Democracy

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: 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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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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Burr, Tillis vote against Biden’s massive COVID-19 relief package as it passes Senate

By Alanna Joyner / March 8, 2021 / Comments Off on Burr, Tillis vote against Biden’s massive COVID-19 relief package as it passes Senate

Senate Democrats passed their version of the near $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act on Saturday, but not before making some major changes from the version of the bill passed by the House last week. The bill includes $1,400 stimulus checks for many Americans, extended federal unemployment benefits, billions for K-12 schools, billions for state…

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Former U.S. attorney general calls North Carolina “ground zero” for partisan and racial gerrymandering

By Alanna Joyner / February 23, 2021 / Comments Off on Former U.S. attorney general calls North Carolina “ground zero” for partisan and racial gerrymandering

Last week, former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder slated North Carolina as being the “ground zero for partisan and racial gerrymandering”. From The News & Observer: Expect more redistricting litigation in North Carolina backed by a national Democratic group that Eric Holder leads unless state Republicans accept anti-gerrymandering reforms this year, the former U.S. attorney…

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The News & Observer: On the impeachment vote, one NC senator represented us well

By Alanna Joyner / February 15, 2021 / Comments Off on The News & Observer: On the impeachment vote, one NC senator represented us well

On Saturday, the Senate found Trump not guilty of inciting the Jan. 6 insurrection after a majority of Republicans voted against convicting the former president. Democrats’ needed 17 Republicans to join them in order to reach the two-thirds threshold needed to convict.  Seven senators, including North Carolina Senator Richard Burr, stood with Democrats in upholding…

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Trump’s second impeachment trial starts tomorrow

By Alanna Joyner / February 8, 2021 / Comments Off on Trump’s second impeachment trial starts tomorrow

Trump’s second Senate impeachment trial will start tomorrow — just over a month after the Jan. 6 assault on the U.S. Capitol, in which the House has charged him with inciting. The House will need the support of 17 Republicans to convict Trump.  From CNBC: Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., announced Monday afternoon that…

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In trial vote, Sens. Burr and Tillis put party before country

By Alanna Joyner / February 1, 2021 / Comments Off on In trial vote, Sens. Burr and Tillis put party before country

North Carolina’s two Republican U.S. senators voted last Tuesday against the Senate holding a trial on the impeachment of Trump for “incitement of insurrection,”. According to FiveThirtyEight, Burr and Tillis’ votes should come at no surprise, as both Senators have repeatedly shown loyalty to Trump — voting in accordance to Trump’s position nine out of…

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