Latest news with #Schietzelt
Axios
28-05-2025
- Business
- Axios
State lawmakers could block Capital Boulevard's conversion into a toll road
State lawmakers could block the potential transformation of Capital Boulevard into a toll road under the N.C. House's proposed state budget. Why it matters: Local officials in Raleigh and Wake County have begrudgingly turned toward tolls as a way to pay for an expansion of a 10-mile section of Capital Boulevard between Raleigh and Wake Forest, one of the region's most gridlocked roads. State of play: That section of Capital Boulevard, also known as U.S. 1, has long been earmarked for expansion. But the project has been delayed several times and is likely to face further delays due to competition for funds. Currently, construction is slated to start in 2031, though the expectation is that timeline will be pushed back. Under the toll road option, though, construction would begin in 2027. That has led local leaders to turn to toll roads to speed up construction, with the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) voting this week to recommend turning the section into a toll road. Driving the news: However, state Rep. Mike Schietzelt, a Republican who represents part of northern Wake County, introduced an amendment into the House's budget this week that would block state funds being used to turn U.S. 1 into a toll road. What they're saying: Schietzelt said congestion on Capital Boulevard is one of the biggest concerns among voters in his district, but he believes a toll would place too much of a burden on his constituents. "It is patently unjust to take a 110-year-old road and suddenly slap a toll on it," he told Axios, "when people have built businesses and homes along Capital Boulevard, they rely on Capital Boulevard, and now we're pulling the rug out from under them." He said he's been clear with local leaders for months that he might be able to support implementing some optional toll lanes on the road, but not the decision to toll every lane. Zoom out: The General Assembly has a long history of reversing decisions made at a local level, like stopping cities from instituting plastic bag bans, setting minimum wages, or adding affordable housing mandates. What's next: It's unclear if Schietzelt's amendment will make it to the final budget. The House and the Senate will have to negotiate a final budget bill between the two chambers in the coming weeks or months. And, ultimately, Gov. Josh Stein will have to sign the budget into law. The big picture: Without a toll road, Schietzelt said it will be up to state leaders like himself to find the funds to expand Capital Boulevard and other infrastructure. He said he would advocate for asking for federal assistance and would consider using state bonds to fund construction. But he also noted that the General Assembly needs to come up with longer-term solutions to replace the state's gas tax as electric vehicles make up a larger portion of cars. "I'm willing to consider a bond here, because I think the [return on investment] would be tremendous," he said. "But we've got to do something long-term on this infrastructure finance piece, because I think every state in the union is struggling with that as we've shifted to more electric vehicles."
Axios
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Axios
Local Limelight with Wake County Rep. Mike Schietzelt
North Carolina state Rep. Mike Schietzelt is one of just two Republicans who represent Wake County in the General Assembly. Why it matters: Schietzelt, a Marine Corps veteran and attorney, is serving his first term in House District 35, which stretches across much of the northern part of the county. We talked with Schietzelt for our latest Local Limelight conversation. The Q&A has been edited for Smart Brevity. What made you decide to run for office? After being recruited by Republican House leadership, "I felt like I was a good fit for my district. I'm not an overwhelmingly ideological person," Schietzelt said. "I don't feel like there are a lot of people advocating the needs for our suburbs." 🍖 Favorite place to eat in the Triangle? Backyard BBQ Pit and Hog Heaven Bar-B-Q, both in Durham. 🛣️ What do you think the Triangle is missing? A freeway connecting Raleigh to Wake Forest. "There is a huge missed opportunity right now" with the state "dragging its feet" on expanding U.S. 1, Schietzelt said. "Now we're talking about converting it into a toll road, which would unfortunately cut us off from some of the best opportunities we have in terms of economic growth." 💡 What's your first read in the morning? The Bible, or emails. 📚 Last great book you read? Ralph Ketcham's biography of James Madison and " Confident Pluralism" by John Inazu. 🎧 Go-to podcast? " Do Politics Better" or " Tying It Together" with Tim Boyum. 🎣 Favorite place to go for a long weekend? Banner Elk, or somewhere "I can sit around without Wi-Fi" to do a little hiking and fishing. 🐶 Do you have any pets? Atlas, who turns 14 in a few weeks. 🤓 How did you end up in the Triangle? Duke University's law school, which he attended after years of traveling the country as a professional trumpet player. ✍️ If you could pass any law, what would it be? Ratifying the Convention of States. His non-serious answer: Everyone should watch the 1994 film "PCU," a comedy on political correctness. ⛳️ What's something you're looking forward to, unrelated to politics or your work? "Sleeping at some point," Schietzelt said. But really: Getting out to play a round of golf. 🥹 How do you unplug at the end of the day? Putting the kids (he has four) to sleep.
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Republicans use their kids as props while poor families suffer
Billionaire Elon Musk, left accompanied by U.S. President Donald Trump, right, and Musk's son, X Musk, speaks during an executive order signing in the Oval Office at the White House on Feb. 11, 2025 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by) Something has been nagging at me when I see all these male Republican politicians parading their babies and young children around like, 'Lookit me! I'm Superdad!!' Verily, baby spit-up is the new must-have accessory for the MAGA male politician. Look! It's J.D. Vance toting his kid off an airplane and the kid is wearing pajamas!!! And what's this? Co-President Elon brings his 4-year-old son to the Oval Office for a press conference where he smeared his snot-rockets all over the resolute desk. Presh!!! The achingly socially awkward Musk clearly brought the kid as a distraction, and I suppose it worked since so many R's gushed about the precocious spawn atop Musk's shoulders. Look! A man holding his own child!! What miraculous feat will the world's richest person perform next? Wash his own cereal bowl? Closer to home, a Republican in my North Carolina State House was praised on Monday for bringing his toddler to work. In a fawning article entitled 'Republican Dads Are Leading by Example' in the conservative newsletter, Longleaf Politics, Andrew Dunn writes glowingly of Republican State Representative Mike Schietzelt's decision to hold his 18-month-old son during a speech. 'Schietzelt showed that being a father and a public servant aren't just compatible—they're powerful together,' Dunn wrote, adding 'There's a new crop of Republican leaders with young children who are unapologetic about their balancing act while in office…Family isn't an obstacle to leadership. It's part of it.' For those of you old enough to remember SNL character 'The Church Lady' you know what I'm 'bout to say. Well. Isn't that special? Let's leave for another day the mind-blowing irony every seasoned woman officeholder must be feeling now that it's not just 'OK' but laudable to bring your child to work. Here's why this celebration of Republican dads in office ticks me off. While it's true Rep. Schietzelt is brand new to the General Assembly and therefore had no personal vote against the Medicaid expansion, his party and his fellow legislators most certainly did. For many years. For year after year after year, the Republicans in the North Carolina General Assembly refused to accept the Medicaid expansion that would've been life-changing (and often live-saving) for the state's poor families. Finally, in December 2023, it became apparent that was a fool's game and a mean-ass fool at that. Former Governor Roy Cooper, a Democrat prevailed (thanks be to God), but only after nearly a decade of mudslinging and, far worse, ignoring the state's desperately poor children and families. The Republicans' Christmas capitulation wasn't noble. No, no. They just looked around and realized the nation's eighth-most populated state would be FORTIETH to expand Medicaid and we were looking more cruel and callous than the jewel of the South vibe we were going for. Think of the thousands of children and families that had to wait that out all those years. In North Carolina today, 41.2 percent of all children rely on Medicaid for health coverage. Let that sink in for sec. So, FINALLY, these folks have a chance as of early 2024. But wait! There's a plot twist! Donald Jetraitorous Trump is leading the call for Congress to cut $880 billion – which would have to include Medicaid reductions. North Carolina's Medicaid recent expansion, which is conditioned on the feds picking up 90% of the cost, would almost certainly disappear — along with coverage for many other low-income folks. Yes! Let's balance the budget on the backs of hungry toddlers and sick children. A pox on him. And anyone who doesn't see this for what it is. Republican dad politicians, you can parade around with your photo-opp adorables all you want. I don't worry about YOUR kids. Your income is fine. I worry about the millions who don't have a daddy in the State House or U.S. Congress who want to slash the first decent chance at security and good health a generation of children has seen. Would Freshman Representative and kid-totin' Mike Schietzelt have broken ranks with his party and supported the Medicaid expansion early on? Maybe. We'll never know. What I do know is These Handmaid's Commanders yammering about needing to boost birthrates while they strap their kids to their hips as props have demonstrated zero care for the nation's poor children time after time. They remind me of the creepy rich guy in 'Titanic' who grabs a random urchin from steerage and fibs, 'I'm all she has' to get a spot on the lifeboat. And I'm being kind.
