Patrick Zarcone

12-week abortion ban passes NC Legislature; Republicans who campaigned as abortion ‘moderates’ voted for ban

By Patrick Zarcone / May 5, 2023 / Comments Off on 12-week abortion ban passes NC Legislature; Republicans who campaigned as abortion ‘moderates’ voted for ban

Senate Bill 20 includes restrictions and requirements aimed at shutting down abortion clinics, makes it harder for a person to get an abortion even before 12 weeks and resurrects previously removed restrictions.

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NC Republicans want to take money out of public schools, spend $550M on private school vouchers

By Patrick Zarcone / May 5, 2023 / Comments Off on NC Republicans want to take money out of public schools, spend $550M on private school vouchers

Senate Bill 406 and House Bill 823 would put more than $400 million toward private school vouchers by the 2025-26 school year and would reach $550.5 million by 2032.

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It’s official: North Carolina’s top hatemonger, Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, is running for governor

By Patrick Zarcone / April 28, 2023 / Comments Off on It’s official: North Carolina’s top hatemonger, Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, is running for governor

Mark Robinson’s extreme views are dangerous for North Carolina. He has threatened violence against the government, actively spreads misinformation, and has built a legacy of hate and division that endangers the lives of North Carolinians.

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NCGOP pushing anti-trans legislation as Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, known for his anti-LGBTQ rants, gets set to announce run for governor

By Patrick Zarcone / April 21, 2023 / Comments Off on NCGOP pushing anti-trans legislation as Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, known for his anti-LGBTQ rants, gets set to announce run for governor

North Carolina’s very own Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, who has made national headlines for his discriminatory rhetoric, is expected to announce that he’s running for governor in 2024 at an event on Saturday.

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Republican bill would take away appointment power from Gov. Roy Cooper

By Patrick Zarcone / April 13, 2023 / Comments Off on Republican bill would take away appointment power from Gov. Roy Cooper

Senate Bill 512 takes parts of nine board and commission appointments held by Cooper, a Democrat, and moves them to the General Assembly where Republicans have a supermajority in both chambers.

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NC Republicans introduce 6 bills targeting trans children

By Patrick Zarcone / April 13, 2023 / Comments Off on NC Republicans introduce 6 bills targeting trans children

North Carolina Republicans are continuing to push the state down the path of right-wing extremism after unveiling an array of anti-trans legislation that targets children over the last week and a half.

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Rep. Tricia Cotham must resign after betraying her constituents, joining NCGOP

By Patrick Zarcone / April 6, 2023 / Comments Off on Rep. Tricia Cotham must resign after betraying her constituents, joining NCGOP

Democrats, advocates and progressive groups are all calling on Rep. Tricia Cotham to resign after betraying her constituents and joining the NCGOP.

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Health care advocates, Democrats celebrate after Gov. Roy Cooper signs Medicaid expansion into law

By Patrick Zarcone / March 31, 2023 / Comments Off on Health care advocates, Democrats celebrate after Gov. Roy Cooper signs Medicaid expansion into law

It took more than a decade of work by advocates and state Democrats, but earlier this week North Carolina became the 40th state to expand Medicaid.

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Gov. Cooper’s budget will raise teacher pay, cut taxes for the middle class, fully fund the Leandro Plan

By Patrick Zarcone / March 24, 2023 / Comments Off on Gov. Cooper’s budget will raise teacher pay, cut taxes for the middle class, fully fund the Leandro Plan

The governor’s budget proposal calls for an average teacher pay raise of 18%, which would make North Carolina’s teacher pay tops in the Southeast, instead of one of the worst.

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NC public schools will continue to be underfunded following the latest state Supreme Court ruling on Leandro

By Patrick Zarcone / March 17, 2023 / Comments Off on NC public schools will continue to be underfunded following the latest state Supreme Court ruling on Leandro

The case involving the state’s school equity plan – known as Leandro – began in 1994 and 29 years later, public schools have yet to be fully funded thanks to Republicans’ efforts to prevent that from happening.

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