In the News
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - As scenes of terror spread around the globe Tuesday, the attacks in Brussels struck a nerve with Charlotte’s Congressional delegation.
Rep. Richard Hudson, R-Concord, said he was appalled to hear the news but unfortunately not surprised.
“It’s a reminder to us that while some in this country may think we’re not at war with the terrorists, the terrorists think they’re at war with us and we’ve got to remain vigilant,” Hudson said.
Four members of North Carolina’s congressional delegation introduced bipartisan legislation last week aimed at stopping a rule proposed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that they and motorsports enthusiasts say would sink a certain niche of the race car industry.
“It would be devastating to our industry,” said Steve Earwood, president of Rockingham Dragway, about 10 miles north of Rockingham and Hamlet.
The proposed EPA rule would prohibit emissions-certified vehicles made for the road from being converted into race cars.
UPDATE
A companion bill to the RPM Act was introduced in the Senate March 9. Sponsored by Senators Richard Burr (R-NC), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), and Dean Heller (R-NV), Senate Bill 2659 affirms the Environmental Protection Agency "cannot regulate vehicles used solely for competition, and for other purposes." Constituents can draft a prewritten letter to their senators and representatives through the SEMA Action Network at this updated link.
A bill that aims to connect people with job training programs and cosponsored by U.S. Rep. Richard Hudson passed the U.S. House this week.
Hudson cosponsored the bill with Rep. Bobby Rush, a Democrat from Illinois. It directs the U.S. Secretary of Energy to work with industry to find modern-day skills needed by employers. The secretary would then encourage state education agencies to equip students with the skills, according to the bill.
In response to his bill’s passage in the House, Hudson said he hopes to continue work with Democrats to put North Carolinians back to work.
PEMBROKE — Robeson Health Care Corporation has received a $3.1 million grant for primary and behavioral health care services.
“The federal funding RHCC was awarded helps to ensure our valued community families continue to receive high-quality, cost-effective, culturally-sensitive and medically-appropriate primary care and behavioral health care services,” said Carl I. Walters II, president and CEO of the corporation.
HAMLET — More than 100 new jobs will be available in Richmond County within the next seven months, local and state leaders announced Tuesday.
RSI Home Products, Inc. will be constructing a manufacturing and distribution plant in the Richmond County Industrial Park, hiring 175 employees when the plant is operational, according to statements from Gov. Pat McCrory’s office and the Richmond County Office of Development.
County officials say the California-based company will also be investing $18.3 million by its scheduled plant opening in September.
Neither of Rowan’s current members of the U.S. House support President Barack Obama’s recently introduced plan to close Guantanamo Bay Prison.
Obama this week announced plans to close Guantanamo Bay — a prison for suspected war criminals in Cuba — by the time he leaves office. His plan faces stiff opposition from Congress, with two of Rowan’s U.S. House members among the pack of skeptical politicians.
Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-5, criticized the plan as “bringing dangerous terrorists to America in a statement following Obama’s announcement this week.