This week has been extremely busy with the crossover deadline Thursday, May 16. This deadline is self-imposed on the General Assembly with the goal of ensuring that their legislative sessions end as quickly as possible. Also, I would like to remind everyone that the Legislative budget is expected to be released soon.

This week in Raleigh:

- Bills in this section are not necessarily endorsed by Sen. Jackson.

HB 428 - North Carolina School Bus Safety Act

An act to provide that the punishment for passing a stopped school bus shall include a fine, revocation of the person’s driver license, and disqualification of the person’s commercial driving privileges.

-This bill was passed by the House and is now in the Senate. I look forward to voting for this bill to better protect the children of North Carolina.

SB 703 - Limit Local Regulation of Outdoor Smoking

An act prohibiting local governments and local Community Colleges from regulating outdoor smoking in a manner that is more restrictive that state law.

- This bill is currently in the Senate Committee on State and Local Government.

SB 327 - Clarify Motor Vehicle Licensing Law

An act to clarify the motor vehicle dealers’ and manufactures’ licensing law.

- This bill is currently in the Senate Committee on Transportation.

SB 515 - Jordan Lake Water Quality Act

An act to revise the nutrient management standards applicable to the Jordan Lake Watershed.

- This bill is currently scheduled to be heard by the Senate today, 15 May.

District news:

James Sprunt Community College recently received a $100,000 gift from Murphy-Brown for a diesel mechanic school. The money will go towards construction of a planned 12,000 square foot building to house the college’s diesel mechanic program. The college program is designed to fill a gap for employers who cannot find qualified employees for available jobs and to help upgrade the skill sets of the local workforce.

District 10 Spotlight:

This week I would like to recognize Patricia Kelly-Royal. She works for a small non-profit in Warsaw, called the HELP (Help Everyone Live Productively) Center. HELP is designed to aid the elderly in reading information, shopping, and to encouraging the elderly to keep moving. Ms. Royal came to Warsaw from New York and started this program to assist her community. I would like to encourage everyone to get involved in their community in some way. I would also like to thank Ms. Royal for her service to her community.

If you would like to nominate someone for this, please do so by emailing jacksonbla@ncleg.net naming the candidate and briefly describing why this person deserves this honorable mention.

IN CLOSING:

I appreciate you allowing me to serve you in the NC General Assembly and if I can ever be of service to you, please feel free to contact me at 919-733-5705 or brent.jackson@ncleg.net. You can also visit my Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/wbrentjackson and follow my new Twitter page https://twitter.com/SenJackson. I look forward to hearing from you!

Sampson Middle teachers receive Simple Gifts grants During clinton City Schools' May board meeting, Margaret Turlington (center) recognized Sampson Middle ESL teacher April Lewis (right) and Sampson Middle 8th grade math teacher Zulma Marin-Cortes (left) for receiving Love of Learning grants from Sampson County Simple Gifts. Lewis' grant was called "We're Off to D.C. ... and Beyond!" and Cortes' grant was called "Soul Surfer: Lessons in Life." Not pictured: Sampson Middle music teacher Vevlyn Lowe who also received a grant for "Professors in the Classroom." (Lauren Williams/Sampson Independent)

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Lauren Williams/Sampson Independent

During the Clinton City Schools’ May board meeting, Margaret Turlington (center) recognized Sampson Middle ESL teacher April Lewis (right) and Sampson Middle 8th grade math teacher Zulma Marin-Cortes (left) for receiving Love of Learning grants from Sampson County Simple Gifts. Lewis’ grant was called “We’re Off to D.C. … and Beyond!” and Cortes’ grant was called “Soul Surfer: Lessons in Life.” Not pictured: Sampson Middle music teacher Vevlyn Lowe who also received a grant for “Professors in the Classroom.”

City's Symphonic Band students recognized During the May board meeting, Clinton City Schools recognized the following students for placing in the 2013 NC Southeastern All-District Symphonic Band: Kameron Turlington (1st Chair Bari Saxophone), Eric Wynn (3rd Chair Bass Clarinet), Emily Whaley (3rd Chair Tuba), Noel Turlington (5th Chair Tuba), Lauren Hardin (6th Chair Tuba), and Katey Yang (7th Chair Flute). (Lauren Williams/Sampson Independent)

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Lauren Williams/Sampson Independent

During the May board meeting, Clinton City Schools recognized the following students for placing in the 2013 NC Southeastern All-District Symphonic Band: Kameron Turlington (1st Chair Bari Saxophone), Eric Wynn (3rd Chair Bass Clarinet), Emily Whaley (3rd Chair Tuba), Noel Turlington (5th Chair Tuba), Lauren Hardin (6th Chair Tuba), and Katey Yang (7th Chair Flute).