Sen Daniel Newsletter from March 18, 2011

Burke MARCH 18, 2011

DISTRICT 44

Caldwell MARCH ISSUE #3

Dear Friends, Another fast-paced week in the Senate has passed, and I recently remarked to one of my colleagues that it sometimes feels like I’m running beside a moving freight train trying to jump in a boxcar. The issues the Senate are taking up on a daily basis vary widely, and I can tell you that all of your legislators are working very hard to try to get our state’s budget and economy back on track.

Protecting Life Delete text and place photo here CONTACT INFORMATION:

Senator Warren T. Daniel Legislative Office Bldg., Room 411 300 N. Salisbury St. Raleigh, NC 27603-5925 Email: warren.daniel@ncleg.net Phone: 919-715-7823 Fax: 919-754-3265

District Office of Sen. Warren Daniel 348 Harper Avenue NW Lenoir, NC 28645 Email: senwarrendaniel@bellsouth.net Phone: 828-754-9335 Fax 828-754-9335 (Please call before faxing) www.facebook.com/warrendaniel ** http://bit.ly/SenDaniel (for pictures, more news, resources)

As I mentioned briefly last week, on Wednesday I was able to file the “Unborn Victims of Violence Act,” which I am sponsoring along with my colleagues Sen. Kathy Harrington (Gaston), and Sen. Rick Gunn (Alamance). This bill was originally introduced in 1987 by Rep. Edgar Starnes. It will create protections in our criminal laws for unborn children that are consistent with federal law and the laws of 25 other states, so that anyone who commits an act of violence against a pregnant woman can be charged with a crime against two victims, regardless of what stage of development the child is in. The passing of this bill will demonstrate North Carolina’s commitment to protecting innocent life.

Education Many of you have taken the time to share your thoughts and feelings about the impact that our budget deficit may have on public education. As you can imagine, much of the correspondence that senators and representatives are receiving is coming from the education sector, and is motivated by pronouncements about how many jobs (teachers, teacher assistants, etc.) may be cut based on anticipated funding reductions. At this point in time, job loss projections and program eliminations are premature and serve no purpose other than to scare our people, teachers, parents and students.

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DID YOU KNOW…?

That Gen. William Lenoir, who led men at the Battle of King’s Mountain, was a former school teacher? And he was married for 63 years! Lenoir: “I slept with my wife on one side of me and my rifle on the other.” (CaldwellHeritageMuseum.org)

MARCH 18, 2011

Burke

DISTRICT 44

Budget Please understand that all of the members of the General Assembly have children, grandchildren, relatives, friends and/or neighbors who are students or employees in our school system. We are trying very hard to find ways to lessen the impact that our budget deficit will have on public education. The General Assembly is evaluating many budget options, from reducing the cost of government through departmental consolidations, the elimination of unnecessary boards and commissions, to liquidating certain state assets and privatizing some state services. In regard to cost savings, I was very disappointed that Governor Perdue vetoed Senate Bill 13 which authorized her to withhold over $500 million in uncommitted funds from various programs and departments for the rest of this fiscal year (which ends in June). This cost savings would have transferred to next year's budget, and would have helped tremendously in closing the $3 billion dollar deficit, and would have saved thousands of teachers’ jobs. The Governor elected to veto this legislation citing that part of these funds were set aside for future job creation. I believe that these funds should be used to protect the jobs we ALREADY have, many of them in education.

Thank You Finally, I do understand your worries and concerns and I ask for your patience as the legislature works through the budget process. Please feel welcome to contact me at any time with your thoughts and suggestions. For those of you who have sent emails and have not received a reply, my office is working hard to reduce this backlog, and I hope to be able to answer all of them as soon as possible.

Caldwell

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QUOTE FROM JOHN W. FORNEY – AS IT APPEARED IN THE RALEIGH STANDARD FEB. 1, 1869.

“Among the principal exports from this county are roots and herbs….These are brought into town in small parcels and exchanged for store goods….The conspicuous natural feature of the south and west is Hibriten, a peak that rises some twenty-four hundred feet from the summit of which a view of rear beauty and extent is afforded….The region is especially adapted to the culture of fruit. Apples are one of the staples of the country….In the Yadkin Valley, some eight miles distant from this point is a flourishing cotton factory and a number of handsomely cultivated farms….The factory is used for carding wool only. The water power here is magnificent. The Yadkin is about forty feet wide….The scenery is unsurpassed, magnificent, varied—grand beyond description. From Fairview Peak at the head of John’s River twenty seven different mountains can be seen….To the west is Grandfather Mountain, with and altitude of 6,200 feet, full of beauty and attractions….These lands possess value of greater magnitude than the surface indicates, as they are known to be rich in minerals of various kinds….These lands are supplied with as good water power as can be found in the Union. The rivers are accessible, and with very little expense can be rendered available to the lumber trade and for floating timber, as well as for power for machinery. “

Sincerely,

JOSEPH CALDWELL 1777-1835 PRESIDENT OF UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA “BY the heart, in the language of the sacred Scriptures, is very commonly to be understood not only the affections, according to the sense of the term, as it is usually received with us, but the whole mind, with all its faculties, its thoughts, emotions, inclinations, and desires.”- Sermon entitled “Keeping the Heart”