HB 237 has passed by 30 to 15, along partisan lines. This bill makes it a Class 1 misdemeanor to wear a mask, punishable by 6-18 months of probation and a fine, with greater punishment with successive offenses.
🧵HB 237 Clarifications from Senate Judiciary Committee:
1. The legislature MAY consider an exceptions clause IF they determine the prohibition to masking affects sick people.
2. The intent of the bill is (a.) To prevent future mask mandates and (b.) Discourage protests.
Some days I feel like I’m just beating my head against the wall, but today was not one of those days. Proud to have been a plaintiff on this lawsuit. Great work by everyone involved!
#FairMaps
After speaking at the event with
@VP
in Charlotte today,
@JeffJacksonNC
stuck around to help direct traffic and get attendees out of the parking deck and on their way.
#TruePublicServant
A1: My son with autism - Watching our schools struggle to support his needs after the NC GOP cut education funding, I vowed to make sure all NC students get the resources they need for a quality public education. I’m going to Raleigh to fight for all NC students.
#FlipNCBlue
The NC House just passed HB 237, the anti-masking bill. Oh, and they threw in a campaign finance clause which would allow outside dark money to pour into NC campaigns.
3. The original statute, which is being amended here, excludes official secret societies to be excluded from mask/hood prohibitions - Klan and Proud Boys conceivably could be exempt.
🧵HB 237 Clarifications from Senate Judiciary Committee:
1. The legislature MAY consider an exceptions clause IF they determine the prohibition to masking affects sick people.
2. The intent of the bill is (a.) To prevent future mask mandates and (b.) Discourage protests.
NCSEAA is citing FERPA for no longer listing online how many voucher students are at each North Carolina private school. Only listing total dollars per school. NCSEAA says change was done "to make certain that the identity of scholarship students remains anonymous."
#nced
#ncpol
@BobtheGoon5
The bill sponsor argued that the sick would not be targeted and that law enforcement would “use their own good judgment.” Technically, it would be illegal, and they refused to include an exception for health reasons. 🤷🏼♀️
I am running because I believe the interests of our state’s people should come before the interests of corporate CEO’s and shareholders.
If you feel the same, please support my campaign: Donate, volunteer, share!
#AQuickFixForNC
“(NC’s) minimum wage is $7.25, which is only 18.86% of the cost of living for an average family of four...
“Low unemployment benefits also factor in. The average unemployment in North Carolina covers around 9% of the overall cost of living in the state.”
If
@JoshStein_
is radical for wanting cleaner air and less extreme weather, then please give me more of that kind of radical! Sounds like Mark is trying to curry favor with Big Oil.
Now why would the founder of a bunch of PRIVATE schools be fundraising for a candidate for Superintendent of PUBLIC instruction…🤔 Do you think he just cares that much about our public schools?
If you support a living wage in NC and have ever had to roll your eyes at a sexist troll, please make a contribution to our campaign today! Together we can build a better NC.
#MakeItQuickInNC
This week Republicans eliminated our state background check system. Only in North Carolina would politicians think “participation trophies” are more of a threat to kids than people buying guns without background checks. 🤯
Hey
@NewHanoverCo
- Did you know that your NC Senator
@LeeForNC
voted to ban masks in public, even for the sick and immune-compromised?? He doesn’t care about your health. Sounds like a great reason to vote for his opponent, a doctor who does care.
Just in time for Christmas - I rang the 🔔, had my last chemo treatment & was declared cancer-free today. I am beyond grateful & more determined than ever to appreciate every moment I’m given in this life.
Happy holidays & much love to all!
#KickedCancer
#LifeIsShort
#thankful
4. Current law on the books already criminalizes blocking traffic. Language in this bill specifically targets protesters and makes the protest organizer liable if anyone involved in the protests is determined to have blocked traffic.
The House will likely seek to sub a compromise bill that they feel will pass both their chamber and the Senate. Continue to contact your legislators and let them know your concerns. Take a moment though and celebrate this win.
So
@ncLegislature
, would this be prohibited by our anti-masking law, or is it allowed under exemption 5 - any organization or society engaged in a parade on a public street? Hate groups are exempt, right?
Almost 28% of registered voters in NC have already voted.
Let's keep that momentum going - with so many early voting dates and locations this year, voting early is a safe and quick way to cast your ballot in the most important election of our lifetimes.
Our political divisions have progressed to the point that they overwhelm compassion - The sick and immune-compromised are being attacked. 😢
As someone who underwent chemotherapy last fall, my heart goes out to everyone who may face this sort of attack.
NC budget fight simplified: Berger doesn’t believe Moore’s vote count. “I think there are a lot of people that have a lot of things in that budget, and that it’s very easy to say I don’t want it in a 1-on-1 conversation or particularly a group meeting of some sort … (1/2)
#ncpol
Just moments ago, the NC House Environment Committee approved a Proposed Committee Substitution for HB 864 - It would hold polluters like Chemours accountable for PFAS contamination of our drinking water. This is a win for NC citizens and our environment!
The NC GOP has partnered with the Trump attorney who tried to “find votes” to overturn the 2020 election and is preparing to enact voter suppression measures usually found in totalitarian regimes.
#VoterSuppression
Can you believe it's been almost 20 years since I first got to share my voice with you? That's a long time. A LOT has changed!
We need powerful voices more than ever, so I'm running for Congress.
And my voice is even stronger now! ;-)
#JoinTheChorus
[NEW] What’s up with grocery prices?
While inflation may have cooled off, we're still left with actual grocery prices that are much higher than they were pre-COVID.
Growing corporate consolidation in the food industry wants to keep them that way:
#ncpol
Yesterday, our future US Senator for NC,
@CalforNC
, stopped by one of my favorite local small businesses,
@ScupBooks
I appreciated having the opportunity to discuss with him the current state of things in Guilford County.
I heard one Rep say that this transfer of tax $ will allow private schools to spur economic growth in their communities, so…trickle-down economics?? It doesn’t work at the macro level; it certainly isn’t going to work at the micro level. And NC’s students will pay the price.
[NEW] The Massive, Upward Money Hose
North Carolina's state lawmakers are on the verge of shoveling an *additional* $500 million taxpayer dollars into NC's embattled private school voucher system - nearly all of which will go to wealthy households.
#ncpol
While we wait for the final votes to be tallied, I want to say thank you to every voter who made their voice heard and every person who encouraged and supported me. Your commitment to making NC better has given me hope. Thanks for believing in this campaign.
Gerrymandering, education, voter rights - These are just some of the issues decided in
@NCSupremeCt
& NC Court of Appeals that make judicial races so important. Support the
@ForwardCarolina
Justice Slate & save NC from extreme legislation from the bench.
Happy birthday to my opponent, Jon Hardister. Thanks for making this one of the most competitive state house races in the state. In honor of his birthday, I’m collecting for his retirement fund!
BIG NEWS: I’ve been endorsed by
@JoeBiden
in my race for the North Carolina State House in District 59! I’m thrilled to receive this endorsement and to see the positive change we can make by flipping NC blue on November 3rd.
4 seats on the this Court are up for grabs this November, & it’s essential we win them. Because these races get less attention, they also get fewer campaign donations. Can you help support these candidates? Each donation will be split evenly among them.
All of our children deserve access to good, safe schools. When I was a child, NC had one of the best public school systems in the nation, and our Smart Start program was a model for other states. We can be a leader in education again.
#DefendOurSchools
Today: Carolina Forward is launching "Defend Our Schools," our statewide issue spot calling on North Carolinians to defend our schools - and the fundamental principle of public education itself.
#ncpol
[NEW] The September edition of the Carolina Forward Poll is here!
We asked likely 2024 North Carolina voters for their views on the 2024 election, reproductive freedom, private school vouchers, and a lot more.
Let's dive in...
#ncpol
One Party looks like NC. The other Party is the White Men’s Party. Congratulations to
@NCGOP
on electing their first black legislator since Reconstruction though. 😏
103 doors knocked today with
@marthashafer
for Rev-Up, the GOTV arm of the Poor People’s Campaign. 💪🙌
Your vote matters! In 2020,
@CheriBeasleyNC
lost her race for NC Supreme Court by 400 votes - That’s just 4 extra votes per a county. Please vote. 🙏
#GOTV22
🧵NC faces a looming childcare crisis. When federal emergency childcare funding expires at the end of June, 1,800 childcare facilities across NC are expected to close. What happens then?
@DanBlueNC
@electreives
#ChildcareCliff
@Nicolewithno_h
There will be the opportunity for debate in the House, and it will be streamed. My guess is the process will look much like what we just saw in the Senate.
Looking at the time series data for this “blue-ing” makes it easier to understand the GOP’s desperate efforts to gerrymander NC’s districts. Ultimately though, the shift will overwhelm those efforts.
[NEW] North Carolina's Blue Shift
In Part 2 of our look at North Carolina's political geography, we look at the rapid blue-ing of our state's urban counties.
The broad rejection of the MAGA agenda is accelerating
#ncpol
's leftward shift.
Bill to ban masks in public spaces is up in the Senate right now ()
Republicans shot down an amendment from Democrats to add this exception to the bill
#ncpol
#ncga
A5 – Eliminate barriers to voting:
•Make Election Day a national holiday.
•Eliminate Voter ID laws
•Increase early voting periods and sites
•Allow vote by mail
#NCDemsChat
Q5: As the pandemic threatens to stretch through the election season, many people are wondering how we can make voting more safe and accessible. As a legislator, what would you do to increase access to the ballot box in North Carolina?
#NCDemsChat
#FlipNCBlue
I am amazed by all
@ForwardCarolina
has accomplished in its first year. It’s an honor to be associated with this brilliant and talented group of people who are working tirelessly for a better NC.
#ProgressivesLead
NC Court: The Court finds this to be evidence that the enacted congressional plan was intentionally designed to give Republicans a partisan advantage.
Also NC Court:
Truly one of the most disturbing things I’ve witnessed in a long time. A Congressman, in a bid to overturn Roe V Wade and deny American women reproductive rights. Publicly referred to them as “Earthen vessels, sanctified by Almighty God.” Give me strength.
While greeting voters at the Ag Barn today, I had the chance to meet Samuel Harris who was bringing his son Brian to vote for the first time! They were kind enough to pose for this photo. I love to see the excitement of first time voters!
🚨ENDORSEMENT🚨 We are proud to endorse
@AdamsforNC
for NC HD-60. He is running in a critical primary to bring new representation to
#HighPoint
.
This is an unprecedented endorsement for WFD - our first effort to unseat a Democratic incumbent. 🧵
Yesterday, in the NC House,
@timlongest
spoke against a provision in HB 198. This bill allows billboard owners to cut more trees along highways to improve visibility, and it removes protection of native Redbud trees.
@SierraClubNC
has asked
@NC_Governor
to veto.
Quick Holiday Gift!
Looking for that perfect gift? Get them something they really want this holiday season - a new Representative!
Make a contribution, and the recipient will receive a new Representative to the NC House.
Follow the link to order:
Rogue Democrat
@CecilBrockman
's campaign finance report is finally up, 3 weeks late. He showed 0 contributions from his district - but a bunch of money from Duke Energy and Pat Cotham. 🤔🤔🤔🤔
Also his report doesn't meet legal requirements. lol
#ncpol
The NC House just passed the Don’t Say Gay bill 66 to 47, without full debate & without taking up any of the 7 amendments proposed by Dems. Every Dem voted against it except 2 who were absent. Guess who. Link to the text of this horrible bill and pic of the vote board is in 🧵.
Supposedly, the program was meant to provide “scholarships” so low-income families could afford to send their children to private schools instead of failing public schools. Why don’t they just provide adequate funding to keep those public schools from failing?
#Leandro
[NEW] The War on Public Schools Continues
This year, some lawmakers are proposing sending billions in taxpayer dollars to private schools - but not to yours.
This week, a look at NC's failed "Opportunity Scholarship" voucher experiment.
#ncpol
#nced
Today is Sadie’s birthday, and she has 2 wishes:
1. That everyone will be safe and well.
2. That her mom will get elected to the NC House.
Happy birthday, Sadie!
To help make Sadie’s 2nd wish come true, please donate at
#TakeTheMajority
#CampaignPups
Dear Conservative Twitter: These are not fishnets. They are patterned tights. It kind of looks like an argyle pattern. Keep your faux shock and genuine hypocrisy to yourselves - You’re embarrassing yourselves.
I was pumped to go out and knock doors with supercanvasser
@marthashafer
today! I have a sprained ankle, so she did the heavy lifting. We still knocked 39 doors in NC House District 57 for
@Clemmons4NC
& Democrats up and down the ballot!
Thanks, Martha!
#ClemmonsForNC
#GOTV2022
More take home pay for minimum wage workers = more consumption = economic growth. Raising the minimum wage is both morally right and economically sound.
[NEW] North Carolina's state minimum wage is only $7.25 an hour, the same as the federal minimum. That isn't livable - and it's not right.
It's well past time for North Carolina lawmakers to raise our state minimum wage.
#ncpol