Political Opinion: From the Desk of Sen. Jarvis' - February 12, 2022
Dear Friends,
It has been a chilly week in Raleigh, however, we're looking forward to spring as it's quickly approaching and with that said - let's jump into this February 11th newsletter!
Since last week's state Supreme Court ruling on redistricting, the legislature and other parties are working on separate proposals for new maps to be considered in next week's court battle. However, this time it won’t be entirely up to the three-judge panel to make a judgment on the maps. The judges plan to hire an outside expert known as a ‘special master’ to help review the redrawn maps being proposed.
Unrelated to maps, North Carolina health officials are changing COVID-19 guidelines to reduce the number of healthy students and teachers who are required to stay home after exposure to the virus. These new guidelines that were released Thursday, say that individual contact tracing and exclusion from school of anyone that is considered asymptomatic after being exposed to COVID-19, is now no longer recommended for K-12 students statewide. The state Department of Health and Human Services also now recommends that *no* students or school faculty must stay home after being exposed to COVID-19 unless they’ve tested positive or show real symptoms. DHHS Secretary Kody Kinsley said in an interview Thursday “our goal has always been to keep kids in the classroom.”
Although we would like for COVID-19 to go away completely, the easing of guidelines is a step in the right direction as many of you in my district have expressed repeatedly with diligence.
School meals has been an interesting topic here in Raleigh. The federal pandemic relief funds have provided all students, regardless of income, with free lunch. Normally, there would be a limit to the amount of free lunches based on income and in some instances reduced lunch rates. Some lawmakers have argued that it's not the government's job to feed the children as it should be the parents responsibility. No decision has been made yet.
North Carolina and many other states are long await for a multi billion dollar settlement with OxyContin producer, Perdue Pharma. This is a huge discussion for many families that been affected by the drug company. North Carolina is preparing to distribute at least $750 million from a $26.4 billion settlement reached in November between states and Johnson & Johnson, along with three distributors. For more information about these individual stories, please see below.
Gentlemen, before I forget - don't get too caught up in the Super Bowl Sunday and forget to pick up those roses for Valentine's Day on Monday! Don't say I didn't tell you so!
As always, thank you to our numerous constituents who continue to write, call, or email our office.
Senator Steve Jarvis,
NC District 29
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