Posts

WS Journal: Forsyth County teachers get free supplies to help their classrooms

By Eleanore Wood / August 25, 2017 / Comments Off on WS Journal: Forsyth County teachers get free supplies to help their classrooms

Per student funding for public schools in North Carolina continues to drop even though our economy is recovering. Every year teachers are pressured to purchase more and more of the supplies that used to be provided, things like paper towel and copy paper. This is especially problematic for schools in low income neighborhoods. Teachers are…

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NC Policy Watch: Lawmakers attempt to deflect blame, assail Cooper administration at special GenX hearing

By Eleanore Wood / August 24, 2017 / Comments Off on NC Policy Watch: Lawmakers attempt to deflect blame, assail Cooper administration at special GenX hearing

At a public hearing of the Environmental Review Commission on Wednesday dozens of concerned citizens waited through hours of political posturing to make their comments to lawmakers. While the GOP representatives tried to place blame rather than solve the problem a frustrated public sat waiting.  When finally they were allowed to speak they overwhelmingly demanded funding…

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WRAL: ‘Sham’ maps slammed: Public blasts lawmakers over redistricting

By Eleanore Wood / August 23, 2017 / Comments Off on WRAL: ‘Sham’ maps slammed: Public blasts lawmakers over redistricting

The Republican-led General Assembly gave citizens very little notice, very few locations, and very little space to allow the public to comment on the new proposed maps.  Nevertheless, citizens turned out all over the state by the hundreds to voice their grave concerns about these new maps.  These maps are more of the same undemocratic…

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Star News: Anti-regulatory General Assembly hamstrings water quality checks

By Eleanore Wood / August 22, 2017 / Comments Off on Star News: Anti-regulatory General Assembly hamstrings water quality checks

Republicans in the General Assembly have spent years deregulating our drinking water in North Carolina which has lead to dangerous chemicals like GenX being released into the water supply. Governor Cooper and the Brunswick County Commissioners have asked for 2.6 MILLION in emergency funding to combat the dangerous GenX chemicals that are present in the…

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March For Our Lives to rally in Durham this weekend

By Eleanore Wood / August 20, 2017 / Comments Off on March For Our Lives to rally in Durham this weekend

Federal legislative change takes a long time, but 100 Americans are dying from gun violence every single day. That’s why we must push powerful and influential voices — who do not reside in gerrymandered Congressional districts — to do everything they can to build safer communities with fewer guns.  That’s why gun safety groups March…

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From The News And Observer: Tell the truth on NC school funding

By Eleanore Wood / August 20, 2017 / Comments Off on From The News And Observer: Tell the truth on NC school funding

Teachers and parents this year are spending hundreds of their own money to provide students with the essential supplies they need to learn effectively.  School supply lists continue to grow and this year have basic sanitation supplies added to those lists, items like paper towel, tissues, and even bathroom soap.  Lawmakers in Raleigh are continuing…

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News & Observer: Republicans have made a game out of redistricting

By Eleanore Wood / August 18, 2017 / Comments Off on News & Observer: Republicans have made a game out of redistricting

Republicans in the General Assembly have spent the past few months dragging their feet to draw new fair legislative maps. Their racially gerrymandered maps were unanimously ruled unconstitutional months ago, and they have yet to redraw the maps. After a 3-judge panel told them they have until September 1 to redraw the maps, there has…

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Raleigh News & Observer: He’s the Raleigh man behind the Twitter account outing racists – and ‘I’m not going away’

By Logan Smith / August 15, 2017 / Comments Off on Raleigh News & Observer: He’s the Raleigh man behind the Twitter account outing racists – and ‘I’m not going away’

Logan Smith, Communications Director of Progress NC Action, is the man running the Twitter handle @YesYoureRacist. With the help of his followers, he’s called out several of those who attended the protests in Charlottesville over the weekend.  From Raleigh News & Observer: In the past, Smith’s account has mostly just retweeted people making statements Logan…

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Star News Online: What issues will schools face in 2017-18?

By Eleanore Wood / August 14, 2017 / Comments Off on Star News Online: What issues will schools face in 2017-18?

A new school year, the same problems. The North Carolina General Assembly wants smaller K-3 class sizes, however, they refuse to fund smaller class sizes. This means students in grades 4 and above will experience bigger class sizes in the coming years to accommodate this new law that will be put into effect 2018-2019. Teachers will…

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Raleigh News & Observer: More trailers? Shared classrooms? Schools consider ways to deal with new class-size rules

By Eleanore Wood / August 10, 2017 / Comments Off on Raleigh News & Observer: More trailers? Shared classrooms? Schools consider ways to deal with new class-size rules

After the General Assembly announced they want to cut down on classroom sizes, but aren’t willing to fund hiring more teachers, counties across the state are considering what options they have. The politicians in Raleigh passed a bill that will make K-3 class sizes from 19-21 students whereas K-3 classrooms are currently allowed to have…

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