Editorial: Cities hemmed in – News & Record (In Response To NC General Assembly On Annexation)

State Senate leader Phil Berger reminded North Carolinians in a press release last week that the legislature has "constitutional authority to establish municipalities and set municipal boundaries."

Then the Senate voted to overturn legally conducted annexations in nine cities and towns. (More)

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Annexation

Perdue’s Budget would aid ECPS – Daily Southerner

RALEIGH — Despite her lame-duck status and a General Assembly controlled by the opposing party, Gov. Bev Perdue’s 2012-2013 budget, unveiled this past week, calls for a net increase of more than $562 million in K-12 school funding over what is currently planned for next year. (More)

Tillis: Second staffer had relationship with lobbyist – WRAL

North Carolina House Speaker Thom Tillis said Tuesday that he has asked a second staff member to resign because the person had inappropriate romantic relationship with a lobbyist.

“What these people are guilty of (is) very bad judgment,” Tillis, R-Mecklenburg, said on a conference call with reporters late Tuesday. (More)

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Republican Speaker Thom Tillis

Charles Thomas, N.C. speaker’s top aide, linked to lobbyist – News & Observer

RALEIGH — The chief of staff to state House Speaker Thom Tillis has been in an intimate relationship with a lobbyist for the North Carolina Home Builders Association, a special interest group that often seeks help from the legislature and provides money to political campaigns across the state.

Charles Thomas, Tillis’ chief of staff, resigned Thursday evening after being questioned about the relationship by The News & Observer. (More)

Media Advisory: NC NAACP Rolls Out Statewide Media Campaign to Expose the Truth About the Discriminatory Amendment One

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 26, 2012   For More Information:           Rev. Dr. William J. Barber, II, President, 919-394-8137                                                 Ms. Amina J. Turner, Executive Director, 919-682-4700   NC NAACP Rolls Out Statewide Media Campaign to Expose the Truth About the Discriminatory Amendment One   This week, in the face of an extreme rightwing attack on minorities and the poor, the North Carolina State Conference of the NAACP is rolling out a major media campaign to make clear the facts and constitutional dangers facing all North Carolinians through the discriminatory Amendment One.               Through ads in African-American newspapers, radio spots across the state, mailers, and robocalls to tens of thousands North Carolina voters, and brochures distributed to over fifty counties through grassroots NAACP branch leadership, the public education campaign is already resonating with everyday North Carolinians.             "The polls and the politicians are asking the wrong questions on this discriminatory amendment, hatched in the backrooms of the extremist, rightwing think-tanks," said Rev. Dr. William J. Barber, II, President of the North Carolina State Conference of the NAACP. "Our message is consistent: A vote on the same sex marriage amendment has nothing to do with your personal and religious opinion on same sex marriage but everything to do with whether or not you believe discrimination should be codified and legalized constitutionally. We should never seek to codify and vote discrimination, hate and division into the very heart and framework of our Constitution."   Dr. Barber continued, "The real insult to the Civil Rights Movement is that the same regressive, ultra-conservative Tea Party type folks suing to overturn the 1965 Voting Rights Act, re-segregating and robbing our public schools of valuable resources, blocking workers’ rights to organize, trying to force us all to get photo ID’s to exercise our right to vote and cut back on the time and opportunities to vote, and attempting to repeal the Racial Justice Act, now somehow think the sons and daughters of the Civil Rights Movement cannot see through their Trojan Horse trick."   Secret documents from the National Organization for Marriage (NOM), recently unsealed by the courts, revealed the real strategy behind this amendment. Their 2009 report reads: ‘The strategic goal of this project is to drive a wedge between gays and blacks – two key Democratic constituencies. Find, equip, energize and connect African American spokespeople for marriage; develop a media campaign around their objections to gay marriage as a civil right; provoke the gay marriage base into responding by denouncing these spokesmen and women as bigots. No politician wants to take up and push an issue that splits the base of his party. Fanning the hostility raised in the wake of Prop 8 is key to raising the costs of pushing gay marriage to its advocates … find attractive young black Democrats to challenge white gay marriage advocates electorally.’"[1]                Dr. Barber said, "On the grassroots level we get a very different response when we cut through the Trojan Horse trick of the Tea Party backed forces and ask ‘Do you think we should tamper with the protections of the 14th Amendment and the Equal Protection Under the Law clause, or Section One of the North Carolina Constitution?’ When we ask ‘Do you believe, especially in the South, we should create a precedent whereby the majority votes on the rights of a minority?’ the sinister divide and conquer rhetoric is torn asunder. When people find out that groups leading the pro-Amendment efforts, like the Family Research Council and the American Family Association, are affiliated with national organizations identified as hate groups by the Southern Poverty Law Center, they are horrified by the deceitful Amendment One. When people find out that the amendment could also negatively impact heterosexual couples, take away domestic violence protections for women, strip legal recognition and protection from unmarried couples and leave families and children with no basic access to healthcare and prescription drug coverage, people overwhelmingly see through the distractions and tricks and say, ‘We won’t be fooled. Not on our watch!’"[2]                The NAACP’s position on any constitutional amendment that limits rights has been consistent for over 20 years, when other campaigns of this kind were proposed. For 103 years the NAACP’s mission has always been to "ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons."  The NC NAACP has always opposed any custom, tradition, practice, law or constitutional amendment that denies any rights, privileges, or opportunities to any person which can legally be extended to others.   The radio spots are available at www.naacpnc.org.   ###   Founded in 1909, the NAACP is the nation’s oldest and largest civil rights organization. Its members throughout the United States and the world are the premier advocates for civil rights in their communities, conducting voter mobilization and monitoring equal opportunity in the public and private sectors.      [1] http://www.huffingtonpost.com/john-becker/nom-documents-race-baiting_b_1382267.html, "Secret NOM Documents Reveal Race-Baiting Strategy," March 27, 2012 [2] Maxine Eichner,et al., "Potential Legal Impact of the Proposed Domestic Legal Union Amendment to the North Carolina Constitution," 1, (2011)   Click to Download Tri-Fold Brochure Click Download NC NAACP Newspaper Ad

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NAACP NC

NEWSLETTER FROM THE OFFICE OF REP. ANGELA R. BRYANT

NORTH CAROLINA GENERAL ASSEMBLY   Representative Angela R. Bryant House of Representatives – District 7   Proudly Representing Halifax and Nash Counties until Jan. 2013 Representing Nash and Franklin Counties – Jan 2013 forward  if re-elected 2012

Volume IV, Issue 6                                                                                                        April 26, 2012

NEWS FROM RALEIGH…   I always welcome your comments, project updates, suggestions, and visits. My office door and electronic door is always open to you!  As always, thank you for your support!    REP. BRYANT REPRESENTING HALIFAX COUNTY UNTIL JAN. 2013; INCUMBENT IN NEW DISTRICT 7 – NASH AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES FOR 2O12 ELECTION/2013 SESSION   As a result of Redistricting Rep. Bryant has filed for re-election in the new District, pairing Nash and Franklin counties.  Halifax county will be paired with Northampton county under this plan, in House District 27.  Representative Bryant will be representing Halifax county until Jan. 2013, the end of this term, while at the same time, making new relationships in Franklin/Nash counties to hopefully be successful in being re-elected by them for the 2013 session.

ROANOKE VALLEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE “2012 BUSINESS WOMAN OF THE YEAR” Mrs. Doris N. Mack, Executive Director Families Supporting Families/Executive Director

Mrs. Mack (center) is pictured with Secretary Linda Carlisle, Department of Cultural Resources and Rep. Angela R. Bryant

AROUND THE DISTRICT & MORE   ·       Swim’s Healing Place shoe drive – “Step to Success Fundraiser” a giving opportunity no financial cost to your organization or business!!! Call 252.972.7946 or 252.266.2291or email: swimintl@hotmail.com for more information. ·       Swim’s Healing Place- Residential Adult Care for Women – Women Helping Women Restore Broken Lives. Call 252.972.7946 or 252.266.2291or email: swimintl@hotmail.com for more information. ·       4th Annual First Media Radio Auction, Sat. April 28th, American Legion Shaw May Post 38, 8:00am. For more information the Roanoke Valley Chamber at 252-537-3513. ·       The Roanoke River Regional Collaborative (RRRC) is hosting its 7th Cultural Awareness Seminar, Saturday, April 28, 2012, from 9:00-2:00pm, at the Tillery Community Center, 321 Community Center Road, Tillery NC. For more information call (252) 826-3017. ·       The Phoenix Historical Society, Inc, The city of Rocky Mount and RMECDC will sponsor the 2012 Harambee Festival, Friday May 4th from 1:30-7:00pm and Sat. May 5th 11:00am -8:00pm at the Booker T. Theatre, 170 E. Thomas St. For more information call 252-442-5178 or visit the website at www.rmecdc.org. ·       Historic Mile Marker Ceremony for Ms. Ella Baker, 1903-1986: Ms. Baker was a civil rights leader.  She organized the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, April 1960, at Shaw University. Sun. June 24 at 2:00pm, Roanoke Chapel Baptist Church, 903 Main Street, Littleton. Mile Marker will be erected on US 1581 NC 903 Main Street and East End Ave of Littleton. For more information call Florine Bell at (252) 537-9843 or Micheal Hill at 919-807-7290. ·       The N.C. Center for Women in Public Service 9th Annual Women in Office Institute, William Peace University Campus, Raleigh. Session I. Thursday, June 28 – Sunday, July 1 and Session II Thursday, July 26 – Saturday, July 28. Applications accepted until April 2, 2012. For more information call 919-832-9996 or visit the website at www.nccwps.org. ·       Freedom School Summer Camp, Peacemakers Family Community Center, 1725 Davis Street, Rocky Mount, Mon. June 18 –Friday, July 27 from 8am – 3pm.  Transportation is available on an as needed basis.  For more information contact Cheri L. Pullen at 252-314-5616.  Application deadline is May 15, 2012. Also visit the website at: http://www.childrensdefense.org/programs-campaigns/freedom-schools/ ·        Proctors needed at all local public schools-Halifax, Weldon, Roanoke Rapids!  Please volunteer. To properly administer the End of Grade tests, all schools must have one testing administrator and one proctor per classroom.   A proctor is responsible for assisting the test administrator in monitoring the students while testing.  They will help hand out supplies like calculators and pencils and assist with any needed breaks.   The proctor does not interact with the students while testing.  The tests are given for several days at the end of May and usually require about 3 hours.  Please help our local schools by calling the school nearest you and volunteering to be a proctor or call Duna Dickinson at 252-519-2612 or sdickinson@rvchamber.com.   THE RURAL CENTER DOES IT AGAIN … AWARDS THREE GRANTS   The NC Rural Center awarded the Town of Weldon a $32,350.00 grant, to support the reuse of an 8,700 sq. feet building.  Southwest Fiberglass Pools, Inc., will reuse the property to establish a distribution facility. The company committed to create three new, full-time jobs with an average annual salary of $16, 640, including benefits.  The grant was awarded from the Building and Reuse and Restoration Program.   The NC Rural Center awarded the City of Roanoke Rapids a $67,500.00 grant, to purchase a camera system for inspecting, maintaining and mapping the city’s utilities. The grant was awarded under the Clean Water Bond Supplemental Grants Program.   The NC Rural Center awarded the Town of Spring Hope a $125,000.0 grant, for the Invitation to NC STEP Community (Planning Phase $25K; Implementation Phase $100K). The grant was awarded under the NC Small Towns Economic Prosperity (NC Step) Demonstration Program. DID YOU KNOW Local and Branch Office Former Offender Specialists, Jim Korth, Former Offender Coordinator – Contact them for assistance.   Former Offender Specialist with Department of Commerce -Employment Security Commission in Nash, Edgecombe, Halifax and Franklin counties:   Roanoke Rapids, Mike Holman, 252-537-4188 (p), 252-535-7943 (f) 1620 East 10th Street   Rocky Mount, Sharon Williams, 252-977-3306 (p), 252-446-2720 (f) 121 S. Fairview Road, Rocky Mount, NC   Tarboro (Rocky Mount) ES Only, 252-823-6742 (p),  252-641-5799 (f) 2009 W. Wilson Street   Louisburg (Henderson) Clarence Barnes (919) 496-6250 (p), (919) 496-7611 (f)   Raise the Age Advocacy Guide Is Here   The 2012 Raise the Age Advocacy Guide is here! This guide will provide you with the tools to take action and to help you make your case to decision-makers! With input from our RTA allies, this guide was created just for YOU! The guide includes:  Raise the Age main message   The Raise the Age myths and facts  How to talk with media How to write a letter to the editor Examples of how to write your legislator A script for calling your legislator Delivering key messages   For more information contact:  Action for Children North Carolina at 919.834-6623 or visit the website at: http://www.ncchild.org/sites/default/files/raise%20the%20age%20advocacy%20guide.pdf.   LEGISLATIVE RECAP   April 2012 — Legislative Research Commission Criminal Record Expunctions Committee Report   The Committee recommends that the General Assembly enact Legislative Proposal I:   AN ACT TO PROVIDE FOR EXPUNCTION OF NONVIOLENT FELONIES OR NONVIOLENT MISDEMEANORS AFTER 15 YEARS FOR PERSONS WHO HAVE HAD NO OTHER CONVICTIONS FOR FELONIES OR MISDEMEANORS OTHER THAN TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS UNDER THE LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES, THIS STATE, OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION.   FYI:  Good Democratic Legislation Introduced In Long Session, That Republican Majority Would Not Take Up.   1.     Save jobs, create jobs and enhance North Carolina’s status as one of the best places to do business H479 Small Business New Job Creation Incentive Creates tax credits for small business job creation. Firms with no more than 50 employees that meet the requirements would be entitled to tax credits based on whether they were in a Tier 1, Tier 2 or Tier 3 county.   H628 Development Ready Jobs Study Directs the Revenue Laws Study Committee to study policies and incentives that can help stimulate the creation of development ready sites to aid in job recruitment and retention   H872 Smart Grid Job Creation and Retention Act Tax credits for research regarding technologies for modern electric grid   H708 Study Water & Sewer Service Providers Directs the Environmental Review Commission to study the reduction and consolidation of the statutory models for establishing, operating and financing certain organizations that provide water and sewer services, a needed part of the state’s business infrastructure.   2.     Protect our education system from cuts that would devastate public education and our children’s future H891 Restore Teacher Assistant Funds – Sponsored by Rep. Angela R. Bryant Restore $200 million to the education budget solely for teacher assistants.   H702 Establish Minimum Wage Worker Scholarship Fund – Co-Sponsored by Rep. Angela R.Bryant Provide college scholarships of up to $12,500 a year for students who have worked long term in minimum wage jobs   H94 Local Flexibility Re: School Calendar Give local school systems flexibility to establish their school calendars   H770 Reduce & Prevent School Discipline Problems – Co-Sponsored by Rep. Angela R. Bryant Amend the school discipline law to reduce, prevent disruptive behaviors, suspensions and expulsions   H247 Enhance Charter School Accountability Bill to eliminate cap on charter schools and to provide enhanced accountability for charter school academic performance   3.     Help our most vulnerable citizens.  We will fight to preserve the critical services needed as our economy recovers.  We will not turn our back on those in our community who are struggling H246 Modify Homestead Property Tax Exclusion Raise homestead exemption for seniors from $25,000 to $35,000   H668 Increase Deduction: Volunteer Rescue Workers Increase income tax deduction for volunteer rescue workers from $250 to $400   H356 Psychological Counseling for Jurors Counseling for jurors exposed to graphic or disturbing evidence   H676 UI/Implement EB Three-Year Look Back Extend federal unemployment benefits to 40,000 residents at no cost to the state   4.     Respect and protect the rights of all North Carolinians H746 Citizen Participation Act- Sponsored by Rep. Angela R. Bryant Act to protect the Constitutional right of citizens to participate in government proceedings   H682 Require Domestic Violence Training/Certain Persons Require domestic violence training for prosecutors; magistrates, mediators, custody evaluators; parenting coordinators; guardians ad litem; public school educators   H729 Reckless Assault of a Child Create the felony offense of reckless assault when someone over the age of 18 causes serious bodily injury to the brain of a child less than 5 years old by shaking the child   H478 Nondiscrimination in State/Employment Amends State Personnel Act to add sexual orientation and gender identity to list of reasons employers cannot discriminate   Other   H189 Require ABC Permittees to Be Tax Compliant Provides that compliance with the state’s tax laws is a condition of holding an ABC permit and that an ABC permit may be revoked for failure to timely file a tax return or pay an overdue tax debt.   H752 Revolving Door Extend the time period during which legislators and certain other public servants are prohibited from registering as a lobbyist after leaving office or employment. Prohibit public servants from accepting economic benefit from certain persons after leaving office or employment   H725 Ignition Interlock Required/All DWIs Ignition locks required on vehicles before those convicted of DWI can qualify for a limited driving privilege   HEAR AND SEE LEGISLATURE LIVE DAILY   You don’t have to miss the Legislative Session. WRAL will live stream legislative sessions daily on their website.     www. wral.com.  Also, please remember that you can listen to some committee meetings and press conferences on the General Assembly’s website at www.ncleg.net. Once on the site, select "Audio," and then make your selection – House Chamber, Senate Chamber, Appropriations Committee Room or Press Conference Room.  You can also view the bills I sponsor and co-sponsor from this website address

Contact:  Representative Angela R. Bryant, House of Representatives, NC House District 7, North Carolina General Assembly • 542 Legislative Office Building • 300 N. Salisbury Street, Raleigh, NC  27603 919-733-5878-Phone • 919-754-3289-FAX • Angela.Bryant@ncleg.net or Karon Hardy, Legislative Assistant at bryantla@ncleg.net

 

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Rep. Angela Bryant

Pictures: 1st Annual Law & Policy Symposium Day 1 & Day 2 Duke Law School Durham NC Thank You Caitlin Swain For Inviting Me

Videos coming soon.

Click on picture to view more pictures.
1st Annual Law & Policy Symposium Day 1 Duke Law School Thursday April 12, 2012.
NC Rep. Mickey Michaux

Click on picture to view more pictures.
1st Annual Law & Policy Symposium Day 1 Duke Law School Friday April 13, 2012.
Caitlin Swain & India M. Dancy 3rd year student NC Central University Durham NC and
be attending law school.

Electric rate committee recommends restricting revenue – Wilson Times

Response: “It’s been a waste of time to continue to study and study and study and do nothing,” Dew said. “The legislature created this monster years ago and the legislature should slay this monster.”

I totally agree with Ricardo Dew whom have done much research and study on ElectriCities. I agree with all that he has said addressing this issue be it in Wilson and Rocky Mount NC. C. Dancy II – The Political Agitator

RALEIGH — State lawmakers believe their best shot at reducing electric rates in the future is through legislation.

The Municipal Power Agency Relief subcommittee, co-chaired by Sen. Buck Newton, R-Wilson, and Rep. Jeff Collins, R-Nash, finalized its study report Thursday that recommends legislation that restricts the use of electric fund revenues and requires revenues be used for debt payments. (More)

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Study panel finds few answers on electric rates – Rocky Mount Telegram 

ElectriCities

Study panel finds few answers on electric rates – Rocky Mount Telegram

Response: They found that refinancing the debt is not an option, Newton said. Doing so would have long-term disadvantages because of the bond market and the nature of the debt.

I hope those ignant host and co-host on and/or those who call in to WHIG TV Morning Show, America In Danger on WHIG TV read this report because I get sick and tired of their ignant comments misleading folks. I have called in several times correcting their ignance.

I just called America in Danger this past Monday night for the 2nd time correcting Robert Cressionnie’s ignance. He asked me the question did I feel it was wrong for the city to take money from utilities to pay for special projects and I said as long as it is legal they can do it and if anyone has a problem with it they need to fight to change it. The damn fool kept asking me the same question saying I was dancing around the answer. I told the damn fool that I was not going to answer the question how he wanted me to. I ended up hanging up on his ignant a . . . I hate it when folks intentionally mislead folks. C. Dancy II – DCN Publisher

RALEIGH – A legislative committee that has been examining ways to lower electric rates for many residents in Eastern North Carolina is recommending legislation that would limit the amount of money certain cities could transfer from their electric funds to their general funds. (More)

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ElectriCities

AGENDAS -Health and Human Services Meetings – Feb. 13th & Feb. 14th

North Carolina General Assembly Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services   Local Management Entity Governance Sub-Committee                                Representative Nelson Dollar, Chair   February 13, 2012 Legislative Office Building – Room 544 2:00-5:00 PM   AGENDA   ·        Welcome and Introductory Comments   ·        Organization of the Work of the Subcommittee   ·        Review of Meeting One – Potential Barriers and Discussion   1.     Board Size 2.     Board Member Terms 3.     Board Member Training 4.     Board Member Attendance 5.     Board Composition 6.     Board Appointments – Suggested Models   ·        Meeting Two – Potential Barriers §  LME Formation and Dissolution §  Responsibility for MH-DD-SA Services   ·        Adjournment   ·        Next Meeting – March 12, 2012 from 2-5 in Room 544   ********************************************************   JOINT LEGISLATIVE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE ON HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENDA   February 14, 2012 10:00 A.M.; Room 643, Legislative Office Building Representative Justin Burr, Co-Chair, Presiding     2010-2011Medicaid Shortfall                                                                  10:10 – 10:30 Pam Kilpatrick, Assistant State Budget Officer   Status of Executive Order #85                                                                10:30 – 11:30 Maria Spaulding, Deputy Secretary, Long Term Care and Family Services, DHHS     (Consolidation of the Div. of Vocational Rehabilitation, Services for the Blind,   and Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing) and   (Consolidation of the Offices of Long-Term Care Services and Supports and Housing and Homelessness into the Div. of Aging and Adult Ser.)   Laura Gerald, Director/State Health Director, Division of Public Health, DHHS   (Consolidation of the Div. of Public Health and Office of Rural Heath and Community Care)   LME Governance – Progress Report                                                    11:30 – 12:00 Representative Nelson Dollar, Chair, Subcommittee on LME Governance   Lunch                                                                                                             12:00 – 1:00   Update of the 1915(b)(c) Medicaid Waiver                                          1:00 – 2:00 Beth Melcher, Assistant Secretary, MH/DD/SAS  Development, DHHS (Status of the Expansion of the Statewide 1915(b)(c) Waiver)   Pam Shipman, Piedmont Behavioral Health Mergers   Arthur Carder, Western Highlands Implementation   Update of Capital Projects                                                                       2:00 – 2:30             Terry Hatcher, Director               Division of Property and Construction, DHHS   Open Discussion                                                                                          2:30 – 3:00   Adjourn   (NEXT MEETING – MARCH 13, 2012)

 

It’s easier to pass amendments than to create jobs – Source: Rocky Mount Telegram

n the middle of a contentious debate in Raleigh over a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage, a professionally dressed gentleman sat in a hallway Monday with a plaintive sign: “How does this get me a job?”

The N.C. General Assembly has passed a bill to put the amendment before state voters next year. North Carolina more than likely will join 30 other states in passing a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage. Never mind that there’s already a state law forbdding such marriages in the first place. (Read more)

Jeanne Milliken Bonds – JOBS JOBS JOBS – If you think getting more people working is worthy of consideration by the NC General Assembly, then read on

Jeanne Milliken Bonds

Press Conference at the NC Legislative Building

Thursday, Sept 8, 10 am

Please come and support a challenge to the current leadership’s policies on the eve of yet another Legislative Session.

16 West Jones Street

And, share this link with those concerned about education, jobs, State Employees and the future of NC.

Representative Bill Faison

405 Legislative Office Building

N.C. General Assembly

Raleigh, NC 27603-5925

Legislative Office: 919-715-3019

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Press Contact: (919) 518-4786

NAACP Raises Major Challenges to Congressional Redistricting – Presentation Before Rucho-Lewis Redistricting Committee

Presentation Made Before

NC General Assembly Redistricting Committee

July 7, 2011

Raleigh, North Carolina

For More Information: Rev. Dr. William J. Barber, President, 919-394-8137

Mrs. Amina Turner, Executive Director, 919-682-4700

Atty. Jennifer Marsh, Legal Redress Coordinator, 919-682-4700

NAACP Raises Major Challenges to Congressional Redistricting and Will Call for Justice Department and Court Review if the Ultra-Conservative Leadership of the General Assembly Persists in Voting to Approve the Discriminatory Gerrymandering in the Current Redistricting Maps

I am Rev. Dr. William J Barber, State President of the North Carolina NAACP, member of National Board of the NAACP and I stand here representing 120+ units and thousands of members. As you may know, the NAACP was one of the major architects of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

It is with mixed feelings that I appear before this committee in order to present our response to the draft of the Congressional Redistricting map which this committee prepared. I understand that you already have the votes and commitments from your party’s colleagues to enact this map. While some say politically this enactment is a done deal, there still may be a review done by the US Department of Justice and the Courts. Nevertheless, since we have been given an opportunity to place our opposition to this plan on the record, this we shall do.

You have chosen to prepare a plan which is bold and bodacious in its attempt to stack and pack as many racial minorities in the same districts in an effort to gain a partisan political advantage for future years for the Republican Party. The plan presented by this committee violates every generally accepted and recognized redistricting principle as mandated by the United States Supreme Court in Shaw v. Reno, Shaw v. Hunt and Miller v. Johnson.

In Miller v. Johnson, a case which discussed an effort by the Republican-controlled United States Department of Justice to create "Black Max" congressional districts, the United States Supreme Court condemned the unnatural and contrived "stacking and packing" of African-American into separate voting districts in order to maximize the number of Republican congressional districts. That Court declared that an intent to establish a racial basis for the creation of a particular district can be proved by showing irregular and unnatural district shapes or by a review of the stated legislative purpose to segregate minority voters into particular districts.

In presenting this claim, it can be established that the drawing of the particular lines which you have drawn defy and subordinate every traditional race-neutral district principle. Those principles include, but are not limited to, compactness, contiguity, respect for political subdivisions and/or communities of shared interests.

The map you have drawn subverts each of these redistricting principles to an illegal consideration of race. What is obvious in your plan is that African-Americans have been removed from many districts and packed into the proposed 1st, 4th and 12th. This packing and stacking was not required by the 1965 Voting Rights Act, but I guess that the courts will have to determine this issue. For example, the 12th district, which is represented by Congressman Mel Watt, has been packed with just about every African-American who lives around the I-85 corridor from Greensboro to Charlotte. The proposed African-American composition of that district has increased from 42% to over 50%. This increase in the African-American presence is due to the "bleaching out" of African-Americans from the surrounding congressional districts.

Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act was adopted in 1965 to outlaw discriminatory voting practices that had been responsible for the widespread disenfranchisement of African Americans. In North Carolina, 40 of our 100 counties are covered by Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act due to past harms done to our minority population.

The Rucho-Lewis Congressional map disregards this long and painful history for five counties covered by Section 5 of the VRA. In drawing this map, Gates, Washington, Beaufort, Craven, and Wayne Counties were removed from the 1st Congressional District.

This district was developed intentionally to overcome years of disenfranchisement and voter exclusion. Removing these counties from District 1 dilutes the voting power of these Section 5 counties to elect the Congressperson of their choice. We have seen these tactics before. When radical and extreme politicians seek to consolidate their political power, we remember that it was from George White in 1900, after which racist extremists took over the NC General Assembly and disenfranchised African-Americans (a third of North Carolina’s population at the time) until Eva Clayton in 1990, a total of 90 years, before African-Americans in North Carolina could elect a Congressperson of their choice.

District 1, represented by Congressman G.K. Butterfield (Dem) lost population and must expand in order to comply with the one-person, one-vote requirement. This could have been accomplished by expanding the district as far as necessary to meet the population requirement. Instead, Rucho and Lewis removed five key counties covered by Section 5 of the VRA and extended this rural eastern district all the way into Wake County.

Drawing part of downtown Raleigh into a district composed primarily of rural Eastern North Carolina counties is inappropriate. Removing five Eastern counties that are traditional communities of shared interest is also inappropriate. The result is a dilution of the voting power and influence of the people of Gates, Washington, Beaufort, Craven and Wayne Counties. Exactly what the Voting Rights Act of 1965 intends to protect.

This map does not show concern for African American and minority political power or upholding civil rights. It is merely an instrument of partisan power to suppress and dilute the vote of minorities across the state. Adoption of this map takes our state backwards at a time we need to be moving forward.

In North Carolina, African-Americans have repeatedly been the victims of racial gerrymandering in order to achieve some political advantage. Thus we understand what you are doing and I stand here today to say to you that we voice our objection and indignation. In the past, our influence in the election of congressional representatives has been muted. The General Assembly is engaged in this unseemly effort to segregate African-Americans and submerge our influence into two congressional districts. This is being done for the sole purpose of creating ten districts in which Republicans can elect its members. In so doing, this committee has totally abandoned any effort to adhere to sound and traditional districting principles and has thus perverted the redistricting process. Shame, Shame, Shame On You. This is regressive, this is wrong and we will see you in court.

###

Oak Level residents cheer annexation bill’s passage – Source: The Rocky Mount Telegram

Residents of the Oak Level community are celebrating the N.C. General Assembly’s recent passage of legislation they said places them in a better position to halt the annexation by Rocky Mount. (Paid Content)

See related:

Annexation

 

Breaking News: Perdue vetos GOP-written budget – Source: News & Observer

RALEIGH — In a historic move, Democratic Gov. Bev Perdue today vetoed the GOP-authored $19.7 billion budget, despite Republican legislative leaders’ confidence that they have enough override votes.

The legislature passed its budget and sent it to Perdue about a week ago. She had until Tuesday to act. (Read more)

Note: Will the Dem 5 continue to vote with the Republicans? C. Dancy II – DCN Publisher

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Governor Beverly Perdue