Earlier this week, rrspin.com published a letter to the editor claiming my vote against last week’s mini- budget blocked funding for House District 27 — Halifax, Northampton, Warren. 

That is simply false — and dangerously misleading. 

This letter to the editor was filled with inaccuracies and clearly intended to discredit rather than inform. Actually, it was less an editorial and more an attack ad in print.   

Here’s what the actual text of House Bill 125 — Continuing Budget Operations — confirms:

The bill is a temporary stopgap measure — designed to maintain core services while full budget negotiations continue—not a comprehensive funding package targeting District 27 or any other specific region. 

It authorizes routine, statewide appropriations such as step increases for public school and state employees, community college enrollment growth, and capital projects in the UNC System; it does not involve canceling or withholding targeted district-specific funding. 

Significant and necessary investments — like teacher raises, bonuses, workforce housing programs, and Medicaid enhancements — are still under negotiation and not part of this temporary legislation. 

If I had submitted such misleading information for an opinion piece without verifying it, I would have been asked for documentation.

I did my due diligence. 

I have in-hand correspondence from the General Assembly’s own non-partisan Fiscal Research Division that proves the claims in that letter to the editor are false.

Let me be clear: This was a hit job designed to discredit me with District 27 voters, who deserve respect and clarity.

The Bible says in Hosea 4:6  “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.”

I don’t want people to miss out or be left behind just because they don’t know how things work in government. 

That’s why I’ve held several town halls since being elected — not just to explain how the government works, but also to be held accountable by the people who elected me.

 I also started a series called "Bringing the Capital to the Constituents" so state leaders can come here, talk directly with the community, answer their questions, and explain what resources and services their agencies provide.

And to that end, I invite my opponent to join me in a series of public debates — in Halifax, Northampton, and Warren counties — so voters can compare our records directly. 

If we expect people to show up for us at the ballot box, we must first show up for them — with facts, not fiction.

Rodney Pierce is the state representative for House District 27