The Onslow Observer: Property Tax Moratorium, Town Hall, & More...

Dear Neighbor,

I hope you are doing well. It’s been another highly productive month, and I’ve continued working to stay connected with the issues and concerns that matter most to our community.

From meeting with local leaders and business groups to hearing directly from residents at community events and our town hall, my focus remains on listening, staying engaged, and making sure the voices of Onslow County are heard as we prepare for the upcoming legislative short session.

As always, if you have a question, concern, or need help navigating state government, please don’t hesitate to reach out. My office is here to serve you.

At your service,

Michael Lazzara

North Carolina Senator

NUCA YOUNG LEADERS CONFERENCE

It was an honor to speak at NUCA of the Carolinas’ 2026 Young Leaders Conference in Carolina Beach. It’s always encouraging to meet the next generation of leaders in the construction industry and hear their ideas for strengthening our workforce and continuing to build a strong future for North Carolina. Thank you to NUCA for the invitation and the opportunity to be part of such an important event!

UPCOMING LEGISLATION TO HALT ALL PROPERTY TAX REVALUATION CHANGES

I’ve heard from many homeowners across our district who are concerned about property tax revaluations and what they could mean for their families. After receiving numerous calls and messages, I want you to know we are taking these concerns very seriously.

During the upcoming short session, legislation will be filed to halt all property tax revaluation changes for 12 months. This temporary moratorium will give the NC General Assembly the time needed to carefully examine potential reforms and ensure homeowners are not hit with sudden, significant increases.

For years, my Senate Republican colleagues and I have worked to lower taxes and practice responsible budgeting at the state level. We believe those same common-sense principles can help address rising property tax burdens locally as well. Our goal is simple: protect taxpayers, promote fairness, and deliver thoughtful, responsible solutions for North Carolina families.

ONSLOW COUNTY REPUBLICAN WOMEN’S CLUB

We had a wonderful time at the Onslow County Republican Women’s Club Red White and Rock event at Willis Farm. Thank you for having us.

ONSLOW COUNTY GOP CONVENTION

It was great to be at the Onslow County GOP Convention and have the opportunity to introduce our Republican nominee for U.S. Senate, Michael Whatley. Michael has been a strong leader for our party, fighting for election integrity and helping deliver North Carolina for President Donald Trump. Now he’s taking that fight to Washington. Melinda and I are proud to stand with him as we work to keep North Carolina strong and move our country forward. 🇺🇸

THANKS TO ALL WHO JOINED OUR TOWN HALL

Thank you to the residents and elected officials who joined us for our town hall in Onslow County. It was a great morning of respectful, thoughtful dialogue about the future of our community.

We covered a wide range of issues — education funding and teacher pay, Medicaid pressures on our county, mental health and jail costs, childcare challenges, transportation improvements, energy policy, and managing North Carolina’s rapid growth.

We discussed modernization at DMV offices (including new kiosks and the myncdmv app), lowering healthcare costs, public safety reforms like Iryna’s Law and anti-squatting legislation, and how we’re working to keep taxes competitive while investing in essential services.

North Carolina continues to grow — now over 11 million residents — and with that growth comes challenges. My focus remains on responsible budgeting, supporting our military community, strengthening education, and ensuring taxpayers are protected.

I truly appreciate the honest questions and solutions-focused tone. We will continue hosting these conversations. Thank you for being engaged. That’s how we move forward — together. And special thanks to Reva Sullivan and Billy Sewell for providing a great venue & food for all of us.

CONGRATULATIONS, JUDGE JOHNATHON NAYLOR!

Congratulations to Johnathon Naylor on his appointment to serve as District Court Judge for Judicial District 5 — serving Onslow, Duplin, Jones, and Sampson counties.

Johnathon is not only an outstanding attorney, but a true servant of our community. I’ve had the opportunity to see firsthand his dedication to Onslow County and the people of eastern North Carolina. He’s worked hard, earned the respect of his peers, and I’m proud to call him a friend.

This is well deserved — and I know he will serve on the bench with integrity and fairness. We’re all very proud of you, Judge Naylor.