Local Budget Appropriations
The Budget for the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 Fiscal Years has been passed by both the House and the Senate, and has been sent to the Governor.
I am happy to report that I was successful in lobbying for the following funding:
1. The Fort Fisher State Historic Site will receive $7.5 million in non-recurring funds toward construction of the new Visitor's Center and parking area. The total cost of the project is $20 million, of which I had been able to get previous appropriations of $12.5 million. The Department of Natural and Cultural Resources will also receive $.5 million in non-recurring funds toward facilities for an Underwater Archaeology Branch to be located on the grounds of the Fort Fisher State Historic Site. The total appropriation was $8 million.
2. The Fort Fisher Aquarium will receive $5 million in non-recurring funds for its proposed renovation and expansion project. I had previously requested $10 million, so I will continue to obtain the additional $5 million during future budget discussions.
3. The City of Wilmington previously initiated a Quick Response Team Pilot Project to treat opiate overdose victims who are in need of follow-up treatment, counseling, support, and other recovery services. The cost of the Project is $250,000 per fiscal year. I was previously able to obtain the necessary funding for the 2018-2019 and 2019-2020 fiscal years. There will now be an appropriation of $250,000 for the fiscal year 2020-2021 to allow the Project to expand to three years.
4. I had previously been successful in lobbying for $2.3 million non-recurring funds for the State Search and Rescue. They will now receive they will now receive $1 million in recurring funds and $1 million in non-recurring funds for the 2019-2020 fiscal year and $1 million in recurring funds for the 2020-2021 fiscal year. The recurring funding is very important because it will continue in future budgets, unless changed by the General Assembly.
5. The Film Grant Program will continue to receive $31 million recurring funds with no sunset during the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 fiscal years.
6. I had previously requested $8 million in funding for the construction of the SEA-Tech Vocational High School. When reviewing the breakdown of that cost, it was determined that $3.15 million was actually for construction. There will be an appropriation of $3.15 million to be applied to the actual construction cost of this Vocational High School.
It is an honor and a privilege for me to serve on behalf of House District 19. Since my appointment and subsequent elections, I have worked very diligently on behalf of those that I represent in my House District, as well as the rest of New Hanover County in the State of North Carolina, and I will continue to do so as long as I am in Raleigh.
I am happy to report that I was successful in lobbying for the following funding:
1. The Fort Fisher State Historic Site will receive $7.5 million in non-recurring funds toward construction of the new Visitor's Center and parking area. The total cost of the project is $20 million, of which I had been able to get previous appropriations of $12.5 million. The Department of Natural and Cultural Resources will also receive $.5 million in non-recurring funds toward facilities for an Underwater Archaeology Branch to be located on the grounds of the Fort Fisher State Historic Site. The total appropriation was $8 million.
2. The Fort Fisher Aquarium will receive $5 million in non-recurring funds for its proposed renovation and expansion project. I had previously requested $10 million, so I will continue to obtain the additional $5 million during future budget discussions.
3. The City of Wilmington previously initiated a Quick Response Team Pilot Project to treat opiate overdose victims who are in need of follow-up treatment, counseling, support, and other recovery services. The cost of the Project is $250,000 per fiscal year. I was previously able to obtain the necessary funding for the 2018-2019 and 2019-2020 fiscal years. There will now be an appropriation of $250,000 for the fiscal year 2020-2021 to allow the Project to expand to three years.
4. I had previously been successful in lobbying for $2.3 million non-recurring funds for the State Search and Rescue. They will now receive they will now receive $1 million in recurring funds and $1 million in non-recurring funds for the 2019-2020 fiscal year and $1 million in recurring funds for the 2020-2021 fiscal year. The recurring funding is very important because it will continue in future budgets, unless changed by the General Assembly.
5. The Film Grant Program will continue to receive $31 million recurring funds with no sunset during the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 fiscal years.
6. I had previously requested $8 million in funding for the construction of the SEA-Tech Vocational High School. When reviewing the breakdown of that cost, it was determined that $3.15 million was actually for construction. There will be an appropriation of $3.15 million to be applied to the actual construction cost of this Vocational High School.
It is an honor and a privilege for me to serve on behalf of House District 19. Since my appointment and subsequent elections, I have worked very diligently on behalf of those that I represent in my House District, as well as the rest of New Hanover County in the State of North Carolina, and I will continue to do so as long as I am in Raleigh.