District 33 Legislative Update from Representative Monika Johnson-Hostler
Dear Constituents,
Thank you for staying engaged with the work we're doing for District 33. Our goal is to keep you informed about key legislative updates, community initiatives, and opportunities that impact our district. Your voice is essential in shaping a stronger future, and we encourage you to stay involved, share your thoughts, and reach out with any concerns. Together, we can continue making meaningful progress for our community.
If you would like to schedule a visit please email or call our office at monika.johnson-hostler@ncleg.gov or 919-733-5880.
Rep. Monika Johnston-Hostler: House Standing Committee Assignments
2025-2026 Session
Appropriations
Education Appropriations
Emergency Management And Disaster Recovery
Higher Education
I had a fantastic time meeting with the students and teachers from Creech Road Elementary School during their visit to the Capitol! They were so well prepared, I think they aced my pop quiz on government!
Senate to begin State Budget Process
This year the State Senate will began the budget process for North Carolina’s two-year budget plan. We are currently in the Long Session, where the state budget is the main project for both Chambers to complete. Next year during the Short Session, we will take up a smaller budget that tweaks funding depending on needs that arise or correct technical issues.
The budget process begins in the Senate and after they pass a spending package, it will come to the House of Representatives for consideration. The Chambers typically end up passing different packages, requiring a need for a conference committee to iron out the details. The final spending agreement is then voted on by both Chambers and sent to the Governor for him to sign, veto or let it become law without his signature.
The budget is perhaps the most important legislation this body considers because it sets the funding amounts for state agencies, salaries for state employees and teachers, and more. It is often a place where other policies that did not pass as standalone bills can be inserted, so the budget can become contentious given it is usually one of the last opportunities to enact new policies before the General Assembly winds down for the year.
According to WUNC reporter Colin Campbell, leadership in the House and Senate have agreed to the amount of spending increases for the 25-26 and 26-27 fiscal years.
Those amounts are $800 million more for 25-26 and $700 million more in 26-27. The budget process comes as Governor Stein has warned about an impending “fiscal cliff” as state revenue is projected to decline over the next few years. There are also concerns about how cuts from the federal government will impact critical funding for various state agencies.
The State Senate will release their budget before the Easter break. The Senate budget bill can be found here. The House leadership has begin its work on the budget. You can read Governor Stein’s proposed budget here.
First Robotics. Thank you First Robotics for the invitation to be opening speaker. FIRST ROBOTICS COMPETITION! FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) is an organization that inspires young minds to explore careers in STEM through thrilling robotics challenges. Teams of students design, build, and program robots to compete in high energy matches, demonstrating not only their engineering skills but also their teamwork and problem-solving abilities. It was amazing to see the passion and creativity of these future innovators in action!
No Woman No Girl Initiative. This year, we had the privilege of attending the No Women, No Girl Women’s Day event in Raleigh, NC, organized by Shirnetta Harrell. No Women, No Girl is dedicated to advocating for the personal hygiene needs of women and girls, ensuring that everyone has access to the products they need to maintain their health and dignity. The event brought together passionate voices to raise awareness and promote equality, reinforcing the belief that every woman and girl deserves dignity and the basic right to proper hygiene.
Legislative Bill Tracking
The 2025 legislative session is well underway and lawmakers are filing bills that will shape the future of North Carolina. If you are interested in the legislative bill tracking process the North Carolina General Assembly website provides information to keep you informed.
Below, we've outlined a step-by-step guide on how to track bills, follow legislative votes, and stay up to date on the policies that impact you.
Visit the NCGA Website & Find Your Legislator
1. Go to the NCGA homepage at www.ncleg.gov
2. On the top right of the page, click “Find Your Legislators.”
3. Enter your street address in the search box to find your State Representative and Senator. You'll see their names, districts, and contact information.
Search for a Specific Bill
1. On the NCGA homepage, find the search bar at the top right.
2. Type in the bill number (e.g., H1 or S1), a keyword, or the sponsor's name to search for specific bills.
3. Press Enter to see the list of results. Click on a bill to view more details.
View Bill Details
1. When you click on a bill, you will be taken to the bill's official page.
2. On the bill page, you’ll see the bill text, a summary of what the bill does, its sponsors, its status, and how legislators have voted on it.
3. Review the vote history to see how different legislators voted on the bill in the past.
Tracking What Your Legislator Does in Raleigh:
To keep track of the bills your legislator is introducing, and how they are voting, use the legislators profile page.
1. Search for Your Legislator’s Profile
2. View Legislator Details
o Under the “Introduced Bills” tab you can see the list of bills they have filed as a primary sponsor, or signed on as a co-sponsor.
o Under the “Votes” tab you can see the list of bills they have voted on, with their specific vote (Yes, No, Abstain).
Mental Health Advocacy Day. It was an honor to meet with Keelie Jones and Camben Lee to discuss the critical issues of mental health and bullying in schools. We had an open, impactful conversation about the challenges students face and how we can work together to create positive change. Their insights and passion for fostering safer, more supportive school environments are truly inspiring, and I’m committed to advocating for solutions that prioritize the well-being of all students
