November 22, 2024

The Office of

Representative Mike Clampitt

House District 119

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House Bill 10 Override

It’s official! The General Assembly has overridden Gov. Cooper’s veto of House Bill 10, putting into law much-needed provisions that require sheriffs to cooperate with ICE, clear the Opportunity Scholarship waitlist, fund K-12 and community college enrollment growth and expand rural high-speed internet.

Veterans History Museum of the Carolinas: Speech from Rep. Mike Clampitt on the Veterans Day

Please click this link.

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

FEMA Announces Changes to Disaster Recovery Center Hours

RALEIGH, N.C. -  As North Carolinians continue to recover from Helene, FEMA is announcing changes to the hours of operation for Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) across North Carolina. These decisions were made in partnership with the state and local governments.

• Effective Monday, Nov. 25, DRCs will be open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays.
• All DRCs are now closed Sundays.
• DRCs will be closed Nov. 28–Dec. 1 for Thanksgiving weekend. All DRCs will reopen 8 a.m. Monday, Dec. 2.

A DRC is a one-stop shop where survivors can meet face-to-face with FEMA representatives, apply for FEMA assistance, receive referrals to local assistance in their area, apply with the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for low-interest disaster loans and much more.

FEMA financial assistance may include money for basic home repairs, personal property losses or other uninsured, disaster-related needs, such as childcare, transportation, medical needs, funeral or dental expenses.

To find a DRC location near you, go to fema.gov/drc or text “DRC” and a ZIP code to 43362. All centers are accessible to people with disabilities or access and functional needs and are equipped with assistive technology.

Homeowners and renters in 39 North Carolina counties and tribal members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians can visit any open center, including locations in other states. No appointment is needed. 

It is not necessary to go to a center to apply for FEMA assistance. The fastest way to apply is online at DisasterAssistance.gov or via the FEMA App. You may also call 800-621-3362. If you use a relay service, such as video relay, captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA your number for that service.

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WNC Regional DWI Taskforce Event

NC Agriculture Disaster Relief Documents

The attached document is showing the disaster relief package request from the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services as well as a map showing the declared disaster counties for Hurricane Helene, and a combined map showing the declarations for Hurricane Helene, drought, and Hurricane Debby

Transylvania County: Dog/Cat Food Donations

Animal Services provided access to animal food and supplies( collars, leashes, harnesses, bedding, crates, towels, etc.) in our donation corner prior to the hurricane, since the hurricane and the increase in donations our policy remains that should any person in our community need any supplies for their pets to come to TCAS or call and an officer or staff member will deliver what they need.

We do ask citizens how many pets and the size of the pets they own so we can make sure that they get enough food to feed for several days or longer. We are very fortunate that prior to the hurricane we have members of our community that regularly donate food and supplies so the animals in Transylvania County and their families have regular access to pet food and supplies.

We are also working with the ASPCA and through their grant will have a shipping container delivered this week to remain a distribution center for animals in our area and house donations, the ASPCA will continue to make deliveries to supply the container through April 2025 if not longer. 

​Megan Searcy

Lead Veterinary Technician, Shelter Manager

Transylvania County Animal Services

828.884.1896 direct line

828.883.3713 main line

megan.searcy@transylvaniacounty.org

Good News About Travel

Good news about saving money on gas! Starting Tuesday Sheetz is selling Unleaded 88 gas at a .40 a gallon discount through the end of November. https://shorturl.at/mwUzp

N.C. House Republicans Elect Leadership Positions

Raleigh, NC – The N.C. House Republican Caucus held its leadership election for the 2025-2026 legislative session and elected the following positions:



Speaker of the House

Rep. Destin Hall (R-Caldwell)

Speaker Pro Tempore

Rep. Mitchel Setzer (R-Catawba)

Majority Leader

Rep. Brenden Jones (R-Columbus)

Deputy Majority Leader

Rep. Steve Tyson (R-Craven)

Majority Whip

Rep. Karl Gillespie (R-Cherokee)

Conference Chair

Rep. Matthew Winslow (R- Franklin)

Rep. Jeff Zenger (R-Forsyth)

Joint Caucus Leader

Rep. Harry Warren (R-Rowan)

Freshman Leader

Rep. Heather Rhyne (R-Lincoln)

Freshman Whip

Rep. Blair Eddins (R-Wilkes)

Speaker-designee Destin Hall said, “I want to thank my caucus members for the tremendous support that they’ve given me over the past couple of years and then again today. The message that we have coming out of our caucus today is one of unity.”

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Resource Centers Swain, Jackson, and Transylvania County

Here is the most up-to-date information on donation and pickup locations for those affected by Hurricane Helene:

Swain County:

Swain Family Resource Center

swainfrc@gmail.com

300 Hughes Branch Rd, Bryson City, NC 28713

828-488-7505

Jackson County:

Donation and pickup details can be found on the Jackson County Emergency Management Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/JacksonNCEM

Mark Watson Park

86 Mark Watson Park, Sylva, NC 28779

Cleaning Supplies, Water, MREs and Portable Water Available

Cashiers Baptist Church

213 US-64, Cashiers, NC 28717

Cleaning Supplies, Water, MREs and Other Items Available

Canada Fire Department

149 Charleys Creek Rd, Tuckasegee, NC 28783

Transylvania County:

Anchor Baptist Church

3232 Hendersonville Hwy, Pisgah Forest, NC 28768

(828) 884-7610

Tillis, Budd demand answers from FEMA on efforts in western North Carolina



by Theresa Opeka/The Carolina journal

North Carolina Republican US Sens. Thom Tillis and Ted Budd led a letter this week with 17 of their Senate colleagues to Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Deanne Criswell.

The letter seeks answers on allegations that FEMA employees were advised to avoid homes that had Trump yard signs, not only in Florida after Hurricane Milton, but possibly in western North Carolina after Hurricane Helene. The story has raised grave concerns over potential widespread politicization of disaster relief.

Link for the article

House overrides veto of Opportunity Scholarships funding, ICE bill



by Katherine Zehnder/The Carolina journal

On Tuesday, the North Carolina House voted 72-44 to override Gov. Roy Cooper’s veto of House Bill 10, a bill that will provide funds to clear the waiting list for the Opportunity Scholarship Program, require North Carolina sheriffs to cooperate with US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and make other budget adjustments.

HB10 was passed by the North Carolina General Assembly in September and was then vetoed by Governor Roy Cooper.

“Once again, we are back having this debate over Opportunity Scholarships; the other side likes to call it vouchers intentionally. But this is about opportunities, opportunities for all children, all across North Carolina,” said Rep Tricia Cotham, R-Mecklenburg, on the House floor Tuesday.

Link for the article

North Carolina 1 of 13 AAA in all major national bond rating agencies

by Alan Wooten/The Center Square

Taxpayers in North Carolina have more buying power through state government on the strength of an AAA long-term rating and an AA+ appropriation-backed rating.

S&P Global Ratings affirmed the placements recently. Republican Treasurer Dale Folwell said, “Ultimately, the credit for these ratings goes to the taxpayers of North Carolina and the North Carolina General Assembly for their strong fiscal management.”

North Carolina is one of only 13 states with a AAA rating from all three major national bond rating agencies. Moody’s Investors Service and Fitch Ratings are the other two of the big three.

S&P, in a release, said tax reforms – led by the Republican majorities of the Legislature in the last 15 years – are pivotal to the state’s successful outlook.

Link for the article

2024 House Page Program

The 2025 Long Session House Page Applications will be available online beginning Monday, January 6, 2025. The Page website can be accessed by visiting the following: https://www.ncleg.gov/House/PageProgram/.

GENERAL INFORMATION:

• Pages may only serve one time in the House.
• Each Representative is allotted up to 5 Page appointments during the 2025 Long Session.
• Current sophomore, junior, and senior high school students will be eligible to apply.
• Direct prospective Pages to our website for Page information, including the process and the application.
• Check the House Page website for participant eligibility requirements and available dates to serve as a House Page.
• Please note, House Pages are processed on a first-come, first-served basis.
• House Page applications are accepted until all weeks are full.

Feel free to contact Sue Frederick, House Page Supervisor Sue.frederick@ncleg.gov, 919-733-5701, with questions.

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Contact:

~ Phone: (919) 715-3005 ~ Email: Mike.Clampitt@ncleg.gov ~