The Raleigh Report
from the office of Representative Marian McLawhorn
(February 4, 2010) -- The work of the General Assembly is wide ranging and has great influence over spending priorities, economic policies, education, health care and other critical areas.
The Legislature is also responsible for working with law enforcement and judicial officials to write the state's criminal laws. This past session, we approved new laws making our drug laws stronger, toughening sex offender laws and cracking down on illegal weapons. These laws help make our communities safer and help protect our families. A few of them are highlighted in the information below.
Thank you as always for your interest in state government. If you have any questions about this information or anything else that I can help with, please contact me. I am always glad to be of service. (read more)
GOVERNOR’S CRIME COMMISSION ANNOUNCES GRANT AVAILABILITY
Workshops to be Held in Pitt, Lee and Catawba Counties
(October 2, 2009) RALEIGH – District Attorney Scott Thomas, chair of the Governor’s Crime Commission, today announced the start of the annual grant application process that is open to non-profits and governmental agencies. Grant applications will be accepted until Jan. 29, 2010 and grants will be awarded next summer.
To assist agencies in preparing applications, GCC will hold the following three grant writing workshops:
- Oct. 13 in Pitt County, Goess Student Center, Pitt Community College, Winterville
- Oct. 16 in Lee County, Dennis A. Wicker Civic Center, Sanford
- Oct. 20 in Catawba County, Hickory Metro Convention Center, Hickory
The grants will be awarded for innovative programs and to agencies that will improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the justice system, provide services to juveniles, and enhance the quality of service to crime victims in North Carolina.
“Many successful criminal justice programs in place today are a result of these types of federal grants,” Thomas said. “These initiatives are helping to address and reduce crime in North Carolina.”
Since 1990, the violent crime rate has dropped statewide by 24 percent, and property crime rates by 15 percent.
School resource officers, structured day programs, the crime-stoppers program, Community Watch and the Statewide Automated Victims Assistance Network, are a few specific programs that were initially funded through the GCC. Grants have gone toward drug trafficking interdiction, child abuse and neglect prevention, gang prevention, community domestic violence shelters and juvenile justice reform.
Next year, the U.S. Department of Justice will announce the funding levels for the federal block grants that will be awarded to North Carolina.
REP. McLAWHORN REAPPOINTED TO SERVE ON THE JOINT LEGISLATIVE EDUCATION OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE
Commission to examine educational institutions in North Carolina
RALEIGH, NC (Sept. 22, 2009) -- Rep. Marian McLawhorn has been reappointed by House Speaker Joe Hackney to serve on the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee. The Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee is responsible for examining, on a continuing basis, the educational institutions in North Carolina, in order to make ongoing recommendations to the General Assembly on ways to improve public education from kindergarten through higher education.
“I am very pleased to be able to serve on this important committee,” Rep. McLawhorn said. “This appointment will allow me to serve both the House of Representatives and the people of my district who have a strong interest in education issues.”
Among other things, the Committee will study the budgets, programs, and policies of the Department of Public Instruction, the State Board of Education, the Community Colleges System Office, the Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina, and the constituent institutions of The University of North Carolina to determine ways in which the General Assembly may encourage the improvement of all education provided to North Carolinians. The committee may also aid in the development of more integrated methods of institutional accountability.
Rep. McLawhorn lives in Grifton and has served five and a half terms in the House of Representatives. She is also a Chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Education.
REP. MCLAWHORN APPOINTED AS CO-CHAIR OF JOINT LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
Commission to examine domestic violence issues in North Carolina
RALEIGH, NC (Sept. 16, 2009) -- Rep. Marian McLawhorn has been appointed as co-chair of the Joint Legislative Committee on Domestic Violence.
The Joint Legislative Committee on Domestic Violence is responsible for studying the budget, programs, and policies of the Domestic Violence Commission to determine ways in which the General Assembly may improve the effectiveness of the Commission.
“I am pleased to have this opportunity to serve in such a key position,” Rep. McLawhorn said. “This appointment will allow me serve both the House of Representatives and the people of my district who have a strong interest in domestic violence issues.”
Among other things, the Committee will study and evaluate the funding sources and needs of domestic violence programs providing services to domestic violence victims and programs providing treatment to domestic violence abusers. The Committee will also study legal services funding for domestic violence victims and explore additional sources of funding; explore sources of additional funding for all domestic violence programs, including visitation centers; examine current programs and explore new programs to provide effective services to domestic violence victims and treatment to domestic violence abusers; and examine law enforcement and judicial responses to domestic violence.
Rep. McLawhorn is a Legislator living in Pitt County and is serving her sixth term in the House of Representatives. She is also Chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Education and a vice chair of the House Appropriations Committee.