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The Progressive Pulse: NC Democrats push for common sense voting reforms

By Alanna Joyner / April 12, 2021 / Comments Off on The Progressive Pulse: NC Democrats push for common sense voting reforms

With more than 360 bills introduced in 47 states across the country, many of which mirror the worst of Georgia’s Senate Bill 202, our right to vote hangs in the balance. In North Carolina, the Republican-backed Senate Bills 326 and 377 are their own versions of Georgia’s Jim Crow-era voter suppression laws.  Through House Bill…

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N.C. Policy Watch: Despite a federal stay on evictions, landlords are ousting their tenants

By Alanna Joyner / April 7, 2021 / Comments Off on N.C. Policy Watch: Despite a federal stay on evictions, landlords are ousting their tenants

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, North Carolinians across the state continue to struggle with paying rent and getting rental assistance, all while staying afloat.  The latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) federal eviction moratorium and the state’s residential eviction moratorium extensions through June 30th has given many North Carolinians much needed…

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N.C. Policy Watch: New national report: NC among states at “extreme risk” of gerrymandering

By Alanna Joyner / April 6, 2021 / Comments Off on N.C. Policy Watch: New national report: NC among states at “extreme risk” of gerrymandering

According to a new report from the nonpartisan nonprofit, Represent Us, North Carolina is one of several states at “extreme risk” for political gerrymandering.  In total, the report finds that 35 states have an extreme or high threat of gerrymandering — that’s over 188 million Americans or 70 percent of the nation facing potential voter…

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WRAL: Five years later, Democratic lawmakers still fighting to erase HB2, promote LGBT rights

By Alanna Joyner / April 5, 2021 / Comments Off on WRAL: Five years later, Democratic lawmakers still fighting to erase HB2, promote LGBT rights

Last week, Democrats in the North Carolina General Assembly introduced four bills that would protect LGBTQ North Carolinians from discrimination, violence, and harassment. The ground-breaking package of LGBTQ-inclusive bills, called the Equality for All Act, establishes statewide nondiscrimination protections, bans on “conversion therapy” and the “gay/trans panic” defense, and a full repeal of HB142. From…

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Patsy Takemoto Mink: First Woman of Color in Congress

By Alanna Joyner / March 24, 2021 / Comments Off on Patsy Takemoto Mink: First Woman of Color in Congress

In honor of Women’s History Month, Progress NC Action is highlighting women who have fostered change, encouraged debate and have transformed our state through their contributions to arts, sciences, politics, etc. Similar to the women highlighted in previous blog posts, Patsy Takemoto Mink was no stranger to firsts. Mink was the first woman of color…

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The federal pandemic relief bill contains a big carrot to expand Medicaid. Will North Carolina bite?

By Alanna Joyner / March 23, 2021 / Comments Off on The federal pandemic relief bill contains a big carrot to expand Medicaid. Will North Carolina bite?

Today marks the 11th anniversary of the passage of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) — a law that reformed the health care system and allowed more than 20 million Americans to gain coverage. Although the law passed over a decade ago, North Carolina remains one of the 12 states that have not adopted Medicaid expansion…

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WRAL: N.C. elections officials did a great job in 2020. Provide what’s needed to do even better.

By Alanna Joyner / March 22, 2021 / Comments Off on WRAL: N.C. elections officials did a great job in 2020. Provide what’s needed to do even better.

Amid one of the worst public health crises faced by the state and nation on top of rampant GOP voter suppression tactics, North Carolina set records last November in the number of people eligible to vote, people who cast ballots and saw a drastic increase in voter turnout.  From WRAL: More than 57,000 individuals responded…

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Reverend Dr. Pauli Murray: Civil Rights Activist, Poet and Lawyer

By Alanna Joyner / March 18, 2021 / Comments Off on Reverend Dr. Pauli Murray: Civil Rights Activist, Poet and Lawyer

Durham-based civil rights activist Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray, was the first Black person to earn a doctorate in law from Yale Law School, a founder of the National Organization for Women and the first Black woman to be ordained an Episcopal priest. As a Black, queer, southern woman, Murray fought for racial and gender equality,…

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The Washington Post: How GOP-backed voting measures could create hurdles for tens of millions of voters

By Alanna Joyner / March 17, 2021 / Comments Off on The Washington Post: How GOP-backed voting measures could create hurdles for tens of millions of voters

After a historic voter turnout last year, Republican lawmakers in at least 43 states are considering more than 250 bills that would make it harder to vote, according to the Brennan Center for Justice. In an effort to undermine and disenfranchise voters, the GOP’s national push to enact hundreds of new voting restrictions could strain…

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President Biden signs historic $1.9 trillion Covid-19 relief bill

By Alanna Joyner / March 15, 2021 / Comments Off on President Biden signs historic $1.9 trillion Covid-19 relief bill

President Biden signed a sweeping $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package into law on Thursday, delivering a massive amount of much-needed federal aid for working families, essential workers and individuals who have been impacted by the financial devastation the pandemic has caused.  “This legislation is about giving the backbone of this nation — the essential workers,…

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