Dear Friends,
We've had another productive week here in Raleigh! Although it seems hard to believe that we are still in session, we now see a light at the end of the tunnel.
On Tuesday, I attended the confirmation hearing of Karen Kemerait and had the privilege of making the motion to confirm her position to the North Carolina Utilities Commission.
The U.S. Supreme Court denied the General Assembly's emergency request on Monday, to hear our concerns that judges here in our state are legislating from the bench. We feel that the state courts should have no power to make any decisions that affect federal elections — including, but not limited to, gerrymandering lawsuits. This is unconstitutional therefore giving us the ability to submit an appeal to the U.S. Supreme court. The Supreme Court won’t automatically take up the case, but there is a good chance that the case will be heard at a later time.
North Carolina State Treasurer Dale Folwell on Wednesday called on the federal government to provide an easier pathway for the state to file lawsuits in U.S. courts that could lead to the seizure of Russian assets and properties. This comes after the treasurer's office identified Russian-based entities worth $80 million that the state pension program is invested in. With the war in Ukraine, Russian entities & investments has fallen 30% in value. Dale Folwell hopes to see if liquidating assets will be an option to recover the lost value in our states pension program.
Hugh B. Webster, a former state senator, passed away Friday, at age 78 at the Hospice Home in Burlington. Webster, a Caswell County native, recently retired as Register of Deeds of Alamance County. Before that, he served 12 years in the NC State Senate. A celebration service will be held Thursday, March 10, 2022, at Union United Methodist Church in Leasburg.
This is longest session recorded since 1965 here at the General Assembly and I couldn't be more proud of the hard work we gave to our duties as elected members. We were able to close out this session with much success!
Lawmakers are also in the process of reevaluating laws governing education in North Carolina, and legislators held an oversight meeting Tuesday. I want my constituents to know that I am standing for parents to have more oversight and choice over their children's education.
The state Senate tried to override Gov. Cooper's veto of "Free the Smiles Act." Although this act received bipartisan support in both chambers when it was initially introduced, the senate minority party voted against overriding the veto. We firmly believe that choice should be left to parents.
Not far from my district, the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina is fighting for federal recognition. One of the best things about our state is that we have a plethora of Native American history, and we wish them the best in this endeavor!
The organization Disability:IN North Carolina has announced that they are extending the deadline for the competition "Everybody Works in North Carolina From Murphy to Manteo." If you would like to submit a short video about disability inclusion in the workplace, we have linked the website at the bottom of the newsletter.
Don't forget to wear green next Thursday! It's St. Patrick's Day.
If you have concerns, or questions, you can reply to this newsletter, email, or call my office at (919) 733-5743.
I also take time each day to personally call citizens in our district to listen to their concerns. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve you!
Senator Steve Jarvis,
NC District 29
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