NC legislators get Miami trip, campaign funds from school voucher group – NC Policy Watch

Response: So where in the heck is our public school system going? See what legislators went on the trip. See how many are black. I don’t know where they stand but I do plan to ask them.

A school voucher lobbying group flew N.C. House Speaker Thom Tillis and 10 other lawmakers to Miami in March despite a state law banning lobbyist gifts to lawmakers.

Within a month of what was billed as an educational trip by Parents for Educational Freedom in North Carolina, the group’s political action committee also sent thousands of dollars to help several of the lawmakers’ re-election campaigns.

The March 14 to 15 trip to the Miami area was for lawmakers to learn about Florida’s Tax Credit Scholarships Program, a controversial initiative that gives dollar-for-dollar state tax credits to encourage companies to donate scholarship money for low-income children attending private schools, according to Darrell Allison, the director and chief lobbyist for Parents for Educational Freedom (PEFNC). (More)

Out of Control in Raleigh: Come to an Event Near You!

Dear Supporter, North Carolina’s legislature is out of control — and it’s time to speak out and push back. The legislature’s “midnight attack” on our state’s teachers in January revealed their willingness to ram through an extreme agenda, no matter what it takes. They continue to attack our voting rights, too, pushing for a discriminatory voter ID law, withholding funds for Early Voting, and more. Please join us at a public forum about how these hard-line conservatives are turning back the clock, who’s bankrolling their agenda, and what it means for our lives. Featured speakers (depending on location) include MaryBe McMillan of the N.C. AFL-CIO, Chris Kromm of the Institute for Southern Studies, Chris Fitzsimon or Rob Schofield of N.C. PolicyWatch, and Robert Dawkins, Nancy Shakir or Linda Sutton from Democracy North Carolina. You’ll have a chance to ask questions and share your perspective, too.   Come to a forum near you: Fayetteville Tuesday, February 7th at 6pm Bordeaux Branch Library 3711 Village Drive Fayetteville, NC 28304-1530 Speakers: Rob Schofield, Chris Kromm, MaryBe McMillan, Nancy Shakir RSVP here   Asheville Wednesday, February 8th at 7pm West Asheville Library 942 Haywood Road Asheville, NC 28806 Speakers: Rob Schofield, Chris Kromm, MaryBe McMillan, Robert Dawkins RSVP here   Winston-Salem Thursday, February 9th at 7pm First Baptist Church Chapel 700 Highland Avenue Winston-Salem, NC 27101 Speakers: Chris Fitzsimon, Chris Kromm, MaryBe McMillan, Linda Sutton RSVP here   Sponsored by Democracy North Carolina, Institute for Southern Studies, N.C. AFL-CIO, N.C. Policy Watch and Progress North Carolina. For more information contact Adam Sotak at adamsotak@democracy-nc.org or call 919-286-6000 ext 11. Hope to see you there! Connect with us:   Twitter   Facebook   Email