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Raleigh Report

Raleigh Report is a regular newsletter offering extensive legislative information from the NC Council of Churches. Click here to subscribe.

Check out the posts below to stay informed.

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The fraud that was election fraud
The fraud that was election fraud
January 13
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

The fraud that was election fraud

The United States Congress, a week after the nation’s Capitol was overrun by a violent mob… Continue Reading

Hard year’s signposts in quest for justice
Hard year’s signposts in quest for justice
Dec 30, 2020
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Hard year’s signposts in quest for justice

Even for those of us who found a measure of joy during the year whose end… Continue Reading

Voters met the challenge. Now, ‘ID, please?’
Voters met the challenge. Now, ‘ID, please?’
Dec 10, 2020
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Voters met the challenge. Now, ‘ID, please?’

As Americans soldier on amidst their ill-fated 2020 stress test, there is inspiration to be found.… Continue Reading

Raise the Wage
Raise the Wage
Nov 23, 2020
The Rev. Dr. Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director

Raise the Wage

My faith tradition professes that our worth is in our faces because our faces look like… Continue Reading

Face it: Trump, allies owned N.C.
Face it: Trump, allies owned N.C.
Nov 12, 2020
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Face it: Trump, allies owned N.C.

North Carolinians who stood against our soon-to-be ex-president’s rancid politics of grievance, contempt and division, fueled… Continue Reading

Election Machinery in High Gear
Election Machinery in High Gear
Oct 22, 2020
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Election Machinery in High Gear

With North Carolinians on track to cast eye-popping numbers of votes in advance of Election Day,… Continue Reading

School Quality vs. the Virus
School Quality vs. the Virus
Sep 18, 2020
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

School Quality vs. the Virus

With the coronavirus still rampant across North Carolina, the top education concern in many families has… Continue Reading

Churches’ Watchwords: Every Vote Counts!
Churches’ Watchwords: Every Vote Counts!
Aug 12, 2020
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Churches’ Watchwords: Every Vote Counts!

It’s pretty obvious why the N.C. Council of Churches and its allies on the faith-and-justice spectrum… Continue Reading

The Virus and the Vulnerable
The Virus and the Vulnerable
Jul 31, 2020
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

The Virus and the Vulnerable

The image of a perfect storm conveys a rueful irony – the storm whose components are… Continue Reading

Pandemic Session’s Tangled Tale
Pandemic Session’s Tangled Tale
Jul 6, 2020
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Pandemic Session’s Tangled Tale

The scenario was familiar as the N.C. General Assembly engaged in another frantic and exhausting push… Continue Reading

Joint Letter from N.C. Faith Leaders to N.C. Elected Leaders
Joint Letter from N.C. Faith Leaders to N.C. Elected Leaders
Jul 1, 2020
North Carolina Council of Churches

Joint Letter from N.C. Faith Leaders to N.C. Elected Leaders

The leaders of the denominational members of the North Carolina Council of Churches have sent a… Continue Reading

Swing Toward Safer Voting
Swing Toward Safer Voting
May 28, 2020
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Swing Toward Safer Voting

With just five months and change until Election Day, 2020 – and with many virus-leery North… Continue Reading

Safe Elections: The Pressure’s On
Safe Elections: The Pressure’s On
May 8, 2020
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Safe Elections: The Pressure’s On

Members of the N.C. House and Senate, resolutely confronting the deadly and disastrous coronavirus pandemic, have… Continue Reading

In search of voting’s ‘new normal’
In search of voting’s ‘new normal’
Apr 22, 2020
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

In search of voting’s ‘new normal’

When and if members of the N.C. General Assembly reconvene as scheduled on April 28 –… Continue Reading

Virus-era Voting – Buckle Up
Virus-era Voting – Buckle Up
Apr 1, 2020
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Virus-era Voting – Buckle Up

In keeping with the familiar rhythms of American politics, this is a year when many of… Continue Reading

Voter ID’s Rough Ride
Voter ID’s Rough Ride
Feb 22, 2020
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Voter ID’s Rough Ride

The North Carolina General Assembly’s Republican majority is down to what looks to be its last-ditch… Continue Reading

‘Sound Basic’ Truths About Our Schools
‘Sound Basic’ Truths About Our Schools
Jan 17, 2020
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

‘Sound Basic’ Truths About Our Schools

UpdateOn Jan. 21, Superior Court Judge David Lee, who oversees compliance in the Leandro school-quality case, issued… Continue Reading

Raleigh Report: Sidetrack for photo voter ID
Raleigh Report: Sidetrack for photo voter ID
Jan 7, 2020
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Raleigh Report: Sidetrack for photo voter ID

A long road remains to be traveled before North Carolinians find out whether they’ll have to… Continue Reading

Raleigh Report: Flawed deal to resurrect Silent Sam
Raleigh Report: Flawed deal to resurrect Silent Sam
Dec 13, 2019
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Raleigh Report: Flawed deal to resurrect Silent Sam

When leaders of the N.C. Council of Churches two years ago adopted a policy statement entitled… Continue Reading

Gerrymanderers Seeing the Light, or Scared Straight?
Gerrymanderers Seeing the Light, or Scared Straight?
Oct 25, 2019
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Gerrymanderers Seeing the Light, or Scared Straight?

Perhaps the Republicans who control North Carolina’s General Assembly have finally gotten the message: their decade-long… Continue Reading

Ambush at Override Gulch
Ambush at Override Gulch
Sep 13, 2019
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Ambush at Override Gulch

When N.C. House Speaker Tim Moore called the House to order for its scheduled 8:30 a.m.… Continue Reading

Path to Fairer Maps, Better Government
Path to Fairer Maps, Better Government
Sep 6, 2019
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Path to Fairer Maps, Better Government

If politics can be described as a contact sport, it’s perhaps fitting to say that when… Continue Reading

Guns, Medicaid, Gridlock
Guns, Medicaid, Gridlock
Aug 12, 2019
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Guns, Medicaid, Gridlock

It can’t have escaped many folks’ notice – even those, bless their hearts, for whom the… Continue Reading

On Gerrymandering, High Court Looks to States
On Gerrymandering, High Court Looks to States
Jul 1, 2019
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

On Gerrymandering, High Court Looks to States

You have to wonder: What would U.S. Chief Justice John Roberts Jr. tell that proud North… Continue Reading

No Medicaid Expansion? Just say no!
No Medicaid Expansion? Just say no!
Jun 27, 2019
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

No Medicaid Expansion? Just say no!

Not to belabor the obvious, but when North Carolina’s elected leaders craft a spending plan for… Continue Reading

Staying Sane: Gun Laws that Work
Staying Sane: Gun Laws that Work
Jun 17, 2019
The Rev. Dr. Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director

Staying Sane: Gun Laws that Work

The Mother Emanuel, Charleston, SC, shooting was four years ago today, June 17. The N.C. General… Continue Reading

Raleigh Report – April 29, 2019
Raleigh Report – April 29, 2019
Apr 29, 2019
George Reed, Former Executive Director

Raleigh Report – April 29, 2019

Introduced Bills CRIMINAL JUSTICE HB 834 – Ban the Box would prohibit the state from asking… Continue Reading

Raleigh Report – April 22, 2019
Raleigh Report – April 22, 2019
Apr 22, 2019
George Reed, Former Executive Director

Raleigh Report – April 22, 2019

INTRODUCED BILLS CRIMINAL JUSTICEHB 781 – Limitations on Use of Solitary Confinementactually contains several items related… Continue Reading

Medicaid Expansion: Doing the Right Thing
Medicaid Expansion: Doing the Right Thing
Apr 19, 2019
The Rev. Dr. Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director

Medicaid Expansion: Doing the Right Thing

The people of North Carolina pay federal taxes. Our tax dollars help fund the 90 percent… Continue Reading

Raleigh Report – April 11, 2019
Raleigh Report – April 11, 2019
Apr 11, 2019
George Reed, Former Executive Director

Raleigh Report – April 11, 2019

INTRODUCED BILLS CRIMINAL JUSTICE HB 587 – Repeal Death Penalty would abolish the death penalty, and… Continue Reading

Raleigh Report – April 5, 2019
Raleigh Report – April 5, 2019
Apr 5, 2019
George Reed, Former Executive Director

Raleigh Report – April 5, 2019

INTRODUCED BILLS CRIMINAL JUSTICE/PRISON REFORM HB 460/SB 545 – Fair Chance Hiring would require state agencies… Continue Reading

Raleigh Report – March 25, 2019
Raleigh Report – March 25, 2019
Mar 25, 2019
George Reed, Former Executive Director

Raleigh Report – March 25, 2019

INTRODUCED BILLS ECONOMIC JUSTICE HB 422/SB 234 – Healthy Families & Workplaces/Paid Sick Days is similar… Continue Reading

Raleigh Report – March 11, 2019
Raleigh Report – March 11, 2019
Mar 11, 2019
George Reed, Former Executive Director

Raleigh Report – March 11, 2019

INTRODUCED BILLS GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION With the passing last month of the first anniversary of the… Continue Reading

Raleigh Report – February 26, 2019
Raleigh Report – February 26, 2019
Feb 26, 2019
George Reed, Former Executive Director

Raleigh Report – February 26, 2019

INTRODUCED BILLS ECONOMIC JUSTICE HB 46 – Economic Security Act of 2019HB 46 is a collection… Continue Reading

Gerrymandering Dooms Voter ID Amendment, Judge Says
Gerrymandering Dooms Voter ID Amendment, Judge Says
Feb 25, 2019
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Gerrymandering Dooms Voter ID Amendment, Judge Says

Editor’s note: This article has been updated to specify that the court ruling does not address… Continue Reading

Gail Phares to receive Faith Active in Public Life Award
Gail Phares to receive Faith Active in Public Life Award
Feb 14, 2019
The Rev. Dr. Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director

Gail Phares to receive Faith Active in Public Life Award

Each time the Council holds its bi-annual Legislative Seminar, we honor those whose public lives reflect… Continue Reading

Raleigh Report – February 12, 2019
Raleigh Report – February 12, 2019
Feb 12, 2019
George Reed, Former Executive Director

Raleigh Report – February 12, 2019

The 2019 Long Session of the General Assembly is now in full swing. As a result… Continue Reading

More Truth About Torture
More Truth About Torture
Jan 22, 2019
Para Drake, NC No Torture Project Coordinator

More Truth About Torture

The decade-long struggle for truth and justice got a welcome boost this weekend with a powerful… Continue Reading

Elections Oversight: No Place for Secrecy
Elections Oversight: No Place for Secrecy
Dec 18, 2018
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Elections Oversight: No Place for Secrecy

Update: After this article was written, Gov. Cooper did veto House Bill 1029, as he was urged… Continue Reading

Election Milestone on Path to Change
Election Milestone on Path to Change
Nov 8, 2018
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Election Milestone on Path to Change

The first thing Gov. Roy Cooper did after he reported for work on Wednesday, Nov. 8,… Continue Reading

Vetting the Vote: North Carolina’s Involvement in Torture
Vetting the Vote: North Carolina’s Involvement in Torture
Oct 18, 2018
Para Drake, NC No Torture Project Coordinator

Vetting the Vote: North Carolina’s Involvement in Torture

Every seat in the North Carolina General Assembly is being challenged in the upcoming election. Every… Continue Reading

When It Rains Voter Suppression
When It Rains Voter Suppression
Sep 19, 2018
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

When It Rains Voter Suppression

It’s a truism that weather affects elections. Yes, many of us would slosh through a downpour… Continue Reading

Power Struggle has them Scrambling
Power Struggle has them Scrambling
Aug 2, 2018
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Power Struggle has them Scrambling

The drive by Republicans who control the N.C. General Assembly to enhance their already formidable power,… Continue Reading

Governor Faces a Squeeze
Governor Faces a Squeeze
Jun 28, 2018
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Governor Faces a Squeeze

Depending on the context, it could be called poor sportsmanship. Or bullying. Or a flouting of… Continue Reading

Power Push’s Troubling Twists
Power Push’s Troubling Twists
Jun 22, 2018
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Power Push’s Troubling Twists

The current leaders of the North Carolina General Assembly – top members of the state House… Continue Reading

Proposed Tax Amendment Doesn’t Make Cents
Proposed Tax Amendment Doesn’t Make Cents
Jun 15, 2018
George Reed, Former Executive Director

Proposed Tax Amendment Doesn’t Make Cents

By George Reed, Retired Executive Director Senate Bill 75 is on the move. It would put… Continue Reading

Voter ID Follows Budget Bulldozer
Voter ID Follows Budget Bulldozer
Jun 11, 2018
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Voter ID Follows Budget Bulldozer

North Carolina’s new state budget – now on a fast track to final enactment by the… Continue Reading

Raleigh Report — May 30, 2018
Raleigh Report — May 30, 2018
May 30, 2018
North Carolina Council of Churches

Raleigh Report — May 30, 2018

By George Reed, Retired Executive Director The North Carolina General Assembly re-convened for its 2018 “short… Continue Reading

No More Mottos
No More Mottos
May 25, 2018
The Rev. Dr. Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director

No More Mottos

Hours after teachers marched on Raleigh to talk about funding needs for their schools, their students,… Continue Reading

Marching for Schools, and for Children
Marching for Schools, and for Children
May 18, 2018
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Marching for Schools, and for Children

They suited up in their red t-shirts, hoisted their homemade signs and coursed like a river… Continue Reading

Doing the School-money Shuffle
Doing the School-money Shuffle
Apr 30, 2018
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Doing the School-money Shuffle

When the N.C. General Assembly convenes on May 16, legislators will be “welcomed” by a throng… Continue Reading

Pray and Vote
Pray and Vote
Apr 20, 2018
Mary Elizabeth Hanchey, Program Associate for Legislative Advocacy and Interfaith Outreach

Pray and Vote

The North Carolina Council of Churches believes that participating in our democracy is one critical component… Continue Reading

School Districts: Keeping It Together
School Districts: Keeping It Together
Apr 13, 2018
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

School Districts: Keeping It Together

Public education in North Carolina has its share of challenges, not the least of which has… Continue Reading

Public Schools’ Call to Quality – For All
Public Schools’ Call to Quality – For All
Apr 2, 2018
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Public Schools’ Call to Quality – For All

It was perhaps the N.C. Supreme Court’s finest hour. In 1997, the high court held unanimously… Continue Reading

On the Hot Seat, Where She Belongs
On the Hot Seat, Where She Belongs
Mar 19, 2018
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

On the Hot Seat, Where She Belongs

Ordinary Americans – those of us not allowed to know the secrets of high-level espionage work… Continue Reading

Class Sizes and More: An Awkward Finale
Class Sizes and More: An Awkward Finale
Feb 15, 2018
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Class Sizes and More: An Awkward Finale

As the General Assembly wraps up its weirdly timed and generally ill-conceived winter session, it would… Continue Reading

The Commission Came to Town
The Commission Came to Town
Feb 13, 2018
Mary Elizabeth Hanchey, Program Associate for Legislative Advocacy and Interfaith Outreach

The Commission Came to Town

Only rarely does the United States Commission on Civil Rights hold hearings outside of Washington D.C.… Continue Reading

With Rights at Stake, Judges Stand Tall
With Rights at Stake, Judges Stand Tall
Feb 5, 2018
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

With Rights at Stake, Judges Stand Tall

The pattern has become familiar – and a welcome pattern it is, even if brought about… Continue Reading

Looking for Help?
Looking for Help?
Jan 23, 2018
Mary Elizabeth Hanchey, Program Associate for Legislative Advocacy and Interfaith Outreach

Looking for Help?

The Federal Government of the United States of America shut down at midnight on Friday. It… Continue Reading

Thumbs-up to Fairer Districts
Thumbs-up to Fairer Districts
Jan 22, 2018
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Thumbs-up to Fairer Districts

Progress in rooting out North Carolina’s gerrymandered voting districts hasn’t always occurred in a straight line.… Continue Reading

U.S. Court: Those Districts Won’t Fly
U.S. Court: Those Districts Won’t Fly
Jan 12, 2018
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

U.S. Court: Those Districts Won’t Fly

Grand constitutional questions in this country aren’t settled until the Supreme Court has its say, either… Continue Reading

Tax Plan Twist: Churches, Charities, Candidates
Tax Plan Twist: Churches, Charities, Candidates
Nov 17, 2017
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Tax Plan Twist: Churches, Charities, Candidates

With Republicans on Capitol Hill and in the White House desperate to post a big legislative… Continue Reading

GOP’s Goal: A Tilted Bench
GOP’s Goal: A Tilted Bench
Oct 23, 2017
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

GOP’s Goal: A Tilted Bench

To the Republicans who run the N.C. General Assembly, the concept of judicial independence – central… Continue Reading

Defenders of Rights; Defenders of Privilege
Defenders of Rights; Defenders of Privilege
Sep 30, 2017
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Defenders of Rights; Defenders of Privilege

At many levels, Americans are confronting issues of race relations and racial justice with an intensity… Continue Reading

Post-Charlottesville: What Trump Said, and When
Post-Charlottesville: What Trump Said, and When
Aug 17, 2017
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Post-Charlottesville: What Trump Said, and When

When President Trump stepped to a White House lectern on Monday and rebuked the instigators of… Continue Reading

Marching Orders for New Maps
Marching Orders for New Maps
Aug 10, 2017
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Marching Orders for New Maps

The three federal judges could have just come right out and said it: The Republicans who… Continue Reading

Rights Advocacy At Risk
Rights Advocacy At Risk
Aug 3, 2017
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Rights Advocacy At Risk

The optics, as they say, are terrible. But in a state whose motto is “To Be… Continue Reading

Uh-Oh – It’s the Legislature, Again
Uh-Oh – It’s the Legislature, Again
Jul 27, 2017
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Uh-Oh – It’s the Legislature, Again

Better get used to it. The N.C. General Assembly, after an all-too-brief adjournment during July, is… Continue Reading

Doomed Veto Spotlights Budget Flaws
Doomed Veto Spotlights Budget Flaws
Jun 30, 2017
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Doomed Veto Spotlights Budget Flaws

Presented with a new state budget that, whatever its occasional virtues, is mainly about easing tax… Continue Reading

Senate Health Care Plan Released: Would Make the Most Vulnerable More So
Senate Health Care Plan Released: Would Make the Most Vulnerable More So
Jun 22, 2017
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Senate Health Care Plan Released: Would Make the Most Vulnerable More So

Members of the United States Senate have released their proposed health care plan, all 142 pages… Continue Reading

New Budget with Old Agenda Falls Short
New Budget with Old Agenda Falls Short
Jun 22, 2017
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

New Budget with Old Agenda Falls Short

By now the strategy is familiar – the strategy used by the N.C. General Assembly’s Republican… Continue Reading

Senate Health Care Plan — Let’s Keep Calling
Senate Health Care Plan — Let’s Keep Calling
Jun 21, 2017
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Senate Health Care Plan — Let’s Keep Calling

As the Senate continues its secret deliberations on a health care plan that will effect all… Continue Reading

Thursday, June 15 — NC Health Care Call-in Day
Thursday, June 15 — NC Health Care Call-in Day
Jun 14, 2017
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Thursday, June 15 — NC Health Care Call-in Day

The Council’s commitment to health care as a basic justice issue dates back decades. Significant progress… Continue Reading

Gerrymander Remedy: Redraw, Now
Gerrymander Remedy: Redraw, Now
Jun 14, 2017
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Gerrymander Remedy: Redraw, Now

The Republicans who took control of North Carolina’s General Assembly with the elections of 2010 were,… Continue Reading

GA’s Budget Proposals — Harmful not Helpful
GA’s Budget Proposals — Harmful not Helpful
Jun 12, 2017
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

GA’s Budget Proposals — Harmful not Helpful

The General Assembly leaders meeting to resolve differences between the House and Senate versions of the… Continue Reading

UPDATE — High Court to NC: Draw Those Districts Fairly
UPDATE — High Court to NC: Draw Those Districts Fairly
Jun 8, 2017
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

UPDATE — High Court to NC: Draw Those Districts Fairly

UPDATE In separate, party-line votes on June 8, the state House and Senate rejected Gov. Cooper’s… Continue Reading

Update — GA Takes Up Dangerous Gun Law, June 7
Update — GA Takes Up Dangerous Gun Law, June 7
Jun 7, 2017
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Update — GA Takes Up Dangerous Gun Law, June 7

Representatives in the General  Assembly are scheduled to take up H.B. 746 this afternoon. Calls are… Continue Reading

Gun Bill Advances in GA; National Gun Violence Awareness Day is June 2
Gun Bill Advances in GA; National Gun Violence Awareness Day is June 2
Jun 1, 2017
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Gun Bill Advances in GA; National Gun Violence Awareness Day is June 2

Consider the shame of the North Carolina General Assembly working to rush through a bill that… Continue Reading

Action Alert: May 31, 2017 — GA May Act on Guns
Action Alert: May 31, 2017 — GA May Act on Guns
May 30, 2017
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Action Alert: May 31, 2017 — GA May Act on Guns

As was feared, some members of the General Assembly may be bringing back legislation that would… Continue Reading

Lines of Influence: Justices Zap Voting Map
Lines of Influence: Justices Zap Voting Map
May 25, 2017
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Lines of Influence: Justices Zap Voting Map

Following the elections of 2010 – tilted as they were by an intense right-wing pushback against… Continue Reading

For Children, It’s Good News and Bad News from the GA
For Children, It’s Good News and Bad News from the GA
May 23, 2017
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

For Children, It’s Good News and Bad News from the GA

Last week was a mixed bag for children and youth in terms of activity at the… Continue Reading

Budget’s Big Picture: A Crumbling Core
Budget’s Big Picture: A Crumbling Core
May 19, 2017
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Budget’s Big Picture: A Crumbling Core

So, the question as always comes down to one of vision. The elected chieftains who decide… Continue Reading

Raleigh Report — May 10, 2017
Raleigh Report — May 10, 2017
May 11, 2017
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Raleigh Report — May 10, 2017

By George Reed, Retired Executive Director [For more information on bills, including committee referrals and re-referrals,… Continue Reading

Retiring Judge Stands Tall
Retiring Judge Stands Tall
Apr 27, 2017
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Retiring Judge Stands Tall

As Shakespeare’s King Lear famously put it, “How sharper than a serpent’s tooth it is to… Continue Reading

Raleigh Report — April 26, 2017
Raleigh Report — April 26, 2017
Apr 27, 2017
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Raleigh Report — April 26, 2017

By George Reed, Retired Executive Director [The deadlines for the introduction of most new bills have… Continue Reading

Faith Leaders: Make Yourselves Heard on Juvenile Justice
Faith Leaders: Make Yourselves Heard on Juvenile Justice
Apr 24, 2017
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Faith Leaders: Make Yourselves Heard on Juvenile Justice

A change in New York law earlier this month leaves North Carolina alone in a place… Continue Reading

Tax-Cut Fever Threatens Services
Tax-Cut Fever Threatens Services
Apr 22, 2017
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Tax-Cut Fever Threatens Services

How many times do we have to say it? Well, it’s worth repeating – especially in… Continue Reading

Raleigh Report — April 21, 2017
Raleigh Report — April 21, 2017
Apr 21, 2017
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Raleigh Report — April 21, 2017

By George Reed, Retired Executive Director [For the latest committee referrals and re-referrals, go to the… Continue Reading

Raleigh Report — April 17, 2017
Raleigh Report — April 17, 2017
Apr 17, 2017
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Raleigh Report — April 17, 2017

By George Reed, Retired Executive Director Newly Introduced Bills BUDGET AND TAXES H 540, Teachers &… Continue Reading

New Push for Broader Medicaid, Better Health
New Push for Broader Medicaid, Better Health
Apr 14, 2017
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

New Push for Broader Medicaid, Better Health

North Carolina’s failure under Republican leadership to improve low-income residents’ access to health care via the… Continue Reading

Raleigh Report — April 10, 2017
Raleigh Report — April 10, 2017
Apr 10, 2017
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Raleigh Report — April 10, 2017

By George Reed, Retired Executive Director Bills are being introduced at a rapid pace as the… Continue Reading

Shock Waves from High Court ‘Nuke’
Shock Waves from High Court ‘Nuke’
Apr 8, 2017
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Shock Waves from High Court ‘Nuke’

Our national politics are in an ugly place, driven by an accelerating cycle of suspicion, accusation,… Continue Reading

Swallow Hard: H.B. 2’s Less-than-Ideal ‘Repeal’
Swallow Hard: H.B. 2’s Less-than-Ideal ‘Repeal’
Apr 1, 2017
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Swallow Hard: H.B. 2’s Less-than-Ideal ‘Repeal’

Call it a head-on collision between politics and principle. Is anyone surprised that politics prevailed? Yet… Continue Reading

Raleigh Report — March 26, 2017
Raleigh Report — March 26, 2017
Mar 26, 2017
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Raleigh Report — March 26, 2017

By George Reed, Retired Executive Director Newly Introduced Bills BUDGET AND TAXATION H 356, Tax Reduction… Continue Reading

GOP Mantra: Party Hearty!
GOP Mantra: Party Hearty!
Mar 24, 2017
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

GOP Mantra: Party Hearty!

They might not care for the image, but Republican members of the N.C. General Assembly act… Continue Reading

Raleigh Report — March 21, 2017
Raleigh Report — March 21, 2017
Mar 23, 2017
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Raleigh Report — March 21, 2017

By George Reed, Retired Executive Director Newly Introduced Bills BUDGET AND TAXATION HB 329, Home School… Continue Reading

Raleigh Report — March 13, 2017
Raleigh Report — March 13, 2017
Mar 14, 2017
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Raleigh Report — March 13, 2017

By George Reed, Retired Executive Director Newly Introduced Bills CRIMINAL AND JUVENILE JUSTICE H 233, Ban… Continue Reading

Raleigh Report — March 7, 2017
Raleigh Report — March 7, 2017
Mar 7, 2017
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Raleigh Report — March 7, 2017

By George Reed, Retired Executive Director Newly Introduced Bills BUDGET AND TAXES S 147, Reenact School… Continue Reading

H.B. 2 ‘Compromise’ Must Protect Rights
H.B. 2 ‘Compromise’ Must Protect Rights
Mar 3, 2017
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

H.B. 2 ‘Compromise’ Must Protect Rights

The fight over North Carolina’s House Bill 2 – the law that notoriously stamps the state’s… Continue Reading

Raleigh Report — February 28, 2017
Raleigh Report — February 28, 2017
Mar 1, 2017
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Raleigh Report — February 28, 2017

By George Reed, Retired Executive Director Newly Introduced Bills ENVIRONMENTAL CARE H 171, Change Exclusion for… Continue Reading

N.C.’s Reckless ‘Party Time’
N.C.’s Reckless ‘Party Time’
Feb 25, 2017
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

N.C.’s Reckless ‘Party Time’

Politics, at least in a democracy, is competitive. The analogy to sports may be simplistic but… Continue Reading

Raleigh Report — February 20, 2017
Raleigh Report — February 20, 2017
Feb 20, 2017
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Raleigh Report — February 20, 2017

By George Reed, Retired Executive Director Newly Introduced Bills BUDGET AND TAXES S 75, Constitutional Amendment… Continue Reading

Governor Fights Power Shortage
Governor Fights Power Shortage
Feb 17, 2017
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Governor Fights Power Shortage

North Carolina’s governor gets to live in a mansion whose handsome property occupies a full city… Continue Reading

Raleigh Report — February 15, 2017
Raleigh Report — February 15, 2017
Feb 15, 2017
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Raleigh Report — February 15, 2017

By George Reed, Retired Executive Director As the legislative session continues, there’s been a marked increase… Continue Reading

Big Stakes in High Court Pick
Big Stakes in High Court Pick
Feb 1, 2017
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Big Stakes in High Court Pick

Compared with some of the provocatively, even outrageously unsuited people whom President Trump has chosen for… Continue Reading

Raleigh Report — January 31, 2017
Raleigh Report — January 31, 2017
Jan 31, 2017
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Raleigh Report — January 31, 2017

By George Reed, Retired Executive Director The 2017 General Assembly has begun its work. Elected in… Continue Reading

Medicaid Push: Cooper’s Strong Start
Medicaid Push: Cooper’s Strong Start
Jan 20, 2017
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Medicaid Push: Cooper’s Strong Start

For many of us, these are troubling times as Donald Trump ascends to the nation’s highest… Continue Reading

Seeds of Change in a Momentous Year
Seeds of Change in a Momentous Year
Dec 31, 2016
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Seeds of Change in a Momentous Year

As we watched the egregiously unqualified Donald Trump campaign for and win election to the White… Continue Reading

UPDATE: Raleigh Report — Special GA Session on HB2
UPDATE: Raleigh Report — Special GA Session on HB2
Dec 20, 2016
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

UPDATE: Raleigh Report — Special GA Session on HB2

By George Reed, Retired Executive Director Updated December 21, 9:50 p.m. Special Session #5 of the… Continue Reading

Post-Election Travesty Targets the Governor
Post-Election Travesty Targets the Governor
Dec 15, 2016
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Post-Election Travesty Targets the Governor

The ugly truth can’t be evaded or denied: North Carolina’s General Assembly, in the grip of… Continue Reading

Wise Leaders Would Answer the Call for Justice and Righteousness
Wise Leaders Would Answer the Call for Justice and Righteousness
Dec 15, 2016
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Wise Leaders Would Answer the Call for Justice and Righteousness

Remarks delivered by Jennifer Copeland at a December 15 press conference in Raleigh on the General… Continue Reading

UPDATE — Urgent Action Required: Let GA Members Hear from You
UPDATE — Urgent Action Required: Let GA Members Hear from You
Dec 15, 2016
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

UPDATE — Urgent Action Required: Let GA Members Hear from You

The NC NAACP has called for a People’s Assembly at 4:30 p.m., today, Thursday, December 15,… Continue Reading

Possible Surprises in Upcoming Special Session
Possible Surprises in Upcoming Special Session
Dec 10, 2016
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Possible Surprises in Upcoming Special Session

By George Reed, Retired Executive Director The General Assembly returns to town this coming Tuesday, December… Continue Reading

The Path to McCrory’s Last Stand
The Path to McCrory’s Last Stand
Dec 9, 2016
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

The Path to McCrory’s Last Stand

He and his supporters twisted and turned, wriggled and squirmed. But 27 days after the Nov.… Continue Reading

Maps Again Key to Power, Rights
Maps Again Key to Power, Rights
Dec 5, 2016
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Maps Again Key to Power, Rights

No one reading this post is likely to pull a brain muscle describing ways in which… Continue Reading

Plots Thicken in Election’s Aftermath — UPDATED
Plots Thicken in Election’s Aftermath — UPDATED
Nov 18, 2016
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Plots Thicken in Election’s Aftermath — UPDATED

Donald Trump’s campaign for the presidency was a waste-pit wallow through a sludge of fear and… Continue Reading

A Troubling Choice, Yet Glimmers of Hope
A Troubling Choice, Yet Glimmers of Hope
Nov 11, 2016
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

A Troubling Choice, Yet Glimmers of Hope

Those of us aligned with the Council of Churches share a political outlook whose priorities include… Continue Reading

At Campaign Trail’s End, Voters Rule
At Campaign Trail’s End, Voters Rule
Oct 27, 2016
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

At Campaign Trail’s End, Voters Rule

As the 2016 campaign season grinds along the final stretch toward Election Day on Nov. 8… Continue Reading

Stand Up and Vote
Stand Up and Vote
Oct 25, 2016
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Stand Up and Vote

So far, our family of five has stood in line, collectively, for five hours and 15… Continue Reading

Voting 2016 – What You Need to Know to Be Sure Your Ballot Counts
Voting 2016 – What You Need to Know to Be Sure Your Ballot Counts
Oct 11, 2016
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Voting 2016 – What You Need to Know to Be Sure Your Ballot Counts

By George Reed, Retired Executive Director of the NC Council of Churches There has been a… Continue Reading

Trump, Business Values and H.B. 2
Trump, Business Values and H.B. 2
Oct 1, 2016
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Trump, Business Values and H.B. 2

Donald Trump may strike a populist, anti-big business note a la Bernie Sanders from time to… Continue Reading

Proposed H.B. 2 Deal Falls Short
Proposed H.B. 2 Deal Falls Short
Sep 19, 2016
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Proposed H.B. 2 Deal Falls Short

Who can blame North Carolina’s restaurant and hotel operators for wishing the whole House Bill 2… Continue Reading

Bad Law vs. Big Games
Bad Law vs. Big Games
Sep 17, 2016
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Bad Law vs. Big Games

When ultra-visible organizations with major economic leverage press for political change, sometimes the right thing to… Continue Reading

Early Voting Draws Support
Early Voting Draws Support
Sep 9, 2016
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Early Voting Draws Support

The folks in North Carolina who want to make it harder rather than easier for people… Continue Reading

Election Maps Under Scrutiny
Election Maps Under Scrutiny
Aug 12, 2016
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Election Maps Under Scrutiny

The Republican Party developed a national strategy to seize and hold legislative power, and in North… Continue Reading

Voting Rights, Redeemed
Voting Rights, Redeemed
Aug 5, 2016
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Voting Rights, Redeemed

Even for ardent voting rights advocates, there’s little comfort to be gained from a federal appeals… Continue Reading

Governor in the Glare
Governor in the Glare
Jul 29, 2016
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Governor in the Glare

There was a time, back in the range of 2008, when Pat McCrory looked as though… Continue Reading

Scrambled Session’s Lows and Highs
Scrambled Session’s Lows and Highs
Jul 10, 2016
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Scrambled Session’s Lows and Highs

The N.C. General Assembly’s 2016 regular session, which drew to a sudden close on July 1,… Continue Reading

Tax Cap’s Enduring Mischief
Tax Cap’s Enduring Mischief
Jun 30, 2016
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Tax Cap’s Enduring Mischief

Sorry for the sugar-coating, but the state Senate’s attempt to enshrine its preferred tax policies in… Continue Reading

Immigrants as Scapegoats — Again
Immigrants as Scapegoats — Again
Jun 26, 2016
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Immigrants as Scapegoats — Again

There wasn’t a lot to like about what occurred the other day in a state Senate… Continue Reading

Beyond Pulse: Vigilance, Tolerance
Beyond Pulse: Vigilance, Tolerance
Jun 17, 2016
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Beyond Pulse: Vigilance, Tolerance

Let’s face it. We, that would be all of us who proudly claim the title of… Continue Reading

The Cost of Making Tax Cuts Permanent
The Cost of Making Tax Cuts Permanent
Jun 13, 2016
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

The Cost of Making Tax Cuts Permanent

By George Reed, Retired Executive Director of the NC Council of Churches The Senate Finance Committee… Continue Reading

Budgeting that Tests our Values
Budgeting that Tests our Values
Jun 3, 2016
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Budgeting that Tests our Values

Let’s assume the worst, which for the moment would mean that the N.C. Senate’s version of… Continue Reading

Sour Notes, Again, in Budget Song
Sour Notes, Again, in Budget Song
May 26, 2016
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Sour Notes, Again, in Budget Song

Well, did anyone really expect North Carolina’s General Assembly, in finalizing a new state budget, suddenly… Continue Reading

Raleigh Report: Weekly Update, May 25, 2016
Raleigh Report: Weekly Update, May 25, 2016
May 25, 2016
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Raleigh Report: Weekly Update, May 25, 2016

The update is compiled on a volunteer basis by George Reed, the Council’s retired executive director.… Continue Reading

Raleigh Report Weekly Update: May 17, 2016
Raleigh Report Weekly Update: May 17, 2016
May 17, 2016
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Raleigh Report Weekly Update: May 17, 2016

The update is compiled on a volunteer basis by George Reed, the Council’s retired executive director.… Continue Reading

Tar Heel Beacon of Tolerance
Tar Heel Beacon of Tolerance
May 13, 2016
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Tar Heel Beacon of Tolerance

Take heart, fair-minded North Carolinians. The state’s not-always-pristine but still vaguely operative image as a place… Continue Reading

Don’t Neglect the June 7 Election
Don’t Neglect the June 7 Election
May 4, 2016
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Don’t Neglect the June 7 Election

By George Reed, Retired Executive Director of the Council North Carolina has a second primary coming… Continue Reading

Raleigh Report Weekly Update: May 3, 2016
Raleigh Report Weekly Update: May 3, 2016
May 3, 2016
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Raleigh Report Weekly Update: May 3, 2016

Today, the weekly update from Raleigh Report resumes as a supplement to Steve Ford’s commentary. The… Continue Reading

Voter Suppression Gets a Pass
Voter Suppression Gets a Pass
Apr 29, 2016
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Voter Suppression Gets a Pass

A federal judge’s ruling that upholds changes in North Carolina election laws, despite their effect of… Continue Reading

Bathroom Drama’s Many Plots
Bathroom Drama’s Many Plots
Apr 21, 2016
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Bathroom Drama’s Many Plots

Here’s a funny thing about House Bill 2, the “bathroom bill” (now law) that’s causing North… Continue Reading

Beyond Bathrooms: Jobs, Fairness
Beyond Bathrooms: Jobs, Fairness
Apr 13, 2016
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Beyond Bathrooms: Jobs, Fairness

North Carolina’s House Bill 2 – rammed through the General Assembly and signed into law in… Continue Reading

Hurtful Law Sends Signals
Hurtful Law Sends Signals
Apr 1, 2016
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Hurtful Law Sends Signals

Yes, it was a pretty neat trick — one bill that manages to expose many vulnerable… Continue Reading

Making Discrimination Easier in NC
Making Discrimination Easier in NC
Mar 24, 2016
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Making Discrimination Easier in NC

Almost 24 years ago, leaders of the North Carolina Council of Churches approved a policy statement… Continue Reading

Trump’s Campaign of Us versus Them
Trump’s Campaign of Us versus Them
Mar 21, 2016
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Trump’s Campaign of Us versus Them

If Donald J. Trump successfully concludes his so-far-dominant push to become this year’s Republican presidential nominee,… Continue Reading

District Challengers: ‘Oh, No, You Don’t!’ (Updated)
District Challengers: ‘Oh, No, You Don’t!’ (Updated)
Mar 7, 2016
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

District Challengers: ‘Oh, No, You Don’t!’ (Updated)

After a panel of federal judges threw out North Carolina’s congressional district map because it trampled… Continue Reading

Legislators’ High-Court Switcheroo
Legislators’ High-Court Switcheroo
Feb 29, 2016
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Legislators’ High-Court Switcheroo

After a five-year exercise in seeking to put a lasting stamp on North Carolina government and… Continue Reading

District Drama Spotlights Power, Fairness
District Drama Spotlights Power, Fairness
Feb 19, 2016
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

District Drama Spotlights Power, Fairness

The Republicans who control North Carolina’s General Assembly are determined to draw election-district boundaries favoring their… Continue Reading

Thumbs Down on Racial Gerrymanders
Thumbs Down on Racial Gerrymanders
Feb 9, 2016
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Thumbs Down on Racial Gerrymanders

With an eye toward the battles over redistricting that have roiled North Carolina politics for the… Continue Reading

Election Changes’ Telltale Timing
Election Changes’ Telltale Timing
Feb 5, 2016
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Election Changes’ Telltale Timing

It was just one little comment, perhaps ventured with the flicker of a wry smile. But… Continue Reading

Voter ID on Trial
Voter ID on Trial
Jan 29, 2016
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Voter ID on Trial

The ongoing legal challenge to North Carolina’s voter ID rule, now playing out before a federal… Continue Reading

Race, Courts and Twisted Districts
Race, Courts and Twisted Districts
Jan 9, 2016
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Race, Courts and Twisted Districts

Few of the decisions made by the men and women of our General Assembly are so… Continue Reading

2015: Our Conservatives Weren’t Kidding
2015: Our Conservatives Weren’t Kidding
Dec 31, 2015
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

2015: Our Conservatives Weren’t Kidding

For those of us who want to see North Carolina governed with the interests of all… Continue Reading

Trump’s Anti-Muslim Bluster
Trump’s Anti-Muslim Bluster
Dec 14, 2015
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Trump’s Anti-Muslim Bluster

In the game of bridge, when a trump card is played to win a trick, that’s… Continue Reading

Doing Right by Syria’s Refugees
Doing Right by Syria’s Refugees
Nov 21, 2015
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Doing Right by Syria’s Refugees

Photo by I. Prickett, UNHCR Against the toxic brew of fear and political opportunism that has… Continue Reading

UNC System’s New Sheriff
UNC System’s New Sheriff
Oct 30, 2015
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

UNC System’s New Sheriff

The notably dapper Thom Goolsby, member of the University of North Carolina Board of Governors, made… Continue Reading

‘We stand adjourned’ – finally!
‘We stand adjourned’ – finally!
Oct 3, 2015
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

‘We stand adjourned’ – finally!

The senators and representatives who make up North Carolina’s General Assembly let their 2015 session run… Continue Reading

Power Plays, Surprises at Session’s End
Power Plays, Surprises at Session’s End
Sep 25, 2015
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Power Plays, Surprises at Session’s End

These closing weeks, or days, of the General Assembly’s session are sometimes known as the silly… Continue Reading

Budget Struggle’s Bitter End
Budget Struggle’s Bitter End
Sep 17, 2015
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Budget Struggle’s Bitter End

The proverbial elephant labored and, against all hopeful expectations, brought forth a mouse. The “elephants” who… Continue Reading

The Odor Around the Lottery
The Odor Around the Lottery
Sep 5, 2015
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

The Odor Around the Lottery

When North Carolina legislators by the narrowest of margins 10 years ago approved a state lottery,… Continue Reading

Rule to Harass, or Punish, the Jobless
Rule to Harass, or Punish, the Jobless
Aug 24, 2015
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Rule to Harass, or Punish, the Jobless

Even while North Carolina was still in the grips of the Great Recession, with thousands of… Continue Reading

Tale of Two Chambers Amid Budget Conflict
Tale of Two Chambers Amid Budget Conflict
Aug 21, 2015
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Tale of Two Chambers Amid Budget Conflict

North Carolina has two legislative bodies, the 120-member House of Representatives and the 50-member Senate. They’re… Continue Reading

Protect Us from the ‘Protection Act’
Protect Us from the ‘Protection Act’
Aug 13, 2015
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Protect Us from the ‘Protection Act’

With its misguided “Taxpayer Protection Act” scheme, the state Senate looks to put a crowning touch… Continue Reading

Private School Vouchers, Lax Standards
Private School Vouchers, Lax Standards
Aug 1, 2015
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Private School Vouchers, Lax Standards

The principle of judicial restraint is a wonderful thing. It helps keep judges – as they… Continue Reading

Tax Cuts, Tax Shifts, Budget Battles
Tax Cuts, Tax Shifts, Budget Battles
Jul 24, 2015
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Tax Cuts, Tax Shifts, Budget Battles

Don’t be surprised if, during the General Assembly’s closed-door negotiations to craft a new state budget,… Continue Reading

Courtroom March for Voting Rights
Courtroom March for Voting Rights
Jul 20, 2015
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Courtroom March for Voting Rights

Republican legislators can hardly get around the fact that their 2013 overhaul of North Carolina election… Continue Reading

Conflicts over Policies, Power, Pride
Conflicts over Policies, Power, Pride
Jul 9, 2015
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Conflicts over Policies, Power, Pride

Regarding the state of affairs within the N.C. General Assembly these days, one little set of… Continue Reading

Voting Rights Sense, in a New Light
Voting Rights Sense, in a New Light
Jun 29, 2015
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Voting Rights Sense, in a New Light

Over and over, we heard North Carolina’s stringent voter identification law, enacted by the Republican-controlled legislature… Continue Reading

Sad Signals on Tolerance, Rule of Law
Sad Signals on Tolerance, Rule of Law
Jun 14, 2015
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Sad Signals on Tolerance, Rule of Law

Gov. Pat McCrory tried to warn his fellow Republicans who call the tunes in the General… Continue Reading

Veto Overriders Flex Their Muscles
Veto Overriders Flex Their Muscles
Jun 6, 2015
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Veto Overriders Flex Their Muscles

North Carolina’s General Assembly has muddled through many undistinguished moments since conservative Republicans took charge four… Continue Reading

Via Vetoes, McCrory Declares Independence
Via Vetoes, McCrory Declares Independence
Jun 3, 2015
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Via Vetoes, McCrory Declares Independence

Anticipation of an unpleasant event – gallows humorists usually cite the prospect of being hanged –… Continue Reading

Bills Wink at Polluters, Abusers
Bills Wink at Polluters, Abusers
May 28, 2015
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Bills Wink at Polluters, Abusers

For a boatload of lofty, noble and wise sentiments, look no farther than the opening fanfares… Continue Reading

Republican Budget makes Republicans Fume — Updated
Republican Budget makes Republicans Fume — Updated
May 21, 2015
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Republican Budget makes Republicans Fume — Updated

Let’s admit it – we were fooled. We never realized that the N.C. House of Representatives,… Continue Reading

Revenue Boosts and Tax-cut Boasts
Revenue Boosts and Tax-cut Boasts
May 16, 2015
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Revenue Boosts and Tax-cut Boasts

The rooster crowed. The sun came up. The rooster puffed his feathered chest as he beheld… Continue Reading

When Lawmakers Itch to Execute
When Lawmakers Itch to Execute
May 7, 2015
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

When Lawmakers Itch to Execute

The last person to be put to death by the State of North Carolina – in… Continue Reading

At the Legislature, a Fateful Crossing
At the Legislature, a Fateful Crossing
Apr 30, 2015
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

At the Legislature, a Fateful Crossing

With its self-imposed April 30 “crossover” deadline, the General Assembly can sidetrack bills that haven’t gained… Continue Reading

High Court’s Double-Take on Districts
High Court’s Double-Take on Districts
Apr 23, 2015
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

High Court’s Double-Take on Districts

There’s certainly no guarantee that the U.S. Supreme Court, in sending North Carolina’s election district scheme… Continue Reading

What Can We Say? An Invitation to Write to George
What Can We Say? An Invitation to Write to George
Apr 21, 2015
Rose Gurkin, Former Program Associate for Administration

What Can We Say? An Invitation to Write to George

George Reed’s retirement luncheon is set for Tuesday, June 2. This is a short five weeks… Continue Reading

Justice Advocates Convene for the Cause
Justice Advocates Convene for the Cause
Apr 18, 2015
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Justice Advocates Convene for the Cause

The Council of Churches’ Legislative Seminar – its top-profile public event of the year – is… Continue Reading

Tax Cuts’ Costs Becoming Clear
Tax Cuts’ Costs Becoming Clear
Apr 11, 2015
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Tax Cuts’ Costs Becoming Clear

Since taking veto-proof control of the NC General Assembly in the elections of 2012, members of… Continue Reading

Religious Freedom or Using Religion to Justify Discrimination?
Religious Freedom or Using Religion to Justify Discrimination?
Apr 2, 2015
George Reed, Former Executive Director

Religious Freedom or Using Religion to Justify Discrimination?

Discussions in recent days of so-called religious freedom bills in Indiana, Arkansas, and now North Carolina… Continue Reading

North Carolina Redistricting on High Court’s Radar
North Carolina Redistricting on High Court’s Radar
Apr 2, 2015
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

North Carolina Redistricting on High Court’s Radar

“Racial gerrymandering strikes at the heart of our demo­cratic process, undermining the electorate’s confidence in its… Continue Reading

Medicaid Message Packs a Punch
Medicaid Message Packs a Punch
Mar 27, 2015
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Medicaid Message Packs a Punch

Call it an exercise in futility? Well, no. There may not be a chance in the… Continue Reading

Universities Take a Hit with Loss of Ross
Universities Take a Hit with Loss of Ross
Mar 20, 2015
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Universities Take a Hit with Loss of Ross

Photo by Dan Sears, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill The University of North Carolina… Continue Reading

Council Puts Hot Topics on the Table
Council Puts Hot Topics on the Table
Mar 16, 2015
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Council Puts Hot Topics on the Table

The mission of the NC Council of Churches extends into many areas that highlight the links… Continue Reading

Coming to the Seminar? Bring a Friend!
Coming to the Seminar? Bring a Friend!
Mar 11, 2015
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Coming to the Seminar? Bring a Friend!

The Council’s 2015 Legislative Seminar is about a month away, and we have an exciting program… Continue Reading

Register for 2015 Legislative Seminar — Updated with Workshops and Presenters
Register for 2015 Legislative Seminar — Updated with Workshops and Presenters
Mar 3, 2015
Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Register for 2015 Legislative Seminar — Updated with Workshops and Presenters

Join us on April 14 at Greenwood Forest Baptist Church in Cary for the Council’s 2015… Continue Reading

Time to Uphold UNC’s Anti-Poverty Mission
Time to Uphold UNC’s Anti-Poverty Mission
Feb 22, 2015
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Time to Uphold UNC’s Anti-Poverty Mission

One can say this about UNC-Chapel Hill’s Gene Nichol without fear of contradiction: He doesn’t seem… Continue Reading

Grading the Schools: The Poverty Link
Grading the Schools: The Poverty Link
Feb 16, 2015
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Grading the Schools: The Poverty Link

The scheme ordered up by the conservatives who hold power in the NC General Assembly to… Continue Reading

Join us for HKonJ 2015
Join us for HKonJ 2015
Feb 9, 2015
George Reed, Former Executive Director

Join us for HKonJ 2015

In these challenging days in North Carolina, there is nothing more important for people of faith… Continue Reading

Who Pays When It Comes to Taxes?
Who Pays When It Comes to Taxes?
Jan 15, 2015
George Reed, Former Executive Director

Who Pays When It Comes to Taxes?

People who are poor pay a greater percentage of their income in taxes than do those… Continue Reading

District Lines Entangle Race, Politics
District Lines Entangle Race, Politics
Jan 6, 2015
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

District Lines Entangle Race, Politics

The Republicans who rule North Carolina’s General Assembly start the new year riding tall in the… Continue Reading

Election Explanations as the Dust Settles
Election Explanations as the Dust Settles
Dec 6, 2014
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Election Explanations as the Dust Settles

North Carolina’s new U.S. senator-in-waiting, state House Speaker Thom Tillis, had what appears to have been… Continue Reading

Expand Medicaid? Now’s the time
Expand Medicaid? Now’s the time
Nov 16, 2014
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Expand Medicaid? Now’s the time

The decision last year by the conservatives who control North Carolina’s state government not to expand… Continue Reading

Conservatives, Riding High, Can Heed Cooler Heads
Conservatives, Riding High, Can Heed Cooler Heads
Nov 8, 2014
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Conservatives, Riding High, Can Heed Cooler Heads

There’s no getting around the fact that when North Carolinians went to the polls on Nov.… Continue Reading

Voter Protection Hotline
Voter Protection Hotline
Oct 31, 2014
George Reed, Former Executive Director

Voter Protection Hotline

We are coming to the end of the time for voting. Early Voting ends this Saturday, November 1.… Continue Reading

Judgeships Crowd Ballot with Bubbles
Judgeships Crowd Ballot with Bubbles
Oct 24, 2014
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Judgeships Crowd Ballot with Bubbles

For people who enjoy voting, North Carolina’s upcoming election promises to be a real treat. Federal,… Continue Reading

Voter Suppression Highlighted From on High
Voter Suppression Highlighted From on High
Oct 15, 2014
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Voter Suppression Highlighted From on High

When thorny constitutional issues are being hashed out in the courts, it’s a fact of life… Continue Reading

Early Voting Map Helps Locate Sites
Early Voting Map Helps Locate Sites
Oct 9, 2014
George Reed, Former Executive Director

Early Voting Map Helps Locate Sites

Our friends at the NC Conservation Network have created a useful (and nifty) interactive map of… Continue Reading

Judges Give ‘The Full Bill’ Thumbs-Down
Judges Give ‘The Full Bill’ Thumbs-Down
Oct 4, 2014
Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate

Judges Give ‘The Full Bill’ Thumbs-Down

October 9, 2014 Update: On October 8, the US Supreme Court handed down the final word… Continue Reading


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Yesterday

“Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health care is the most shocking and inhumane.” Thank you Dr. King for your wisdom and leadership. We hope to continue honoring your vision for justice and peace every day. pic.twitter.com/hpVi…

About 3 days ago

Awesome things to come this year - subscribe and stay in touch! #MindfulTogether twitter.com/ncchurch…

About 5 days ago

So important and needed. You are so loved. twitter.com/NAMINCar…

About 6 days ago

Follow @healthandfaith

Latest Tweets

RT @faithinplace The US has rejoined the #ParisClimateAgreement! "We hope the Biden Administration will continue to advance ambitious & durable climate action that centers #EnvironmentalJustice & care for the most vulnerable in our communities and our common home.”@sbhendershot @interfaithpower twitter.com/ILCleanJ…

About 10 hours ago

RT @EJinAction President @JoeBiden We have 2.4 million miles of #fossilfuel pipeline in our country, enough to go to the moon and back twice. It’s time to rescind the #KXLPipeline permit- it’s time to protect our #planet, our most vulnerable people and invest in clean energy & infrastructure✊🏾. pic.twitter.com/2Q4U…

About 10 hours ago

RT @NC_Governor When the previous administration withdrew from the Paris Climate Agreement, I said North Carolina was staying in. I commend President Biden for rejoining the Agreement and making the fight against climate change a priority. - RC

About 10 hours ago

RT @interfaithpower Biden’s Build Back Better plan is a giant step in the right direction to care for our neighbors + climate, and rebuild our economy with justice. It’s #TimeToAct to build back better. Add your signature to call on our leaders to take bold action: bit.ly/TimeToActClim… pic.twitter.com/tqCr…

About 12 hours ago

RT @ncchurches We need to start a new chapter. That means new leaders who hold militants accountable for attacking democracy. It means new actions to stop the spread of lies. And it means new rules to empower voters instead of those who undermine the will of the people. #InaugurationDay pic.twitter.com/Qk94…

About 12 hours ago

Follow @ncipl

Latest Tweets

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