Our take
Everyday the government makes decisions that affect our lives; from the water we drink, the food our kids eat and how much money we bring home. Being informed is one of the first steps in building our power and creating change in our communities.
The News & Observer: At morning-after protest, Rep. Butler talks about her ‘meltdown’ on the House floor
North Carolina Representative Deb Butler, a Democrat, talks about her ‘meltdown’ on the NC House floor, when she shouted “I will not yield” at Republican Speaker Moore. Butler spoke at a rally outside of the Legislature Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019.
This Labor Day, workers are realizing our own value
What does victory look like for the labor movement? Our movement will rise when we stop defining victory as not losing—and most of all when more workers realize our own value and the power of solidarity. This Labor Day, workers are winning. Momentum is building. The balance of power is shifting. Across the country, working people are…
The Herald Sun: We’re getting what we pay for with NC schools, and that’s not good
When adjusted for inflation and enrollment, North Carolina’s classrooms are being funded 40% less than they were 10 years ago. Our teachers are not paid at the national average and our school support staff is not making a living wage. It’s time that our lawmakers put the needs of our students above tax cuts for…
Is this the end of partisan gerrymandering in North Carolina?
Last week, a three-judge panel in Wake County ruled unanimously that lawmakers violated the state constitution by gerrymandering the state’s legislative districts for partisan gain. Lawmakers have until September 18 to draw new maps using strict nonpartisan criteria and in public view, with the new maps subject to review by the court before the 2020 election. For…
The Washington Post: Too many voters live under minority rule. Here’s why.
A three-judge panel has unanimously ruled that North Carolina’s legislative maps are unconstitutionally gerrymandered. Our Republican-led state legislature has been ordered to draw new maps by September 18th. The last time Republicans were tasked with redrawing their unconstitutional maps it was done behind closed doors and still took away the voices of the people. We…
March For Our Lives to rally in Durham this weekend
Federal legislative change takes a long time, but 100 Americans are dying from gun violence every single day. That’s why we must push powerful and influential voices — who do not reside in gerrymandered Congressional districts — to do everything they can to build safer communities with fewer guns. That’s why gun safety groups March…
Past time for common-sense gun safety laws
With multiple deadly mass shootings happening each week in our country, it’s past time for “thoughts and prayers.” Now is the time for action on common-sense gun safety reforms in Congress and the General Assembly. Democratic lawmakers in North Carolina have proposed a number of gun safety solutions which deserve bipartisan support, including: Enacting “red…
Ms: Charlotte Passes Noise Restriction, Improving Abortion Clinic Access and Protecting Patients
A huge victory for abortion rights activists in Charlotte was years in the making. A step forward in this important fight for abortion access. From Ms. Magazine: The quiet buffer zone noise ordinance passed by the City Council of Charlotte, North Carolina, prohibits the use of loudspeakers, bull-horns and megaphones within 150 feet of medical facilities,…
Rewire: An Anti-Choice Group Misspent $50,000 on Religious Material. North Carolina Wants to Give It $400,000 More.
The Anti-abortion group that runs the dubious “Crisis Pregnancy Centers” in North Carolina used tens of thousands of dollars on the printing of illegal religious rhetoric pamphlets. Instead of receiving any consequences for their unconstitutional actions the Republican-led General Assembly wants to give them $400K more in funds. From Rewire: Last year, Rewire.News revealed that…
Budget would quadruple funding for anti-choice fake pregnancy clinics
In addition to throwing schools and low-income families under the bus, the GOP budget awards more than $1.2 million to fake clinics designed to deceive pregnant people. Although Raleigh politicians claim not to have enough money for textbooks or school nurses, they appear to have ample funds for Christian-based conservative clinics that do little other…