From the Desk of Senator Brent Jackson

From the Desk of Senator Brent Jackson April 2, 2025

Dear Friend of Senate District 9, Thank you for taking the time to read my newsletter and staying connected with the latest news from District Nine and our efforts in the General Assembly. My team and I are committed to serving our community and our state, working hard each day to bring about positive change. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue addressing the important issues impacting our district! Your voices and concerns continue to guide our efforts in the General Assembly, and we remain focused on bringing your priorities to the forefront. Stay tuned for more updates on the important work we’re doing, and thank you for your continued support! Sincerely,

Last week marked the end of the Senate’s bill-filing period. On Tuesday, more than 280 bills were filed in one day. In total, 759 bills were filed in the Senate. The vast majority of those bills won’t become law, but several have promise. I filed a couple of bills this week, but if you’re interested in learning about the bills I’ve signed on to support, you can find that information here: Senator Brent Jackson's Introduced Bills - North Carolina General Assembly As mentioned last week, I filed the annual North Carolina Farm Act. There are many provisions in this bill that strive to improve agriculture in North Carolina and life in rural communities. I'm thankful to have many of my colleagues sign on as co-sponsors to show their support. As the Farm Act works its way through the committees, some changes are expected, but if you would like to read the current bill and see the other co-sponsors, you can do so by clicking here: Senate Bill 639 (2025-2026 Session) - North Carolina General Assembly Our work on the first draft of the budget is ongoing, and we are sticking to our pre-determined schedule. We are working to ensure our tax dollars are spent in the most efficient way possible and North Carolina remains well-positioned for the future. Once we complete our work on the budget, I will do a deep dive to give you all the details of what it will do and where our funding priorities lie. To find out more about the NC General Assembly Committees you can visit the website by clicking here

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Ag Disaster Crop Loss Program

On March 19 2025, through The Disaster Recovery Act of 2025 – Part I (S.L. 2025-2), the North Carolina General Assembly established the Agricultural Disaster Crop Loss Program, a one-time assistance program for agricultural producers who suffered verifiable losses from any declared agricultural disaster in 2024. This includes Hurricane Helene, drought, Tropical Storm Debby, and Potential Cyclone 8. The General Assembly appropriated nearly $311 million for the program that will be administered by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. $200 million will be for verifiable losses from Hurricane Helene in the affected area and about $111 million will be for verifiable losses from all other agricultural disasters in 2024. The application period opened on April 1, 2025 and will close May 4, 2025. To learn more about the program and apply for assistance please click the link below: Ag Disaster Crop Loss Program

Help me congratulate Sen. Paul Newton on a well-earned retirement from the N.C. Senate! It has been an honor to serve alongside him, and I have greatly valued his insight, leadership, and dedication to our state. His impact will undoubtedly be felt for years to come.

Join me in welcoming Wadeyn Norris to our team! He is joining us as an intern while pursuing his degree at N.C. State University.

Opportunity Scholarship Program In 2013 the North Carolina General Assembly created the NC Opportunity Scholarship program. It recognized a simple yet important principle - choice. Every child has unique educational needs. North Carolina recognizes that uniqueness and offers support for the academic programs that best meet the needs of that child - be they traditional public schools, charter schools, home schools or private schools.  Last year the North Carolina General Assembly expanded the NC Opportunity Scholarship program for families choosing a private school option. You can find details on the program and how to apply here. "Scholarships are awarded based on a family’s household income and can be used to pay the required tuition and fees to attend an eligible private school. Who Can Apply? Parents of any North Carolina student entering kindergarten through 12th grade. What are the eligibility requirements? Students must meet the following requirements to be eligible for the Opportunity Scholarship: At least 5 years old by August 31 or at least 4 years old by April 16 and approved for Kindergarten according to state guidelines. Lives in North Carolina Has not graduated from high school Has not enrolled in a post-secondary institution full-time Note: Scholarship amount is determined by household income How much is the Scholarship? Scholarships range from approximately $3,000 to $7,000 and are based on a family’s household income. Scholarships can be used to pay the required tuition and fees to attend an eligible private school."

GO Grant

GO Grants are a great way to get our students outdoors! Apply for a GO Grant today! Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and there is no deadline to apply!

Apply for a GO Grant

Bladen Community College Fifth Annual "Touch A Truck" Event Coming Up

Bladen Community College hosted their fourth-annual “Touch A Truck” last year which was a program that encouraged children from the community to know the vehicles that surround their everyday lives in Bladen County. They are into their fifth annual “Touch A Truck” this year. “Touch A Truck will be held Saturday, April 12 from 9:00-1:00,” Sondra Guyton said. “This year, we are partnering with Bladen Smart Start and they are bringing the Family Spring Fling on campus that same day to make it a larger event. This is also the last day of our spring plant sale at the greenhouse so, we are expecting a crowd.”

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Popular Hog Wild Cook-Off is Coming Back Bigger and Better

If you’re from anywhere below the Mason Dixon Line, chances are you are a BBQ lover. And even if you are not a fan of it, you probably still love pork. Especially in North Carolina, you just cannot escape it when you live in one of the top pork producing states in the world. So it is probably not a surprise to anyone that there is a festival called Hog Wild. Hog Wild is usually held in the fall at the Beulaville Town Hall Court, but this year the time and location have changed. On April 5 from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. the festival will be held outside Superior Metal Structures which is located behind the Realo Drug Store near the cross section of HWY 41 and 241 in Beulaville. Read More

Jones County Community Closet Donation Drive is Approaching

The Jones County Community Closet Donation Drive is coming up fast – time to spring clean and give back locally! This is your chance to drive through and donate gently used clothing, shoes, and now — recreation supplies and athletic wear. We have youth in our community eager to participate in recreation programs but lacking the supplies or clothing to join in. Your donations can help make that possible. By donating locally, you help ensure Jones County goods stay in Jones County and directly support our neighbors. Once the closet is stocked, it will open monthly for residents to shop at no cost.

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Officials Break Ground on New Central Pender Park Opening This Fall

Pender County broke ground on a new park off US Highway 117 in Burgaw on Thursday. Burgaw and county officials attended a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Central Pender Park set to open later this year. The park will open in phases. Phase one will include paved walking trails, four multi-purpose sports fields, a playground, a concession stand, parking, and public restrooms.

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Chamber Honors Business Leaders, Entrepreneurs

“It’s about people.” That was the main message behind retired Gen. Dan K. McNeill’s keynote address to the Clinton-Sampson Chamber of Commerce at its 78th annual banquet Thursday night. And that’s also the message that was clear behind the awards that Chamber members received. Those awards went to: Business Leader of the Year — Andrey Schulte, Minuteman Press; Business Excellence — Clayton Homes of Clinton; Entrepreneurial Success — Carolina Dance Company; New Business of the Year — DeVine Designs Floral and Gifts; and Chamber Member of the Year — Frankie Owens.

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Farm to School Gets North Carolina Strawberries and More onto Cafeteria Trays Across the State

The Farm to School Program through the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services helps get North Carolina-grown fruits and vegetables onto school cafeteria trays across the state, and it all started with strawberries. According to Heather Lifsey, NCDA&CS marketing specialist, the program is a win-win-win – it helps schools provide fresh foods to kids, it allows farmers to supply their products, and it introduces students to the state’s agriculture industry. “The Farm to School program was created to connect North Carolina farmers with school nutrition directors,” Lifsey said. “Our farmers were growing produce and school nutrition directors had a demand to get more local foods into their schools, so it was a natural fit.”  The Farm to School program was founded in 1997 with eastern N.C. strawberries as the pilot. The program began with strawberries because of their perishable nature. Read More

April 1776: The Halifax Resolves

North Carolina claims several contentious superlatives: first in flight (disputed by Ohio since Orville and Wilbur Wright lived in Dayton, Ohio), the first state university (disputed by Georgia since its university was chartered first, though North Carolina’s opened first), and the first declaration of independence, though most historians dispute the veracity of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence. Even with its questionable credentials, the date of the “Meck-Dec” still adorns North Carolina’s state flag. The other date on the flag, April 12, 1776, however, honors a first that no other state can claim, the “Halifax Resolves.” Though it was not an outright declaration of independence from Great Britain, this resolution, which was unanimously passed at the fourth Provincial Congress meeting in Halifax, North Carolina, was the first official action in which a colony authorized its delegates to the Continental Congress to vote for independence.

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Sen. Brent Jackson, District 9 | 16 West Jones Street 2022 Legislative Building | Raleigh, NC 27601 US Unsubscribe | Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice