Letter from Rep. Larry Hall, “help to stop discrimination.”

North Carolina House Republicans are considering passing HB 348 – a bill that would effectively legalize discrimination and allow individual businesses to target and deny services to members of the LGBT community.

Similar legislation in Indiana and Arkansas has drawn national attention and sparked significant backlash. Individuals are boycotting the states and businesses are threatening to relocate.  HB 348 is more extreme than either version passed in those two states.

We believe that North Carolina should be open and tolerant.  Our state should embrace our diversity and welcome all who want to live, work and raise a family here in North Carolina.

There is simply no place for discriminatory legislation like HB 348 if North Carolina wants to continue to grow, protect its reputation nationally and recruit major companies to locate here.

The time to stop this hateful legislation is now. That is why we are calling on Speaker Tim Moore to publically announce that HB 348 will not be heard in committee and will not be voted on in the North Carolina House.

In order to help Speaker Moore understand how strongly North Carolinians feel about this issue, we are launching a petition drive. Please sign click here to sign our petition and tell Speaker Moore it’s time to focus on creating jobs and improving public education – not more divisive social issues like HB 348.

Our goal is to collect 2,500 signatures before the House reconvenes after the Easter holiday.  Please sign our petition and forward it to 5 friends to help us hit this goal.  I will personally deliver the petition to Speaker Moore’s office to be sure your voice is heard.

Sincerely,

Representative Larry D. Hall

Democratic Leader, NC House Democratic Caucus

P.S. For more information on HB 348 you can click here.  Please help us stop discrimination in its tracks by signing our petition today and forwarding it to 5 friends.

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With Democrats likes these who need Republicans

I just can’t believe what I’m reading today, on the my Twitter Feed, #SB2

Extremely disappointed in @joeldford and @SenatorClark in voting for #SB2 which goes against everything Democrats stand for #ncga #ncpol

— Colby Moore (@ColbyLMoore) February 25, 2015

This is just outrageous..

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Hey NC Folk, Guess What else SB2 will Allow

under this bill, they can also refuse to married interracial couples too.. Welcome back the days of Jim Crow

Confirmed: #ncga sponsors of #SB2 say magistrates can indeed object to performing "interracial marriages" under this bill. Any marriage.

— Equality NC (@equalitync) February 24, 2015

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Sen Newton talking about watering board on SB2

Who district is in Nash, Wilson, and Johnson CO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sen. Newton says magistrates were somehow 'bullied" into performing same-sex marriages. (cuz, you know, it was the law.) #ncga #SB2

— Equality NC (@equalitync) February 24, 2015

Newton uses "not water boarding" as a metaphor for how magistrates won't be asked to define their beliefs under #SB2. Water boarding. #ncga

— Equality NC (@equalitync) February 24, 2015

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American Progressive Post Truth via cartoon

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NC NAACP Responds to the Disturbing Repeal of the Racial Justice Act

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

21 June 2013

Contact:         Rev. Dr. William J. Barber, President, 919-394-8137

          Mrs. Amina J. Turner, Executive Director, 919-682-4700

          Atty. Jamie Phillips Cole, Public Policy Coordinator, 919-682-4700

On Juneteenth Holiday

June 19, 1865--or Juneteenth--is celebrated around the world as the day of liberation for millions of enslaved African Americans in the southern states.  Although all enslaved people in the southern states that were still engaged in an open rebellion against the United States had been declared free in January 1, 1863, in most of the states there were not enough U.S. military forces to enforce the end of slavery.  When the U.S. Navy fleet sailed into the Galveston Harbor in Texas, however, with sufficient U.S. military forces to back up his words of freedom, U.S. General Gordon Granger read U.S. Army General Order #3: "The people of Texas are informed that in accordance with a Proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and free laborer."

"Gov. Patrick McCrory picked Juneteenth--of all the days in the year, --to reinstate North Carolina's proven race-based system of death, to sign an unconstitutional and flawed law that repeals North Carolina's nationally-acclaimed Racial Justice Act, " said Rev. Dr. William J. Barber, II, President of the NC State Conference of over 100 adult and youth branches across the state.  "The extremists who racially gerrymandered themselves into power with obscene donations from Art Pope and national secret political societies have now placed their approval on the proven racist system of death in our courthouses.  The Racial Justice Act - which raised the window and turned on the lights on the racism in death penalty cases, was a major step in our efforts to carry out General Order #3, and to achieve "absolute equality of rights" between former masters and slaves."

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NCGA changes the eligibility criteria for free Pre-K

House approved a change to the eligibility criteria for its free Pre-K program on Tuesday, potentially cutting the number of children served in half, reports WRAL:

Under current law, a 4-year-old is considered at-risk and eligible for the program if his or her family makes less than 75 percent of the state’s median wage, or about $39,000 a year for a family of three. Children are also eligible if they have an active-duty military parent, limited English proficiency, developmental problems or chronic illness. […]

The proposal would reduce the family income threshold to the federal poverty level, about $19,500 for a family of three. Children with limited English proficiency or chronic illness also would no longer be automatically eligible.

that means more than 60,000 children are currently eligible under present guidelines, this change would cut that number by 31,000. Why our neighbor SC moves to expand access for their low-income programs for children.

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NCGA Freshman Brian Brown thinks Education is only for select few..

From the Young Democrats of Pitt County, a very interesting press release,

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Uriah Ward

Phone: 252-565-2038                                                                    

Email: UriahWard@yahoo.com

BRIAN BROWN INTRODUCES VOUCHERS BILL

NC House member Brian Brown is one of the primary sponsors of House Bill 944, which was filed on April 16^th. The bill would go into effect for the 2013-2014 school year and would cost 40 million ($40,000,000) in its first year and 50 million ($50,000,000) in its second year. The bill would provide scholarships to select applicants so they can attend private schools.

The full text of the bill can be found here: http://ncleg.net/Sessions/2013/Bills/House/HTML/H944v0.html

Uriah Ward,President of the Young Democrats of Pitt County, responded to the introduction of H944: “At the core of public education is the idea that every single child has the right to be given the tools they need to succeed in life. It is not a select few that are owed that opportunity, it is everyone. Pitt County, the old home of East Carolina Teacher’s College, is the embodiment of that sentiment and this county deserves representation that stands alongside it in that ideal.

“I would never claim that our education system is totally adequate, but instead of attempting to address our problems as a state and as a county Brown has elected to provide a solution that only addresses the needs of a select few.  When I look at public education I don’t see something we need to save our children from, I see something we can save them with. If you don’t think public education is doing our children service, then let’s work together to fix it so that all of our children can get the education they deserve.”

 

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House Republican’s Propose To End 40 Hour Work Week Law

House Republican’s Propose To End 40 Hour Work Week Law

House Republicans have introduced a bill that would end the 40-hour work week, dismantling an important component of the Federal Labor Standards Act (FLSA) of 1938 and hurting middle-class families across the country.

Sponsored by Rep. Martha Roby (AL), the dubiously-titled “Working Families Flexibility Act” (H.R. 1406) would remove the requirement that employers pay a cash premium for overtime work and instead allow them to offer employees compensatory time off. The effect would be an FLSA that is undermined of its only incentive against excessive hours and a cheaper way for employers to demand mandatory overtime.

Eileen Appelbaum, a senior economist with the Center for Economic Policy and Research, says the bill’s major effect would be to hurt workers, “likely increasing overtime hours for those who don’t want them and cutting pay for those who do.”

IAM International President Tom Buffenbarger wrote a letter to Congress encouraging them to vote against the bill.

“Employers can already work within the existing laws to allow workers adjusting work schedules around family needs without changing the 40-hour workweek,” Buffenbarger wrote. “‘Comp time’ proposals let the employer decide whether workers can use any accrued compensatory time. Additionally, nothing would prevent the employer from forcing workers to take time off individually or limiting whether workers can use the compensatory time at all if it is too burdensome to the work-load.”

The bill was referred to committee and could come to a vote in the House as early as next week.

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The GOP at NCGA wants gifts aka bribes

Raleigh, N.C. — A veteran Republican House lawmaker has filed a proposal to allow lobbyists to once again give unreported gifts to state lawmakers in North Carolina.

House Bill 640, filed by Rep. Robert Brawley, R-Iredell, would roll back many of the ethics reforms passed by state lawmakers in the wake of the House Speaker Jim Black scandal of 2006. 

This only proves how corrupt the NCGA Republicans are.. Now they want gifts and money from lobbyist to pass bill that lobbyist employers aka Corporations, to make laws that favor them..

I guess need money for another house, maybe a car, or a vacation.. Just as long he doesn’t have to spend his money..

Brawley also said in his message that the gift ban and other ethics laws pertaining to lawmakers and lobbyists "are an impediment to meeting and exchanging ideas and information." 

No Brawley, the law is to make sure someone doesn’t buy laws to favor them.. you jack ass.

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House Bill 589 Requiring Voter Photo ID is a Disguised Poll Tax

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

11 April 2013

For More Information:        Rev. Dr. William J. Barber, President, 919-394-8137

      Mrs. Amina J. Turner, Executive Director, 919-682-4700

      Atty. Jamie Phillips, Public Policy Coordinator, 919-682-4700

 

A new tax is headed to North Carolina if House Bill 589 is passed next week.  Under the bill, voters will be required to pay for a photo ID before voting. The bill claims to provide free photo IDs and birth certificates to those who sign a statement swearing - under penalty of perjury - that paying a fee would present a financial hardship.  Nowhere in the bill is "financial hardship" defined, leaving it up to an arbitrary determination by those distributing the IDs. A penalty of perjury for not actually being "poor" is a slippery slope.  Ultimately, no voter should pay a poll tax or have to pay anything to exercise their right to vote - rich or poor! A poll tax is a poll tax even if you can afford it. Poll taxes are a violation of the 14^th, 15^th, and 24^th Amendments of the U.S. Constitution and Article I, Section 10 of the NC Constitution which says "All elections shall be free."

House Bill 589 will also disadvantage many students, treating students attending public universities different than students attending private universities, i.e. Shaw University and Wake Forest University.  This is because only state issued IDs are acceptable forms of voter ID, therefore private school IDs are not acceptable and those students will have to purchase an ID. Furthermore, they could not provide universally free photo IDs even if they so desired. The provision to provide free birth certificates and marriage licenses would not cover people who were born or married outside the state. For example, someone without a birth certificate from New York state would have to pay $45 to get one, which would be necessary for some people to get an acceptable photo ID. The law still cannot address the long waits, travel time and hassle that will deter others from getting this ID and voting. The ill-conceived bill will cost the state money that should have been used to expand Medicaid, fund public schools or help maintain unemployment insurance for the 170,000 laid off workers in our state.  

###

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No Bill to Declare a Religion for NC, Its Dead for now.

The GOP-sponsored bill to declare Christianity as the official state religion of North Carolina has died and will not be resurrected.

North Carolina House Speaker Thom Tillis' office said Thursday that a resolution asserting North Carolina has the power to set an official state religion is dead, and won't go any further. The bill's primary sponsors were Reps. Harry Warren and Carl Ford, a tea party member. Eleven other legislators signed the resolution. Legislators introduce hundreds or even thousands of resolutions every year, honoring constituents or declaring their stances on issues, but they carry little legal weight.

From Twitter,

N.C. Rep. Harry Warren calls religious resolution 'poorly written,' apologizes for embarrassment bit.ly/ZCygxq #ncpol #ncga

— Nathan Hardin (@rowanpol) April 4, 2013

SALISBURY — N.C. Rep. Harry Warren (R-Salisbury) said today he regrets any embarrassment caused by a religious resolution that swept Rowan County into a national firestorm earlier this week.

Warren said the resolution — which was effectively killed in its first committee hearing today — was intended only to support Rowan County commissioners in their sectarian prayer lawsuit.

I love this part,

Warren said part of the misunderstanding was that North Carolina residents, as well as the national media, called the resolution a “bill” and ignited the possibility that established religion could become law.

“I was truly amazed at how viral this thing went,” Warren said, noting he had a message from a British Broadcasting Corporation correspondent this afternoon.

“Even more appalling was that ... our news media, nationally, absolutely refused — or failed to investigate — something that they were reporting on,” he said.

so he was only embarrassed after the BBC called and ask for a statement or comment. I guess he didn’t want to look like a clown on their American BBC News..

You know he does kind of look like clown without the makeup..

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Just How Stupid is Justin Burr, Jeff Collins, Mike Stone and Mike Hager???

From Progress North Carolina Facebook page

Only a bail bondsman (Justin Burr) and failed real estate developer (Mike Hager) could come up with a bill this stupid: eliminating the requirement that district court judges be lawyers. But don't waste your time telling these two yahoos what you think. We suggest going straight to their boss and letting him know that this bill may well be the dumbest idea proposed yet: Thom Tillis, Speaker of the NC House 919-733-3451 - or - Thom.Tillis@ncleg.net. Please Like and Share. The bill's sponsors deserve to be soundly embarrassed for even thinking this idea was in any way acceptable. For more on the bill see: http://bit.ly/YqNfhK

 

House Bill 397 Filed by the ever stupid Burr, Collins, Stone, Hagan, filed on 3.20.2013 its has passed the 1st reading..

What the hell is going on down at the NCGA, I think its time to start drug testing these folks.. and new background checks..

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NCGA Great Nipple ban of 2013

Yes there is a bill in the NCGA to ban all public display of a woman’s Nipple.

so why are the female nipple to be banned,

While the men can show off theirs anytime they like.

why are the men of NCGA afraid of the nipples of women??

 

The thing about House Bill 34, however, is that it will only apply to the nipples of women, and women will be the only ones facing a Class H felony — that’s right, felony — if taking their top off is construed as intended to sexually gratify their audience.

First off, women’s breasts are not sex organs. Period. Scientifically, biblically, biologically and legally, they produce milk for misguided legislators and all their constituents as babies. Consult your textbooks and your Bibles — that’s what they’re there for.

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(VAWA) Violence Against Women Act,will it pass this time

Via Kay Hagan she hopes that the bipartisan Law will pass.

I still wonder why it wasn’t passed last year when It was about to expire?

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NCGA Senate Bills filed on 1/30/2013

Senate

 

S3	Western Crime Lab Funds/Amend Evidence Laws.	S	01/30/2013	Filed
S4 (= H16)	No N.C. Exchange/No Medicaid Expansion.	S	01/30/2013	Filed
S5	Rev Laws Technical, Clarifying, & Admin. Chg.	S	01/30/2013	Filed
S6	UI Fund Solvency & Program Changes.	S	01/30/2013	Filed
S7	Honor Don East.	S	01/30/2013	Filed
S8	Increase Fine for Vehicle Removal.	S	01/30/2013	Filed
S9	Utilities/Design/Survey Location Services.	S	01/30/2013	Filed
S10	Eliminate Obsolete Boards and Commissions.	S	01/30/2013	Filed
S11	Establish Organ Donation Month.	S	01/30/2013	Filed
S12	Appoint Superintendent of Public Instruction.	S	01/30/2013	Filed
S13	Propane Gas Tax Equalization Act.	S	01/30/2013	Filed
S14	Increase Access To Career/Technical Ed.	S	01/30/2013	Filed
S15	Honor Jean Preston.	S	01/30/2013	Filed
S16	Revoke License for Passing Stopped School Bus.	S	01/30/2013	Filed
S17	Concealed Carry Permits/Validity.	S	01/30/2013	Filed
S18	Amend Locksmith License Act/Raise Fee Ceiling.	S	01/30/2013	Filed
S19	Bldg. Contracts/Local Business Participation.	S	01/30/2013	Filed
S20	Good Samaritan Law/Naloxone Access.	S	01/30/2013	Filed
S21	Permanent License Plates for Churches.	S	01/30/2013	Filed
S22	33rd Senatorial District Local Act-1.	S	01/30/2013	Filed
S23	Tobacco Free Community Colleges.	S	01/30/2013	Filed

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NCGA House Bills filed on 1/30/2012

House Bills

H2	Honor Representative William L. Wainwright.	H	01/30/2013	Filed
H3	Honor Representative Larry R. Brown.	H	01/30/2013	Filed
H4	UI Fund Solvency & Program Changes.	H	01/30/2013	Filed
H5	Temporary Funding Extension for Group Homes.	H	01/30/2013	Filed
H6	NC Right to Work/Secret Ballot Amendments.	H	01/30/2013	Filed
H7	Eugenics Compensation Program.	H	01/30/2013	Filed
H8	Eminent Domain.	H	01/30/2013	Filed
H9	Speaker/Pro Tem Term Limits.	H	01/30/2013	Filed
H10	Remove Route Restriction for NC 540 Loop.	H	01/30/2013	Filed
H11	Special Election Dates.	H	01/30/2013	Filed
H12	Increase Retirement Age for Judges.	H	01/30/2013	Filed
H13	State Agency Property Use/Biennial Report.	H	01/30/2013	Filed
H14	Rev Laws Technical, Clarifying, & Admin. Chg.	H	01/30/2013	Filed
H15	Various Emergency Management Changes.	H	01/30/2013	Filed
H16 (= S4)	No N.C. Exchange/No Medicaid Expansion.	H	01/30/2013	Filed
H17	Gun Permits/Restaurants & Confidentiality.	H	01/30/2013	Filed
H18	Youth Skin Cancer Prevention Act.	H	01/30/2013	Filed
H19	Respect our Fallen Heroes.	H	01/30/2013	Filed
H20	Jt Session/State Bd of Ed Confirmation.	H	01/30/2013	Filed
H21	Joint Session/State Bd of Ed Confirmation.	H	01/30/2013	Filed
H22	Authorize Various Special Plates.	H	01/30/2013	Filed
H23	Digital Learning Competencies/School Emp’ees.	H	01/30/2013	Filed
H24	DV Abuser Treatment Program/Notifications.	H	01/30/2013	Filed
H25	Amend Felony Breaking or Entering.	H	01/30/2013	Filed
H26	Strengthen Laws/Vehicle Theft.	H	01/30/2013	Filed
H27	Workers’ Comp Fund/Safety Workers Allocation.	H	01/30/2013	Filed
H28	Henderson County Fire Districts.	H	01/30/2013	Filed
H29	Methamphetamine/Offense/Penalties.	H	01/30/2013	Filed
H30	Repeal Combined M.V. Registration/Tax System.	H	01/30/2013	Filed

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NCGA Bills rules

Under NC House rules, bills with "no substantive provisions" may not be introduced. Legislators are also limited to introducing 10 bills.
http://twitter.com/UriahWard/status/290927913535160321

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New Jersey might follow California ban on "ex-gay" therapy for minors

New Jersey Assemblyman Tim Eustace says he will introduce a bill similar to California's ban on "ex-gay" therapy for minors.

"I see it as a form of child abuse," Eustace said. Being gay "is not an illness, so what are they fixing?" "Conversion" or "reparative" therapy has been discredited by all major mental health organizations, according to the American Psychological Association. Since parents may force their children to undergo the therapy, the state should protect them, Eustace said. The bills will face stiff resistance from the New Jersey Family Policy Council, a group that opposes gay marriage. Government should not interfere with parental decisions, said the group's founder and president, Len Deo. "The American Psychological Association has been very 'progressive' in their viewpoints. I would say there are thousands who have have utilized this therapy that have left the gay lifestyle," he said. "Assemblyman Eustace now becomes the parental authority for all . . . kids? Give me a break," Deo added. "A kid can't get a tattoo in New Jersey without a parent's consent. To take the flip side on this and take away the right of the parents on this issue is ludicrous."

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Did Susi H Hamilton sell out the clean water, for a $60 million film tax credit for her area?????

That came as a surprise to Hamilton's seatmate, Rep. Pricey Harrison, D- Guilford, who authored the letter and put Hamilton's name on it. She described the situation as "uncomfortable," but took issue with Hamilton's characterization.

Harrison said Hamilton knew what the letter entailed before she volunteered to sign it. Even after a copy of it was sent to Hamilton's office, Harrison said, Hamilton never voiced concerns about it until Monday.

That's when a $60 million film tax credit, widely considered dead for the session, suddenly re-emerged. The credit, a one-year extension of a refundable credit set to expire at the end of 2013, could help Hamilton's district attract the sequel to "Captain America." The production company has been looking at Wilmington as a potential filming location.

House lawmakers called a special Finance Committee meeting at 10:30 p.m. Monday to insert the tax credit into a bill dedicated to fixing technical problems in state law.

Shortly after that, Hamilton voted for the fracking override. And shortly after that, the bill containing the tax credit was approved.

Hamilton said today there was no connection between the the film tax credit and her apparent change of heart on the fracking bill. She made no apologies for supporting the tax credit championed by fellow New Hanover Rep. Danny McComas.

just who the hell does she think she is kidding? She sold her veto vote for money.. that will benefit her area, while the future of fresh water from wells and stream are now at risk..

So Ms “sold out fresh water” Hamilton was it worth?? In the future when communities water sources become undrinkable I hope the citizens of those area will hunt you down and force you to drink the water that you sold out for a damn film tax credit..

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