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.
More than 200,000 North Carolinians have lost Affordable Care Act coverage this year, the largest enrollment decline in the country. Rising premiums and the expiration of enhanced federal subsidies have made health insurance unaffordable for many families who previously relied on marketplace plans.
SB 1084 would cut the early voting period by an entire week, limiting North Carolinians to seven fewer days to express their constitutional right to vote. Under current law, early voting runs from the third Thursday before election day. The bill, if passed, would move the start of early voting to the second Thursday for all elections.
“People want to live and work here, but we simply do not have enough homes to meet that growing demand,” Stein said. “Housing is the single biggest expense that most families face, so if somebody’s rent or mortgage takes up too much of their monthly paycheck, that means that they have that much less to spend on other essentials.”
The fight for fair maps is far from over as we continue to face relentless voter suppression tactics that target Black and Brown voters. From the recent Callais decision to the elimination of crucial voting sites at historically Black colleges and universities, voting rights are a hot-button issue.
From now through July 14, the North Carolina State Board of Elections is accepting public comment on a series of potential voting rule changes they seek to enact this year. The changes include three proposals that pro-democracy groups are calling harmful to voters.
While Democrats started the short session by filing bills to lower healthcare costs, raise the minimum wage, and increase government transparency, Republicans have refused to hear those bills and instead have rushed through several unnecessary constitutional amendments.
With the increasing criminalization of abortion, pregnancy outcomes, and reproductive healthcare, our state courts will be the strongest avenues left to defend our fundamental freedoms and hold state lawmakers accountable when they overstep constitutional limits.
North Carolina has the resources. The state is projecting a significant surplus. The question is not whether we can afford to invest in experienced teachers—it is whether our leaders choose to.
A newly formed coalition of North Carolina parents is calling attention to Republican U.S. Senate candidate Michael Whatley’s ties to Harvey West, a convicted sex offender whom Whatley elevated to leadership positions within the North Carolina Republican Party.