N.C. General Assembly Legislative Update, 020915 | Eastern NC Now

News Release:

Legislation to Expand Shellfish Cultivation Areas

    In North Carolina there is a significant amount of potential for oyster aquaculture to become a greater source of income and economic prosperity for North Carolina's commercial fishing industry. North Carolina shellfish aquaculture has made steady progress in the last decade, but it's not enough to match our competition or market opportunity. Virginia's oyster aquaculture operations generated $9.5 million in 2012. North Carolina aquaculture operations produced $595,446. Virginia oyster aquaculture revenue exceeded by $6.3 million the entire harvest of wild and cultured North Carolina oysters. Over a seven-year period, there was explosive growth in oyster aquaculture sales in Virginia and practically flat growth in North Carolina's. See chart below.

    Along with Senator Jerry W. Tillman (R-District 29) and Senator Norman W. Sanderson (R-District 2) we have sponsored a bill prohibiting the Secretary of the Department of Environment of Natural Resources to exclude any area from leasing solely on the basis that the area contains submerged aquatic vegetation (sea grass). Hopefully, this legislation will loosen the overly aggressive regulation that is strangling our oyster aquaculture industry. I'm continuing to look at ways for this industry to thrive here in North Carolina, as it has in Virginia. To see a copy of the legislation click here.

Public School Grades

    In 2012, the North Carolina General Assembly passed an initiative requiring public schools to be graded A-F, just like students. This law ensures those grades to be visible and well-known to parents and the public. Under the old system, school performance was measured using vague and confusing labels like "School of Priority" or "School of Distinction." Terms that were unclear and unhelpful in giving a true picture of performance. This past Thursday, February 05, 2015 the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction released the 2013-2014 school performance grades for our public schools. These grades increase transparency, accountability and encourage support to reform struggling schools. These grades help us to determine what our top performers are doing right, so we can replicate their best practices at other schools. To see the grades of North Carolina Public Schools click here.

State of the State

    Governor Pat McCrory delivered his State of the State address Wednesday evening, February 04, 2015 in the House Chamber. The Governor gave an update on the state of North Carolina and outlined his vision for the next two years. I appreciate Gov. McCrory's leadership and I am grateful that he shared his vision for continuing to move North Carolina forward. I, and along with my Senate Republican colleagues, look forward to reviewing and considering the details of his proposals in the coming weeks. The policies that the House, Senate and Governor have partnered on over the past two years to improve our economy and the public education system have paid major dividends. We expect a cooperative and productive session.

Contact: Jordan Hennessy
     jordan.hennessy@ncleg.net, •  (252) 619-3606


     300 N. Salisbury Street
     Room 525 • Raleigh, NC 27603

    Phone: (919) 715-8293  •  Fax: (919) 754-3296  •  bill.cook@ncleg.netand was built with much of local resources.