Dear Neighbor,
I hope this newsletter finds you well. We're back in Raleigh for the 2024 Short Session, continuing our work with committee meetings, legislative research, casework, constituent communications, and other engagements.
We hope you will take a few minutes to review the latest highlights on things we're doing to serve you. As always, don't hesitate to reach out if we can be of assistance. Thank you for your support and prayers.
At your service,
Michael Lazzara
North Carolina Senator
Ensuring Public Safety by Cracking Down on Illegal Immigrant Crime
House Bill 10 is our response to the chaos unleashed by President Biden's reckless open border policies, which have flooded North Carolina with drugs and crime.
We're taking back control, ensuring our sheriffs enforce the law and keep our streets safe. It’s high time we stop the madness and defend our communities from Washington’s failure.
New Development in Jacksonville for Hurricane Victims
I recently had the honor of joining other local, state, and federal leaders at the ribbon cutting ceremony for Crestfield Point — a beautiful new community in Jacksonville offering 72 affordable apartment homes that will provide a fresh start for families impacted by Hurricanes Matthew and Florence.
The General Assembly’s investments in the Workforce Housing Loan Program and the NC Housing Trust Fund help make housing developments like this possible, ensuring every North Carolinian has a place to call home. We’re grateful for the NC Housing Finance Agency and to Carolina Statewide Development for spearheading this vital project.
School Choice for More NC Families
Great news for NC families! This month, we passed House Bill 823 through the Senate, approving funding for 54,000+ Opportunity Scholarships. This means more educational choices for our kids, ensuring every student can attend the school that best fits their needs.
Lazzara Named 'Legislator of the Year' by NC Police Chiefs
I’m honored to receive the Chief’s Legislative Leadership Award from the North Carolina Association of Chiefs of Police. As we mourn the tragic loss of four brave law enforcement officers in our state this month, we must continue our efforts to 'back the blue.'
Police officers put their lives on the line every day to ensure our safety, and we need to have their six by ensuring they receive the resources they need to be safe on the job.
From Jacksonville to the Stars
We were honored to welcome NASA astronaut Christina Koch back to Jacksonville, NC. A true hometown hero, Christina's exceptional achievements in space exploration highlight the strength, capability, and limitless opportunities available in our community.
As she prepares for the Artemis II Mission in 2025, we’re grateful she took some time to educate and inspire students at her alma mater — White Oak High School — right here in Onslow County.
Op-Ed: NC Needs the Credit Card Competition Act
North Carolina can't afford to ignore the burden of high credit card swipe fees any longer. The recent settlement by Visa and Mastercard doesn't solve the problem — it sidesteps it. We need Congress to pass the Credit Card Competition Act to bring real relief to our merchants and consumers by breaking up the payment processing monopoly and protecting our financial data from foreign threats.
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