Economy

Sen. Richard Burr Sold a Fortune in Stocks as G.O.P. Played Down Coronavirus Threat

By Alanna Joyner / March 23, 2020 / Comments Off on Sen. Richard Burr Sold a Fortune in Stocks as G.O.P. Played Down Coronavirus Threat

In mid-February, North Carolina Senator Richard Burr, sold almost $1.7 million in stocks, including hotels chains, after receiving daily classified information from the Senate Intelligence Committee briefings that confirmed COVID-19’s impending threat to the United States.  Around the same time, Burr was reassuring Americans about the coronavirus crisis while he disclosed the virus’ economic impact…

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NC United for Survival & Beyond calls for needed protection of vulnerable populations during the outbreak

By Alanna Joyner / March 20, 2020 / Comments Off on NC United for Survival & Beyond calls for needed protection of vulnerable populations during the outbreak

Yesterday, 10 demands were expressed during a press conference hosted by over 60 North Carolina organizations in a coalition effort to address needed protection for vulnerable communities during the COVID-19 outbreak.  North Carolina’s Governor Roy Cooper and the General Assembly, were called out to prioritize the health and safety of NC families, workers, uninsured immigrants,…

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The time to fix NC’s broken unemployment insurance system is right now

By Alanna Joyner / March 20, 2020 / Comments Off on The time to fix NC’s broken unemployment insurance system is right now

North Carolina’s Former Gov. Pat McCroy passed unemployment insurance reforms in 2013  with an objective to reduce unemployment taxes on businesses. Seven years later, the reforms have done little.McCroy’s House Bill 4 cut the eligibility and benefits for all unemployed workers, leaving thousands of workers without financial assistance over the years. As the coronavirus outbreak…

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Need food during your coronavirus quarantine? NC farmers want to provide it.

By Alanna Joyner / March 18, 2020 / Comments Off on Need food during your coronavirus quarantine? NC farmers want to provide it.

North Carolina farmers in several counties across the state are providing communities with access to fresh produce in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak. With over 230 farmers markets and roadside stands in North Carolina, residents will be able to get local fresh food in their communities, rather than at grocery stores.  From North Carolina…

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Seven years later, the GOP’s unemployment reforms still haunt NC

By Alanna Joyner / February 24, 2020 / Comments Off on Seven years later, the GOP’s unemployment reforms still haunt NC

On Tuesday, the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee, composed mostly of Republican lawmakers, met on the subject of Unemployment Insurance.Lawmakers are reconsidering a 2013 reform called the “Carolina Comeback”,  backed by Pat McCrory and the GOP, that was an initiative to reduce unemployment taxes on businesses., but seven years later has seemingly failed to return job…

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Duke Energy still seeks rate hikes even as profits are up

By Alanna Joyner / February 18, 2020 / Comments Off on Duke Energy still seeks rate hikes even as profits are up

Duke Energy turned a profit of $660 million for the last three months of 2019, up 42% from a year ago. This comes after Duke Energy’s proposed rate hike request to raise over $123 MILLION on the backs of rate-payers to pay for their toxic coal ash clean up.  From WFAE: Duke CEO Lynn Good…

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NC Policy Watch: Duke Energy says it will fully excavate coal ash from unlined ponds, but that won’t fix the legacy of contamination

By Alanna Joyner / February 11, 2020 / Comments Off on NC Policy Watch: Duke Energy says it will fully excavate coal ash from unlined ponds, but that won’t fix the legacy of contamination

For the next two weeks, the NC Department of Environmental Quality is hosting six coal ash cleanup public meetings across North Carolina. Duke Energy’s closure plans for the ash basins at the remaining six plants in North Carolina will be up for discussion in Person, Wayne, Chatham and Robeson counties. Monday kicked off the first…

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Trump Touts Economy, Blasts ‘Failed Impeachment Hoax’ In Charlotte Speech

By Alanna Joyner / February 10, 2020 / Comments Off on Trump Touts Economy, Blasts ‘Failed Impeachment Hoax’ In Charlotte Speech

On the heels of the impeachment acquittal, Trump visited Charlotte’s Central Piedmont Community College for the North Carolina Opportunity Now Summit. With no surprise, Trump commented on his impeachment trial, claiming it was an “impeachment hoax” and gave special praise to North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis for choosing party over country, as he voted not…

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Emotions run high at a public hearing over Duke Energy rate hike request

By Alanna Joyner / February 3, 2020 / Comments Off on Emotions run high at a public hearing over Duke Energy rate hike request

Last Friday marked the first of several public hearings in Alamance County over the potential Duke Energy rate hike request. Numerous residents spoke out against the rate increase — emphasizing the financial hardships that Duke Energy’s rate increase would cause. If Duke has its way, ratepayers’ bills would go up by 6.8 percent — essentially…

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As NC Utilities Commission Holds Public Hearing in Charlotte TONIGHT on Duke Energy’s Rate Hike Request, State Lawmakers Must Return to Raleigh to Pass Legislation to Ban “Coal Ash Rate Hikes”

By Eleanore Wood / January 30, 2020 / Comments Off on As NC Utilities Commission Holds Public Hearing in Charlotte TONIGHT on Duke Energy’s Rate Hike Request, State Lawmakers Must Return to Raleigh to Pass Legislation to Ban “Coal Ash Rate Hikes”

So far, the GOP-controlled state legislature has sided with Wall Street shareholders of the Duke Energy power monopoly and utterly failed to protect ratepayers from Duke’s mammoth coal ash clean up costs. CHARLOTTE – As the North Carolina Utilities Commission will tonight hold a hearing at the Mecklenburg Co. Courthouse at 7 pm in Charlotte to…

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