Rep. Frank Iler helps secure funding for Brunswick County public safety priorities in State Budget

Today, Representative Frank Iler (R-Brunswick) praised the bipartisan budget bill recently signed into law by Governor Roy Cooper. The budget passed both the N.C. House and N.C. Senate by strong bipartisan margins.

“This is a responsible, forward-looking, fiscally conservative, bipartisan budget that is good for Brunswick County,” said Rep. Iler. “I’m pleased to have worked with our delegation to secure much-needed funding for a number of critical Brunswick County priorities, largely centered around justice and public safety. Additionally, as one of the House’s transportation leaders, I’m pleased to see additional funding from sales taxes being directed to the Highway Trust Fund to support construction of needed roads and bridges.”

The budget included the following appropriations for Brunswick County:

• A grant for the Town of Shallotte for capital and equipment needs for parks expansion
• A grant for the Town of Ocean Isle Beach for capital and equipment needs for parks expansion
• A grant for the Bolivia Fire Department for capital and equipment
• A grant for the Boiling Spring Lakes Fire Department for capital and equipment
• Funding for a new Assistant District Attorney in Brunswick County
• Funding for a new Deputy Clerk of Court in Brunswick County

The budget allots approximately $100 million for school safety and increases raises for teachers and other school employees. Funding for Health and Human Services, including mental health, justice and public safety was increased as well.

For the first time the General Fund is turning over an estimated $193 million in sales tax revenue from automotive product sales to the Highway Trust Fund, which goes toward building roads and bridges across the state.

N.C. House Speaker Tim Moore and Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger said, “The General Assembly passed the 2022 budget with strong bipartisan support, and we are pleased Governor Cooper signed this responsible spending plan into law. Moving forward, we are committed to working together to improve healthcare access and expand Medicaid, while providing the necessary safeguards to preserve the state’s fiscal strength. Active negotiations are occurring now toward that end.”