Keeping our Eye on the Prize
Speaker Moore set this week aside as a break so, in his words, "we could get away from one another for a while." Probably not a bad idea. We will reconvene for business on September 30.
I've always tried to reach across the aisle and work with respect, trust, and good faith with
all
of our members. So in spite of last week's
underhanded tricks
played by our Republican Leadership to
hold an ambush vote on 9/11,
I believe that North Carolinians want
a their Legislature and Governor to work together
for the Common Good. I believe that our citizens are tired of this sort of stupid stuff and they expect us to work together toward a brighter future for
all
North Carolinians.
In 2020, Our Maps Will Be More Fair
It has been hopeful that our efforts to limit the unconstitutional partisan gerrymandering across our state are working. Our Constitution is clear. The courts are clear:
Stop it!
With the court's continuing oversight, we are well on our way for 2020 to be
the fairest election in a decade.
Medicaid Expansion is Moving Forward
I am hopeful that we can
advance the prospects of Medicaid Expansion,
substantially
closing the coverage gap for half a million of our neighbors by passing
House Bill 655
over to the Senate when we get back. There will be more about this in next week's newsletter.
A Balanced Budget for All
I am still hopeful, even confident, that the Senate Democrats will
uphold the Governor's veto
and just as our
Constitution
requires, we will have the opportunity for the House, the Senate, and the Governor to sit down and together negotiate a budget that works for
all
North Carolinians.
Our state deserves a balanced budget that
invests in teacher pay
instead of more tax cuts for corporations, that has a true
school and infrastructure
bond
instead of a slush fund, and that
Expands Medicaid
for half a million North Carolinians instead of wasting $4 billion each year, all while giving hard-working North Carolinians a tax cut and saving money for our state's Rainy Day Fund.
These are real opportunities for North Carolina, worthy of all our best efforts.
