As the 2008 Session of the General Assembly has now ended, I wanted to take this opportunity to keep you informed about the work I have done for the people of New Hanover County. This session of the legislature was a productive one; in fact, more bills were filed this year than any other year since 1930. During this session I fought for lower taxes, smaller government, improved transportation, improving the environment, and many other issues that directly affect the people of North Carolina's 19th District.
It has been a privilege to serve the people of New Hanover County and to assist them in any way possible. This year thousands of people contacted my office with a variety of concerns and issues. It is now my intention to address some of these issues to let you know the outcome and my position on them.
Annexation
Annexation was a very important issue this past year in the General Assembly. I consistently took a strong position in favor of the one year moratorium and supported the people's right to choose. I introduced and co-sponsored several pieces of legislation that would halt involuntary annexation for one year in North Carolina and New Hanover County. The Involuntary Annexation Moratorium bill was successfully passed by the House of Representatives. Unfortunately, the bill encountered some opposition in the Senate and was not even heard in a Senate committee, and thus failed to pass. Resolving this issue will be a priority next session when the General Assembly re-convenes in January 2009.
Education
I believe that in North Carolina, our educational goal should be to prepare our future work force for careers in knowledge-based industries. I believe that our schools should be filled with highly qualified teachers who are prepared to offer a challenging curriculum to students on a daily basis. I believe that teachers and schools should be held accountable for their performance. Our schools should be preparing our students to venture out into the work force and become successful and productive members of our great society. I also strongly support any extra-curricular activities that help shape our young people into leaders, such as sports teams, theater arts, musical groups, and after school clubs.
Transportation
North Carolina is in dire need of more highway infrastructure. Our roads need to be safe, reliable, and convenient for all the citizens who travel. It is essential to have a road maintenance plan, as well as well trained repair crews who are capable of fixing problems quickly. Having quality roads in New Hanover is not just important to travelers; they also have a direct effect on the economy. We must plan today for the needs of tomorrow. New Hanover County and Southeastern North Carolina must catch up to the rest of the state in terms of highway infrastructure. As a Vice-Chairman on the House Transportation Committee, I will be working hard to improve our highway infrastructure plan and to improve our overall quality of travel in North Carolina.
In order to alleviate some of the transportation problems in the New Hanover County area, I helped the Department of Transportation attain funding for Interstate 140 and the Southern Bridge across the Cape Fear River. Interstate 140 will connect U.S. 17, U.S. 74/76, U.S. 421, U.S. 117, I-40, and will connect back to U.S. 17 North of Wilmington. This interstate will create a "beltline" around the city of Wilmington which will enhance the quality and ease of Transportation in the New Hanover County area. The North Carolina State Ports are projecting a two to three-fold increase in freight traffic over the next five years, which will generate additional truck traffic on area arterial roadways. The Southern Bridge, which will connect the Wilmington Bypass to the Port of Wilmington, will help accommodate an anticipated increase in traffic for a growing area. The bridge will also strengthen the area's economy by making our port more accessible to businesses. I, along with other area mayors and city council members, support this project to improve the area's transportation.
Environment
Preserving the environment is an issue that is near and dear to my heart. I have always said that I will do all that I can to preserve the quality of life that we currently enjoy in New Hanover County. It is my intention to keep our air, water, and beaches clean for many years to come. Having a clean and healthy environment is a basic necessity for which all people are entitled. I believe that a balance between economic development and the environment must exist. I pledge to do all that is in my power to continue to help keep New Hanover County a clean and healthy place to live.
Mental Health
This past year in the General Assembly I have been working with local area mental health leaders to try and improve and expand on the system already in place. Representatives Carolyn Justice, Sandra Spaulding Hughes and I worked vigorously on a plan that will improve the care that patients receive in New Hanover County facilities. It is my belief that all the people in New Hanover County suffering from a mental illness should receive the highest quality care available. This is currently an on-going issue, but it is one that I am determined to solve.
Film Tax Credits
As a board member of the North Carolina Film Council, I have a keen understanding of the film industry. I fully support giving tax credits to film studios in Wilmington and New Hanover County. I helped pass the Film Tax Credit Extension bill that grants tax credits to area film makers through 2014 which will give a much needed boost to the industry. These tax credits will help New Hanover County attract new film companies to the area, which will generate jobs and help improve the economy. Additionally, these tax credits will also help existing companies with expansion projects, a lower cost of filming, and will bring multi-year movie projects to North Carolina.
Wilmington is known as ‘Hollywood East' because of the flourishing film industry that exists here. The film industry has become an important part of the economy in our area, and I will continue to work with area film makers to help keep our unique industry thriving.
My Goals For Next Session
My objective for next session is to employ common sense solutions to the problems that we face in New Hanover County and the State of North Carolina. My goals are simple; keep taxes low, keep the government small, end wasteful spending, improve the economy, preserve the environment, downsize expenses, stop the borrowing of money, and no new taxes.
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