Dear Neighbor,
I hope you had a nice Independence Day weekend! Please take a few minutes to read our latest newsletter, which includes highlights on some of the things we've been up to in Raleigh.
As always, our office is open to assist you, take your feedback, and answer your questions. Thank you for your continued support and prayers.
At your service,
Michael Lazzara
North Carolina Senator
Celebrating Independence Day 🇺🇸
I hope you all had a Happy Independence Day weekend — especially my brothers & sisters serving in uniform who are working to sustain our freedom.
New Constitutional Amendments
We’ve proposed 3 constitutional amendments for voters to consider:
🗳️ Clarify that only U.S. citizens can vote in our elections
💵 Cut the maximum income tax rate from 7% to 5%
🪪 Expand voter ID to require ALL voters to show a photo ID, not just those voting in person
We hope voters will adopt these provisions, which are planned to appear on their ballot in the upcoming general election.
3 More Veto Overrides
We recently overrode three more of Governor Cooper's vetoes, bringing us up to 22 this session. The following bills have now become law:
🛣️ HB 198: Bipartisan transportation accountability legislation to benefit our infrastructure.
🦹🏻 HB 237: Cracking down on criminals trying to conceal their identity while harassing and attacking the public and police.
👨👩👧👦 HB 834: Implementing vital juvenile justice modifications to ensure fairness and accountability.
Voters elected a conservative supermajority to the NC Senate with a demand for practical, common-sense policies that benefit all North Carolinians, and that is exactly what we're delivering. We will continue to stand firm against political posturing and prioritize the needs of our communities.
Hurricane Preparedness
As we approach the peak of hurricane season, it’s crucial that everyone in North Carolina takes steps to be prepared. Our beautiful coastal communities are particularly vulnerable, and planning ahead can make all the difference in keeping your family safe.
Here are some essential tips:
1. Create an Emergency Kit: Stock up on non-perishable food, water, medications, batteries, flashlights, and first aid supplies. Don't forget important documents and pet supplies.
2. Know Your Evacuation Routes: Familiarize yourself with local evacuation routes and have a plan for where you'll go if you need to evacuate.
3. Stay Informed: Sign up for local alerts and weather updates. Reliable information is key during an emergency.
4. Secure Your Home: Trim trees, secure loose outdoor items, and make sure your home is ready to withstand strong winds.
5. Have a Communication Plan: Make sure all family members know how to get in touch and where to meet if separated.
For more detailed information and resources, visit www.ReadyNC.gov. This site offers comprehensive guides and updates to help you stay prepared and informed.
Stay safe, and look out for one another.
Holding DMV Accountable
Our constituents have had enough of the long wait times and lack of customer service at DMV. Each new administration blames its predecessor while failing to make measurable improvement during their tenure. That’s why we’ve passed a bill to hold the Division accountable through enhanced legislative oversight — requiring Senate approval on the appointment of the commissioner, just as we do for other major state agency heads.
Rip Current Awareness
North Carolina beaches have seen hundreds of rescues from rip currents this summer. These powerful currents move water away from the shore — sweeping even the strongest swimmers away at up to 8mph.
As you make plans to swim at the beach this summer, here are some safety tips to keep in mind:
Swim near a lifeguard and make sure you have friends on shore watching you.
If caught in a rip current, relax, and don’t swim against it.
Swim out of the current, then to the shore.
If you can’t escape it, float or tread water while yelling or waving for emergency assistance.
Knowing what to do could save your life. Please share to spread the word!
Enhancing Education
Every student deserves access to a quality education — and every parent has a right to seek out the learning environment that best suits their children. I remain committed to enhancing educational opportunities for students & families.
Celebrating Father's Day
I’m so grateful and proud to be the dad of Michael and Anthony. Both wonderful fathers, sons, and best friends — true blessings from God. I hope all dads had a Happy Father’s Day!
DMV Oversight & Modernization
The Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is the largest customer-facing entity in our state government, and it frequently generates complaints from our constituents. Despite significant investments to modernize DMV systems over the years, success has been limited.
As legislators, we need effective tools to provide proper oversight of the DMV. One major opportunity for improvement is to shift the appointment of the DMV commissioner from the Secretary of Transportation to the Governor, with the appointment subject to senatorial confirmation, as we do for other major department heads.
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