My dear friends & neighbors,

Thank you for the opportunity to be employed as your State Representative in Raleigh. I was frugal. I worked very long hours and in a non-partisan and respectful manner with my colleagues. With the help of the Leadership in the House and Senate as well as the many letters and conversations with you, my constituents, some extraordinary laws were passed that mean much for the residents of the Piedmont Foothills and all of North Carolina, and I can't wait to tell you about it.

In this session, we focused on improving our public schools, making health care more affordable, supporting our local law enforcement, protecting our environment and bringing job opportunities and cultural benefits to our area. Here are some of the laws and appropriations passed [my first] legislative session:

• Increased the Homestead Exemption Act to $25,000 per year, allowing more low income people freedom from property taxes.
• Approved an Earned Income Tax Credit that will benefit 800,000 people.
• Strengthened the laws governing the INTERBASIN transfer of water resources.
• Approved a tax credit for people who purchase long-term care insurance.
• Approved a measure to relieve counties from the hardship of paying their share of the growing Medicaid costs.
• Appropriated $1.2 million in start up funds for the NC Engineering Technology Center in Hickory.
• Awarded a safety grant of $40,000 from the Speaker to build a turn-lane at Sugar Loaf Elementary School
• Had the Department of Transportation speed up the replacement of Little River Bridge.
• Appropriated $756,000 for more judges and court officials in Alexander, Iredell, Davie & Davidson counties.
• Appropriated $3.8 million to the Governors Crime Commission to fund a program focusing on gang prevention.
• Appropriated $100,000 to establish a research and development program for the Hosiery Technology Center at Catawba Community College.
• Appropriated $13.2 million for a 252 bed minimum security prison dorm at Alexander Correctional providing at least 60 new good paying jobs.
• Appropriated $5.7 million to hire tutors to assist struggling eighth-graders.
• Appropriated $146,000 to the Catawba Science Center.
• Appropriated $7 million for school dropout prevention.
• Appropriated $750,000 grant to the NC Sheriff's Association to provide local Sheriff's department's technical assistance and training in immigration enforcement.
• Increased fire and rescue pensions and approved an income tax deduction for Firefighters and EMS workers.
• Voted to expand the pool of volunteer fire departments that are eligible for grants for equipment and supplies.
• Raised teacher pay by 5%, state employees by 4% and retired teacher pay by 2.2%.
• Voted to hire an additional 54 school nurses.
• Supported allowing teachers to covert personal leave days to sick leave.
• Supported Governors "Earn Scholars" program to award scholarships to 25,000 community college and university students.
• Approved the safety measure of ending cell-phone use by school bus drivers.
• Increased need based financial aid to colleges by $28 million.
• Appropriated $120 million to the Clean Water Trust Fund and $2 million to help hog farmers clean up hog lagoons.
• Approved the requirement for NC utility providers to obtain 12.5% of their retail energy from renewal resources.
• Increased penalties pertaining crimes against children
• Appropriated $162,000 funding for 2 special agents to investigate child exploitation and sex predator cases.
• Supported a phase-out tax on electricity and excise tax on natural gas for manufacturers and farmers.
• Supported extending insurance coverage to people considered "high risk" and had been denied coverage or can't afford the premiums.

My Legislative office is open part-time during the interim on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. You are welcome to reach me in Raleigh at 919-715-8361 during scheduled office hours or by calling me directly anytime at 828-320-7496. I am eager to listen and welcome your comments and suggestions on how I can best continue to serve you.

Sincerely,

Rep. Ray Warren
House District # 88

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