[Press Releases from 3rd Term Long Session, 2007] [3rd Term Interim Work, 2007-2008] [Press Releases from the 2008 Short Session] [Summary of Short Session, 2008]

• Ranked as 18th Most Effective Member of N. C. House
• Important Voter Information
• 3rd Term Interim Work: Information and Press Releases
• Review of Work During "Long Session"
• "Long Session" Press Releases (January 24-August 6, 2007)

The Legislature Has Adjourned Its "Short" Session

The short session opened on May 13 and adjourned Sine Die on July 18, 2008. The Senate and House of Representatives will convene again on January 28, 2009.

We completed the short session by approving important legislation on a number of matters, including drought, mortgage foreclosures, driver’s licenses, ethics, election reform and anti-gang legislation.

For information and press releases concerning the short session, please see my special Short Session 2008 web page. You can also go to the General Assembly Website for more information on bills passed during 2007-2008: www.ncleg.net.

Work During the Interim Between Sessions

After the General Assembly adjourned the 2007 "Long Session," the work of my office continued to keep me very busy.  In addition to helping constituents with various requests and issues, I have taken part in meetings and events dealing with issues of importance to our district. 

I am honored to be serving my third term as your Representative for District 49. Please remember that I am hard at work during the interim.  Please don't hesitate to call on me or my assistant, Shara Graham, if we can be of service.

My address at the N.C. House of Representatives is Room 419-B in the Legislative Office Building in Raleigh (27603). My phone number there is (919) 733-5860 and my official e-mail is Lucya@ncleg.net. 

If you wish to read my press releases issued during the interim, please view the webpage entitled 3rd Term Interim Work.

For a review of the work accomplished in the 2007 "Long Session", please see my session review web page, or you may wish to view a specific topic, such as:

• Changes in Tax Laws for 2007 & 2008
• Increasing local authority
• Strengthening our higher education system
• Protecting our land, air, and water
• Seeking renewable energy
• Helping our first responders
• Addressing our transportation needs
• Decreasing the rate of mortgage foreclosures
• Reducing gang activity
• Making our roads safer
• Making things better for farmers and agribusiness
• helping citizens with disabilities
• creating opportunities in education, economic development, and health care
• Helping those with issues of mental health, developmental disabilities and substance abuse

If you wish to view my January 24 - August 6 press releases from the "Long Session," see the list of hyperlinks.

I recently spoke at the gala celebration of the creation of the UNC Institute for the Environment. www.ie.unc.edu/content/news_events/PDF/Fall_2007.pdf
 

The above photos were taken when I visited with elementary school staff and students at Cedar Grove Elementary School in Nash County, where the child nutrition program was emphasized.

My Appointments to Standing Committees

During the 2007-2008 session, I am serving as Chair of the House Environment and Natural Resources Committee. I am excited to lead this important committee, which deals with legislation affecting the environment, the economy, and the quality of life for North Carolina today and tomorrow.

My other appointments include:

• Vice-chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation,
• Vice-chair of the Local Government II Committee,
• Member of the Transportation Committee,
• Member of the Commerce, Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee, and
• Member of the Appropriations Committee.

Environmental Review Commission Appointment 

Speaker Hackney has appointed me to fill a vacancy on the Environmental Review Commission.  The Speaker indicated that his decision was based on my leadership roles in standing committees, such as the House Environment and Natural Resources Committee, which I currently chair. The appointment takes effect immediately, and I will serve until January 19, 2009.

Honored with "Champion of Regional Councils" Award

On January 31, 2007, I received special recognition at a reception for legislators and local government officials hosted by the N.C. Association of Regional Council Directors. The association is a non-profit organization representing Councils of Government and regional planning and development commissions throughout the state. More information about my award may be found in the relevant press release issued by the association.

2007 Legislative "Long Session" Highly Productive

Final approval has been given to a $20.7 billion budget that strengthens education, lifts the Medicaid burden from our counties and improves our health and economy. This budget addresses the needs of our students at all levels, ensures efficient spending in government, and moves North Carolina forward.

I am very proud of the work we have done to reach this budget and am certain that it will better the lives of everyone across the state. The budget was one of the last items we considered during the session. Work wrapped up Thursday after we handled the last of the thousands of bills filed this year. I believe we had a successful session, continuing to address ethics reform, improving the lives of our military families, and protecting the environment. We also found a way to offer tax cuts and tax relief to small businesses and thousands of people who earn less than $40,000 a year.

I am pleased to report the passage of HB 818, a patient safety bill, which was a priority of mine.  This legislation amends the Practice of Medicine Laws in ways that substantially improve physician oversight by the Medical Board, the process by which individuals are selected for the Medical Board, licensure requirements, and information available to the public (such as certain malpractice information not currently available in public records).  This is a vital and huge step towards the long over-due modernizing of our state's Medical Practices Act.

Our accomplishments will provide a strong foundation for next year's short session. For a summary of the 2007 session, see my August 6th press release. You might want to use the hyperlinks below for quick access to areas of special interest to you.

1. Education	2. Health	3. Environment
4. Economy & Finance	5. Military	6. Security

Further Information Found on General Assembly Website

If you wish to learn more about the actions of the legislature, you may visit the official website of the General Assembly (http://www.ncleg.net/homePage.pl). There you will find information on the House, the Senate, Committees, Legislation and Bills, and other related topics. There is a helpful Citizen Guide and suggestions for Homework Assistance. When the legislature is in session, you might be interested in listening to Audio Broadcasts provided for both the House and the Senate. You can listen to each day's session, committee meetings and press conferences on the General Assembly's website.

The official website also provides information about those who are currently serving  as Representatives and Senators. You may go to the my House Member web page, which is provided by the General Assembly, to learn about the bills I introduce, my voting record, and my committee service.

Please contact me with any questions or opinions concerning ways in which, by working together, we can further the well being of those living in District 49. Please note that this session my Raleigh office has moved to Room 419B in the State Legislative Building at 300 N. Salisbury Street.

[Press Releases from 3rd Term Long Session, 2007] [3rd Term Interim Work, 2007-2008] [Press Releases from the 2008 Short Session] [Summary of Short Session, 2008]