Rep. Brenden Jones
May is quickly approaching, which means the end to interim and the beginning of “short session,” which is every election year. While long session in non-election years begins in January, short session typically begins in April or May. This year we are coming back in to session on May 16th. I’m looking forward to getting back in to the swing of regular legislative business, but just because we’ve been in the interim doesn’t mean we haven’t made great progress towards growing our community.
Here are some of the highlights of the last few months:
At the front of everyone’s minds the last few months has been the pressing issue of school safety. Following the heartbreaking event in Parkland, FL I was determined to make sure we had an open, honest conversation at the legislature about tangible steps we can take to prevent something similar happening in North Carolina. Too often politicians are full of big talk and empty promises, and I’m determined to ensure that does not become the case here. I’m fortunate to work with many other legislators who feel similarly, and after conferring with my colleagues the House Select Committee on School Safety was formed. Our first meeting was early last month, and was highlighted by several experts giving testimony on research in to school shootings.
We have a unique opportunity in front of us to work together and make a real difference in improving safety for our students.
In February the North Carolina House of Representatives passed House Bill 90 by a vote of 104-12, after the Senate voted to move the measure the week before. House Bill 90 was introduced by the House and aims to address the needed funding for school districts billto lower class size in hopes of better educating our children., House Bill 90 will direct over $60 million in funds to schools primarily in the eastern part of the state, with Robeson County receiving over $7.5 million. A significant portion of the funding for H90 comes from funds received from Duke Energy and Dominion Energy in the announcement of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline’s construction through eastern North Carolina. While Governor Cooper has described this as a “voluntary contribution,” Democratic lawmaker Rep. Pricey Harrison (Guilford) has described it as “a condition of getting the permit granted.”
House Bill 90 is a reasonable, bipartisan solution to K-3 class sizes and I am glad to see many of my colleagues vote for it. It is unfortunate that Gov. Cooper has sought to bring back partisan pay-for- play schemes that were hallmarks of his failed Democratic legislative leadership of the 1990s.
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