These scholarships are distributed based on household income, ensuring that low- and middle-income families benefit the most. As the program stands t… - Val Applewhite

I voted in support of Senate Bill 3, the NC Compassionate Care Act, I believe it is time North Carolina passes medical marijuana. My district is home to Fort Liberty, where many disabled veterans live and suffer from chronic pain due to their service. During my campaign, veterans repeatedly expressed the need for medical marijuana as an alternative treatment for pain management. As a disabled veteran myself, I understand firsthand the challenges of managing pain. This bill was an opportunity for the state to take meaningful action to support our veterans beyond words of gratitude. While the bill has not yet passed the NC House, I remain hopeful that it will in the next session. As for recreational marijuana, I don't foresee it becoming law in the near future, and it is not something I would support at this time. My priority is ensuring we address the immediate healthcare needs of those who need it most, particularly our veterans

The Republican legislature is perpetuating a slow death for our public schools by systematically underfunding them while failing to meet the North Carolina Constitution’s requirement for a sound, basic education for every child. Their efforts align with Trump’s Project 2025, a national agenda aimed at dismantling public education. Our children deserve better — they deserve a world-class public education that equips them to compete globally, not one sacrificed to political agendas and the privileged few.

I voted against Senate Bill 20, the so-called "Care for Women, Children and Families Act." The title is misleading because SB 20 demonstrates a deep disregard for women and their right to make their own healthcare decisions. This bill reduced the abortion limit from 20 weeks to 12 and in my opinion is just the beginning of attacks on women’s reproductive rights in North Carolina. To be clear, this is not about a woman's "ability to keep her skirt down," as some might suggest — it's about one of the most sensitive and deeply personal healthcare decisions a woman can face. I fully supported the 20-week limit, which allowed exceptions for rape, incest, and when a woman's life is in danger, based on her doctor’s advice