This narrative was revised to fix typographical mistakes.
With 498 days remaining in his term, Sen. Thom Tillis pledged to keep working for his voters, reaffirmed his opposition to President Donald Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill earlier this year, and stated who he would back to replace him in Congress.
Tillis was among seven presenters at a luncheon titled “State of the Community” held on August 26 by the Greater Fayetteville Chamber.
At the conclusion of his speech, the senator faced questions from the audience, who inquired why he defied Republican party guidelines by voting against House Resolution 1, known as the Big Beautiful Bill, despite backing several of Trump’s nominees.
Tillis stated that the bill includes a strong Medicaid policy and he has no issue with the $800 billion in reductions it imposes on “waste, fraud, and abuse.”
“The issue lies in the White House’s proposal for an additional $200 million in savings, which appears to have been poorly conceived, indicating that it was created by someone unfamiliar with implementing healthcare initiatives,” Tillis stated.
Tillis stated that these savings pose economic challenges for North Carolina.
“To be absolutely clear, the only reason I voted against (the bill) was due to the healthcare policy,” he stated.
He mentioned that he believes the legislation might lead to severe consequences for healthcare systems throughout the nation.
In response to the question about why it seems he changes his stance on certain issues, Tillis stated that he conducts thorough research.
I truly don’t care if people believe I change my stance,” he stated. “I rely on information… obtained through thorough research.
An example, he stated, is approvingPete Hegseth’s nominationas the secretary of the Department of Defense.
Tillis stated he was unable to locate any verified first-hand account of the claims made against Hegseth.
“Perhaps the Senate Armed Services Committee was somewhat lenient. Perhaps his qualifications were not as solid as they needed to be for the largest and most intricate department within the U.S. government,” he stated.
Fayetteville City Council member Mario Benavente asked if he would back former Governor Roy Cooper for a seat in Congress. Tillis responded that he has collaborated with Cooper during his time as governor, but he prefers to see a Republican occupy that position.
I want to leave it as a legacy of having a Republican successor, since I am a Republican. I was part of the party before President Trump, and I will remain a conservative for the rest of my life.
During his initial comments, Tillis praised Fayetteville, the Chamber, and the local residents for their support of Fort Bragg.
“That’s one of your major advantages, and it will remain so, and I’ll keep supporting you,” he stated.
He mentioned that the community also has other priorities, such as public schools.
“Rather than having charter schools, private schools, and public schools appear to be competing against one another, take a different approach. Bring people together and determine how to create collaboration, understanding that all three local education options are crucial for educating children. They aren’t at odds,” he stated.
National debt
Both Tillis and Rep. David Rouzer, whose constituency covers Fayetteville and who also addressed the luncheon, discussed the issue of the national debt.
Rouzer mentioned that the national debt was $5 trillion in the early 2000s, but has risen to $37 trillion, which he linked to the events of 9/11, the 2008 financial crisis, and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Rouzer mentioned that throughout and following the pandemic, the expanded utilization of government aid programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program has persisted beyond initial expectations.
“We intend to address the debt over the long term. Another ongoing factor is our aging population. We allocate significant funds to Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and Obamacare premiums,” he stated.
Other individuals who spoke at the luncheon were Michael Nagowski, CEO of Cape Fear Valley Health; Dr. Stanley Wearden, president of Methodist University; Mitch Colvin, mayor of Fayetteville; Kirk deViere, chairman of the Cumberland County Commissioners, and David Zeitz, president of Long Leaf Pine Realtors.
Health care
Nagowski mentioned that the Cape Fear Valley health system, serving several counties, handles approximately 62,000 hospitalizations; 37,000 surgeries and treatments; 250,000 emergency room visits; 25,000 doctor’s office appointments; 37,000 cancer-related visits; and 4,200 births each year.
In Fayetteville, he mentioned, the local medical center’s campus has grown over the past year with the addition of 100 beds andtwo helipads located at the top of the center, and the only inpatient hospice house in Cumberland County opened this year.
He mentioned that a six-story, 100,000 square foot medical office building will soon begin construction on the campus, offering the local community an ambulatory surgery center; a full-service imaging center equipped with MRI and CT facilities, along with various physician specialties.
Medical school
Nagowski and Wearden also discussed Cape Fear Valley Health’s collaboration with Methodist University to establish a medical school in Fayetteville.
Nagowski mentioned that the school is projected to create $750 million in economic impact over a decade.
Wearden mentioned that Methodist University offers approximately 30 professional programs, with the biggest category focused on health and science.
“We view health science as the key to the future of Methodist University. Establishing a medical school was the next natural progression,” he stated.
He mentioned that the school is anticipated to generate 800 new positions and enroll 480 students once it begins operating.
Fayetteville
Colvin mentioned that in recent years, $1.4 billion in funding and 5,000 employment opportunities have been obtained for the region, including businesses such as Amazon andAmerican Titanium Metal coming here.
He mentioned that Segra Stadium has driven renewal in the downtown area, generating a chain reaction for eateries and retailers.
Entrepreneurs and small businesses have also received assistance through Fayetteville State University’s business hub, with Colvin noting a collaboration with the Fayetteville Cumberland Economic Development Corp. to establish a $5 million fund aimed at promoting small business expansion.
“These investments have transformed concepts into employment opportunities within this community,” the mayor stated.
Cumberland County
DeViere mentioned that Cumberland County has both advantages and difficulties.
He mentioned that schools have not maintained the same rate of progress as nearby counties, water and recreational facilities require improvements, there is a shortage of mixed-use developments and pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods that can draw in young professionals.
The advantages include the link to Fort Bragg and the residents’ resilience and ingenuity, deViere stated.
The county has allocated significant funds in its most recent budgets, investing half a billion dollars into local schools to support teacher salaries and infrastructure, and an additional quarter of a billion dollars to ensure access to clean drinking water, he stated.
“Only the government can’t create this future… 25 years from now, let’s look back and say this was the time we transformed potential into progress, challenges into opportunities, and partnerships into prosperity,” deViere stated.
Local housing
Zeitz shared a local real estate update, mentioning that by the middle of this year, the average home price in Fayetteville is approximately $250,000, reflecting a 3% rise compared to the previous year.
The typical duration from when a property is listed to when it closes is 40 days, he mentioned.
Fayetteville’s real estate market is strong, showing consistent growth and having sufficient stock to maintain a competitive environment, according to Zeitz.
“This presents chances not only for buyers and sellers, but also for lenders, developers, and investors, as well as all businesses involved in the housing sector… Housing isn’t isolated… It is linked to education, healthcare, infrastructure, and economic development,” he stated.
Staff writer Rachael Riley is available via email at rriley@fayobserver.com or by phone at 910-486-3528.
This piece first was published in The Fayetteville Observer:Thom Tillis meets with local officials at the Greater Fayetteville Chamber’s State of the Community event
