Even though we were out of session, the month of January was very busy for me. A few highlights include a luncheon meeting with UNC Pembroke Chancellor Kyle R. Carter, and a Legislation Briefing with Scotland Health Care President Greg Woods. On the 12th and 13th, I attended the Holshouser Legislative Retreat in Greensboro and heard from many of the leading voices in education today.
The Raleigh Report
by Rep. Ken Goodman
Other events included the Martin Luther King luncheon in Richmond County, a political forum of the Lumberton Pan Hellenic Council, and a meeting with the directors of the Board of Elections (District 5) to discuss the new election laws.
This week the 2015 Session of the General Assembly began in earnest with members seeming to be in a much more conciliatory mood than the prior two. Of course the big question is will it last. I guess only time will tell.
The first public bill introduced this session was House Bill 3 – Eminent Domain, and I was pleased to be a primary sponsor along with Representatives Chuck McGrady, Paul Stam, and David Lewis. It provides important protections against the confiscation of private property by local and state government.
This week Speaker Tim Moore made committee assignments and I will be serving on Finance, Rules, Health, Transportation, Commerce and Regulatory Reform. I will serve as vice-chair of Commerce and Job Development, as well as Regulatory Reform. Committee work will begin Tuesday morning.
Also this week, I, along with other 11 other moderate Democrats in the House and Senate announced the formation of the Main Street Democrat Caucus. The purpose of this caucus will be to offer a new voice that is based on North Carolina values of faith, family, and hard work. We will promote fiscal accountability and responsibility in state government and work on issues that really make a difference in the lives of our citizens, job growth, education, community investment, and infrastructure. We also pledge to avoid the hyper partisanship that is so prevalent in the extreme wings of both parties.
If you find yourself in the Raleigh area, please stop by my office for a visit. I always enjoy having visits from my constituents. Also, please feel free to contact me when you have questions or concerns pertaining to Legislative matters. Phone: 919-733-5823 / Email: ken.goodman@ncleg.net.
Rep. Ken Goodman serves in the North Carolina House of Representatives for District 66, which includes Hoke, Montgomery, Richmond, Robeson and Scotland counties.
Discussion