WEDNESDAY 2/22/17 CALLS TO ACTION: Bad bills everywhere!

Having solved all other problems in the state, the NCGA has decided to float yet another round of bad bills that tighten the screws on already marginalized immigrant communities, who are already terrorized by Trump’s executive orders and mass roundups. Another terrible bill furthers the misleading idea that voter fraud is a problem (it’s not), when in fact voter suppression (to benefit the GOP) is the real aim. Another bill attacks women’s reproductive health, just because they can’t get enough of telling women what to do with their own bodies. And finally, there is a bill making it legal to carry a concealed gun without a permit. Of course, these are not all of the bills put forward, but there’s not room to put them all here. Please contact your representatives in the General Assembly. Pick your least favorite bill, pick two, or call on them all if you are feeling ambitious. Ask them to oppose these wasteful, hateful bills.

NC House Bill 35:

Hello Sen./Rep. ______________. I am a constituent calling to express my concern about House Bill 35. This bill would require even the smallest businesses to use the eVerify system, creating unnecessary burdens for these companies. It would also prevent cities from declaring themselves sanctuaries, essentially grabbing more power away from municipalities, just like HB2 does. Instead of scapegoating immigrants, we should work on comprehensive immigration reform that is just, humane, and economically beneficial. Please tell Sen./Rep. _______________ to oppose HB 35.

NC Senate Bill 38:

Hi, I am a constituent and I am calling to tell Sen./Rep. _______________ to oppose SB 38. The bill would allow any registered voter of the same county to contest a voter’s absentee ballot [ask if they support the bill]. The bill would encourage the kinds of dubious challenges to voters that the McCrory campaign unsuccessfully tried. Voter suppression, not fraud, is the real problem with our elections. Please tell Sen./Rep. _______________ to vote against SB 38.

NC House Bill 62

I am a constituent in zip code ______ I am calling to voice my opposition to House Bill 62 which requires doctors to dispense unproven medical advice to women seeking safe early term abortions using medication, adding unnecessary burdens and potentially increasing late term abortions. This bill is yet another in a series of attacks against women’s reproductive health put forth by members of the NCGA. Please ask Sen/Rep________ to vote no on this bill. Thank you for your time.

NC House Bill 69:

I am a constituent from zip code ____________ and I am calling to tell Sen/Rep. _______________ to vote against House Bill 69, which would make it legal for people to carry a concealed handgun in North Carolina without a permit. This is an incredibly dangerous bill that would make our public spaces less safe and would allow people without training to have the ability to carry a handgun. Please urge Sen./Rep. ________________ to vote against this bill. Thank you so much for your time.

NC House Bill 63:

I am a constituent calling to oppose HB 63. This bill threatens the state with lawsuits, because it invites racial profiling and violates the fourth amendment to the Constitution. The bill needlessly and significantly increases penalties for using false documentation in a way that deliberately and cruelly targets immigrants. HB 63 makes it much easier for a person to be deported without having even committed a crime. Please tell Rep./Senator ________________ to speak out in opposition to this bill. Thank you, and please record my call.