EMPAC, the political arm of the State Employees Association of North Carolina, presented its Lisa B. Mitchell Legislators of the Year awards recently to Rep. Darren Jackson (D-Wake) and Rep. Nelson Dollar (R-Wake).

Statewide EMPAC Chairman Tony Smith of Morganton presented the awards to the lawmakers Saturday at the 35th Annual SEANC Convention at the Koury Convention Center in Greensboro on Sept. 8 for their diligence working on state employee and retiree issues in the 2018 session.

Dollar, now a three-time recipient of the award, has a long history of support for state employees and retirees. In his role as the House budget writer, he worked to make North Carolina the first state in the union with a $15 per hour minimum salary for state employees. The budget also included funding for at least a 2 percent increase for all other employees as well as five days of bonus leave and a retiree bonus.

“He is a true friend,” Smith said of Dollar when presenting the award. “Everyone wants your attention when you write the state budget.  But Rep. Dollar makes time for state employees each and every time we come calling. And he has worked tirelessly to protect state employees from unpleasant surprises in legislation.” 

Jackson, now a two-time winner of the award, has remained a strong advocate for state employee and retiree issues throughout his rise in the legislature. In his current role as House Minority Leader, he consistently uses his voice and impressive debating skills to protect state employees. 

“Rep. Jackson has done a great job of making sure freshman members of his caucus are exposed to the issues important to SEANC,” Smith said. “He is one of the first people our lobbyists go to when they need help on an issue.”