RAEFORD — Hoke County’s state Rep. Garland Pierce was one of five Democrats in the North Carolina House of Representatives to vote for the state budget last week. The budget, which has been held up as discussions between House and Senate leadership tussled over a number of issues, was presented to Gov. Roy Cooper on Friday, Sept. 22. In a statement, Cooper said he would allow the measure to become law after 10 days, noting he strongly disagreed with many portions but believed Medicaid expansion was too important to not veto the spending bill.
Pierce touted projects that were funded in the Republican-led budget, saying in a statement while signing the conference committee report on Wednesday, Sept. 20, “nearly $40 million is on the way for economic development, community programs, and emergency personnel. This is what bipartisanship looks like for Southeastern NC.”
A 10-term veteran of the chamber, Pierce has sided with Republicans on various issues and this term received a subcommittee chair appointment from House Speaker Tim Moore (R-Kings Mountain).
Hoke County’s state Sen., Danny Britt of Lumberton, joined his Republican colleagues in both chambers supporting the budget.
