From the Desk of Senator Brent Jackson April 10, 2025 | | |
Dear Friend of Senate District 9,
Thank you for taking the time to read my newsletter and staying connected with the latest news from District Nine and our efforts in the General Assembly.
My team and I are committed to serving our community and our state, working hard each day to bring about positive change. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue addressing the important issues impacting our district! Your voices and concerns continue to guide our efforts in the General Assembly, and we remain focused on bringing your priorities to the forefront.
Stay tuned for more updates on the important work we’re doing, and thank you for your continued support!
Sincerely,
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This week, the N.C. Senate has been working hard to move bills through committees so we can vote on them and send them over to the House. Most notably, the Senate passed Senate Bill 474, The DAVE Act.
That bill creates the Division of Accountability, Value, and Efficiency in the State Auditor’s office.
We want to make sure state agencies are putting your hard-earned tax dollars to work in an appropriate, efficient manner. The DAVE Act empowers the State Auditor to conduct a comprehensive audit of state agency spending and staffing. Once that report is done, he'll share it with the General Assembly and the General Assembly what actions to take based on the reporting.
The Senate also passed Senate Bill 124, Reduce Barriers to State Employment. This bill aims to ensure that our state agencies are hiring and recruiting the most qualified individuals. The bill would require state agencies to consider factors like military service and apprenticeships when considering candidates. The bill also requires college degree requirements to be removed if the job does not require a college degree.
This is an important bill to ensure our state workforce is fully staffed, and well-qualified individuals are hired in these positions. You can read the bill by clicking here: https://www.ncleg.gov/Sessions/2025/Bills/Senate/PDF/S124v1.pdf
To find out more about the NC General Assembly Committees you can visit the website by clicking here
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| | Here I am with Riptide who is a Colonial Spanish Mustang, better known as our state horse! Riptide is a rescue horse, he was born to a herd on the OBX and is the official ambassador for all of NC OBX Wild Horses. These horses have been here for over 500 years and are part of the NC coastal landscape. He visited the General Assembly along with the Corolla Wild Horse Fund. | | Ag Disaster Crop Loss Program | | |
On March 19 2025, through The Disaster Recovery Act of 2025 – Part I
(S.L. 2025-2), the North Carolina General Assembly established the
Agricultural Disaster Crop Loss Program, a one-time assistance program for agricultural producers who suffered verifiable losses from any declared agricultural disaster in 2024. This includes Hurricane Helene, drought, Tropical Storm Debby, and Potential Cyclone 8.
The General Assembly appropriated nearly $311 million for the program that will be administered by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. $200 million will be for verifiable losses from Hurricane Helene in the affected area and about $111 million will be for verifiable losses from all other agricultural disasters in 2024.
The application period opened on April 1, 2025 and will close May 4, 2025.
To learn more about the program and apply for assistance please click the link below:
Ag Disaster Crop Loss Program
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Opportunity Scholarship Program
In 2013 the North Carolina General Assembly created the NC Opportunity Scholarship program. It recognized a simple yet important principle - choice. Every child has unique educational needs. North Carolina recognizes that uniqueness and offers support for the academic programs that best meet the needs of that child - be they traditional public schools, charter schools, home schools or private schools.
Last year the North Carolina General Assembly expanded the NC Opportunity Scholarship program for families choosing a private school option. You can find details on the program and how to apply here.
"Scholarships are awarded based on a family’s household income and can be used to pay the required tuition and fees to attend an eligible private school.
Who Can Apply?
Parents of any North Carolina student entering kindergarten through 12th grade.
What are the eligibility requirements?
Students must meet the following requirements to be eligible for the Opportunity Scholarship:
- At least 5 years old by August 31 or at least 4 years old by April 16 and approved for Kindergarten according to state guidelines.
- Lives in North Carolina
- Has not graduated from high school
- Has not enrolled in a post-secondary institution full-time
Note: Scholarship amount is determined by household income
How much is the Scholarship?
Scholarships range from approximately $3,000 to $7,000 and are based on a family’s household income. Scholarships can be used to pay the required tuition and fees to attend an eligible private school."
| | GO Grants are a great way to get our students outdoors! Apply for a GO Grant today! Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and there is no deadline to apply! | |
North Carolina Interscholastic Cycling League competes in E-Town
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Last year, Elizabethtown was the first stop on the bicycle racing circuit for the North Carolina Interscholastic Cycling League.
This year, the group has put E-town down for their fourth run of the season, with a theme called “Browns Creek Block Party” - April 12-13 at Browns Creek Bike Trail. The rain dates will be May 3-4. Last year thousands came into Bladen County for the event and a few things have changed for this year.
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East Duplin golf team opens up season with perfect 7-0 record
| | After finishing second in the conference to North Lenoir last season, the East Duplin Panthers are on a mission to claim the conference title this season, and they are off to a great start with a perfect 4-0 record in conference play and 7-0 overall record. | | Jones County Community Closet Donation Drive is Approaching | | The winning design will be featured on this year’s limited-edition festival t-shirts, available exclusively at the event. The 1st place winner will not only have their artwork displayed on the shirt but will also receive a free t-shirt, $30 in festival bucks, and a certificate presented by our Jones County Manager at the Awards Ceremony. Plus, two runner-ups will receive special prizes! | |
Burgaw to host its 3rd annual Adult Prom
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The Town of Burgaw Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Department announces its third annual Adult Prom taking place on May 17th at the Historic Burgaw Train Depot.
According to a press release, this adult prom event will feature a number of events, including dancing, a live DJ, and an interactive
photo booth, and the crowning of a prom king and queen for those 21 and older.
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Bashlors named Clinton Main Street Champions
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Clinton Mayor Lew Starling and the city council posed with Main Street Champions Jess and Wally Bashlor — and their five children — at the council’s regular monthly meeting on April 1.
A husband-and-wife team of local business owners were recognized as 2024 Clinton Main Street Champions at the city council meeting Tuesday night. Mary Rose, planning and development director, spoke about the couple at the start of Tuesday night’s meeting, saying that after “much discussion,” the Clinton Development Corporation Board of Directors made the designation.
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NC Pork Council, Smithfield make major food donation to fight hunger
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The North Carolina Pork Council and Smithfield Foods donated $30,000 and 30,000 pounds of pork products to the MANNA FoodBank to fight hunger in North Carolina communities.
Smithfield’s 30,000-pound protein donation was made up of ready-to-eat items including lunch meat, hams and smoked sausage, and was the equivalent of 120,000 servings.
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April 1896: Reed Gold Mine
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John Reed (born Johannes Reith) arrived in America as a Hessian soldier in the service of the British Army during the Revolutionary War. After he left the army he settled on a farm in Cabarrus County, North Carolina, about 20 miles from Charlotte.
In 1799, Reed’s son Conrad found a shiny yellow rock in the creek on the family property. The rock was used as a doorstop for several years until Reed took it to a jeweler in Fayetteville who informed him that he had been holding open his door with a 17-pound gold nugget.
The jeweler offered to purchase it at whatever price Reed named, which he did, leaving the farmer to return home three dollars and fifty cents richer.
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