The Batch Brief (April 11, 2025)
Welcome to The Batch Brief!
As we enter the heart of budget season and approach Tax Day, I’ve been thinking a lot about what North Carolinians should be able to count on — and what’s at stake if we don’t get this budget right.
When families contribute their hard-earned tax dollars, they should expect something meaningful in return. But too often, Republican leaders in Raleigh have put powerful special interests ahead of everyday people — slashing taxes for the wealthy while underfunding the services we all depend on.
This week’s newsletter takes a look at what that means for our state’s future — and how I’m fighting to put families and communities first.
In this edition of The Batch Brief:
💰 Tax Day & Budget Warnings — Why the next state budget must protect families, not corporate tax cuts.
📣 Senate Pages Spotlight — Meet the bright high school students learning the ropes at the General Assembly.
♻️ South Wake Sustainability — Local recycling, composting, and how you can get involved.
👮♂️ Honoring Chief Rico Boyce — Celebrating a hometown hero’s appointment as Raleigh’s new Chief of Police.
As always, thank you for staying engaged and informed. Whether it’s weighing in on the state budget, celebrating local leaders, or finding new ways to make a difference right here in Wake County, your voice matters.
- Leader Sydney Batch
As Tax Day Approaches, Senator Batch Warns of Reckless Budgeting and an Avoidable Fiscal Cliff
As North Carolinians prepare to file their taxes this month, it’s a good time to reflect on what we should expect in return for the tax dollars we all contribute — strong public schools, reliable infrastructure, access to health care, and safe, thriving communities.
But as the state’s budget season heats up, Senator Batch is sounding the alarm: those essential investments are at risk because of years of short-sighted budget and tax policy pushed by Republican leadership in Raleigh.
Despite steady growth in our population and rising needs across the state, Republican legislators have spent the past decade pushing tax cuts that overwhelmingly benefit the wealthiest individuals and large corporations. And they’re not done — additional tax cuts are already baked into the years ahead, even as experts warn of a looming revenue decline that could seriously jeopardize the state’s ability to meet basic obligations.
Earlier this year, a nonpartisan forecast from state budget analysts confirmed what Senate Democrats have warned for years: starting in 2026, revenue growth will flatten — and in 2027, it’s projected to decline. That drop isn’t due to an economic downturn; it’s the direct result of policy choices made by the Republican majority in the General Assembly.
For years, the State has relied on federal support to fill the gaps left by Republicans intentional underfunding of essential resources. Now, between the dysfunction and political cowardice of Congressional Republicans and the reckless unpredictability of Donald Trump, no one can count on Washington to deliver the stability and money the state currently relies on to pay its bills.
As the Senate prepares to debate its version of the state budget in the coming weeks, Senator Batch will be fighting to protect investments in public education, child care, public health, and critical community services — and pushing back against yet another round of tax giveaways that put our future at risk. Senate Democrats represent more than 4 million North Carolinians from every corner of the state, and their voices deserve a seat at the table. Any responsible budget must reflect the needs of all the people we serve.
North Carolinians deserve a budget that’s built to last, not one that breaks down just when families need it most.
Leader Batch Welcomes This Week’s Senate Pages to the General Assembly
Senator Batch was proud to sponsor three outstanding high school students — Srinithya Pilla, a sophomore at Green Level High School; Shivali Chutkay, also a sophomore at Green Level High School; and Caleb Lofton, a sophomore at Myers Park High School — who served as Senate Pages at the North Carolina General Assembly last week.
The Senate Page Program offers high school students in grades 10 through 12 a hands-on opportunity to learn about the legislative process and see government in action. Pages spent the week working on the Senate Chamber floor and in committee meetings, assisting senators and staff, delivering materials throughout the legislative complex, and gaining real-world insight into how laws are made.
Opportunities like this are an important way to help young people see themselves in public service and understand the impact government has on their lives and communities. Senator Batch encourages more students to get involved, ask questions, and take part in shaping the future of our state, and asks students across District 17 to consider applying for the Senate Page Program during next year's session.
Get Involved: Recycling and Composting Right Here in District 17
Did you know the South Wake Landfill—Wake County’s primary disposal site—is nestled right between Apex and Holly Springs, both of which are part of Senate District 17?
That means the environmental impacts and opportunities tied to the landfill are in our backyard—and so are the ways to take action.
Tour the Recycling Facility - Wake County’s Solid Waste Division offers free group tours of the Sonoco Recycling Material Recovery Facility in Raleigh. This is where recyclables from Apex, Holly Springs, and Wake County Public Schools are sorted by a combination of high-tech machines and hardworking staff. Want to see where your blue bin materials go? You can request a group tour on the Recycling Center Tour Page (minimum 8 people) or sign up for one of the public Sonoco tours announced via email and social media.
Composting: From Your Kitchen to the Community Garden - Wake County makes it easy to keep food scraps out of the landfill:
Backyard composters can sign up in May for the annual compost bin sale and check out easy how-to guides on the County’s website.
Don’t want to compost at home? You can drop off food scraps at Convenience Center Site 2 in Apex or at two participating farmers markets on Saturdays. All collected waste is taken to an industrial composting site—and the finished product is used in over 100 community gardens across the Triangle.
These programs are a great example of how sustainability starts local. If you're in District 17, this is your chance to be part of the solution.
District 17’s own Rico L. Boyce Named 31st Chief of Police for the City of Raleigh
Senator Batch proudly congratulates Rico L. Boyce, an Apex native, on his appointment as the 31st Chief of Police for the City of Raleigh.
Chief Boyce brings steady leadership, and a long-standing commitment to public service at an important time in Raleigh’s evergrowing history. From his roots in Apex to his decades in law enforcement, he has constantly worked to build strong relationships and earn the trust of the communities he serves.
His appointment is a proud moment for District 17 and the right step forward for Raleigh. Senator Batch looks forward to the leadership Chief Boyce will bring to this important role, and to working with him to make Wake County a safe and welcoming place to live, work, and visit.
Congratulations, Chief Boyce!
Ways to Contact the Office of Leader Batch
📍 Office: North Carolina General Assembly, 16 West Jones Street, Rm. 1026, Raleigh, NC 27601
📞 Phone: 919-733-5653
📧 Email: Sydney.Batch@ncleg.gov
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