina. HB1122 is a bill which will aid in the development of broadband infrastructure where it is needed most. To view the bill, click here.

HB1122 would:

  • Allow local governments’ more authority to expand broadband to their citizens.
  • Invest $85 million in the Growing Rural Economies with Access to Technology (GREAT) program.
  • Expand health benefit coverage of telehealth services.
  • Establish a $5 million Homework Grants pilot project.

We need High Speed Internet NOW, so workers can work remotely, so patients can be served by telehealth, so businesses can reach their customers, so students can connect to all sorts of educational opportunities, so utilities can be more secure and efficient and a host of other reasons. Check out our Press Conference.
North Carolina is Losing Ground: Leandro
The Leandro case is simple - "Every child in this state has the constitutional right to education, but the state is not giving every child the opportunity to access that education."

It is up to North Carolina's Legislature to fix this issue. Unfortunately, since the Republican Supermajority took over our state, we have stopped making progress and lost ground toward this goal.
Select the image below to read the NC Justice Center's Report.
Joe Sam's Notes
I will say in times like these leadership matters. And I am thankful to have Roy Cooper's strong leadership for North Carolina.
Until we speak again, stay safe. If you or a loved one is concerned about your health, the numbers for each of District 119's Health Departments are listed below:

Haywood - (828) 452-6620
Jackson - (828) 586-8994
Swain - (828) 488-3198
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!