North Carolina – NC BLACK PRESS WANTS STIMULUS INCLUSION

This is much needed because black folks don’t get the coverage nor get the news in depth in areas like Edgecombe County. The news is one-sided because we do not have a black newspaper and only have 1 to 2 black reporters who works at the local newspapers. C. Dancy II – DCN Publisher

NC black newspaper publishers of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) are concerned that there is nothing ”designed” in President Barack Obama’s $787 billion stimulus package to help struggling African-American papers in the state and nation’s flailing economy.

”Any tangible economic stimulus to African-American communities across our nation should begin with the institution that has carried the torch for these communities throughout our nation’s history,” Paul R. Jervay, Jr. publisher of The Carolinian Newspaper in Raleigh, an NNPA member, said. (Wilmington Journal)

Washington DC – Obama’s Budget Knife Yields Modest Trims

President Obama has said for weeks that his staff is scouring the federal budget, "line by line," for savings. Today, they will release the results: a plan to trim 121 programs by $17 billion, a tiny fraction of next year’s $3.4 trillion budget. (Washington Post)

Raleigh NC – NC BLACK LEADERS DEMAND ANSWERS ON STIMULUS PACKAGE

What is the latest on how funding from North Carolina’s $6.1 billion share of the federal stimulus package will be distributed for projects through the state and cities? What will the process for application for those stimulus projects be, and when will it be announced and get underway?

And how can African-Americans be assured, despite guarantees of transparency and accountability from the Obama Administration, that blacks looking for jobs and business opportunities won’t get locked out? (Wilmington Journal)

Nashville NC – Congressman promotes stimulus, Obama budget

Massive investments from the federal government in energy, education and health care will save the country trillions of dollars in the long run, U.S. Rep. Bob Etheridge said Monday.

Etheridge, D-2nd District, briefed a group of Nash County community leaders and officials on the work Congress has done in the past three months to boost the economy. (Rocky Mount Telegram)

London – World Leaders Pledge $1.1 Trillion to Tackle Crisis

LONDON — Struggling to bridge deep divides over how to revive a paralyzed global economy, the leaders of the world’s largest economies agreed Thursday to bail out developing countries, stimulate world trade and regulate financial firms more stringently. But President Obama conceded that there were “no guarantees” that those measures would reverse the biggest global downturn in six decades. (New York Times)

Elon NC – Sen. Hagan calls Obama budget ‘unsustainable’

This is quite interesting. Hagan who fired her 2 blacks who worked with here is still doing her thing. With 3 months into the job she is showing black folks who she is for whatever that is worth.

I remember videoing the meeting in Rocky Mount at the Democratic Party Headquarters around September when a young black male was heading up this area and several other surrounding counties. Her son was here as well for that day. I wonder where is the black guy now. Guess I can shoot him an email. C. Dancy II – Publisher

ELON — The budget proposal pushed by President Barack Obama is “completely unsustainable and unacceptable” because it would burden the nation with annual deficits of more than $1 trillion, Sen. Kay Hagan said Saturday.

North Carolina’s junior senator, drawing a contrast with the nation’s top Democrat, said she has been working to limit the growth in non-defense spending. She questioned the Obama plan that the Congressional Budget Office estimated would result in a $1.2 trillion annual deficit even a decade from now. (News & Observer)

Rocky Mount NC – Stimulus Cash To Fund Energy Conservation

Rocky Mount will receive more than $500,000 in federal stimulus funding for energy conservation projects throughout the city.

As part of a $3.2 billion Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program announced by President Barack Obama’s administration Thursday, Rocky Mount is poised to receive $572,100 in funding. (Rocky Mount Telegram)

Raleigh NC – CONCERNS RAISED ABOUT BLACK ACCESS TO STIMULUS FUNDING

The Topsail Voice newspaper is once again trying to create a smoke screen at the 12th hour to hide the facts and sway public opinion, so that the public-at-large and the Commissioners are lulled into believing that everything is fine.

We have a Black President and the race issues are behind us, we have enough racial diversity in administrative positions in Pender County. Even the most conservative supporters of The Topsail Voice and other newspapers, know that this is not the case. (Wilmington Journal)

Wilson NC – About 200 People Attended The Forum On The President’s Stimulus Plan

The forum was well attended today at the Wilson OIC. The Agenda was as follows:

Presiding -  Rep. Jean Farmer-Butterfield

Welcome  – Howard Jones CEO and Founder, Wilson OIC, Inc.

Congressman GK Butterfield – American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA)

Dempsey Benton, Director, Governor’s Office of Economic Recovery and Investment

Rep. Joe Tolson, Chair North Carolina House Select Committee on Economic Recovery

Senator A.B. Swindell North Carolina Legislative Budget Process and Status

Questions and Answers

Greeting/Comments from North Carolina Legislative Delegation for Wilson, Edgecombe, Nash and Halifax Counties

Special Announcement from Mr. Reginald Speight, CEO Martin County Community Action, Inc.

Closing Remarks – Rep. Jean Farmer-Butterfield

Sponsored by: Representatives Jean Farmer-Butterfield, Angela Bryant, Lucy Allen, Joe Tolson and Randy Stewart, and Senators Clark Jenkins, Ed Jones, and A.B. Swindell

Special Acknowledgment to the Wilson OIC for the use of their facitility and accomodations

Video:

Discussion on President Barack Obama’s Economic Recovery Plan

Pictures:

Photos – (100 Total)

Wilson NC – A Discussion on the President’s Stimulus Plan featuring Congressman G. K. Butterfield on Friday

A DISCUSSION ON THE PRESIDENT’S STIMULUS PLAN

FEATURING:

CONGRESSMAN G.K. BUTTERFIELD and MR. DEMPSEY BENTON Director of the Governor’s Office of Economic Recovery and Investment

Sponsored by representatives:

House

Jean Farmer-Butterfield, Angela Bryant,

Lucy Allen, Joe Tolson and Randy Stewart

Senators

Clark Jenkins, Ed Jones and A.B. Swindell

Friday, MARCH 27, 2009 4:00 pm – 6:00 PM

Wilson OIC Facility 801 Reid Street, East Wilson, NC 27893

252-291-0038

To rsvp, contact: Ruth Merkle, Legislative Assistant

Rep. Jean Farmer-Butterfield

butterfieldla@ncleg.net

919-733-5898 (RALEIGH OFFICE)

Or any of the above legislators

All non-profit groups and the public are invited and encouraged to attend!