On Monday, state Rep. Chris Humphrey filed House Bill 209: Consumer Credit Card Protection Act. This legislation prohibits certain businesses, state agencies, and local governments from imposing an extra charge for payments by credit or debit card.
Thomas Mills: The lastest victim of Wokism
The creator of the comic strip “Dilbert” went on a racist rant last week and now hundreds of newspapers across the country have dropped the cartoon. Scott Adams, who posted his screed on his YouTube channel, called Black people “a hate group” and told White people to stay away from them. Of course Adams will complain that he’s being canceled. This time, he’s probably right.
John Hood: Get off the voter ID merry-go-round
North Carolinians want their election laws to include a photo ID requirement. They’ve made this clear many times. In 2018, a large majority of voters chose to add such a requirement to the state constitution.
Thomas Mills: An Inhospitable working environment
I grew up the son of a state employee. My father served as a district court and superior court judge. In exchange, he received a steady salary, good health insurance, and a generous pension program. He could have made more money in the private sector as an attorney, but the benefits helped offset the difference and made the job a bit more attractive.
NC Legislative Leaders File Motion to Intervene in Abortion Lawsuit
The legislative leaders filed a motion to intervene in Bryant v. Stein to defend the state's pro-life laws following Attorney General Josh Stein's refusal to represent the state. Senate Leader Phil Berger (R-Rockingham) and House Speaker Tim Moore (R-Cleveland) released the following joint statement:
John Hood: Yes, they'll waste our money again
We will probably never know how much of our money was squandered during the pandemic by reckless politicians. But here are two damning numbers to start with: $400 billion and $855,000 per job year.
Senator Perry files NC REACH Act
Senator Jim Perry, (R- Craven, Beaufort, Lenoir) Majority Whip of the North Carolina Senate, is a primary sponsor of legislation to require three hours of instruction in American History or American Government for graduation from the Universities in the UNC System and North Carolina Community Colleges.
Tillis, Budd Introduce Legislation to Uphold Congressional Promise on Lumbee Recognition
In 1956, Congress passed legislation recognizing the Lumbee tribe, but the bill included an unfair caveat that denied the Lumbee benefits that every other federally-recognized tribe receives.
Tillis Announces $13.4 Million Grant to Repair Boiling Spring Lakes Dam
U.S. Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) announced the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is awarding the City of Boiling Spring Lakes $13.4 million in federal funding for necessary dam repairs from Hurricane Florence in 2018.
NC House Speaker Proposes Congressional Term Limits in U.S. Constitution
This week, North Carolina House Speaker Tim Moore introduced House Joint Resolution 151, which proposes adding Congressional term limits to the U.S. Constitution. The proposal is co-sponsored by Representatives Lowery, Fontenot, Chesser, and Moss.
Senator Ted Budd Receives Commerce Subcommittee Assignments for 118th Congress
Senator Ted Budd (R-NC) received his subcommittee assignments for the Senate Commerce Committee for the 118th Congress.
John Hood: Broyhill Helped Build the Modern GOP
As the founder of one of North Carolina’s largest companies, James Edgar Broyhill helped build high-quality, durable furniture. His son James Thomas Broyhill, who died February 18 at the age of 95, helped build something just as lasting: the North Carolina Republican Party.
Governor’s virtual meeting to support mental health on campuses
Readout from Governor’s Virtual Meeting with State Health Officials, UNC System Leaders, Chancellors on Efforts to Support Mental Health on Campuses
Thomas Mills: The lies that threaten us
The Dominion lawsuit against Fox News is exposing the lies of the so-called news organization. Filings reveal emails showing Fox News personalities like Tucker Carlson and Sean Hannity knew election conspiracies were bunk, but they kept reporting them. Hell, they’re still reporting them. Carlson worries that Trump will destroy him if he doesn’t repeat what he knows are lies.
Newby Appoints new Director of the NC Administrative Office of the Courts
Chief Justice Paul Newby has appointed Deputy Director Ryan S. Boyce as director of the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts (NCAOC), effective April 4.
Governor Cooper Announces Nomination of Special Superior Court Judge
Governor Roy Cooper announced the nomination of the Honorable Edwin G. Wilson, Jr. to serve as Special Superior Court Judge. He has been nominated to serve as a Special Superior Court Judge to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of the Honorable Athena Fox Brooks on December 31, 2022.
Governor Cooper Announces 14 Grants to Attract 262 New Jobs and $31.5 Million in Private Investment to Rural Communities
The North Carolina Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA) has approved 14 grant requests to local governments totaling $6,644,500, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The requests include commitments to create a total of 324 jobs, 62 of which were previously announced. The public investment in these projects will attract more than $31.5 million in private investment.
Second Amendment Protections Approved by N.C. Senate
North Carolina Senate Republicans voted to protect and guarantee Second Amendment rights in North Carolina. In doing so, they approved the repeal of the duplicative and arbitrary Jim Crow-era pistol purchase permit and closed a loophole in state law that prevented places of worship that meet on school grounds from allowing parishioners to conceal carry during services.
Governor Cooper Highlights Investments in Clean Water Infrastructure in Edgecombe County
Governor Roy Cooper visited Edgecombe County to highlight water infrastructure grant funding. The Town of Pinetops will receive $7.9 million to replace its water lines, supporting households across the town. Edgecombe County will receive $1.1 million to install a new water main and services for a water line extension that will provide a viable source of water to households at Eagles Road.
Thomas Mills: Wooing Rural Voters
I’m glad to see that the new Chair of the North Carolina Democratic Party is going to put a renewed emphasis on reaching out to rural communities. I was born and raised in Anson County and began my career in politics working in Cleveland and Rutherford Counties in the early 1990s.