In God we Trust

Thank you for taking the time to read my newsletter and for staying connected with what’s happening in District 33 and in the General Assembly. It has been another productive week in the Senate, filled with committee meetings and voting sessions as we continue our work on behalf of the people of North Carolina.

My office and I remain committed to serving both our district and the state, and we will continue to keep you updated on the important issues and legislation that impact our community. Your thoughts and concerns are invaluable, and I am dedicated to making sure your voice is represented in the General Assembly. Please continue to keep me in your prayers and I seek God's wisdom and guidance in all that I do. Thank you for your trust and continued support.

In Session

On Tuesday afternoon, Senator Ford presented SB876 on the Senate floor as part of the chamber's consideration of the bill following the recent motion to concur. The vote passed today during the bill's reading, 32-17, marking another step forward after the committee's report was returned to the Senate. Senator Ford is the primary sponsor for this legislation.

Committee Meetings

This week, the Senate Committee on Rules and Operations of the Senate met to discuss HB332, HB920, and HB1040 on Tuesday. Additionally, the Senate Committee on Finance convened to talk through HB920 and HB1040. On Wednesday, the Senate Committee on Rules and Operations of the Senate met to consider HB443, SB801, and HB1215.

For more information on these bills, please click on the links.

Bills that have been sponsored and cosponsored by Senator Ford this session: SB816, SB876, SB893, SB936, SB992, SB1082.

On Tuesday morning at the General Assembly, members gathered in the historic old Senate Chambers for a special ceremonial session honoring America's semiquincentennial. The event discussed North Carolina's deep ties to the nation's founding and celebrated the state's long record of civic tradition. It was such a rare and meaningful experience to reflect in a chamber last used for session more than sixty years ago.

A senatorial statement recognizing the United States' 250th anniversary and North Carolina's historic contributions was presented by Senator Ford during the ceremony. The statement reflected on the state's historic contributions to the nation's founding.

A group photo inside of the old Capitol!

From left to right: Senators Buck Newton, Ralph Hise, Bill Rabon, President Pro Tempore Phil Berger, Carl Ford, Brent Jackson, and Warren Daniel.

Angela Ford performed the National Anthem and later led the Senate in "God Bless America," adding two wonderful musical moments to the ceremony.

PRESS RELEASE

Senator Carl Ford

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Angela Ford

Legislative Assistant

Phone: (919) 733-5665

E-mail: angela.ford@ncleg.gov

July 1, 2026

Senate Gives Initial Approval to Responsible State Budget

Plan includes tax cuts, state employee raises, and targets fraud, waste and abuse

Raleigh, N.C. — The North Carolina Senate gave initial approval to the Fiscal Year 2026-27 budget, which cuts taxes for all North Carolinians, raises pay for state employees, and addresses the state’s most pressing needs.



The budget received a bipartisan vote of 37-12.

“Republican-led budgets have transformed North Carolina into the best state in the nation,” Senate Appropriations Chairman Brent Jackson (R-Sampson) said. “Our years of fiscal restraint allowed us to provide regular salary increases to state employees, including the significant raises in this budget, while delivering relief to North Carolinians who are feeling the pinch of rising costs.”

Senate Appropriations Chairman Ralph Hise (R-Mitchell) said, “This budget supports additional recovery efforts for Western North Carolina following the devastation of Hurricane Helene. We’ve spent over a decade replenishing our state’s savings account after Democrats drained it, and this budget is no different.”

Senate Appropriations Chairman Michael Lee (R-New Hanover) said, “Educational access and student success remain top priorities for the General Assembly, and this budget reflects that. We focused our efforts on supporting programs with proven track records, from bolstering teacher pay and advancement opportunities and enhancing math curriculum to encouraging workforce development initiatives.”

Highlights of the budget include:

• Sets aside more than $450 million for our state’s Rainy Day Fund, bringing the total up to just over $4.2 billion
• Appropriates more than $700 million for Hurricane Helene relief
• Removes upcoming revenue triggers and locks in a schedule of set Personal Income Tax rate reductions, guaranteeing a rate of 2.99% by 2033, with additional quarter-percent rate reductions based on revenue triggers, to reach a 2.49% rate
• Releases $208.5 million for the N.C. Children’s Hospital from the ARPA Temporary Savings Reserve
• Appropriates $1.6 billion for capital projects for state agencies and UNC System campuses
• Secures funding for the Propel NC workforce-driven funding model to ensure North Carolina’s community colleges are prepared to meet the needs of all students and job creators
• Provides critical funding to maintain North Carolina’s participation in SNAP
• Funds the state’s Medicaid program with an appropriation of over $1 billion
• Funds new Driver License Examiner positions to provide extended weekday and Saturday hours at high-volume driver license offices
• An average 8% raise for teachers and bonuses based on years of service
• Across-the-board 3% increase for all state employees and a bonus based on their salary
• Average 20.3% raise, including step increases, for State Bureau of Investigation and Alcohol Law Enforcement officers and SBI civilian personnel will receive an average of 27.5%
• Average 17.7% raise, with step increases, for State Highway Patrol officers and up to 11.5% for State Highway Patrol civilian personnel
• Correctional officers will receive an average 15.4% salary increase, with step increases
• Probation and Parole officers will receive an average 10.1% salary increase, including steps
• 13% raise for other law enforcement officers across state government — including State Capitol Police
• Funding for a one-time bonus of $1,750 for local law enforcement officers across the state
• Provides funding to ensure students have the foundational mathematics skills to be successful, including $6 million for low-performing schools to have a universal screener, $5 million to pilot and study mathematics tools, $4 million for mathematics training for middle school teachers, and $10 million to develop a standard K-8 math curriculum
• Enhances our state’s literacy instruction by funding $13.8 million for middle school literacy professional development and expanding the early literacy screener to grades 4 and 5
• Supplies funding to improve county SNAP operations, including needed IT enhancements and positions at the DHHS to support counties, to reduce payment error rates and avoid federal penalties that will go into effect next year
• Increases Medicaid reimbursement rates to strengthen the Direct Care workforce serving individuals on the Innovations Waiver and those receiving Medicaid Personal Care Services
• Increases funding for Medicaid program integrity to strengthen oversight, prevent fraud, and ensure taxpayer dollars are well spent
• Provides funds for the DHHS to partner with our state’s Government Data Analytics Center to enhance technology for Medicaid fraud, waste, and abuse prevention and to support recovery efforts
• Strengthens oversight of certain high-growth Medicaid services by requiring health plans to establish closed networks for Peer Support, Research-Based Behavioral Health Treatment (RB-BHT), and Community Support Services
• Repeals the state’s archaic certificate of need laws for inpatient rehabilitation services, facilities, and beds. This will increase competition, expand consumer choice, and help lower healthcare costs for patients, employers, and taxpayers
• Provides an additional $100.8 million from federal block grants to increase childcare subsidy rates to the recommended level from the most recent 2023 Market Rate Study and establishes a statewide rate floor
• Fulfills our commitment to fund the JetZero economic development project at PTI Airport by providing $133.9 million for improvements at the project site
• Provides $12 million to Wilson Community College to support the expansion of the existing construction of a workforce training center
• Supports 10 time-limited capital criminal appeal attorneys to meet the needs of Iryna’s Law
• Funds 24 positions to support investigations and enforcement related to drug crimes, vapor products laws, and other areas of SBI jurisdiction
• Provides $30 million for school safety grants and $300,000 nonrecurring for Behavioral Threat Assessment Management to assist with early detection and prevention of school-based safety threats
• Provides funds for 30 additional positions in the Division of Motor Vehicles to provide compliance and oversight support

The state budget is available on the General Assembly’s website. You can also view the “money report” online. Additional details can be found here.

 A final vote on the budget is anticipated on July 2.

The Liberty Fire Department is hiring! If you're interested in serving your community, now is a great time to apply.

North Carolina is ramping up for America 250 Semiquincentennial Celebration at the General Assembly!

Apply for a GO Grant Today

GO Grants are a great way to get our students outdoors! These grants provide outdoor learning experiences by sponsoring field trips and outdoor activities, such as archery. The goal is to provide students with the chance to learn by doing.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and there is no deadline to apply. If you are interested, please visit their website here.

Town of China Grove

The Town of China Grove proudly presents the 45th Annual Farmers Day Festival in 2026, a cherished tradition celebrating community, heritage, and hometown fun.

Join us on Main Street for a full day of local vendors, live entertainment, family-friendly activities, and longtime festival favorites. Farmers Day continues to honor China Grove’s roots while creating new memories for generations to come.

China Grove is gearing up for a fun, family weekend as the annual Tractor Parade rolls out on Friday, July 17th at 6:00 p.m., with participants lining up at the new staging area at Mt. Zion Church between 4:45 and 5:30 p.m. The parade will travel down Main Street from Kimball/Coach Deal Road to Ross Street, and convenient parking is available both on-site and at the nearby Food Lion overflow lot. It's a lively tradition that the whole community can enjoy!

The events continue on Saturday, July 18th with the Tractor Show from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. along Main Street in front of the Farm Bureau. Participants can park overnight or arrive early for Saturday morning load-in, and Main Street will remain closed for everyone's safety. Both events are free, open to all ages, and a fantastic celebration! Register today so we can keep you updated with important event details.

Register online here! For questions, please call 704-857-2466 ext. 2105 or email jsellers@chinagrovenc.gov

Town of Rockwell

Town of Landis

Friday Night Downtown Cruise In

Join us on the first Friday of each month, April through September, as N. Central Ave. fills with classic cars, great music, and local vendors! Bring your ride, stroll the street, and enjoy a fun evening with the community.

Weather Notice: In the event of heavy rain or thunderstorms, the Cruise-In will be rescheduled for the second Friday of the month.

Please check the Town website or the Facebook event page for the latest updates and announcements. 

City of Kannapolis

Check out these additional events this week!

The Kannapolis Farmers Market is looking for vendors!

Are you a farmer, baker, artisan, or crafter? We’d love to have you at the Kannapolis Farmers Market. We’re looking for everything from fresh local produce, cheese, honey, and baked goods to jewelry, soaps, crafts, food trucks, and more.

The market runs May–September, every Thursday from 4–7 p.m. at the corner of Vance Avenue and Dale Earnhardt Boulevard.

Vendor fees are $30 per year, plus $10 per 14’ space each week.

Learn more at www.kannapolisnc.gov/farmersmarket or contact Jenna Logan at jlogan@kannapolisnc.gov or 704-920-4326.

City of Salisbury

The Salisbury Parks and Recreation Department has released its 2026 Summer Playbook. For events and programs happening from May to August, view the details in the post below.

Ready, set... Summer!

The Summer 2026 Playbook is here!

Click the link for all the programs and events from May-August!

Click here for more information

Town of Badin

Town of Oakboro

Town of East Spencer

Town of Faith

It's that time again- the Faith 4th of July Celebration is back! Join us for seven days of fun, festivities, and community from June 28th through July 4th. The excitement all leads up to the annual Faith Independence Day Parade, starting at 10 am this Saturday, July 4th. Don't miss one of Faith's favorite traditions!

The Faith Academy Charter School is hiring! If you are interested in either of these positions, please click on the link to apply here.

City of Locust

City of Albemarle

Parents! Looking for fun summer activities for the kids? Registration is now OPEN for Albemarle Parks and Recreation's Outdoor Challenge Program! Learn more and sign up here: https://albemarle.recdesk.com/Community/Program?category=7

Spots can fill up quickly, so don't miss your chance to get in on the fun!

Town of Spencer

Thomas AND Percy are coming to Spencer, N.C.!

Experience Day Out With Thomas featuring a real train ride with Thomas, plus exclusive rides with Percy only available in the Southeast at the N.C. Transportation Museum. Get your tickets while you can!

Includes a full day of activities, games, and museum access!

Sept 25–27 & Oct 2–4, 2026

1 Samuel Spencer Dr. Spencer, NC 28159

Town of Norwood

Town of Cleveland

To get in touch with Senator Carl Ford’s office, you may send correspondence to his legislative office at 300 N. Salisbury Street, Room 625, Raleigh, NC 27603. You can also call (919) 733‑5665 or email him at Carl.Ford@ncleg.gov.

You can also sign up for Senator Ford’s newsletter by scanning the QR code shown here. It will take you directly to the subscription portal. Stay updated on legislative news, district events, and key public service updates from his office!

Can our office help?

If there is an issue with which our office might be able to provide assistance, please do not hesitate to contact our Raleigh office, (919) 733- 5665 or Carl.Ford@ncleg.gov

Of course, if you are ever in Raleigh, please feel free to visit your legislative office. We would love to meet you.  

**Our office location is Room 625.**

Please share this newsletter with your friends and family in the district. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact me. If you would like to subscribe to the newsletter click here to email us and ask to be added.

God Bless,

Carl