By Liz Moomey
liz.moomey@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — From helping President Donald Trump win re-election to creating a good, work-life balance, Rowan County’s elected leaders have a wide variety of New Year’s resolution. 

Here are some of the resolutions from local elected officials:

• U.S. Rep. Ted Budd, R-13, says he has a lot on his agenda in 2020. 

Budd says he plans to continue to get to know the people and needs of his redrawn 13th District in which he’s running for re-election. Democrat Scott Huffman is Budd’s lone challenger

Budd said he also wants to work on legislation to tackle the nationwide opioid crisis, expand health care choice and push for pro-growth policies to “keep our economy booming.” He also wants to help the president win re-election and Republicans regain the majority in the U.S. House.

Budd also mentioned some personal goals for the New Year, including reading of paper books as opposed to digital ones, doing a better job of expressing his gratitude to family, friends, constituents, local leaders and first responders.

“I want them to know they are appreciated,” Budd said.

To do my part to help the president win our state in November and to achieve a GOP majority in the House.

• Rep. Richard Hudson, R-8, said his resolutions involve “trying to strike that elusive work-life balance that challenges us all.”
He continued, saying he’s been focusing on his health of late.

“Let’s face it — chasing a 4-year-old around can make anyone feel tired. So, my first resolution is to continue to exercise regularly and eat healthy,” Hudson said. “I also want to really focus on creating more quiet time for prayer and reading my Bible.

Hudson said his final resolution involves being more intentional about setting time aside to spend with his wife, Renee.

• State Sen. Carl Ford, R-33, said in 2020 he’s hoping to pass a budget in the legislature that focused on funding important projects for the district. Ford said that includes public safety, job incentives and recreational and tourism dollars.

Ford said he wants to continue to cut red tape and taxes for entrepreneurs and companies so the job market will keep growing.

Ford said he had been in meetings with Cube Hydro, which owns and operates the Yadkin River dams as a subsidiary of Onatrio Power Generation in Canada, and partners for economic and recreational opportunities all along the tiver in Rowan and Stanly counties.

Ford said he will continue to work with local airports in the two counties as they “become economic engines.”

And since 2020 is an election year, Ford said he’ll be working to help Lt. Gov. Dan Forest, a Republican, win his gubernatorial campaign. Ford will be running against two Democrats in the general election, Tarsha Ellis and Geoffrey Hoy.

• State Rep. Harry Warren, R-76, said he’s resolving to double down on efforts to get two bills passed, Ensure Safety of School Drinking Water and NC Managing Environmental Waste Act of 2019.

Ensure Safety of School Drinking Water, House Bill 386 in the most recent session, would require every school and child care facility to test drinking water for the presence of lead. NC Managing Environmental Waste Act of 2019 looks to reduce single-use plastics in the state.

Warren had some personal resolutions, too: to cut back on milk chocolate candy and maintain a better balance between family time and work.

• Salisbury Mayor Karen Alexander kept her resolution simple: a new year is another chance to do it right or do it better.