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.

Raleigh News & Observer: The NC legislature’s actions are discouraging teachers

By Eleanore Wood | June 29, 2017

The General Assembly had the opportunity to change how they grade public schools on an A-F scale that typically reflects the level of poverty at the school, rather than their performance. However, the General Assembly did not change this system to reflect the actual level of the educators at the school. In 2014, the General…

Charlotte Observer: If Thom Tillis made $40k a year, what would he think of the Republican health plan?

By Eleanore Wood | June 28, 2017

Senators Thom Tillis and Richard Burr don’t represent the majority of Americans, they only represent the top 0.1%. The top 0.1% that they represent will receive tax breaks instead of premium hikes like most Americans relying on the ACA will face, if Trumpcare passes. The two North Carolina Senators are failing to understand anyone other than the top 0.1%.…

Raleigh News & Observer: Senate Obamacare repeal bill would leave 22 million more without health insurance

By Eleanore Wood | June 27, 2017

The Congressional Budget Office released a document on Monday stating that under the Senate’s Trumpcare plan 22 million Americans will lose health coverage. Trumpcare mainly targets older people and those with pre-existing conditions, increasing their premiums significantly while giving tax breaks to the top 0.1%.  From News & Observer: Like the AHCA, the Senate legislation would cut subsidies that…

Raleigh News & Observer: The big lies about health care

By Eleanore Wood | June 26, 2017

The Senate’s version of Trumpcare is exactly what we expected: a bill that favors the top 0.1% and will leave millions of Americans without health coverage. Republicans claim they support health care for all Americans, but it’s clear they really prioritize tax breaks for the top 0.1%. The GOP claims they want to lower premiums, but their…

North Carolina Health News: Budget Benefits Current State Retirees, But Dings Future Ones

By Eleanore Wood | June 23, 2017

Hidden in the NC GOP’s budget is a line that will end teacher/state employee retirement health benefits for new hires after 2020. This means new teachers are going to flee to other states with better benefits and will greatly affect our middle and elementary students who will still be in school when this goes into…

Federal Judges Request NC Acts Quickly on Gerrymandered Districts

By Eleanore Wood | June 21, 2017

Four days after the Supreme Court of the United States unanimously ruled 28 of North Carolina’s legislative districts unconstitutional, three federal judges released a memorandum stating they plan to act quickly. These judges have the ability to call for special 2017 elections and are requesting that the North Carolina General Assembly acts quickly in redrawing…

Raleigh News & Observer: GOP budget short on vision, long on breaks for the rich

By Eleanore Wood | June 21, 2017

The NC GOP’s budget claims it gives a raise to teachers and state workers, but the average raise for North Carolina teachers is a measly 3.3%. And state retirees are getting a raise also….of 1%. So who is benefitting from the NC GOP’s budget? The top .01% who will receive a 5.25% personal income tax…

Gov. Cooper Puts GOP Lawmakers on the Spot to Redraw New Districts ASAP

By Eleanore Wood | June 14, 2017

Republican lawmakers have the ability to draw new legislative maps quickly; they’re just flat out refusing to. This is why Gov. Cooper has called them out and reminding them that the Supreme Court of the United States, among other courts, have said the current legislative districts are unconstitutional and they’re refusing to fix the problems.…

Russian Hacking Attempts in…North Carolina?

By Eleanore Wood | June 7, 2017

A National Security Agency leaked document was released Tuesday that claims Russian spies infiltrated a voting machine company that is used in North Carolina and a few other states. Following this hacking, the Russian spies sent emails to several election officials in an attempt to obtain their login information. The NSA, however, is unclear if…

Illegal voting districts helped GOP win control of NC

By Eleanore Wood | June 6, 2017

The Supreme Court of the United States unanimously ruled Monday that 28 of North Carolina’s legislative districts were illegally drawn and racially gerrymandered. This means the NC GOP pack as many African Americans into as few districts as possible in order to maintain a Republican majority in the North Carolina House and Senate. Now that…