Thank you for taking the time to read my most recent updates from Eastern North Carolina and Washington, D.C. As always, it remains a true honor and a privilege to represent you in congress!
All in Politics
Cooper Issues Executive Order directing action to advance environmental justice
RALEIGH: Governor Roy Cooper issued Executive Order No. 292 directing bold action to advance environmental justice. This new Executive Order builds upon Governor Cooper’s Executive Order 246, issued in January of 2022 by reestablishing the Secretary of Environmental Quality’s Environmental Justice and Equity Advisory Board as the Governor’s Environmental Justice Advisory Council.
North Carolina's September Employment Figures Released
Raleigh, N.C. - The state’s seasonally adjusted September 2023 unemployment rate was 3.4 percent, an increase of 0.1 of a percentage point from August’s revised rate. The national rate remained unchanged at 3.8 percent.
Governor Cooper Signs One Bill, Lets One Bill Become Law
RALEIGH: Governor Roy Cooper signed the following bill into law:
John Hood: Republican Polls Split on Mark Robinson
In the latest Civitas Poll, 49% of North Carolinians likely to vote in the Republican primary say they’d pick Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson to be the GOP nominee for governor in 2024. Of the remaining voters, 41% are undecided and the rest support other candidates such as State Treasurer Dale Folwell or former congressman Mark Walker.
Leader Blue and Leader Reives Statement on Redistricting
"Republican leaders unveiled the redistricting maps they have worked on behind closed doors. Democrats are seeing these maps at the same time as the public and the press.
Governor Cooper Statement on Latest GOP Gerrymandering
Governor Roy Cooper issued the following statement on the latest GOP gerrymandering:
Deborah Ross Slams NC Republicans’ Gerrymandered Maps, Announces Reelection Campaign to Represent Wake County
Raleigh, N.C. — Congresswoman Deborah Ross released the following statement on North Carolina Republicans’ extreme, gerrymandered maps. If any of these maps are enacted, she plans to run to continue representing Wake County – the community she has represented for two terms in Congress and served for more than a decade in the General Assembly.
Medicare Cuts Impede Patient Ability to Heal at Home
Recovery following serious illness or injury is a delicate and crucial journey. The familiarity and comfort of one's own home play an immeasurable role in supporting the necessary steps in a patient’s rehabilitation process. Home healthcare is an indispensable service, especially for seniors, a demographic that overwhelmingly prefers returning home after a hospital stay.
Governor Files Lawsuit to Overturn Unconstitutional GOP Elections Board Bill
Governor Roy Cooper sued Republican legislative leaders, saying their changes to the State Board of Elections and county boards of elections clearly violate the separation of powers established in the North Carolina Constitution.
John Hood: Family structure shapes economic outcomes
What’s the matter with kids today? What makes them such noisy, crazy, dirty, lazy loafers? You can talk and talk until your face is blue, but they still just do what they want to do.
Robinson declares North Carolina Solidarity with Israel Week
Lt. Governor Mark Robinson issued a proclamation supporting Israel and declaring North Carolina solidarity with Israel week. In addition to a day of prayer throughout the state. Governor Roy Cooper was in Japan.
North Carolina House Gives Bipartisan Approval to Resolution in Support of Israel
Raleigh, NC – The North Carolina House of Representatives gave bipartisan approval to House Resolution 897, which extends support for the nation of Israel in light of the recent attacks by Hamas on Israeli civilians.
Statements on Successful Veto Overrides
Raleigh, N.C. – The North Carolina Senate successfully overrode five of Gov. Roy Cooper's vetoes. The General Assembly has overridden all 19 of Gov. Cooper's vetoes this year.
WHERE DO THEY STAND: Four Senate Democrats Refused to Sign Senatorial Statement Supporting Israel, Condemning Hamas
Yesterday, 46 members of the North Carolina Senate added their names to a Senatorial Statement supporting Israel and condemning the terrorist attacks perpetrated by Hamas in recent days.
John Hood: State Budget is bigger than reported
RALEIGH — Last month, the North Carolina General Assembly passed a $30 billion state budget for the 2023-24 fiscal year. Gov. Roy Cooper, disappointed with many provisions but keen on the bill’s expansion of Medicaid, allowed the $30 billion budget to become law without his signature.
Governor Cooper Asks Court to Overturn Unconstitutional Legislative Power Grab
RALEIGH: Governor Cooper filed a lawsuit against Republican legislative leaders in Wake County Superior Court, challenging provisions in Senate Bill 512 that clearly violate the separation of powers established in the North Carolina Constitution. Governor Cooper also requested a temporary restraining order to prevent many of the provisions in Senate Bill 512 from going into effect immediately until their constitutionality is resolved.
A toxic combination of the shameless, delusional and opportunistic threatens our democracy
Donald Trump knows he did not win the 2020 presidential election. The man has long displayed a malignant and all-consuming narcissism, but he’s no dummy. Uttering statements and making claims that sound at least plausible to some and that he wishes in his heart were true (but that he knows to be false) has always been his stock-in-trade.
NC’s Growing Spanish-Speaking Community Needs Bilingual Crash Reports
As a personal injury attorney, I often work with Spanish-speaking clients who have been seriously injured in car accidents. Seeking compensation for your injuries is confusing, and this confusion is often exacerbated if you’re not proficient in English.
John Hood: To fix our politics, try conversation
At the start of each North Carolina Leadership Forum, we ask our participants to introduce themselves by telling a story about a person or experience that helped make them who they are today.