Happy New Year
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all my constituents for the opportunity to serve you. I am profoundly grateful to have had this opportunity, and did my best to serve the needs of Western North Carolina and our state.

As for my next steps, I plan to attend to my business and family and enjoy the great outdoors. Beyond that, stay tuned.
So Long Good Friend
I'd like to take a moment to remember my dear friend Marc Basnight. He was a great North Carolinian and one of the finest Legislators in America, ever. Marc, thank you for all you gave and all you did for us. You are well loved, deeply appreciated and will be missed, but not forgotten.
Best Wishes to Our New Team
I'd like to congratulate Western North Carolina's Newest Delegation, Karl Gillespie, Mark Pless, Mike Clampitt and Kevin Corbin, on their victories. We have high hopes that these men will improve Western North Carolina.
Joe Sam's Notes
As this COVID-19 Session of the Legislature ends, I'm hoping for a better New Year for all. In this advent season, it is my strong hope that light will shine in the darkness and a new spirit of collaboration and cooperation will lead our state, country and the whole world.
In that advent hope, there are four incredibly smart and doable initiatives that are pending.

Let's Expand Medicaid, to stop the waste of $4 Billion of our tax dollars. We need the $4 Billion in North Carolina. Our citizens desperately need the healthcare and the jobs now!

Let's create a Comprehensive Broadband Plan that will get the job done, High Speed Internet wherever there is electricity. This General Assembly, by statute, is still prohibiting critical partners like local governments, counties, municipalities and the Utilities Commission from participating in the solutions we desperately need. Let's stop the obstruction, let's allow all our partners to do their share and let's do it now!

Let's pass a strong State Infrastructure Bond to improve our Schools, Community Colleges and Universities. And to ensure clean water and high-speed internet everywhere, and more. There's never been a time with better terms or greater needs than now!

Let's restore our State's Unemployment System to protect our workers who are out of work due to this pandemic. Let's not leave anyone behind as we build back better.

Working together for the Common Good, We can do this North Carolina! Let's pull out of this pandemic and recession to thrive like never before.
Until we speak again, stay safe. If I can help you in any way, feel free to give me a call. 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

Happy New Year to All!
My Future Contact Information:

58 Pigeon St, Waynesville, NC 28786
828-452-1688
Joesamqueennc@gmail.com
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!