Thank you to everyone who attended last nights Volunteer Appreciation Potluck. We had a great time. There was plenty of good conversation, fellowship and sooooo much good food. We had blank postcards available for anyone wanting to send a note to their elected officials and people took advantage of that. I personally dropped a good-sized stack in the mailbox on the way home. Thank you, also, to NCDP Chair Wayne Goodwin and to former candidate for Ag Commissioner Walter Smith for coming out and getting us fired up! Finally, thank you to all the volunteers who weren’t able to make it last night for one reason or another. We realize that folks are pulled in many directions in their lives. We appreciate all the ways you have helped us through the years.

That being said, back to pestering our legislative representatives. ?

If we don’t have healthy, educated children, access to affordable healthcare, grandparents who receive the help and care we’ve promised them or the arts and humanities, what the heck are we using that bloated military budget to defend?

SCRIPT 3: NEH/NEA

Hello, I am a constituent from ___________________ and I am calling to urge Sen./Rep. ___________________ to reject President Trump’s proposed budget. In particular, I am concerned about cuts to the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities. These cuts would shut down many vital arts projects, including small programs here in North Carolina. Much of this funding goes to preserving our cultural heritage, and in many cases, these programs actually create jobs, making them into a net gain for taxpayers. Please tell Sen./Rep. ________________ to reject any Trump budget that includes cuts for the NEA or NEH.

 

Or alternately, here’s another useful script for you to tailor to your own liking:

 

Oppose 45’s new budget proposal.

Script: Hi. I am a constituent from ZIP code __________ calling to express my deep concern over the president’s proposed budget. Specifically,

(choose one or two that concern you most and share a personal story related to it):

• I don’t want my tax dollars paying for his wall or a bigger military.
• I don’t want to pay a higher TSA fee or to privatize air traffic control.
• I support national parks, the prevention of wildlife trafficking, and superfund pollution cleanup.
• I support scientific research on the climate crisis and cancer.
• I support the EnergyStar program that rates appliances’ efficiency.
• I support loan guarantees for small businesses.
• I support the arts and humanities, including quality programming like Sesame Street, NPR, and Public Broadcasting.
• I support programs like WIC, school meals, housing subsidies, and medical care for people in need.

Honestly, it’s not just the budget, it’s the belief that my tax dollar should support people in need and programs for the public good. Where does Sen/Rep _______________ stand on this proposed budget?

 

STATE:

Happy Anniversary HB2! (not really)

HB2 repeal

Thursday is the one year anniversary of the infamous bill that has brought so much shame and economic hardship to our state, and that literally codifies bigotry into our statutes. There is a compromise bill out there, but we call for a full repeal to restore civil and human rights to all. Call your rep, call leadership, but also put some heat on the flip floppers who voted for it, said they regretted that decision and then backed away from pushing for repeal.

I am a constituent calling from zip code __________ and I am demanding that Rep. ___________ support an immediate repeal to HB2. This bill is bigoted, embarrassing, and economically devastating to our state. Please show some leadership on this issue. Thank you for recording my call.

The flip flop reps:
Rep. John Hardister: 919-733-5191 Jon.Hardister@ncleg.net
Donny Lambeth: 919-733-5747 Donny.Lambeth@ncleg.net
Chris Malone: 919-715-3010 Chris.Malone@ncleg.net
John Bradford: 919-733-5828 John.Bradford@ncleg.net

Leadership:
Phil Berger (Senate): (919) 733-5708 Phil.Berger@ncleg.net
Tim Moore (House): 919-733-3451 Tim.Moore@ncleg.net

 

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Randolph County Democratic Convention – April 8, 2017 at Randolph County Courthouse. If you are a delegate or an officer in your precinct, please join us to elect new officers, vote on resolutions, and help set the course for our party for the next elections season.

Lunch with Lawmakers – April 21, 2017 Archdale Trinity Chamber of Commerce is having a forum to make Reps. Pat Hurley and Allen McNeill  and Senator Jerry Tillman available to answer questions from constituents. See the link for the official flyer from the Chamber.