Rep. Ray Russell’s Raleigh Report: Newsletter Highlighting Info from NC General Assembly

February 5, 2020

 

This week the Debt Affordability Advisory Committee, chaired by State Treasurer Dale Folwell, voted unanimously to approve the Debt Affordability Study that shows North Carolina is in a strong financial position to issue new bonds. Last year, Gov. Roy Cooper proposed a $3.9 billion bond to renovate and build new schools and upgrade aging local water and sewer systems across our state. The committee’s report states that North Carolina can afford to borrow $11 billion over the next 10 years.

 

The Governor’s proposed bond is a responsible path forward to help North Carolina keep up with the demands of population growth. The proposed bond includes $2 billion for K-12 public schools statewide to help meet the estimated $8 billion need for renovations and new schools. It includes $500 million each for facility improvements at community colleges and University of North Carolina System institutions and $800 million for local water and sewer projects. The proposal also invests $100 million in the NC Museum of History and the NC Zoo, cultural institutions that help educate North Carolinians and contribute to the economy.

 

To learn more about how local areas could benefit from the Governor’s proposed bond, click HERE.

 

 

 

Medicaid expansion would help North Carolina’s economy by bringing federal tax dollars into the state to use for health care services. The Cone Health Foundation estimated by 2022 this would amount to $4.7 billion dollars and 37,000 jobs into our state’s economy.

 

Medicaid expansion would close the health care coverage gap for 634,000 people by 2022. Expansion not only helps those folks, but also all of us who currently have coverage but face higher health care costs because we all ultimately pay for ER uncompensated care of the uninsured.

 

Health care jobs and lower costs are very important, but perhaps the most heart-breaking consequence of failing to expand Medicaid is that more babies die when states do not act, particularly African-American babies.

 

The American Journal of Public Health recently found that states that expanded Medicaid saw significant drops in their infant mortality rates compared with states like North Carolina. 

 

North Carolina needs to expand Medicaid so our most vulnerable and precious citizens can get the start to life that they deserve.

 

NC Policy Watch

 

 

 

Last September Duke Energy filed an application with the NC Utilities Commission to increase residential rates by 6.7%, commercial rates by 5.1%, and industrial rates by 4.8%. The North Carolina Utilities Commission is a state agency created to regulate the utility rates. It is the oldest regulatory body in state government.

 

The Utilities Commission is currently considering the proposed rate increase and accepting public input. You can email the Commission using this email form. Include docket number “E-7 Sub 1214” in the docket number line. 

 

Residents of Ashe and Watauga counties are not affected by the proposed rate hikes, but we’ve received many emails from the district about Duke Energy’s policies, and wanted keep everyone informed.

 

News & Record

 

WCNC

 

NC Policy Watch

 

Duke Energy

 

 

One-Stop Early Voting Schedule for Watauga

 

All sites are open the following dates and times:

 

Locations (You can vote at any One-Stop site in Watauga County)

 

Sample Ballots can be found on the Watauga County Board of Elections website:

http://www.wataugacounty.org/App_Pages/Dept/BOE/notices.aspx 

 

If you have any questions, please contact Matthew Snyder at the Watauga County Board of Elections.

842 West King Street, Suite 6 – PO Box 528 – Boone NC 28607

828-265-8061

Fax: 828-265-8068 

 

One-Stop Early Voting Schedule for Ashe

 

Location: Ashe County Courthouse

Board of Elections Office

150 Government Circle, Ste 2100

Jefferson, NC 28640

 

 

For more information, contact the Ashe County Board of Elections:

336.846.5570

Fax: 336.846.5574

I attended the following events and meetings over the last three weeks. I want to thank all who welcomed me and helped me learn more about the needs and issues of our district.

 

 

 

 

Members of Cox’s Grove Baptist Church Choir and Community Voices performed at the Ashe County Arts Council as part of the community celebration of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. which I attended last week.

 

Boone community leaders came together on MLK Day to celebrate the civil rights icon and to dedicate a street in his name. Entertainment for the event was provided by the Boone Mennonite Brethren Church Choir. It was an honor to attend both events.