2020 in Review
At the end of a long and difficult year, one full of unexpected challenges, its important to pause and reflect on our accomplishments both on the campaign trail and in the NC legislature.
Legislative Update:
Facing an unprecedented public health crisis, our legislature took action to provide disaster relief for North Carolinians all across our state. We have much more work to do next year, but so far we have passed disaster relief legislation that includes:
$125 million in small business assistance loans through Golden LEAF
$84 million for expanded COVID-19 testing and contact tracing
$75 million to help local schools with school nutrition
$70 million for summer K-12 learning programs
$52 million in additional funding for public schools
$41 million for early childhood services
$10 million for K-12 mental health services
$38 million for mental health services
$300 million for local governments struggling with COVID-19 costs
$50 increase in weekly unemployment insurance compensation (although it’s still not enough)
$335 direct checks to families with children
$30 million in additional grants to expand high-speed Internet access
$6 million in direct assistance to food banks and nutritional programs
Although all of this funding was important and helped provide services and resources to hundreds of thousands of North Carolinians, there are many other important policies that our legislature has not yet considered, including:
Medicaid Expansion. Medicaid Expansion would help hundreds of thousands of North Carolinians access affordable health insurance, bring billions of dollars to NC from the federal government, and would help our economy by creating thousands of new jobs in our healthcare industry.
Pay increases or bonuses for teachers and public school employees.
Significant investment in public schools is needed to satisfy our state constitutional guarantee of a sound public education to all students as required by our courts.
Assistance to small businesses most impacted by COVID-19, such as restaurants, bars, gyms, etc.
Direct relief to renters and homeowners who are nearing eviction. Housing is a public health issue, especially during the winter months, and as we continue to struggle with increasing numbers of COVID-19 cases across the state.
Fixing the long-term problems with NC’s unemployment system. Our unemployment system is the worst in the country for unemployed workers.
Significant funding assistance to local governments.
The General Assembly is scheduled to come back into session on January 13th for our swearing-in ceremony. Shortly thereafter, we will reconvene our legislative body for the long session. We have a great deal of work to do to address both the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the state’s two-year budget stalemate.
North Carolina is currently sitting on over 4 billion dollars of unused and unreserved funds that could be used to provide relief to individuals and local governments across our state. Legislative leaders have often called a portion of this available money our “rainy day” fund, but those same leaders are refusing to tap into that fund during one of the darkest economic times in our state’s history.
It’s time for members of our legislative body to rally together and to put ourselves to work for the people of North Carolina. After our state has endured such extreme hardship over the past year, our General Assembly must put every penny of available funds to good use.
If you’re interested in receiving regular updates on my work in the legislature, please sign up for my legislative newsletter using this link. We publish our newsletter on the 1st and 15th of every month.
Session Highlights
Early Childhood Programs
The COVID-19 pandemic has made it clear that our economy relies on parents having access to safe and reliable childcare to function. This summer, I was proud to introduce HB 1117 to provide emergency funding and support to childcare centers and early childhood educators.
My close relationships with early childhood advocates also prepared me to speak out when our legislature passed a bill (HB 1105) that provided some much-needed funding for our childcare centers but also rolled back important safety requirements for childcare centers during remote learning. I’m glad to have had the chance to speak with WSOC TV and shine a light on our legislature’s rushed response to the childcare crisis.
The pandemic isn’t over, and families are still struggling to access safe, affordable, and quality childcare. When our legislature reconvenes in January, I’m ready to introduce legislation that provides more funding and safety resources for our childcare centers.
Reproductive Healthcare
From introducing bills to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment, to introducing amendments to defund organizations that peddle misinformation to people seeking reproductive healthcare, I have never shied away from an opportunity to stand up for reproductive freedom. That’s why I was proud to publish a featured article on NC Policy Watch this month about reproductive freedom in North Carolina! Check out the introduction below:
“After enduring an election cycle unlike any other, North Carolina legislators are turning our focus back towards the critical work ahead of us in 2021. During my reelection campaign, I talked to many constituents who were concerned about their health care. Some were recently unemployed and unsure of how they could afford their next few months of medical care. Others were worried that one unplanned health expense could put their family into debt beyond repair. As the COVID-19 pandemic rages around us, our General Assembly must prioritize legislation that makes healthcare access more equitable and affordable.”
Read the full article here
Campaign Highlights
My reelection campaign this year was unlike anything I expected. Virtual fundraisers and volunteer events were difficult to adjust to, but I was always glad for the chance to reconnect with, see and listen to those of you who attended our virtual events. Although we rarely had the opportunity to see each other in person, your support helped me carve out a strong path to victory in November.
Despite the many new challenges we faced, our campaign achieved a great deal this year. Our volunteers completed 221 voter contact shifts and called 20,144 voters in House District 36! Our end of campaign analysis shows that 69% of the voters our campaign connected with voted early. Your efforts to contact constituents in my district helped deliver my victory in House District 36 and in down-ballot races as well!
Your contributions also allowed our campaign to send out mailers and place digital advertisements that reached voters who we couldn’t catch on the phones. Our campaign had an average contribution of $148 and a total of 600 donors, many of whom gave multiple gifts over the past two years. Every cent you invested in our campaign helped deliver victory for us on Election Day. We couldn’t have won without your support.
Happy New Year
As we begin 2021, my hope is for a safe, healthy and prosperous new year for all North Carolinians. My New Year’s resolution is to continue listening, learning and leading. Thank you for your trust and for allowing me to serve the state and community I love in the General Assembly.
