The quality of a child’s education should not be determined by their zip code. We believe in empowering parents, rewarding our dedicated educators, and expanding meaningful opportunities for every student in North Carolina. This term, we took decisive action to make historic investments in teacher pay and enact landmark education freedom reforms.

Our Record of Action on Education

• Working for a Historic Raise for Teachers: I worked with Rep. Erin Paré, Rep. Donnie Lambeth, and Rep. Tricia Cotham to sponsor bipartisan legislation that would provide an unprecedented 22% average pay bump for public school teachers across North Carolina. This raise aims to boost starting pay to $50,000 and significantly reward veteran educators, ensuring we attract and retain the very best talent in the classroom. It was included as part of the House Budget.
• Giving Parents Local Public School Choice: I sponsored and supported the LSAU Open Enrollment Act. This bill would fill a major gap in North Carolina education law by requiring all local school boards to adopt an open enrollment plan, allowing a student to attend any school within their own school administrative unit regardless of their assignment area. This empowers parents with true choice within their local district and puts student needs first.
• Expanding Educational Choice and Freedom (HB 87): We passed the “Educational Choice for Children Act” (HB 87) to put parents in control. This measure makes North Carolina a national leader by opting into a new federal tax-credit program, providing a dollar-for-dollar reduction for donations that fund scholarships for low- and middle-income families to access the best educational environment for their child.

The Work Ahead

While we have dramatically expanded freedom and empowered parents. Our House Budget supports our teachers, and our focus remains on ensuring that every dollar spent in education reaches the classroom. We’ve moved the ball downfield, but we’re not in the endzone yet. I will continue to fight for measures that support academic achievement, simplify education funding, and ensure every student graduates prepared for college or a career.

A strong local economy is built on a foundation of reliable infrastructure. I am committed to working with state leaders and our congressional delegation to ensure our district receives investment from the state and federal governments. And I’m committed to working with local leaders to ensure they have the authority and resources necessary to manage growth responsibly.

Our Record of Action on Responsible Growth

• Blocking Unfair Tolls on US-1: I successfully introduced a budget amendment to bar the use of tolls on U.S. 1/Capital Boulevard. This amendment prevented the N.C. Department of Transportation from imposing a tax on a long-standing, free-use highway. In so doing, the amendment protected working families, commuters, and local businesses from a costly new burden.
• Federal Advocacy: I’ve traveled to D.C. with my N.C. House colleagues and with our Wake Forest Area Chamber to advocate for investment in our growing region and state. Whether in Washington or Wake Forest, our congressional representatives and their staffs know to be prepared to talk about Capital Boulevard when they see me!

The Work Ahead

Capital Boulevard remains a top priority. We expect to see right of way acquisition begin well in advance of Election Day 2026, followed by utility relocation and, finally, construction. I’m committed to working with NCDOT to push the Capital Boulevard project forward. At the same time, I’ll continue working with local leaders to drive new infrastructure projects, expand opportunities for economic development, and ease our region’s growing pains.

Our communities deserve to be safe, our streets should be secure, and our law enforcement officers need every tool to do their jobs. This term, we took decisive action to support police, protect consumers from scams, and hold criminals accountable.

Our Record of Action on Safety

• Holding Criminal Illegal Aliens Accountable (HB 318): I voted to override the Governor’s veto to ensure this critical law was enacted. This bill requires sheriffs and detention facilities to work with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on detainer requests for individuals charged with felonies and serious misdemeanors, keeping dangerous criminals off our streets and out of our neighborhoods.
• Protecting Consumers from Scams (HB 829): I introduced legislation to crack down on fake locksmithing companies that prey on customers facing emergency situations. This bill would strengthen oversight and enforcement against fraudulent businesses that overcharge or pose a security risk, protecting residents from deceptive practices when they are most vulnerable.
• Reducing Impaired Driving Recidivism: I introduced this bipartisan bill to expand the use of ignition interlock devices (IID) for DWI offenders. This measure limits repeat drunk driving offenses, making our roads safer by physically preventing intoxicated individuals from driving.
• Stopping Cargo Theft and Trucking Fraud: I co-sponsored a bipartisan bill, signed into law by the Governor, that fortifies our supply chain against bad actors by banning predatory towing and extortionate fees on commercial tractor-trailers.

The Work Ahead

Our efforts have strengthened the hand of law enforcement and provided new protections for residents. I will continue to be an uncompromising voice for victims and work to provide our law enforcement and other first responders with the resources they need to keep our streets safe and secure.