July 9 Legislative Update

July 9, 2021

Legislative Highlights

Update on Legislature and Budget Process:
This week the General Assembly was off for a brief break for the Independence Day weekend and the following week. The budget (SB105 2021 Appropriations Act) passed the Senate on June 25 and is currently being heard in committees in the House of Representatives. If passed, the bill will return to the Senate for another round of committee hearings.
Sponsored Bills Moving Through Committee:
SB 711 Compassionate Care Act
This bill would legalize cannabis as a medically prescriptible treatment for certain conditions, including cancer and PTSD. The Compassionate Care Act is an important step forward for those who are suffering from severe pain and our veterans suffering from PTSD.
This bill was approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee on July 1 and will be heard in Senate Finance Committee on July 13.
SB 727 Support Lumbee Recognition Act
This bill adds the North Carolina Senate’s voice to the calls for federal recognition of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina. This bill was introduced on 6/21/2021.

COVID-19 Vaccination Update

Your Shot at a Million: Gov. Cooper Announces $4 Million Summer Cash and College Tuition Drawings to Encourage COVID-19 Vaccinations
North Carolinians 18 and over who have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine will be automatically entered into four drawings for a chance to win a $1 million cash prize.
Youth between the ages of 12 and 17 who have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine will be automatically entered into four drawings to win $125,000 towards post-secondary education. The $125,000 can be used at any post-secondary institution and is awarded in the form of a NC 529 account.
The $4 Million Summer Cash and Summer Cash 4 College Drawings will run from June 23 through Aug. 4. All North Carolina residents 12 and older who have been vaccinated with at least one dose are eligible, some restrictions may apply. Those vaccinated on or after today’s announcement, Jun10, will be entered twice for each drawing increasing the chance of winning for the newly vaccinated. Drawings will take place every other week on Wednesdays with the first drawing on June 23. New entries will close at midnight on the Sunday prior to the Wednesday drawing. Winners will be verified and then announced.
The drawings are part of the state’s Bringing Summer Back get-out-the-vaccine campaign to increase awareness of the availability and safety of COVID-19 vaccines and encourage North Carolinians to get a COVID-19 vaccination as soon as they can. The vaccines have been thoroughly tested and found to be safe and effective for anyone 12 and older.
The $4 Million Summer Cash and Summer Cash 4 College drawings will use federal Coronavirus Relief Funds to fund the program.
More info: https://covid19.ncdhhs.gov/summervaxcash
A free COVID-19 vaccine will be available to all who want it.
Rest assured: you have a spot to take your shot.
  • You will likely need an appointment to get vaccinated.
  • Your local vaccine provider can help you get your shot. Because supplies are very limited right now, most doctors cannot provide vaccinations in their offices.
  • You can also call the toll-free COVID-19 Vaccine Help Center at 1-888-675-4567.
What you should know:
  • The vaccine is free everywhere in North Carolina.
  • No photo ID or insurance is needed.
  • Depending on where you get your vaccine, you may need to make an appointment.
  • U.S. citizenship is not required or checked.

Find Vaccine Location: https://myspot.nc.gov/

Need transportation to and from your vaccine provider? People who need transportation assistance to a COVID-19 vaccine appointment should reach out to their local transit agency. You can find your local transit agency online and can call the phone number listed for assistance.
As of July 8, North Carolina has administered over 9 million doses of the Covid-19 vaccine:
Statewide:
-4,478,606 first doses
-4,193,322 second doses
-339,913 single shot doses
9,011,841 Total Doses
Cumberland County:
-95,971 partially vaccinated (29%)
-88,760 fully vaccinated (26%)
More info on Vaccines: https://covid19.ncdhhs.gov/dashboard/vaccinations

In The Community

Above: Senator deViere’s son Greyson celebrates Independence Day!

Available Resources

Fayetteville/Cumberland Rental Assistance Program (RAP):
Eligible residents of Fayetteville and Cumberland County can apply for rent and utility aid through the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (RAP). The RAP will help cover past, current or upcoming rent or utility payments for households experiencing economic constraints from the COVID-19 pandemic.
To be eligible, a household must be obligated to pay rent on a residential dwelling and meet the following criteria:
  • Resident of the City of Fayetteville or Cumberland County, North Carolina;
  • One or more individuals within the household has qualified for unemployment benefits or experienced a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs, or experienced other financial hardship due, directly or indirectly, to the COVID-19 pandemic;
  • One or more individuals within the household can demonstrate a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability; and
  • Household income is at or below 80% of the Area Median Income. Please note that households with an income at or below 50% will be prioritized during the first 30 days of the program to ensure funding is made available to our most vulnerable populations. Households not in this priority group are still encouraged to apply at this time and should be aware of potential delays in application review and processing.
Landlords may begin an application and invite tenants to request assistance for rental arrears.
More info and application: https://iem-preregistration.com/cumberland-nc
New Broadband Affordability Program
The Emergency Broadband Benefit Program is a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) program that provides a temporary discount on monthly broadband bills for qualifying low-income households.
If your household is eligible, you can receive:
  • Up to a $50/month discount on your broadband service and associated equipment rentals
  • Up to a $75/month discount if your household is on qualifying Tribal lands
  • A one-time discount of up to $100 for a laptop, tablet, or desktop computer (with a co-payment of more than $10 but less than $50)
Only one monthly service discount and one device discount is allowed per household.
More info and application: https://getemergencybroadband.org/

Legislative Update

The North Carolina General Assembly is currently in the long session. All Senate bills for the session are now filed.
The Office of Senator Kirk deViere will remain open to assist constituents with concerns, as well as to field opinions regarding the Senator’s legislative actions.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out to our office:
Directly: DeviereLA@ncleg.gov
Office: (919) 733-5776