The start of the Atlantic Hurricane season, which began on June 1st, is bringing back memories for many North Carolina communities that are still recovering from Hurricane Helene two years later.
‘I fear every day that somebody is going to say, You don’t have these services anymore,’ said Meredith Vaughn. Meredith Vaughn’s daughter, Vivian, or “Vivi,” as her friends call her, is 12 years old. She is a voracious reader and loves the musicals “Wicked” and “Hamilton.”
Aunque la administración insiste en que los cambios son limitados, organizaciones de defensa de los inmigrantes continúan monitoreando la situación y evaluando posibles desafíos legales ante una medida que, según críticos, podría ralentizar aún más los procesos de inmigración legal en Estados Unidos.
Questions about Whatley’s ties to the utility company go beyond his investments. Recent reporting found that he spent more than a decade lobbying for utility companies, including Duke Energy, and arguing in favor of rate increases.
“The first round of tariffs already cost North Carolina $3.5 billion, and the latest round was on track to cost families up to $1,300 this year,” said Jackson. “That’s a lot of money. Throwing out these tariffs keeps that money in people’s pockets for food, gas, rent, and medicine.”
El gobernador de Carolina del Norte, Josh Stein, criticó una propuesta de enmienda constitucional que reduciría el límite máximo del impuesto estatal sobre la renta al 3.5%, calificándola como una “trampa” y un “juego cínico” que trasladaría la carga de financiar los servicios públicos a las familias trabajadoras.
“We’re extremely disappointed, although not surprised,” said Terry Bravas, a Lake Norman-area resident. “This decision is a complete abdication of the utility commission’s responsibility and, in my judgment, a demonstration of a lack of integrity by the commissioners and the public staff.”
“The judicial branch of government is supposed to act as a final defense of the Constitution. But North Carolina’s judicial system is facing a loss of independence, impartiality, and public confidence,“ stated North Carolina Democrats in a media advisory regarding the constitutional amendments.
The rally featured drag performances by Naomi Dix, Pay My Bills Gates, and Jeff Bozos, followed by a rate hike hearing at the courthouse where community members had the opportunity to speak about the damaging effects of high utility bills and Duke Energy’s 18% rate hike request.
The first two amendments revolve around tax measures, including a change to property tax that could threaten essential services funded by local government, and an income tax rate measure that provides another massive tax break for the wealthy few, and more.