1 00:02:30,440 --> 00:02:34,860 To have you all here on this journey with me since this is my debut. 2 00:02:35,040 --> 00:02:37,650 Hang with me while I work through some of the kinks maybe. 3 00:02:38,160 --> 00:02:41,160 But I've been a co-host of a talk radio show in the past, 4 00:02:41,580 --> 00:02:43,980 but it might take a little time to work out the bugs. 5 00:02:44,010 --> 00:02:48,360 We'll get through it as Toby Keith would say, and as good as I once was. 6 00:02:48,360 --> 00:02:52,410 But I'm as good once as I ever was. So we'll see at the end of this, 7 00:02:53,400 --> 00:02:55,050 I should also start with a qualifier. 8 00:02:55,110 --> 00:02:59,710 There will be music and movie references on this show. Always. I can't help it, 9 00:02:59,740 --> 00:03:03,160 it's just going to happen. Speaking of which, later in the show, 10 00:03:03,160 --> 00:03:05,350 you can call in toward the end of the show. 11 00:03:05,380 --> 00:03:10,090 Glad to hear from you and what you have to say. And agreement is not required, 12 00:03:10,090 --> 00:03:14,380 but I may have tell you just how wrong you are or you can tell me how wrong I am 13 00:03:14,410 --> 00:03:17,800 either way. But I, I'd also love to hear, 14 00:03:18,700 --> 00:03:22,210 I don't know what the latest movie you've seen either hated or liked Keeping 15 00:03:22,210 --> 00:03:25,090 with a little pop culture too while we worked through the day. 16 00:03:25,540 --> 00:03:27,070 And I hope everyone had a great, 17 00:03:27,250 --> 00:03:30,400 great Independence Day yesterday we did at my house. 18 00:03:30,400 --> 00:03:31,450 We just kind of took it easy, 19 00:03:32,140 --> 00:03:36,020 didn't get on the lake sometimes that's amateur hour on July 4th. 20 00:03:36,160 --> 00:03:39,460 So we just kind of let those folks do their thing and enjoy the lake. 21 00:03:39,490 --> 00:03:43,180 And I'll be out later today. But at our house, we didn't go too hard. 22 00:03:43,180 --> 00:03:46,660 We grilled steaks and had a little shrimp, did a little family movie night. 23 00:03:46,665 --> 00:03:51,010 My wife Catherine and our 15 year old son Jackson, just turned 15 on Friday. 24 00:03:51,320 --> 00:03:55,690 We watched a comedy last night that Jackson hasn't really been old enough to 25 00:03:55,690 --> 00:03:58,120 watch, you know, kind of wait when you've got a son, 26 00:03:58,420 --> 00:04:03,400 hopefully he pretty soon gets there to your level of 15 year oldness. 27 00:04:03,430 --> 00:04:07,660 And so we're both pretty much on the same level. He's pretty mature young man. 28 00:04:07,660 --> 00:04:11,780 So we've loosened up a bit. And last night we selected Walk Hard, 29 00:04:12,010 --> 00:04:15,880 the Dewey Cox story. It's quite the documentary. If you've never seen it, 30 00:04:16,510 --> 00:04:19,810 I wouldn't recommend it for underage kids, maybe 15 or older. But anyway, 31 00:04:20,680 --> 00:04:24,400 let me take you back. It's an interesting, 32 00:04:24,400 --> 00:04:29,260 interesting movie and really was inspired, believe it or not, 33 00:04:29,260 --> 00:04:33,520 by our president. What an amazing guy and a son, father, 34 00:04:33,520 --> 00:04:34,480 son relationship. 35 00:04:35,200 --> 00:04:39,970 We were watching and watching the news over the weekend and saw where they found 36 00:04:39,975 --> 00:04:43,570 a white substance at the White House. And it was not anthrax. 37 00:04:43,570 --> 00:04:46,540 As we found out later, apparently Hunter left something. 38 00:04:46,960 --> 00:04:51,610 And so part of the movie and the Dewey Cox story, 39 00:04:51,820 --> 00:04:53,260 he's a rock and roll star, so he, 40 00:04:54,400 --> 00:04:57,250 he's kind of a spoof on every rock and roll story you ever saw through the 41 00:04:57,250 --> 00:05:00,490 fifties, sixties, seventies, eighties, even a little bit in the nineties. 42 00:05:01,030 --> 00:05:04,480 And so at one point Tim Meadows is his drummer. So it's a very funny story. 43 00:05:04,485 --> 00:05:08,980 And he walks in on him and they're doing drugs because apparently that happens 44 00:05:08,980 --> 00:05:11,200 and in the rock and roll industry every now and then. 45 00:05:12,640 --> 00:05:16,540 So he walks in, he says, what is that you're doing? He goes, 46 00:05:16,630 --> 00:05:21,460 this is cocaine. You don't want any of this stuff. And to which he says, 47 00:05:21,465 --> 00:05:22,330 what's it do? And he says, 48 00:05:22,335 --> 00:05:25,180 it takes away all your bad feelings and turns 'em into good feelings. 49 00:05:25,180 --> 00:05:26,013 I'm paraphrasing. 50 00:05:26,440 --> 00:05:29,140 And it just reminded me of the relationship that Hunter and Joe have. 51 00:05:29,140 --> 00:05:33,580 And I thought, what a great comedy to watch with your kid. But no, 52 00:05:33,580 --> 00:05:35,950 we got a big laugh out of it, but it is kind of what inspired it, 53 00:05:36,010 --> 00:05:36,843 believe it or not. 54 00:05:37,600 --> 00:05:40,870 But I'll take you back to where it all began for me and want to, 55 00:05:41,200 --> 00:05:43,930 as this is the start of the new show, tell you a little bit about me, 56 00:05:44,830 --> 00:05:47,290 what we'll be talking about, how this is going to progress. 57 00:05:47,290 --> 00:05:51,160 But my family upbringing all is very important to me. 58 00:05:51,190 --> 00:05:55,450 I was born and raised in Lincolnton, the very beautiful area, 59 00:05:56,115 --> 00:05:58,370 of course right next to the shimmering waters of Lake Norman, 60 00:05:58,370 --> 00:06:01,310 close by where we spent most of our weekends. 61 00:06:02,390 --> 00:06:03,410 My dad had a boat, 62 00:06:03,410 --> 00:06:06,980 a little lot on Lake Norman back in the day and learned to ski when you couldn't 63 00:06:06,980 --> 00:06:10,370 learn to ski on in the middle of a weekend on Lake Norman. 64 00:06:10,700 --> 00:06:13,850 A few people have found out about this wonderful place we live and they've shown 65 00:06:13,850 --> 00:06:15,680 up and we love to have you, 66 00:06:15,950 --> 00:06:19,610 but it's not quite as uncrowded as it much once was. 67 00:06:19,610 --> 00:06:24,080 But it's a close knit community and it had a profound impact on 68 00:06:24,380 --> 00:06:26,960 my values and principles from a very young age. 69 00:06:27,980 --> 00:06:29,810 Family remains everything to me, 70 00:06:29,930 --> 00:06:32,330 and it was through their love and guidance that it discovered my passion for 71 00:06:32,330 --> 00:06:35,210 public service. My mother was a county commissioner in Lincoln County. 72 00:06:35,210 --> 00:06:39,890 She's our first ever woman county commissioner. And she ran in 1996. 73 00:06:39,890 --> 00:06:42,530 While I was working on a gubernatorial campaign, 74 00:06:42,530 --> 00:06:45,350 I was driving with Richard Vin Root. He was running for governor, 75 00:06:45,560 --> 00:06:49,310 former mayor of Charlotte. He lost that race in the primary to Robin Hayes, 76 00:06:49,315 --> 00:06:52,520 who I later went to work for as well in that race. 77 00:06:52,520 --> 00:06:55,040 But she was running and became our first woman county commissioner. 78 00:06:55,040 --> 00:06:59,810 So I got to see firsthand what it meant to serve folks that you live around and 79 00:07:00,295 --> 00:07:03,650 what that really meant. Growing up, I attended local schools. 80 00:07:05,000 --> 00:07:08,450 It really fosters since pride in my community and ignited my desire to 81 00:07:08,480 --> 00:07:12,650 contribute positively to society. It was during those formative years, 82 00:07:12,650 --> 00:07:16,340 my love in North Carolina took root and I knew that I wanted to dedicate my life 83 00:07:16,340 --> 00:07:18,980 to making a difference in the lives of my fellow North Carolinians. 84 00:07:19,730 --> 00:07:21,980 And I went to graduated Lincoln High School. 85 00:07:21,980 --> 00:07:26,300 I was sitting in Doris Little's government class and learning about government 86 00:07:26,305 --> 00:07:27,500 and it really sparked my interest. 87 00:07:27,500 --> 00:07:29,570 And I realized that now maybe I have an acumen for this. 88 00:07:29,930 --> 00:07:34,310 And so I went on to NC State, studied political science after two years, 89 00:07:34,340 --> 00:07:38,690 buddy of mine who had been serving in the army was getting out and starting at 90 00:07:38,690 --> 00:07:42,590 UNC Charlotte convinced me that we'd have a big time at UNC Charlotte taking 91 00:07:42,590 --> 00:07:46,760 over student government in the world and went transferred to UNC Charlotte. 92 00:07:46,790 --> 00:07:50,030 Probably the best decision I ever made. That's where I met my wife, Catherine, 93 00:07:50,990 --> 00:07:55,550 and really just excelled at politics there Locally was involved in college 94 00:07:55,550 --> 00:07:58,610 Republicans. Worked with a guy you might have heard of, 95 00:07:58,610 --> 00:08:01,070 Congressman Richard Hudson. A good friend. 96 00:08:01,340 --> 00:08:03,110 He was student body president at the time, 97 00:08:03,530 --> 00:08:07,040 didn't know nor at that time that we'd ever serve in public office. 98 00:08:07,310 --> 00:08:11,210 But it sounded like a cool thing we might do and ended up being something we 99 00:08:11,210 --> 00:08:14,360 actually did, but never would've known it back then. 100 00:08:15,740 --> 00:08:20,450 But being in the political arena and directly affecting people's lives really 101 00:08:20,450 --> 00:08:22,430 make a big difference. Like I say, 102 00:08:22,430 --> 00:08:26,360 realized I had that passion for it after two years at the state, 103 00:08:26,540 --> 00:08:31,280 transferred to Charlotte. Loved both schools, but from there, 104 00:08:31,280 --> 00:08:32,180 from student government, 105 00:08:32,725 --> 00:08:35,540 became a leader in the college Republicans with several of my classmates 106 00:08:36,230 --> 00:08:37,310 mentioned Richard Hudson. 107 00:08:37,370 --> 00:08:40,250 Others met Representative Patrick McHenry at that time too. 108 00:08:40,760 --> 00:08:45,230 He was at NC State. Didn't know him when I was there, but knew him thereafter. 109 00:08:45,530 --> 00:08:48,830 And we've all been pretty involved as young people. 110 00:08:48,830 --> 00:08:53,690 And then getting to a point where we're elected is kind of neat to look back and 111 00:08:53,690 --> 00:08:57,780 reflect upon. I'll have them both come on the show in the future. 112 00:08:57,900 --> 00:08:59,850 We'll get them on here later today. 113 00:08:59,850 --> 00:09:01,830 We're going to have representative Jeff Neely, 114 00:09:01,830 --> 00:09:04,560 who you've heard on this station before. He has his own show. 115 00:09:05,315 --> 00:09:07,980 And actually I've called in a couple of times, sometimes from the lake, 116 00:09:08,280 --> 00:09:09,113 from the boat, 117 00:09:09,510 --> 00:09:12,790 but I thought he would be a great first guest as we kind of kick the tires on 118 00:09:12,810 --> 00:09:14,340 this thing and run through it. 119 00:09:15,840 --> 00:09:18,300 My career has been a path of both challenges and achievements. 120 00:09:18,480 --> 00:09:21,780 From serving as a campaign staff and manager to becoming a member of the 121 00:09:21,780 --> 00:09:23,130 North Carolina House of Representatives. 122 00:09:23,580 --> 00:09:25,260 Every step has been a learning experience. 123 00:09:25,770 --> 00:09:28,200 I worked tirelessly to champion issues close to my heart, 124 00:09:28,200 --> 00:09:29,550 promoting economic growth, 125 00:09:29,640 --> 00:09:33,510 advocating for responsible fiscal policies and supporting small businesses. 126 00:09:34,350 --> 00:09:37,230 Throughout my legislative career. There have been many ups and downs, 127 00:09:37,230 --> 00:09:39,480 but what keeps me going is my love for this state and its people. 128 00:09:39,810 --> 00:09:43,290 I'm proud of the accomplishments we have achieved together from supporting 129 00:09:43,290 --> 00:09:47,160 innovative education initiatives to enhancing our infrastructure for a brighter 130 00:09:47,160 --> 00:09:51,150 future. And now with this show, all things saying, 131 00:09:51,540 --> 00:09:54,210 I want to give back even more to the community that has shaped me. 132 00:09:54,960 --> 00:09:58,380 My goal is to provide you the listeners with a unique perspective on the 133 00:09:58,380 --> 00:10:02,460 political climate of North Carolina. I want to break down complex issues, 134 00:10:02,850 --> 00:10:06,810 demystifying the legislative process and present it all from my point of view as 135 00:10:06,815 --> 00:10:09,870 a representative who genuinely cares about the wellbeing of our great state. 136 00:10:10,710 --> 00:10:12,480 But this show is not just about politics, 137 00:10:13,290 --> 00:10:16,860 it's also about the beauty of Lake Norman and the lifestyle it offers. 138 00:10:17,400 --> 00:10:21,720 I'll be bringing in special guests, local experts, historians, 139 00:10:22,260 --> 00:10:24,300 and even fellow legislators like I mentioned, Jeff McNeilly, 140 00:10:24,780 --> 00:10:28,410 to shed light on various topics, be it environmental conservation, 141 00:10:29,280 --> 00:10:33,600 local traditions, or the vibrant music scene that thrives in this region. 142 00:10:33,750 --> 00:10:36,960 All the things, all the fun things that we do. And while we like, 143 00:10:36,990 --> 00:10:38,370 we choose to call this place home, 144 00:10:39,420 --> 00:10:42,240 we'll also delve into the stories of the people who make North Carolina the 145 00:10:42,240 --> 00:10:44,670 wonderful place that it is their triumphs, 146 00:10:44,790 --> 00:10:48,480 struggles and contributions shape the fabric of our society. 147 00:10:49,770 --> 00:10:53,700 All things saying will be a platform for these voices to be heard, understood, 148 00:10:53,700 --> 00:10:57,480 and celebrated. We'll talk about the breathtaking landscapes that surround us, 149 00:10:57,510 --> 00:11:01,440 the history that colors our culture and the issues that unite and sometimes 150 00:11:01,440 --> 00:11:02,273 divide us. 151 00:11:02,910 --> 00:11:06,870 Together we'll explore the diverse tapestry of North Carolina and the potential 152 00:11:06,870 --> 00:11:09,930 it holds for a brighter future. So my fellow North Carolinians, 153 00:11:09,990 --> 00:11:11,880 I invite you to join me on this incredible journey. 154 00:11:12,480 --> 00:11:16,260 Let's embark on a quest to better understand our state's political landscape. 155 00:11:16,770 --> 00:11:21,120 Learn from its past and pave the way for a prosperous and harmless future. 156 00:11:21,630 --> 00:11:22,740 Harmonious future, sorry. 157 00:11:23,430 --> 00:11:26,190 Together we'll celebrate all things sane and all things North Carolina. 158 00:11:26,490 --> 00:11:27,690 Thank you for tuning in today. 159 00:11:28,020 --> 00:11:32,340 I look forward to having you by my side every week as we explore the heart 160 00:11:32,880 --> 00:11:33,713 of our area. 161 00:11:47,190 --> 00:11:49,140 Serving you better than ever before. 162 00:11:49,620 --> 00:11:54,580 The new 1 0 5 9 100 0.7 W SIC news talk. Now. 163 00:11:57,040 --> 00:12:00,410 Here is your Ws I community calendar, lights, 164 00:12:00,550 --> 00:12:03,170 camera Burdale at seven 30 this. 165 00:15:00,830 --> 00:15:01,250 All right, 166 00:15:01,250 --> 00:15:06,050 we're back and getting a lot of comments on my personal Facebook and 167 00:15:07,100 --> 00:15:08,810 several texts. One of our stafford's, 168 00:15:08,810 --> 00:15:10,790 Carl Gilmore from the legislatures listing in. 169 00:15:10,790 --> 00:15:12,530 So I told him I'd give him a shout out. 170 00:15:12,530 --> 00:15:16,940 I'm sure I just embarrassed every living thing out of him. But nevertheless, 171 00:15:16,940 --> 00:15:21,500 really appreciate you being on and listening to the show. Next up, 172 00:15:21,500 --> 00:15:24,380 we've got representative Jeff McNeely. I think we've got him on the phone now. 173 00:15:24,560 --> 00:15:25,393 Jeff, are you there? 174 00:15:27,380 --> 00:15:31,310 Hell my life. Want to fight about it? Wrong show. Sorry, wrong shows. 175 00:15:31,550 --> 00:15:34,610 Wrong show. But hey, we are going to have Jeff Pillars on. 176 00:15:34,610 --> 00:15:37,880 I teased it on my newsletter that Jeff Pillars from the John Boy Billy Show was 177 00:15:37,880 --> 00:15:38,713 going to be on with me. 178 00:15:38,930 --> 00:15:41,840 And then he got confused on the days and I actually confused him. 179 00:15:41,845 --> 00:15:44,330 So I contributed to that. But we'll get him on soon. 180 00:15:44,330 --> 00:15:47,420 He is a good friend and I love to have him on, so it'll be fun. 181 00:15:47,420 --> 00:15:49,430 But how you doing man? 182 00:15:49,850 --> 00:15:52,940 Did you get to vacation on the fourth or are you at home? 183 00:15:54,370 --> 00:15:56,510 I got to actually stay home, 184 00:15:56,515 --> 00:16:00,290 but I got up on the lake and tried to drown myself in a nice cool water. 185 00:16:00,295 --> 00:16:04,220 So it was very relaxing day. I really needed it and I appreciated it. 186 00:16:04,310 --> 00:16:06,830 Well, let me tell you about trying to drown yourself. You'll love this. 187 00:16:07,250 --> 00:16:09,410 So I was out on the boat by myself. 188 00:16:09,410 --> 00:16:14,030 I'd spent all day on Monday working on it. So I had him put it up on the 189 00:16:15,800 --> 00:16:19,550 wash and worked on the boat, installed a new switch and a couple things, 190 00:16:19,555 --> 00:16:23,450 putting in a new radio on my little fixer upper boat that I bought last year. 191 00:16:23,780 --> 00:16:27,590 And then I went out in the cove after hot, 192 00:16:27,860 --> 00:16:29,930 someone said it was the hottest day of the year, I believe it. 193 00:16:30,380 --> 00:16:35,180 And then came back in to put it to the dock and kids holding the boat 194 00:16:35,185 --> 00:16:39,740 for me as I get out throwing some stuff out on the dock. And it started to rain, 195 00:16:39,740 --> 00:16:42,560 which is why I was getting off the lake and it was coming down pretty hard. 196 00:16:42,890 --> 00:16:47,270 And I went to step back on that boat and thank God nobody's watching. 197 00:16:47,540 --> 00:16:50,060 And I ended up taking a little plunge in the water. No, 198 00:16:50,065 --> 00:16:53,660 no applause were given cause nobody was sitting up at absent taps. 199 00:16:53,660 --> 00:16:57,290 It was raining too much to sit outside. So if I had to do that, 200 00:16:57,290 --> 00:17:01,070 I only had two people to witness it, but just kind of got to laugh at yourself. 201 00:17:01,070 --> 00:17:02,450 I had on my, Hey dude, 202 00:17:02,750 --> 00:17:05,210 I do not recommend those on a boat because they're very slick. 203 00:17:05,300 --> 00:17:10,220 And so as I found out, no phones were lost, 204 00:17:10,880 --> 00:17:14,960 my Braves hat was salvaged. I was good. So I got to enjoy the lake a little bit. 205 00:17:15,320 --> 00:17:18,080 And we're going to do, Jackson had his birthday on Friday. 206 00:17:18,080 --> 00:17:21,050 We're doing kids out on the lake on Saturday, so that'd be fun. 207 00:17:22,280 --> 00:17:23,095 So that'll. 208 00:17:23,095 --> 00:17:25,850 Be, yeah, you'll have a big time with that. You'll have a big time with that. 209 00:17:25,970 --> 00:17:30,170 For sure. And for our listeners who don't know, maybe if they catch your show, 210 00:17:30,170 --> 00:17:35,090 they probably do. But the legislature's taking a break this week, which is good. 211 00:17:35,090 --> 00:17:39,560 I think all the reporters and everybody else that have to work when we work, 212 00:17:40,040 --> 00:17:43,190 probably pretty thankful of that. So I'm glad you get to enjoy it too. 213 00:17:45,110 --> 00:17:48,890 Yeah, I always tell 'em all down here that I got time off for bad behavior. 214 00:17:48,895 --> 00:17:51,360 We get it for good behavior cause we don't do that. 215 00:17:51,630 --> 00:17:56,460 That's right. That's not in our culture what we do, Jeff. 216 00:17:56,540 --> 00:18:01,200 I think it is fun for listeners to interact with legislators like this and local 217 00:18:01,200 --> 00:18:05,160 officials. I know Vicky Sawyer's got a show, Woody Mayor, 218 00:18:05,160 --> 00:18:09,390 Woody Washington's got a show that he'll be doing and really just interacting 219 00:18:09,420 --> 00:18:12,900 locally. But from your experience, because you've done this, 220 00:18:13,050 --> 00:18:15,930 you're more of a veteran doing this as a legislator than I am, 221 00:18:16,230 --> 00:18:20,370 although I've been on radio before. What do you find most rewarding about it? 222 00:18:22,230 --> 00:18:24,750 Well, and I'm going to tell you what, and you'll find this out too. 223 00:18:24,750 --> 00:18:27,540 This is the fastest hour of your week. 224 00:18:27,570 --> 00:18:32,250 I mean it goes by so quick cause I feel like I've always got more I want to say. 225 00:18:32,250 --> 00:18:34,860 But that's me because I'm full of it and got a lot to talk about. 226 00:18:35,220 --> 00:18:39,420 But I just like talking with the people, hearing what they've got to say, 227 00:18:39,420 --> 00:18:44,220 what bothers them, what worries them, interaction with your constituents. 228 00:18:44,250 --> 00:18:45,870 If you don't want to do that, 229 00:18:45,870 --> 00:18:49,590 don't get in politics if you don't want to hear what people have to say and then 230 00:18:49,590 --> 00:18:52,530 try to help 'em or direct 'em in the right way. 231 00:18:52,830 --> 00:18:57,750 I mean it's all about providing some kind of service back to your constituents 232 00:18:58,260 --> 00:19:01,440 so that their life is easier. And that should be government. 233 00:19:04,080 --> 00:19:04,913 It should be, 234 00:19:05,075 --> 00:19:08,910 I'm often shocked and I don't think we have as many legislators around now that 235 00:19:08,910 --> 00:19:10,170 we used to, 236 00:19:10,170 --> 00:19:13,890 who would readily admit that they never read their own emails that came into 237 00:19:13,895 --> 00:19:16,260 their office. Now I have someone, and probably you do too, 238 00:19:16,260 --> 00:19:17,970 that sees everything I see. 239 00:19:17,970 --> 00:19:20,910 So that way I don't let it fall through the cracks because we do stay pretty 240 00:19:20,910 --> 00:19:25,290 busy. But I do like to have eyes on what my constituents are sending to me, 241 00:19:25,290 --> 00:19:26,580 whether they agree or don't agree. 242 00:19:26,790 --> 00:19:31,230 Of course we get a lot of junk mail and a lot of seminar emails and calls to the 243 00:19:31,230 --> 00:19:34,500 legislature for people that we don't represent and always remind them. 244 00:19:34,500 --> 00:19:38,280 Anybody that wants to call and complain, they don't live in the district. 245 00:19:38,940 --> 00:19:41,550 I don't really represent them. So that's not who I'm concerned about. 246 00:19:41,550 --> 00:19:44,970 But it used to shock me. Some of the, 247 00:19:46,080 --> 00:19:46,685 shall I say, 248 00:19:46,685 --> 00:19:51,630 seasoned legislators at the time who would not adapt to email or get a 249 00:19:51,630 --> 00:19:52,800 recap of the phone calls. 250 00:19:52,805 --> 00:19:56,640 And I sit down with my staff every day and go through who's called today, 251 00:19:56,645 --> 00:19:59,700 what do we need to be working on and what's the status? 252 00:20:02,640 --> 00:20:06,390 And we kind of do the same thing in our office too. I mean, 253 00:20:06,390 --> 00:20:09,090 she flags all the stuff she knows I'm looking for. 254 00:20:09,570 --> 00:20:13,530 And then every once in a while you'll get a wild and crazy email. 255 00:20:14,040 --> 00:20:17,760 So she'll call me up or text me, say, Hey, you need to look at this one. 256 00:20:17,760 --> 00:20:22,590 I don't know what to do about. So people, we do read your emails, 257 00:20:22,590 --> 00:20:23,760 we really do read them. 258 00:20:24,150 --> 00:20:24,605 Well, 259 00:20:24,605 --> 00:20:28,050 I think we should have a segment at some point on one of our shows where we read 260 00:20:28,055 --> 00:20:31,230 the bad emails. The people who are so complimentary. 261 00:20:32,040 --> 00:20:36,810 I think that are mean tweets if you want. I love Twitter. 262 00:20:36,870 --> 00:20:38,520 Since Elon Musk has taken over, 263 00:20:38,520 --> 00:20:41,370 it's become not quite the dumpster fire it once was, 264 00:20:42,000 --> 00:20:45,450 which is nice to see because you do have to get through all that clouded mess. 265 00:20:46,200 --> 00:20:49,090 But you get these folks you like to hide behind the keyboard, 266 00:20:49,090 --> 00:20:53,560 the keyboard warriors, the keyboard heroes that will fire off something. 267 00:20:53,740 --> 00:20:56,440 And every now and then, if it is a constituent at home, I call 'em. 268 00:20:56,440 --> 00:20:59,920 And if someone's upset and mad at me, I really do want to know, 269 00:21:00,280 --> 00:21:04,630 can we improve it? Can we fix it? What's the issue? Some you can, you can't. 270 00:21:05,350 --> 00:21:09,130 But the mean tweets and the mean letters, we and my back office, 271 00:21:09,130 --> 00:21:11,380 and Jeff knows this, we've got a wall of hate. 272 00:21:12,160 --> 00:21:15,280 So where we get the nice little postcards that we get from some of the folks 273 00:21:15,280 --> 00:21:19,840 from Oregon and California and Wisconsin who want to comment on 274 00:21:19,840 --> 00:21:22,990 North Carolina politics and we post those up on the wall of hate. 275 00:21:22,990 --> 00:21:24,430 You need a wall of hate. Jeff. 276 00:21:25,810 --> 00:21:30,790 Oh, oh baby a after about a month ago, I, I've had a tidal wave of hate, 277 00:21:31,180 --> 00:21:32,013 but I know. 278 00:21:32,920 --> 00:21:33,430 Well it happens. 279 00:21:33,430 --> 00:21:37,210 I'm going to need a big wall. A big wall, a big wall. Yes it does. 280 00:21:37,630 --> 00:21:39,820 Well I went out after the 281 00:21:40,720 --> 00:21:45,340 September 11th, 2019 veto override where we were to be in 282 00:21:45,340 --> 00:21:46,173 session. 283 00:21:46,660 --> 00:21:50,020 Apparently the Democrats were in a hole somewhere drawing masks by their own 284 00:21:50,020 --> 00:21:52,540 admission by the way accidentally. 285 00:21:52,540 --> 00:21:55,540 But by their own admission they didn't show up for session that day and wanted 286 00:21:55,545 --> 00:21:57,400 to blame somebody for them not showing up to work. 287 00:21:57,400 --> 00:22:00,460 And we called for the veto override. I'm the guy that made this statement. 288 00:22:00,490 --> 00:22:03,520 Of course I'm a former firefighter at East Lincoln Fire Department. 289 00:22:03,880 --> 00:22:07,690 And so September 11th means something to me too. It does all Americans. 290 00:22:08,710 --> 00:22:13,390 But we were there to work that day and one of the reporters stuck a 291 00:22:13,395 --> 00:22:17,320 mic in my face and he's a good friend. He's now in Michigan, but Jonah Kaplan. 292 00:22:17,680 --> 00:22:19,450 And he said, 293 00:22:19,990 --> 00:22:23,080 what do you think about the Democrats not being there in the chamber And you 294 00:22:23,325 --> 00:22:23,860 move, 295 00:22:23,860 --> 00:22:28,030 making a motion to which this is the famous I will not yield from Deb Butler. 296 00:22:28,390 --> 00:22:32,710 I just real quick quip, I said, you know what, hey look, 297 00:22:32,740 --> 00:22:36,670 if September 11th, if we don't show up to work, the terrorists went. 298 00:22:37,150 --> 00:22:41,590 And I said it kind of jokingly, of course he reported that. 299 00:22:41,590 --> 00:22:46,180 And for a solid three days we got interesting calls 300 00:22:46,180 --> 00:22:49,540 and emails. So it happens if you're in the public arena, 301 00:22:49,540 --> 00:22:53,410 you're going to every now and then misspeak, but you move on. 302 00:22:53,410 --> 00:22:57,280 And I think constituents are pretty forgiving about that long as long as 303 00:22:57,490 --> 00:23:01,360 intent's. Right. And with your incident, I think your intent was right. 304 00:23:01,360 --> 00:23:04,300 I was there in the building, of course, heard what you said, 305 00:23:04,540 --> 00:23:06,550 know what you meant. I told people, I said, 306 00:23:06,820 --> 00:23:09,550 most people just don't speak McNeely E and I do. 307 00:23:09,555 --> 00:23:10,960 So I understood exactly what you. 308 00:23:10,960 --> 00:23:15,070 Meant, right? Yeah. It's an acquired language. 309 00:23:15,160 --> 00:23:16,990 It is an acquired language, no doubt. 310 00:23:17,170 --> 00:23:18,700 Well it is never a dull moment. 311 00:23:19,480 --> 00:23:23,350 So what do you got cooking for the rest of the session? What are you working on? 312 00:23:25,240 --> 00:23:29,740 Well I got my bill where we're going to try to go in and regulate 313 00:23:30,010 --> 00:23:33,550 hemp industry and C B D. It's kind of unregulated now. 314 00:23:34,150 --> 00:23:36,790 And so I think that's going to be a really good thing. 315 00:23:37,840 --> 00:23:42,160 A 10 year old kid can walk in at these fake shops and buy whatever 316 00:23:42,490 --> 00:23:47,210 and that needs to change and it will. So we got that to do. 317 00:23:47,810 --> 00:23:50,390 Well. We're never without things to do. It's. 318 00:23:50,520 --> 00:23:51,350 A good deal. 319 00:23:51,350 --> 00:23:54,740 Well, and you've done a lot on agriculture just because of your background, 320 00:23:55,280 --> 00:23:58,880 but do you find that, and hemp certainly falls into that category, 321 00:23:59,150 --> 00:24:03,980 but also from a regulatory standpoint, but do you find that from your different, 322 00:24:03,980 --> 00:24:07,640 you you'd served as a county commissioner but coming into the legislature that 323 00:24:07,640 --> 00:24:09,410 we deal with a whole host of issues. 324 00:24:09,410 --> 00:24:12,200 It's not just that one thing that the most about, 325 00:24:12,200 --> 00:24:15,860 but you end up becoming a pseudo expert on a lot of different bills. 326 00:24:18,290 --> 00:24:20,930 What's one that's kind of thrown you for a loop? Can you think of one? 327 00:24:22,610 --> 00:24:25,460 Well I mean that one really is one of 'em. 328 00:24:25,460 --> 00:24:29,060 Cause I don't know anything about hemp or C B D, 329 00:24:29,510 --> 00:24:34,220 but I hear all this stuff and a l e came to us and said we got to do 330 00:24:34,225 --> 00:24:34,820 something. 331 00:24:34,820 --> 00:24:39,320 We keep testing positive over 0.3 TC and a lot of these 332 00:24:39,830 --> 00:24:41,570 hemp products, the delta eights, 333 00:24:41,570 --> 00:24:45,890 nines and tens and all that stuff with Delta nine ispo, Delta eight, delta 10, 334 00:24:45,890 --> 00:24:47,690 they're coming up with a new number every day. 335 00:24:48,210 --> 00:24:52,850 And I've had to submerse myself and learn more 336 00:24:52,850 --> 00:24:57,050 chemical names than I have since I took chemistry 1 0 1 at NC State. 337 00:24:58,040 --> 00:25:02,450 The different variations of TC and the hemp plant and 338 00:25:02,450 --> 00:25:05,190 cannabis. So all of a sudden, like I said, 339 00:25:05,230 --> 00:25:09,200 I think I could debate quite a few scholars on hemp if I had to. 340 00:25:09,530 --> 00:25:11,270 And education's always one. 341 00:25:12,530 --> 00:25:16,790 We get into morality issues that you don't do at a county commissioner level. 342 00:25:17,000 --> 00:25:17,750 The county commissioner, 343 00:25:17,750 --> 00:25:22,550 you fight people over a nickel and I ain't spending that nickel on this here. 344 00:25:22,550 --> 00:25:26,960 It's the nickel and it's your heart and it's the Bible and it's what you 345 00:25:26,960 --> 00:25:31,280 believe. I mean this rips out different parts of you all the time. 346 00:25:31,280 --> 00:25:35,990 Trying to make up, think's going to be a good law, 347 00:25:35,990 --> 00:25:40,010 but a fair law for all points and all people. 348 00:25:40,700 --> 00:25:45,380 It's just very encompassing. More than I ever dreamed. 349 00:25:46,250 --> 00:25:48,500 Well for sure it is. 350 00:25:48,500 --> 00:25:51,170 It more than you ever dreamed you become an expert at acronyms. 351 00:25:51,170 --> 00:25:52,850 I mean you threw out just several right there. 352 00:25:53,330 --> 00:25:57,950 You were talking about T H C and CCB D and I didn't even mention the 353 00:25:57,950 --> 00:25:59,960 LBC and the coops, but 354 00:26:01,970 --> 00:26:06,680 that's a Snoop Dog reference in case you didn't get it. But yeah, I got you. 355 00:26:06,710 --> 00:26:08,360 Yeah, well you got it. I'm sure you did. 356 00:26:09,170 --> 00:26:13,850 There's a lot of driving in the lbc but it is amazing just how much we end up 357 00:26:14,180 --> 00:26:18,830 learning about and dealing with and things that I never thought I would even 358 00:26:18,830 --> 00:26:19,663 talk about. 359 00:26:19,940 --> 00:26:23,000 I never would've thought when I came to the legislature in 2011 that I'd be 360 00:26:23,000 --> 00:26:26,090 talking about transgenderism some of the things that we talk about today. 361 00:26:26,090 --> 00:26:29,960 But Jeff, I we're wrapping up here going to the break. 362 00:26:29,960 --> 00:26:32,180 I really appreciate you coming on being my first guest. 363 00:26:34,280 --> 00:26:38,780 I think someday this is going to be a monumental thing in my resume that I'm 364 00:26:38,780 --> 00:26:41,420 going to put down. So hey, you made it for me. 365 00:26:41,570 --> 00:26:42,170 Thank you brother. 366 00:26:42,170 --> 00:26:46,170 I'm good for life. Take care. Appreciate you brother. See ya. Have a good show. 367 00:26:46,320 --> 00:26:47,153 See you. Bye. 368 00:26:47,160 --> 00:26:51,840 Local news and weather now on the news 1 0 5 9 100 0.7 W SIC 369 00:26:52,410 --> 00:26:54,090 News talk Now. 370 00:26:56,910 --> 00:26:59,910 I'm Mike Jackson Ws IIC News, 371 00:27:00,000 --> 00:27:04,770 W S O C reporting that a 25 year old apparently drowned 372 00:27:04,770 --> 00:27:09,540 after he fell off a boat yesterday afternoon on Lake Norman near Blythe 373 00:27:09,570 --> 00:27:11,640 Landing Park in Huntersville. 374 00:27:11,760 --> 00:27:16,410 Multiple agencies were involved in the recovery channel nine identified the 375 00:27:16,410 --> 00:27:21,330 victim. S Dago Andres Osorio Garcia hired El Fire 376 00:27:21,330 --> 00:27:25,620 FireWire said the victim fell off the front of a pontoon boat and a 377 00:27:25,620 --> 00:27:27,100 4th of July celebration was. 378 00:31:56,960 --> 00:31:59,590 And good morning, we're back. This is all things saying, 379 00:31:59,590 --> 00:32:01,240 I'm your host representative Jason sa. 380 00:32:01,930 --> 00:32:05,200 Appreciate representative Jeff McNeely calling in as we kind of work through the 381 00:32:05,200 --> 00:32:06,220 kinks in our first show. 382 00:32:06,220 --> 00:32:10,870 Just trying to figure out the clock and making sure we sound okay and 383 00:32:11,860 --> 00:32:13,330 not embarrassing myself, 384 00:32:13,540 --> 00:32:18,490 my wife and my family is always a challenge and so we're work 385 00:32:18,490 --> 00:32:19,270 through it. 386 00:32:19,270 --> 00:32:22,270 One of the things that we're wanting to do with the show is really just talk 387 00:32:22,270 --> 00:32:26,860 about things to just pop up right around the area around Lake 388 00:32:26,860 --> 00:32:30,280 Norman. Of course, I'm from Lincolnton, live in Lincolnton, 389 00:32:30,520 --> 00:32:34,240 lived in Denver for a long time over in Huntsville, Cornelius, Mooresville. 390 00:32:34,870 --> 00:32:38,710 I do want to talk at some point about my idea about a channel under Lake Norman. 391 00:32:38,715 --> 00:32:41,780 I can't get the funding for it yet, can't get Vicky Sawyer. 392 00:32:41,780 --> 00:32:44,630 And I really want to see this happen. Just going to channel under the lake. 393 00:32:44,870 --> 00:32:46,550 So from Lincolnton to Mooresville, 394 00:32:47,065 --> 00:32:51,950 I could do it that way because I have a business in Mooresville as well 395 00:32:51,950 --> 00:32:52,783 as in Lincolnton. 396 00:32:53,060 --> 00:32:57,890 And so I'm on that highway one 50 route all the time. And trust me, 397 00:32:57,890 --> 00:33:00,380 I suffer it just like you do. It can't come, 398 00:33:00,440 --> 00:33:01,970 the expansion can't come soon enough. 399 00:33:02,330 --> 00:33:05,270 But speaking of things that pop up on Saturday, 400 00:33:05,570 --> 00:33:07,130 I was with a buddy of mine on the lake, 401 00:33:07,580 --> 00:33:12,050 just really just hanging out when the storm blew up and we had been looking at 402 00:33:12,260 --> 00:33:14,990 homes, trying to find a buddy's house, finally found it. 403 00:33:14,990 --> 00:33:19,610 We were kind of south of the one 50 bridge over South 404 00:33:20,060 --> 00:33:23,990 Mooresville kind of. And we saw a storm blowing up. We thought, 405 00:33:23,990 --> 00:33:25,970 well we'll just head further south cause we can see it. 406 00:33:26,210 --> 00:33:30,170 We're watching it on our phones, figuring out that we could get past it. I, 407 00:33:30,170 --> 00:33:34,610 I've been on some storms on Lake Norman and nothing like what we were in on 408 00:33:34,610 --> 00:33:39,200 Saturday. It was pretty, I mean it was rough. It was incredibly rough. 409 00:33:40,160 --> 00:33:41,510 I mean we had a lot of fun with it too, 410 00:33:41,510 --> 00:33:44,300 but because we're two guys on the lake thinking that 411 00:33:46,970 --> 00:33:47,960 nothing will happen to us. 412 00:33:47,960 --> 00:33:52,250 But there were a couple times where it got scary and we ended up getting 413 00:33:52,910 --> 00:33:57,350 under shelter under a dock. Wasn't hailing, but the rain was pretty penetrating. 414 00:33:58,160 --> 00:34:01,970 But rough storms, rough seas. And for an inexperienced boater, 415 00:34:01,975 --> 00:34:05,840 I was kind of joking earlier about amateur hour on July 4th on the lake, 416 00:34:06,590 --> 00:34:08,840 and I don't know whether this person was experienced or not, 417 00:34:08,840 --> 00:34:13,670 but we did lose somebody on Saturday and I don't know what the cause was, 418 00:34:13,670 --> 00:34:16,730 but they were looking for him on Saturday, I think finally found him. 419 00:34:17,060 --> 00:34:21,680 But sadly he had passed away really because it's, I mean, 420 00:34:21,685 --> 00:34:25,070 it's rough out there. It can be rough out there and you know, 421 00:34:25,190 --> 00:34:27,950 see it on the coast and you think, well that's different. That's the coast. 422 00:34:27,950 --> 00:34:31,640 But even in Inland Lake you will see some rough weather. 423 00:34:31,640 --> 00:34:34,130 So whenever you're out there, do practice safety. 424 00:34:34,135 --> 00:34:37,010 As you heard me talking earlier to McNeely, 425 00:34:38,000 --> 00:34:41,600 also stepping off a dock, you could easily hit your head, which I did not do, 426 00:34:41,870 --> 00:34:46,040 but I did take a little dip in the lake the other day. Lots going on. 427 00:34:46,340 --> 00:34:50,270 I mentioned the white powder found at the White House. 428 00:34:51,020 --> 00:34:54,380 Some days you get up and you go, I can't believe what's happening next. 429 00:34:56,750 --> 00:35:00,590 We're at a place in this country that is a little dark. So 430 00:35:02,100 --> 00:35:03,920 you kind of got to take it in balance. 431 00:35:03,920 --> 00:35:08,360 You got to see what's happening nationally, internationally, we got wars. 432 00:35:08,360 --> 00:35:10,970 I mean nothing new there. There's always been wars, 433 00:35:10,970 --> 00:35:11,900 there's always things going on. 434 00:35:11,900 --> 00:35:16,490 But one thing I do know is that you can find a lot of comfort in home. 435 00:35:17,120 --> 00:35:19,700 We live here in the Lake Norman area. 436 00:35:20,330 --> 00:35:22,640 The reason we chose this area and my wife and I, 437 00:35:22,645 --> 00:35:25,730 when we met in college and then decided to get married, 438 00:35:26,240 --> 00:35:27,920 she loved the area I grew up in. 439 00:35:28,490 --> 00:35:31,460 It is a lot different from a lot of places around the world. 440 00:35:31,520 --> 00:35:35,450 And as we tell people more and more people about it and they end up coming here, 441 00:35:35,750 --> 00:35:37,860 which is a great thing. I'm not against growth at all, 442 00:35:38,580 --> 00:35:43,080 but as long as you acclimate to our culture and understand who we are and as 443 00:35:43,080 --> 00:35:44,880 long as we can keep that small town feel, 444 00:35:45,060 --> 00:35:49,560 even as we add people to our neighborhoods, I think we'll be in a better place. 445 00:35:50,400 --> 00:35:51,233 But again, 446 00:35:51,930 --> 00:35:56,790 it is fun to serve and to hear really the 447 00:35:56,790 --> 00:36:00,900 biggest thing that we do as representatives is interact with people and get 'em 448 00:36:00,900 --> 00:36:03,120 to a better place when they deal with state government. 449 00:36:03,150 --> 00:36:06,360 Now we also get a lot of calls that we can't handle. 450 00:36:06,810 --> 00:36:09,030 Sometimes I get calls for garbage for the city of Lincolnton. 451 00:36:09,035 --> 00:36:10,530 I don't have anything to do with that, 452 00:36:10,830 --> 00:36:13,950 but I'm always happy to help people get to the right place and figure out what 453 00:36:13,950 --> 00:36:15,270 the problem is with the garbage pickup. 454 00:36:15,780 --> 00:36:20,250 Or it might be a congressional matter things that happen at the federal level, 455 00:36:20,490 --> 00:36:24,570 but we try to interact with all the offices and figure out how to get people to 456 00:36:24,570 --> 00:36:28,500 things and we do a pretty good job with that. Also, 457 00:36:28,500 --> 00:36:30,450 serving at state legislature is interesting. 458 00:36:31,140 --> 00:36:35,100 Always love going out to schools and especially the 459 00:36:35,790 --> 00:36:38,730 third grade, fourth grade, fifth grade, sixth grade level. 460 00:36:38,940 --> 00:36:43,740 And talking to these kids and hearing from them what their perception of local 461 00:36:43,740 --> 00:36:48,540 government is, of what state government is. And finding out one, 462 00:36:48,570 --> 00:36:52,530 always ask the question, how much do you think your legislator makes? And again, 463 00:36:52,530 --> 00:36:56,820 all kinds of figures from the fourth grade, 464 00:36:57,210 --> 00:37:01,020 fifth grade area, I've, I've been told that legislators make a million dollars, 465 00:37:01,020 --> 00:37:04,680 they make a hundred thousand dollars and I'm not arguing for a pay increase. 466 00:37:04,680 --> 00:37:05,700 That's not at all what I'm saying. 467 00:37:05,970 --> 00:37:10,230 But it's interesting to hear perspective of what people think happens and what 468 00:37:10,230 --> 00:37:14,820 really happens. It's like that meme, you see what my mom thinks I do, 469 00:37:15,870 --> 00:37:18,780 what my dad thinks I do, what my boss thinks I do. 470 00:37:19,020 --> 00:37:23,430 And then the reality and reality is we sit in a lot of committee meetings for a 471 00:37:23,430 --> 00:37:26,910 lot of periods of times. And quite frankly for me, 472 00:37:27,690 --> 00:37:31,140 been able to add extra weight while sitting at the legislature because when 473 00:37:31,140 --> 00:37:33,960 you're there from eight o'clock in the morning till about eight o'clock at night 474 00:37:34,650 --> 00:37:38,670 in meetings, it's not the healthiest of atmospheres. But nevertheless, 475 00:37:38,790 --> 00:37:41,700 I love getting home where you can get out, get into some sunshine. 476 00:37:41,970 --> 00:37:45,330 Rocking a nice tan right now. Hadn't shaved this week because, well, 477 00:37:45,660 --> 00:37:49,920 I'm kind of on vacation a little bit and not having to be in formal meetings. 478 00:37:50,220 --> 00:37:53,190 So if you're watching on video, 479 00:37:53,970 --> 00:37:55,230 this is pretty much mean. 480 00:37:55,230 --> 00:37:59,310 Usually more in a Columbia shirt when I'm out on the lake and flip flop. 481 00:37:59,315 --> 00:38:03,840 So it's nice not to have to put on the suits and go to the meetings this week, 482 00:38:03,840 --> 00:38:08,280 but we will go back next week, try to wrap up this legislative session. 483 00:38:08,280 --> 00:38:10,860 I think in the next two weeks we're close on budget. 484 00:38:10,890 --> 00:38:13,440 I'm one of the senior appropriation chairs in the house, 485 00:38:13,770 --> 00:38:18,210 which means I get to spend 32 billion on your behalf and I try to do so wisely. 486 00:38:18,330 --> 00:38:20,880 But after it cuts into family time, 487 00:38:20,880 --> 00:38:24,210 we're bumping up close to family vacation and a couple of other things we want 488 00:38:24,210 --> 00:38:25,043 to do this summer. 489 00:38:25,260 --> 00:38:29,490 And my wife has a nice honey do list that I kid 490 00:38:30,065 --> 00:38:31,980 actually my list. She goes, can't you be still? 491 00:38:32,190 --> 00:38:34,860 And I can't like going home and getting to my, 492 00:38:35,860 --> 00:38:38,290 and so they're really more my projects than her projects. 493 00:38:38,290 --> 00:38:42,550 But I've got a couple that I've dying and itching to get to. So we will 494 00:38:44,050 --> 00:38:48,400 mention that we will always talk about movies and music 495 00:38:48,400 --> 00:38:52,420 references. I'll drop few here and there. Again, 496 00:38:52,450 --> 00:38:56,020 just kind of the lifestyle of things that go on around us. We, 497 00:38:56,020 --> 00:39:00,520 we've seen movies have stunk. I think since the pandemic, 498 00:39:00,850 --> 00:39:02,140 there's not been a lot of great ones. 499 00:39:02,140 --> 00:39:04,810 We did see the Marvel movie a couple weeks ago, 500 00:39:05,740 --> 00:39:08,680 the Guardians of the Galaxy Three. It was awesome movie. 501 00:39:09,405 --> 00:39:14,080 And my son went and watched the new Spider-Man animation series or 502 00:39:14,200 --> 00:39:17,680 movie with my wife, but I didn't get to see it because, well, 503 00:39:17,680 --> 00:39:22,030 I was stuck in Raleigh. But nevertheless, love to hear what you like, 504 00:39:22,240 --> 00:39:25,480 don't like. I heard a lot of feedback on this Barbie movie. 505 00:39:25,480 --> 00:39:28,420 Of course we have a son. I have no interest in going to the Barbie movie, 506 00:39:28,780 --> 00:39:30,970 but I have heard some people talking about that. 507 00:39:31,540 --> 00:39:35,320 If you're a fan of Carins and if you grew up in this area, you probably are. 508 00:39:35,710 --> 00:39:38,320 I remember one of the things right after I got my license, 509 00:39:39,010 --> 00:39:42,280 my little high school girlfriend and I would go just about every day down to 510 00:39:42,730 --> 00:39:46,570 Carins. We get the season pass, go to the pool, ride the rides, 511 00:39:46,575 --> 00:39:48,100 do the things that you do at Carins. 512 00:39:49,450 --> 00:39:53,890 I think things have changed a little bit since then, but what really scared me, 513 00:39:54,850 --> 00:39:58,780 and if you're a fan of rollercoasters, this should probably scare you and I, 514 00:39:58,780 --> 00:40:01,000 I've always tried to convince my wife that these things are safe. 515 00:40:01,060 --> 00:40:02,050 There's nothing to worry about. 516 00:40:02,680 --> 00:40:05,170 It turns out every now and then there is something to worry about. 517 00:40:05,170 --> 00:40:10,000 And if you saw what happened at Carins where the rollercoaster had the crack 518 00:40:10,630 --> 00:40:12,040 in the support beam, 519 00:40:12,550 --> 00:40:16,720 pretty scary stuff because you could see daylight through that thing and glad 520 00:40:16,725 --> 00:40:17,590 nobody got hurt. 521 00:40:17,650 --> 00:40:22,420 But that would be one that's a little hard to convince the wife to come 522 00:40:22,450 --> 00:40:27,040 back and ride a rollercoaster. I've only gotten her on one time, 523 00:40:27,040 --> 00:40:31,840 it was at Myrtle Beach we were dating and then that's actually when 524 00:40:31,840 --> 00:40:35,710 she bit my shoulder. And when I say bit, I don't mean just a nibble. 525 00:40:36,315 --> 00:40:38,500 There's nothing playful about it. She was scared to death. 526 00:40:38,890 --> 00:40:43,180 And at one point I guess it seemed when you're panicking and scared to death 527 00:40:43,180 --> 00:40:45,100 that it's okay to bite somebody on their shoulder. 528 00:40:45,460 --> 00:40:48,820 But we got through it and we love to tell about it. 529 00:40:50,980 --> 00:40:55,030 But I really appreciate all the feedback from on the show, 530 00:40:56,020 --> 00:40:59,830 people listening and watching online. Really appreciate that. 531 00:41:00,880 --> 00:41:01,720 This will be, 532 00:41:01,930 --> 00:41:06,700 I think a show that you'll appreciate and we'll continue into the future. 533 00:41:06,700 --> 00:41:07,930 We're going to do this every Wednesday, 534 00:41:07,935 --> 00:41:10,600 whether I'm at the legislature or at home or maybe traveling. 535 00:41:10,605 --> 00:41:14,560 We'll got a way to do that and we will do that and really want to get your 536 00:41:14,565 --> 00:41:17,980 feedback on issues that you want to talk about. But 537 00:41:19,660 --> 00:41:24,610 in the next segment, we'll have callers call in and glad to have you on, 538 00:41:24,610 --> 00:41:29,500 talk to you, get your opinions, love to hear from you. I think the number is, 539 00:41:29,500 --> 00:41:31,840 if I tell you correctly, I don't want to mess that up, 540 00:41:33,050 --> 00:41:35,390 is 8 44 Studio four. 541 00:41:36,860 --> 00:41:40,210 This is Jason saying on all things saying, really appreciate you listening. 542 00:41:46,410 --> 00:41:47,243 I. 543 00:44:57,750 --> 00:45:01,260 Really appreciate you listening and watching on the various social medias. 544 00:45:02,400 --> 00:45:06,840 Really for a first time show, as Representative McNeely was alluding to earlier, 545 00:45:06,840 --> 00:45:11,100 time flies. Oh my goodness, you think you're prepared for the hour, 546 00:45:11,100 --> 00:45:15,600 but you really cannot be prepared for time to fly like it does. 547 00:45:16,170 --> 00:45:19,830 This is the point in the show where you can call in. If you don't call in, 548 00:45:19,830 --> 00:45:24,030 I'll just make it up. It's pretty easy. So love to have you call in, 549 00:45:24,240 --> 00:45:28,260 love to hear from you again. We will give you that number one more time. 550 00:45:28,260 --> 00:45:32,610 And my brain only works half the time, but it's 8 4 4 studio four. 551 00:45:32,790 --> 00:45:36,000 That's pretty easy to remember. Glad to take your calls. 552 00:45:36,660 --> 00:45:41,130 We'll do the best we can to monitor through and to get to your calls. 553 00:45:41,130 --> 00:45:45,240 If you call in talking about when time flies, it's, 554 00:45:45,240 --> 00:45:49,200 it's amazing just how long or how short a time that I've been in the 555 00:45:49,200 --> 00:45:53,340 legislature. I was appointed in 2011 and my son was three and a half. 556 00:45:53,370 --> 00:45:57,660 Like I said, he just turned 15 on Friday. That is absolutely hard to imagine. 557 00:45:58,020 --> 00:46:00,540 One, it's hard to imagine that I turned 50 this year. 558 00:46:01,590 --> 00:46:05,760 Most people you age, age, 559 00:46:05,790 --> 00:46:07,620 age really to me doesn't really matter. 560 00:46:07,620 --> 00:46:10,290 But as some people do think that matters. 561 00:46:10,890 --> 00:46:15,510 To think that I'm almost 50 when in my mind I think I stopped at about 32. 562 00:46:16,260 --> 00:46:19,350 I still think I can do all those things that I could do at 32. 563 00:46:20,160 --> 00:46:23,370 I learned that the hard way when I was cleaning up the boat on Monday again in 564 00:46:23,370 --> 00:46:27,270 that hot sun, which I didn't mind because when at the legislature, 565 00:46:27,270 --> 00:46:29,610 a lot of give and take and back and forth. 566 00:46:29,940 --> 00:46:34,650 And so that part I didn't miss on 567 00:46:34,650 --> 00:46:39,570 Monday because some days you feel like you haven't accomplished a lot as 568 00:46:39,570 --> 00:46:42,330 you are waiting on negotiations as you go back and forth. 569 00:46:42,720 --> 00:46:47,250 And so to be out able to work on the boat and to do it in the heat and the sun, 570 00:46:47,250 --> 00:46:51,570 as bad as that sound, it wasn't that bad except the next day. 571 00:46:51,900 --> 00:46:55,290 Yesterday I felt it in my bones of my muscles and everything else. 572 00:46:55,290 --> 00:46:59,070 You forget just about that muscle memory. 573 00:46:59,700 --> 00:47:04,230 And my muscles had obviously forgotten about what it means when you spend all 574 00:47:04,230 --> 00:47:08,730 afternoon out in the heat and sun did hydrate very well, drink a lot of water, 575 00:47:09,540 --> 00:47:12,960 but it kind of goes through you when it's that hot again. 576 00:47:12,960 --> 00:47:16,860 The call in is two eight, excuse me, 577 00:47:16,890 --> 00:47:21,120 8 44 Studio four and love to have you call in. If you're listening today, 578 00:47:21,900 --> 00:47:26,430 we will do this show, like I say, every week. I know that Justin, 579 00:47:26,430 --> 00:47:31,240 the folks here at the station are putting on local leaders every day 580 00:47:31,240 --> 00:47:34,120 from 11 to 12, which is pretty neat. 581 00:47:34,390 --> 00:47:38,140 I've been on Vicky Sawyer show a number of times and on Jeff McNeely show a 582 00:47:38,145 --> 00:47:38,978 number of times. 583 00:47:39,040 --> 00:47:43,930 And so to see that continue to be added to that lineup is pretty neat for me to 584 00:47:43,935 --> 00:47:48,780 do and really enjoy all the people that we talked to in 585 00:47:48,970 --> 00:47:51,250 the Lake Norman area. This morning I was coming to the studio, 586 00:47:51,250 --> 00:47:54,190 I'd never been in the studio in Cornelius where we're broadcasting from. 587 00:47:54,520 --> 00:47:57,790 And so I wasn't sure how to get to the upstairs suite where the studio's 588 00:47:57,790 --> 00:47:58,570 located. 589 00:47:58,570 --> 00:48:01,540 And so I just randomly opened one of the business doors and asked one of the 590 00:48:01,600 --> 00:48:05,110 nice ladies in there and then looked over and it was somebody I knew. 591 00:48:05,170 --> 00:48:09,910 So it's just fun and good to be home just to run into 592 00:48:09,910 --> 00:48:11,020 people and talk to people that, 593 00:48:12,070 --> 00:48:15,040 and really that's at the heart of representative democracy. 594 00:48:15,790 --> 00:48:17,020 The founders had it right, 595 00:48:17,020 --> 00:48:21,730 that you go back home and you answer to the people that you represent and 596 00:48:21,910 --> 00:48:23,770 work through any issues that you have. And 597 00:48:25,330 --> 00:48:27,250 that goes for Republicans and Democrats too, by the way. 598 00:48:27,880 --> 00:48:31,480 We don't see that on the news so much at the legislature in Raleigh. 599 00:48:31,750 --> 00:48:35,170 I think we get overshadowed by what happens nationally. 600 00:48:35,410 --> 00:48:39,010 About 80 to 90% of what comes across our desk, 601 00:48:39,250 --> 00:48:41,140 what we get to debate on the house floor, 602 00:48:41,440 --> 00:48:44,050 ends up not being that much of a debate. It might be 603 00:48:45,910 --> 00:48:50,680 correcting a few minor things, but in large part people agree. 604 00:48:51,040 --> 00:48:53,080 And even when they vote against the bill, they might say, well, 605 00:48:53,290 --> 00:48:57,250 I liked a lot about your bill, I just couldn't vote for the other part of it. 606 00:48:57,280 --> 00:49:00,010 So it is interesting to have, 607 00:49:00,430 --> 00:49:03,820 once you go and see that, 608 00:49:03,820 --> 00:49:08,500 it's usually amazing for people who have never been to the legislature and take 609 00:49:08,500 --> 00:49:12,520 that on and they go, oh wow, I didn't think it worked that way. 610 00:49:12,520 --> 00:49:16,990 I didn't know that Republicans and Democrats actually interacted this year. 611 00:49:16,990 --> 00:49:21,850 I had a bill come through the legislature that had been one that last session 612 00:49:21,910 --> 00:49:25,090 we lost by one vote on the house floor. It was about sports betting. 613 00:49:25,270 --> 00:49:30,130 And there's a great article in the Charlotte Business Journal from yesterday. 614 00:49:30,670 --> 00:49:34,060 Eric Sandberg had wrote about how the bill came to fruition. 615 00:49:34,360 --> 00:49:37,330 And large part, I don't gamble a lot. 616 00:49:37,660 --> 00:49:39,400 I do so it's kind of recreational, 617 00:49:39,820 --> 00:49:42,820 but was more fascinated by the fact that we were losing money to other states. 618 00:49:43,090 --> 00:49:47,200 Our neighbors to the North Virginia had just instituted casinos. 619 00:49:47,200 --> 00:49:50,590 They have sports betting, they have in Tennessee, has sports betting. 620 00:49:50,980 --> 00:49:52,000 And quite frankly, 621 00:49:52,000 --> 00:49:56,050 it's revenue that either goes shore or people illegally bet They were illegally 622 00:49:56,050 --> 00:49:59,770 betting. And this law goes to effect in January, 623 00:49:59,890 --> 00:50:04,240 January of 2004 or 2024 and 624 00:50:04,810 --> 00:50:07,750 just in time for the Super Bowl, if you're looking to place your bet, 625 00:50:07,750 --> 00:50:11,050 because that is the big day that everybody thinks that they should bet on a 626 00:50:11,050 --> 00:50:11,860 game. 627 00:50:11,860 --> 00:50:16,750 But it came not from a moral standpoint of yes or no or opposed 628 00:50:16,750 --> 00:50:20,080 to it or for it, but just the understanding that it was happening anyway. 629 00:50:20,140 --> 00:50:23,350 And that providing transparency on sports betting, 630 00:50:23,440 --> 00:50:25,060 I thought was a better move for our state. 631 00:50:25,605 --> 00:50:29,780 Got us to a better place to really know what's happening out there. To know. 632 00:50:30,260 --> 00:50:34,940 Are people in North Carolina betting on sports? Turns out, yes. Yes they are. 633 00:50:35,960 --> 00:50:40,340 I learned this was sitting at two cans one day for lunch over on 634 00:50:41,150 --> 00:50:45,590 at the one 50 Bridge. And two of my buddies who I watched sports with, 635 00:50:45,590 --> 00:50:48,110 whether it's baseball, football, basketball, 636 00:50:48,770 --> 00:50:52,250 pretty much love all sports are placing bets on their phone. 637 00:50:52,550 --> 00:50:55,760 And I just asked the question, I said, and I won't out, 638 00:50:55,910 --> 00:50:57,860 I won't tell you who it is. If you know me well enough, 639 00:50:57,860 --> 00:51:00,680 you can probably figure it out. But I said, how are you doing that? 640 00:51:00,680 --> 00:51:03,530 And that's not legal in our state. I didn't think that you could do that. 641 00:51:03,530 --> 00:51:05,960 Cause I was on DraftKings. I do fantasy football, stuff like that. 642 00:51:06,440 --> 00:51:11,030 And they proceeded to tell me they're buddies going through a VPN and going 643 00:51:11,030 --> 00:51:13,400 through an online bookie and placing their bets. 644 00:51:13,400 --> 00:51:17,180 And these are people that this not impacting their families one way or the 645 00:51:17,185 --> 00:51:21,080 other. They've got great families and great work ethic, great jobs, 646 00:51:21,080 --> 00:51:21,913 they're fine. 647 00:51:23,360 --> 00:51:26,630 But they were placing their bets and I couldn't figure out how they were doing 648 00:51:26,630 --> 00:51:27,980 it. And as they walked me through it, 649 00:51:28,310 --> 00:51:31,400 that's really the culmination of how this bill started. 650 00:51:31,850 --> 00:51:35,630 And so we ran it through last year. Got it. 651 00:51:35,660 --> 00:51:39,290 Almost passed a lot of obstacles, a lot of folks who just didn't understand it. 652 00:51:40,460 --> 00:51:41,600 Fast forward a year later, 653 00:51:42,080 --> 00:51:45,890 it passed with a margin of over 20 votes on the house floor. 654 00:51:46,580 --> 00:51:48,980 Went to the Senate, passed there overwhelmingly, 655 00:51:49,280 --> 00:51:52,580 and we got the bill passed and got to sign the bill with the governor. Well, 656 00:51:52,580 --> 00:51:55,970 he signed it, but at the Hornets arena. 657 00:51:56,450 --> 00:52:01,430 And so we were downtown at Spectrum and really it was me and some of 658 00:52:01,430 --> 00:52:06,320 my colleagues. And because we were still in session, when you're the minority, 659 00:52:06,320 --> 00:52:07,550 it's easier to get away from session. 660 00:52:07,550 --> 00:52:12,470 So a couple of my Democrat friends who had helped with that bill were there for 661 00:52:12,475 --> 00:52:16,160 the bill signing. So the governor and I don't talk much, 662 00:52:16,340 --> 00:52:20,330 but on this issue we agreed and got that bill signed. 663 00:52:20,330 --> 00:52:24,530 So I think it'll be a big windfall for, quite frankly, 664 00:52:24,530 --> 00:52:25,700 for sports enthusiasts. 665 00:52:26,330 --> 00:52:31,160 It means more opportunities for our teams to stay in the state, the hornets, 666 00:52:31,160 --> 00:52:32,660 the hurricanes, 667 00:52:33,200 --> 00:52:37,910 the panthers all were very involved and engaged and wanted to see this happen as 668 00:52:37,910 --> 00:52:41,510 well as what it will mean for being a more competitive market. 669 00:52:41,900 --> 00:52:45,320 As we look to the future, I think Charlotte's, 670 00:52:46,340 --> 00:52:49,940 I can't remember what the most recent media market ranking is, 671 00:52:49,940 --> 00:52:52,040 but we're somewhere in the like 2021. 672 00:52:52,280 --> 00:52:55,280 So to keep a team is very important for us. And if you're a fan, 673 00:52:55,280 --> 00:52:58,340 you really want that to happen. My son is a huge basketball fan. 674 00:52:58,550 --> 00:52:59,383 Hopefully with the 675 00:53:00,980 --> 00:53:03,800 trades and the signings we just had, 676 00:53:04,640 --> 00:53:07,880 maybe the hornets can be competitive again, we'd love to see that. 677 00:53:07,880 --> 00:53:12,350 But this will help them get there because the things that go along with it are 678 00:53:12,350 --> 00:53:16,040 the bigger exposure for the teams and more revenue for the team. 679 00:53:16,040 --> 00:53:18,050 So it just means that they can pay for better players. 680 00:53:18,650 --> 00:53:22,670 But all of that kind of came together this year, got that done. 681 00:53:23,270 --> 00:53:28,200 And now we're working on budget usually, or should be done by July 1st. 682 00:53:28,200 --> 00:53:29,370 That's the start of the fiscal year. 683 00:53:30,090 --> 00:53:32,400 We're not the first legislature to ever make that date. 684 00:53:32,670 --> 00:53:36,840 I think it was the seventies when the last time they actually made the date on 685 00:53:36,840 --> 00:53:37,673 time. 686 00:53:37,950 --> 00:53:41,520 But we're pretty close to getting that finished and all it really means nothing 687 00:53:41,520 --> 00:53:45,660 stops in North Carolina because we don't, don't get a budget passed. 688 00:53:46,140 --> 00:53:49,230 What happens, we have a default continuing resolution. 689 00:53:49,440 --> 00:53:53,280 So whatever was passed before continues up until the time we pass a new budget. 690 00:53:53,520 --> 00:53:55,350 So unlike Washington DC, 691 00:53:55,355 --> 00:53:58,950 we're not going to have these government shutdowns and things of that nature. 692 00:53:58,950 --> 00:54:01,380 We'll just get to it and get it done and work on it. 693 00:54:01,380 --> 00:54:03,270 What it does mean for departments and 694 00:54:05,250 --> 00:54:07,680 other elements of government is the money doesn't go out. 695 00:54:08,130 --> 00:54:10,080 And I believe we have a call in, 696 00:54:10,800 --> 00:54:15,330 I think we got Jason Moyer on line if I'm reading that right from Lincolnton. 697 00:54:15,330 --> 00:54:16,163 Jason? 698 00:54:18,510 --> 00:54:20,100 Yes. Representative saying, how are you doing? 699 00:54:20,190 --> 00:54:21,090 I'm good man. How are you? 700 00:54:23,100 --> 00:54:25,140 I'm doing all right. I just had a quick question. 701 00:54:25,140 --> 00:54:29,850 I know you guys are short on time, but I want to get your quick opinion. 702 00:54:29,880 --> 00:54:34,200 What is the most pressing issue for the upcoming state budget? 703 00:54:35,640 --> 00:54:38,760 Well, quite frankly, we solved the biggest one, which was Medicaid expansion, 704 00:54:39,210 --> 00:54:40,140 which I voted against, 705 00:54:40,170 --> 00:54:42,750 but majority of my colleagues in the house and Senate voted for. 706 00:54:43,380 --> 00:54:44,760 So that was the big one. 707 00:54:44,760 --> 00:54:48,930 Now what's what we're really dealing with is how much we're going to spend on 708 00:54:49,050 --> 00:54:52,470 what parts of government. I'm a huge fan of the highway patrol. 709 00:54:53,045 --> 00:54:56,310 I know it's hard for people to say that cause they're usually associate that 710 00:54:56,310 --> 00:54:57,300 with getting us speeding ticket, 711 00:54:57,600 --> 00:55:01,560 but I know these guys are guys and women are out there all the time putting 712 00:55:01,560 --> 00:55:06,300 their lives on line on our behalf and getting them a pay bump, a pay raise, 713 00:55:06,300 --> 00:55:09,960 because they're competing with municipal departments and with county sheriffs 714 00:55:09,960 --> 00:55:11,550 and so forth on pay. 715 00:55:12,450 --> 00:55:16,170 That is the biggest problem that we're looking at right now. 716 00:55:16,170 --> 00:55:18,450 I think just figuring out what employee pays going to be. 717 00:55:18,450 --> 00:55:22,890 But we saw the big nut and we got through that and 718 00:55:23,250 --> 00:55:25,050 we'll get to the next one to crack. 719 00:55:25,055 --> 00:55:29,010 But really appreciate you calling in Jason and asking that question. 720 00:55:29,670 --> 00:55:32,400 There's a myriad of other issues we'll work through, but we'll get there. 721 00:55:34,710 --> 00:55:37,110 All. Well, I appreciate your service. Thank you for taking the. 722 00:55:37,110 --> 00:55:39,990 Call. Well, hey, really appreciate you calling in today. Take care. 723 00:55:41,610 --> 00:55:43,740 And really that thanks. Really, 724 00:55:43,740 --> 00:55:47,580 that is one of the bigger issues that we look at as state government. 725 00:55:47,585 --> 00:55:51,030 Cause we've got to pay our employees and we don't want to grow the government 726 00:55:51,030 --> 00:55:54,450 too much, but we was with inflation and everything else that's pressuring us. 727 00:55:54,990 --> 00:55:57,510 We want to do the best that we can and make sure that we're giving the right 728 00:55:57,510 --> 00:55:59,190 services to the people of the state of North Carolina. 729 00:55:59,460 --> 00:56:01,500 I always say we can have nice things. 730 00:56:02,430 --> 00:56:06,330 We want to keep in mind of how much they cost and making sure that we've got the 731 00:56:06,360 --> 00:56:07,145 revenue that comes in. 732 00:56:07,145 --> 00:56:12,030 I've been the appropriations chair and the finance chairman, or I'm sorry, yeah, 733 00:56:12,030 --> 00:56:14,790 appropriations chair now and the finance chairman. So I've, 734 00:56:14,840 --> 00:56:18,150 I've been in charge of raising the revenue but also spending it. 735 00:56:18,180 --> 00:56:21,780 But we try to keep it within bound, which is why our state is doing so well. 736 00:56:22,200 --> 00:56:25,660 It has been a wonderful hour with you. Really appreciate the call in. 737 00:56:26,080 --> 00:56:30,250 Appreciate representative McNeely. Look forward to doing this every week. 738 00:56:30,310 --> 00:56:33,900 Thanks for listening, and we'll be back next week. Thank you.