Sep 7

Sep 7 From the Desk of Senator Brent Jackson, September, 2026

Press Release

From the Desk of Senator Brent Jackson September 1, 2026

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.

Thank you for your continued support!

Sincerely,

Now that the General Assembly is in the interim, the newsletter will be on a bi-weekly schedule.

With the General Assembly now in an extended recess, lawmakers will spend the coming months working in their districts and assisting constituents. The legislature is expected to reconvene later this year to address any unfinished business and consider additional legislative matters as needed until next year's long session.

Legislation of the Week

Senate Bill 889– Property Tax Reappraisal Moratorium

Sponsored by Senators Phil Berger, Brent Jackson, and Steve Jarvis

Senate Bill 889, the Property Tax Reappraisal Moratorium, provides temporary relief for property owners in certain North Carolina counties by delaying the implementation of new property values resulting from 2026 reappraisals.

The legislation requires qualifying counties that conducted a reappraisal effective January 1, 2026, to use their previous schedule of property values for the 2026-2027 tax year. The new 2026 property values will instead take effect beginning with the 2027-2028 tax year.

Senator Jackson served as a primary sponsor of the legislation, which passed the General Assembly and was signed into law on June 19, 2026, becoming Session Law 2026-8.

Property reappraisals can result in significant changes to assessed values for homeowners, farmers and businesses. Senate Bill 889 gives affected property owners additional time before newly appraised values are used for property tax purposes while maintaining the state's regular reappraisal process moving forward.

Ever Wonder What Happens When the Governor Vetoes a Bill?

After a bill passes the General Assembly and is presented to the Governor, the Governor can sign it into law, allow it to become law without a signature, or veto it.

When a bill is vetoed, it is returned to the chamber where it originated along with the Governor’s objections. Lawmakers then have the opportunity to reconsider the bill and attempt to override the veto.

In North Carolina, overriding a veto requires a three-fifths vote of the members present and voting in both the House and Senate. If both chambers reach that threshold, the bill becomes law despite the Governor’s veto.

So, a Governor’s veto does not necessarily mean the end of a bill—the General Assembly still has an opportunity to give it the final word.

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24-Hour Child Care Center Planned for Bladen County

A new child care center planned for Bladen County hopes to provide working families with greater access to dependable care outside of traditional hours.

Dr. Jennifer Smith is developing Halle’s Haven Child Care Center, a planned 24-hour facility that will operate Monday through Friday with weekend care available as needed. The center will especially serve parents working second and third shifts who may have difficulty finding child care during evenings and overnight hours.

Halle’s Haven will also focus on early childhood development through kindergarten preparation, bilingual educational opportunities and support for children’s academic, emotional and behavioral needs.

Smith’s plans recently earned statewide recognition when she was selected as one of just 18 entrepreneurs from 316 applicants for the inaugural Small Business Center Network Startup Showdown. With assistance from the Bladen Community College Small Business Center, Smith is now competing for up to $30,000 in startup funding to help bring Halle’s Haven to Bladen County.

Public voting for the competition runs September 1 through September 15, with winners scheduled to be announced September 17 in Raleigh.

New Duplin County Detention Center Awaits Staffing

Duplin County’s new $43.3 million detention center has been completed, inspected and approved for occupancy, but officials are working to hire and train additional detention officers before the facility can open.

The new 57,700-square-foot facility in Kenansville will significantly expand the county’s detention capacity, providing space for 250 inmates compared with the current jail’s 95-bed capacity. The existing jail recently housed 130 inmates, highlighting the need for the additional space.

Opening the new facility will require twice as many detention officers per shift, increasing from four to eight. The Sheriff’s Office has hired several new officers and is continuing recruitment and training as staff prepare to operate the facility’s updated technology and security systems.

County officials say all necessary inspections and approvals have been completed. While no official opening date has been announced, the Sheriff’s Office hopes to have the new detention center operational by the end of the year.

Jones County Heritage Festival Parade Celebrates America 250

The Jones County Heritage Festival Parade will return to Trenton on Saturday, September 26, bringing together local businesses, schools, churches, first responders, agricultural groups and community organizations to celebrate Jones County’s history and heritage.

This year’s theme, “America 250,” recognizes the 250th anniversary of the United States and encourages participants to showcase their patriotic spirit through floats, vehicles, performances and displays celebrating the nation’s past, present and future.

The parade will begin at 9 a.m. at the Trenton Piggly Wiggly and travel through downtown Trenton before concluding at the Jones County Board of Education.

The annual parade remains a longstanding Jones County tradition and an opportunity for residents from across the community to come together and celebrate both the county’s heritage and America’s 250th anniversary.

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Pender County Seeks Community Input on New Playground

Pender County is inviting residents to help shape plans for a new playground at Long Creek Community Park in Rocky Point, which will become the first major amenity developed at the park.

The county recently received funding from the North Carolina General Assembly to support construction of the playground. Residents will have an opportunity to provide input on accessibility, age-appropriate play equipment and other features during a public input session on Thursday, September 10, from 4 to 6 p.m.

County officials are also seeking ideas for the park’s long-term development. Future improvements could include walking trails, picnic shelters, restrooms, fitness areas and additional recreational spaces.

The public input session will be held at Long Creek Community Park, 23280 N.C. Highway 210 in Rocky Point, on the former site of Long Creek-Grady School.

Dark Horse Fellows Program Brings Clinton Graduate Home to Teach

Clinton City Schools’ Dark Horse Fellows program is beginning to see the results of its effort to develop future teachers from within the community.

Woodlyn Pierre, a 2022 Clinton High School graduate and the program’s first scholarship recipient, has returned to the district as a student teacher at Butler Avenue Elementary School. Pierre is completing her degree at Fayetteville State University and is expected to begin her teaching career in January.

Created in 2021, the “Grow Your Own Teacher” initiative provides aspiring educators with forgivable loans, mentorship and other resources in exchange for returning to teach in Clinton City Schools. The program aims to strengthen teacher recruitment and retention while giving local students an opportunity to return and serve their community.

The program is now working toward an Anonymous Trust challenge that could provide $100,000 in additional support. To receive the funding, the program must secure 400 donations by December 31, including at least 200 from outside Clinton City Schools.

For district leaders, Pierre’s return marks an important milestone and provides an example of how investing in local students can help build the next generation of educators in Sampson County.

Agriculture Spotlight:

Research Advancing the Future of North Carolina Tobacco

Researchers at the Upper Coastal Plain Research Station in Rocky Mount are working to strengthen the future of North Carolina’s tobacco industry through research focused on disease resistance, crop quality and improved production practices.

Established in 1903 as North Carolina’s oldest agricultural research station, the facility currently grows about 30 acres of tobacco each year. Researchers conduct variety, pesticide, yield and quality trials while working with N.C. State University to provide farmers with information that can improve production and reduce crop losses.

A major focus is combating diseases such as black shank and Granville wilt, which can cause significant damage to tobacco crops. Researchers test different varieties and management practices to identify ways farmers can better prevent disease and protect their yields.

The work is part of a larger partnership between the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and N.C. State University across 18 agricultural research stations statewide, helping North Carolina farmers adapt to new challenges and remain competitive.

Historical Spotlight: The Highland Scots of the Cape Fear

During the 18th century, thousands of Scottish Highlanders crossed the Atlantic and made southeastern North Carolina their new home, leaving a lasting mark on the culture and history of the Cape Fear region.

The first major group, known as the Argyll Colony, arrived in 1739. About 350 men, women and children from the Scottish Highlands settled along the Cape Fear River. Larger waves followed during the decades leading up to the American Revolution, with many families seeking affordable land and greater economic opportunity.

The Upper Cape Fear eventually became the largest concentration of Highland Scots in America. Their settlements spread through areas that today include Bladen and Sampson counties, along with Cumberland, Harnett, Hoke, Moore, Richmond, Robeson, Scotland and Anson counties. By the time of the Revolution, as many as 10,000 Highland Scots may have lived along the Cape Fear and its tributaries.

Many became farmers or entered the naval stores industry, using the region's abundant pine forests to produce tar, pitch and turpentine. These products were transported down the Cape Fear River to Wilmington and became an important part of North Carolina's early economy.

The Highland Scots helped shape communities throughout southeastern North Carolina, and their influence remains an important part of the region's heritage nearly three centuries later.

For this week's newsletter, I'd use the Sampson County piece first. It's especially local, has a good story behind two names readers see every day, and the Highland Scots piece can be saved for another week.