A hero has fallen. My heart and prayers go out to the family of Deputy Ryan Hendrix of the Henderson County Sheriff’s Dept. The heinous act of the hardened criminal that shot him while in the line of duty again illustrates courage and leadership desperately needed from today’s elected officials.
I stand to support those who willingly put their life on the line in defense of others. When I spoke with Deputy Hendrix’s father, through his grief, he expressed how he hopes that his son’s death will help end the anti-law enforcement sentiment we see rising in our country.
We cannot forget the value of those in blue. They deserve our undying gratitude as we mourn this tragedy.
Please pray for this hero’s family and all those who serve and protect.
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Chuck Edwards, Senator
NC District 48
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Coronavirus Relief Act 3.0 Passes |
The North Carolina General Assembly returned to Raleigh last week for a special 2-day session to allocate remaining funds from the CARES Act. Our primary focus is on funding for immediate COVID-19 related needs, with an emphasis on addressing unemployment benefits, education needs, expanding broadband access, and child care support.
The General Assembly gave final bipartisan approval to a $1.5 billion historic relief package with the remaining CARES Act funding. House Bill 1105, aka the Coronavirus Relief Act 3.0, passed with a large consensus in the House and Senate, despite some political posturing from Democratic lawmakers over a lack of Medicaid expansion.
Highlights of the relief package include:
- $440 million to provide $335 "Extra Credit" grants to parents with children to help offset some of the unexpected financial burden of school closures;
- $200/month increase in unemployment benefits
- $35 million for child care centers
- $8 million to help working parents offset child care costs
- $20 million for community-based organizations to provide virtual learning
- $75 million for Personal Proactive Equipment (PPE)
- $10 million for internet connectivity for students
- $30 million for the GREAT program to improve rural broadband
- $6.5 million to eliminate the waitlist for children with disabilities to access educational opportunities
- $34 million for testing and tracing
- A hold harmless provision for school districts that see declining enrollment
- $20 million for COVID treatment for the uninsured
- $45 million for a small business grant program
- $44.5 million for hurricane recovery from four major storms
- $5 Million to promote safe access to in-person voting
- $115 million total increase for education
- $17 million in grants for exceptional children's services
- $50 million for Lost Wages Assistance Program (LWA)
- $38 million for behavioral health
- Expands eligibility for Opportunity Scholarships
- Bipartisan priorities like the PPE+NC program
- Elimination of education wait lists for kids with disabilities
- Higher enrollment in virtual education options for families
The Senate passed the bill on Wednesday by a 44-5 vote, with five Democrats voting against it. The House voted for it Thursday, 104-10; On September 4, Governor Roy Cooper signed the Coronavirus Relief Act 3.0 into law.
The legislature adjourned sine die on Thursday, September 3, officially ending the 2019-2020 legislative biennium. Legislators will likely not return for session until next year unless Congress were to pass an additional COVID-19 relief package for states to allocate.
To see the full language of the bill, click HERE
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N.C. Parents Anticipate Extra $335 |
Parents have suffered unexpected financial burdens resulting from school closures, and the Extra Credit grants passed in the Coronavirus Relief Act 3.0 will help offset some of that burden.
The Extra Credit Grant program will be administered by the North Carolina Department of Revenue (NCDOR). The purpose of the program is to “use funds from the Coronavirus Relief Fund to help families with qualifying children in North Carolina by providing economic support to assist with virtual schooling and child-care costs during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Automatic Grant Award -
- NCDOR will award a grant to eligible individuals who report at least one qualifying child on their 2019 state individual income tax return; spouses who file a joint state return count as one individual.
- Eligible individuals who have filed their state return do not need to take any action to receive the grant. An eligible individual that has not filed a state return, but is required to file a state return, must file before October 15, 2020 to be eligible for the grant.
- The grant amounts of $335.00 per eligible individual will be sent automatically to eligible individuals who file a 2019 state tax return on or before October 15, 2020. The NCDOR will send grants as soon as possible, but no later than December 15, 2020.
Application for Grant Award -
- An individual who did not file a 2019 state tax return solely because the individual’s gross income for the 2019 taxable year did not exceed the state filing requirements for the individual’s filing status may apply for a grant.
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An applicant must meet the all requirements referenced in the law, including having at least one qualifying child for the 2019 calendar year, to apply for the grant.
- These individuals must apply to the NCDOR on or before October 15, 2020.
- The NCDOR will send a grant of $335.00 to all eligible applicants as soon as possible, but no later than December 15, 2020.
NCDOR will post an application on their website as soon as possible.
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Unemployment Benefits Increase |
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North Carolina’s recently-enacted Coronavirus Relief Act 3.0 establishes another benefit for unemployed workers. As co-chair of the Joint Oversight Committee for Unemployment Insurance, I led the charge to accept - then supplement President Trump’s Executive order to extend unemployment benefits.
Those who have not returned to work due to the pandemic can now receive an additional weekly benefit of $300 under the President’s plan. The legislature voted to boost the benefits by $50 per week beginning September 5, 2020, through December 26, 2020. Instead of increasing the unemployment assistance benefit only for those receiving the maximum, this plan helps everyone receiving unemployment assistance.
This move improves NC unemployment benefits to second in the southeast. We were able to accomplish this without further exhausting the UI Trust Fund that employers have paid to accumulate since its collapse in 2012.
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LWA Benefits Approved for a Fourth Week |
Did you receive a Lost Wages payment last week?
LWA funding created by President Trump’s executive order is a short-term replacement for unemployment benefits that expired at the end of July. LWA is funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide $300 per week to supplement unemployment benefits for those who have an unemployment benefit amount of at least $100 a week and are out of work due to COVID-19.
Eligibility is based on whether claimants qualify for $100 weekly state or federal unemployment benefits and whether they are fully or partially unemployed.
On September 3, the NC Division of Employment Security (DES) began issuing payments for Lost Wages Assistance (LWA) to eligible North Carolinians. Due to the large volume of payments to be processed, more people will receive LWA payments over the next several days.
Today (9/11), DES received approval from FEMA to provide a fourth week of Lost Wages Assistance (LWA) to eligible North Carolinians. With this funding, those who are eligible may receive $300 per week in LWA for the weeks ending August 1, August 8, August 15, and August 22. FEMA will determine additional funding for the program on a weekly basis.
DES will begin issuing payments for the fourth week over the next several days. More information and updates on the timeline for LWA payments can be found at des.nc.gov.
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USGA Putting Down Roots in N.C. |
During last week’s session, I had the privilege of chairing the Senate Commerce & Insurance Committee meeting that considered and passed H807: Champion NC Act. The bill establishes a long-term partnership between North Carolina and the United States Golf Association (USGA), investing $18 million in the “Golf House Pinehurst” economic development project. Establishing Pinehurst Resort & Country Club as the first-ever USGA anchor site for the U.S. Open will have a total economic impact of over $2 billion to North Carolina.
Golf House Pinehurst's establishment to the historic Moore County golf mecca will include a new equipment testing facility, innovation hub, museum/visitors center, and HQ office by 2023. Construction is expected to begin Spring of 2022.
Pinehurst will host the U.S. Open in 2024, 2029, 2035, 2041, and 2047. Also, the USGA must hold various championship events in North Carolina, whether at Pinehurst or elsewhere: a men’s major every 5-7 years with a $90 million impact per tournament, a women’s major every 10 years, and at least 13 additional events (i.e., U.S. Women’s Open, Senior Open, Amateur, Women’s Amateur, Junior and Girls’ Junior events)
North Carolina is the Home of American Golf, and I’m thrilled that USGA agrees that nothin’ could be finer than to be in Carolina.
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N.C. Ranks Top 5 for Economic Outlook |
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North Carolina’s economic outlook ranks 5th in the U.S. in the American Legislative Exchange Council Center for State Fiscal Reform’s latest Rich States, Poor States competitive index.
The report uses 15 equally weighted policy variables to rank the economic competitiveness of states, including various tax rates, regulatory burdens, and labor policies. The index also ranks each state in economic performance by examining data over the past 10 years in cumulative GDP growth, cumulative domestic migration, and nonfarm employment growth.
North Carolina’s 5th place ranking in economic outlook for 2020 represented a rise of one spot from 6th in 2019.
In the 15 policy variables used to determine economic outlook, North Carolina ranked in the top 10 for top marginal corporate tax rate (4th), property tax burden (10th), no estate/inheritance tax levied (1st), recently legislated tax changes (6th), minimum wage (1st at $7.25/hour) and being a right-to-work state.
The state ranked 12th in economic performance, finishing 25th in cumulative GDP growth, 3rd in cumulative domestic migration, and 17th in nonfarm employment growth.
View North Carolina's 2020 Economic Outlook HERE
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With less than two months until Election Day, now’s the time to make a plan and ensure your voice is heard.
Next, decide how and when you’ll cast your vote.
If you have any questions about the voting process, reach out to your county’s Board of Elections.
Buncombe County Board of Elections
77 McDowell Street, Asheville, NC 28801 | (828) 250-4200 | Website
Henderson County Board of Elections
75 E. Central Street, Hendersonville, NC 28792 | (828) 697-4970 | Website
Transylvania County Board of Elections
150 S. Gaston Street, Suite A, Brevard, NC 28712 | (828) 884-3114 | Website
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