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Roasts, Critics and More Populates Lt. Gov. Robinson’s Task Force Submissions

By Alanna Joyner / September 16, 2021 / Comments Off on Roasts, Critics and More Populates Lt. Gov. Robinson’s Task Force Submissions

In March, Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson launched his very own right-wing outrage driven initiative dubbed F.A.C.T.S. (“Fairness and Accountability for Teachers and Students)”. Mirroring the controversial steps taken by Joe McCarthy, Robinson touts the task force’s website as a tool to snuff out indoctrination that is occurring in North Carolina’s classrooms.  As one veteran public…

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Redistricting started in North Carolina. Here’s how to get involved

By Alanna Joyner / September 14, 2021 / Comments Off on Redistricting started in North Carolina. Here’s how to get involved

Last week kicked off the first bout of public hearings on redistricting, which will redefine the boundaries of congressional and legislative districts for the next ten years. Lawmakers are traveling to 13 locations throughout the state, giving North Carolinians a chance to protect their communities’ representation by demanding fair maps. Historically, politicians have manipulated the…

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Comply with the Constitution.’ Judge gives NC a deadline to increase school funding

By Alanna Joyner / September 13, 2021 / Comments Off on Comply with the Constitution.’ Judge gives NC a deadline to increase school funding

A North Carolina judge is giving state lawmakers until mid-October to fully fund a plan for improving public education or else he’ll take direct action. Last week, Superior Court Judge David Lee (Republican) stated that he was “very disheartened” that the proposed budgets of the state House and Senate are funding a small part of…

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Parents shelling out cash to add COVID-19 safety in classrooms while millions in federal funds are unspent

By Alanna Joyner / September 8, 2021 / Comments Off on Parents shelling out cash to add COVID-19 safety in classrooms while millions in federal funds are unspent

After a year of unimaginable challenges for families across our state, parents are filling the void left by Republican legislators in ensuring their students and educators have the adequate resources for success in the new school year.  In the past few weeks, thousands of Wake County moms and dads have dedicated themselves to providing COVID…

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Stop legislative sideshows. Get down to business, address real issues

By Alanna Joyner / September 3, 2021 / Comments Off on Stop legislative sideshows. Get down to business, address real issues

Nearly two months into the new fiscal year, North Carolina Republican legislative leaders are doing what they know best; focusing on divisive side issues while ignoring the real needs of our state. In the past few weeks, Republicans in both chambers have presented budgets that signal business as usual — controversial measures, heavy on tax…

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Ex-lawmaker David Lewis pleads guilty to felonies. Prosecutors recommend no jail time

By Alanna Joyner / August 31, 2021 / Comments Off on Ex-lawmaker David Lewis pleads guilty to felonies. Prosecutors recommend no jail time

Last week, former NC Rep. David Lewis, became the state’s latest prominent Republican to become a convicted felon.  Lewis, who funneled campaign dollars to his family farm, pleaded guilty to making false statements to a bank and for failing to file a 2018 federal tax return. Lewis will be sentenced at a later date, but…

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Republican Leaders Needs to Promote Investments In Education, Not Division

By Alanna Joyner / August 27, 2021 / Comments Off on Republican Leaders Needs to Promote Investments In Education, Not Division

For more than two decades, North Carolina has systematically violated the constitutional rights of its children by failing to provide a sound basic education as enshrined in the infamous state Supreme Court ruling in Leandro v. State. In the latest state Senate and House budgets, lawmakers have continued their streak in failing to meet the…

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Questions Surrounding Transparency from F.A.C.T.S. Task Force Group

By Alanna Joyner / August 23, 2021 / Comments Off on Questions Surrounding Transparency from F.A.C.T.S. Task Force Group

Mirroring the well-funded, coordinated effort by the GOP across our country, in recent months top North Carolina Republicans have focused on racialized fearmongering to distract from their continued effort to underfund K-12 public education and the state’s university system. Most notably, one cog within the manufactured crisis comes from North Carolina’s Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson’s…

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In the Case of Justice Phil Berger Jr., North Carolina Judges Must Be Impartial

By Alanna Joyner / August 18, 2021 / Comments Off on In the Case of Justice Phil Berger Jr., North Carolina Judges Must Be Impartial

NAACP and SELC (Southern Environmental Law Center) have asked State Supreme Court Justices Phil Berger Jr and Tamara Barringer to recuse themselves from their lawsuit that contests the 2018 constitutional amendments on Voter ID and the income tax cap. Both groups have asked Justice Berger Jr. to remove himself from ruling on the lawsuit due…

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House budget writers adopt the extreme view that NC constitution is optional

By Alanna Joyner / August 16, 2021 / Comments Off on House budget writers adopt the extreme view that NC constitution is optional

Last week, the Republican-led state House unveiled it’s 600+ page budget that falls short of truly investing in North Carolina. House lawmakers voted 72 to 41 on Thursday to give final approval to their $25.7 billion budget plan that prioritizes tax cuts for corporations and the wealthy while ignoring the needs in education, public health…

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