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Editorial: Cooper offers N.C. legislature a prescription it must fulfill

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Editorial: Cooper offers N.C. legislature a prescription it must fulfill


CBC Editorial: Tuesday, March 7, 2023; editorial #8830

The next is the opinion of Capitol Broadcasting Firm

Gov. Roy Cooper offered the North Carolina legislature with a prescription it should fulfill.

“A accountability to be taught from adversity and make issues higher,” he mentioned as he opened his State of the State Tackle Monday night within the Home Chamber of the State Legislative Constructing which is celebrating its sixtieth yr of occupancy. Cooper harkened to a different milestone of that point – the institution of the Analysis Triangle Park – demonstrating “the foresight and resolve to spend money on new concepts which have revolutionized our state impacting the generations that adopted.”
The type and presentation have been in line with the way in which Cooper’s ruled – urgent for cooperation, conciliation and funding sooner or later whereas eschewing confrontation, partisan low cost pictures and unproductive lamentations on a false previous.

Nonetheless, he was direct and agency in regards to the agenda North Carolina wants. Cooper wasn’t reserved about letting legislative leaders know what must be accomplished and the place he believes they’re going astray. The 35-minute speech was interrupted 31 instances with affirming applause.

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In direct distinction to legislative leaders’ declaration that tax cuts have been their high precedence, Cooper known as for investments.

“Progress is rarely passive,” he reminded the legislators. “You’ll be able to solely make progress once you set formidable targets.” These instances, he mentioned, current “once-in-a-generation alternatives (that) require once-in-a-generation investments.”

A top quality workforce depends on a top-quality public training – from pre-school via our public universities. “A sound, primary training, as required by our state structure, requires certified academics in each classroom, expert principals in each faculty, glorious counselors and funding to help each pupil from each stroll of life.”

He known as on the state Supreme Court docket to not backtrack. “The courtroom ought to uphold a long time of bipartisan Supreme Court docket precedent that comes down on the aspect of kids,” he mentioned.

“We’ve got the cash,” Cooper declared and promised a funds that may “spend money on the whole training plan ordered by the courtroom” to provide academics and principals double-digit raises, be sure that youngsters can get to highschool and that these faculties are protected. “It doesn’t elevate taxes and it balances the funds.”

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Hear it clearly, as Cooper mentioned about his proposals and the funds he’ll ship to the Basic Meeting. “We don’t want to lift taxes,” whereas including with equal emphasis: “We don’t want extra tax breaks for firms and the wealthiest North Carolinians.”

Alongside along with his concern over the 25 years of procrastination in assembly the wants of North Carolina’s faculty youngsters, Cooper rightly known as on legislators to finish the decade-long refusal to broaden Medicaid and do it now — with out their deliberate delay.

“Each month we wait to broaden, not solely price lives, however prices our state greater than $521 million a month in federal healthcare {dollars},” he mentioned, including the warning that “if we don’t broaden quickly, we forfeit a further $1.8 billion.”

That’s dangerous administration that hurts the state funds no in another way than failure to broaden Medicaid has damage greater than 600,000 North Carolinians who haven’t been in a position to entry the well being care they want.

Avoiding any direct confrontation or bullying finger-pointing, Cooper did pay attention to the sorts of laws that, within the first weeks of the legislative session, has taken high precedence. Cooper famous that when he took workplace six years in the past, one of many first acts was to put off the ill-conceived and dear so-called “lavatory invoice” that resulted in cancelled financial growth initiatives and moved or cancelled billions of {dollars} in conference, athletic championship and tourism enterprise.

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“I problem the Basic Meeting to maintain us off the frontlines of these tradition wars that damage individuals and value us jobs so we will proceed our profitable bipartisan work.”

He closed with a name for unity of objective that was in stark distinction to the heated and confrontational rhetoric that so appears to dominate our public discourse.

They’re phrases value taking to coronary heart – no matter political affiliation.

“Use public faculties to construct a brighter future, not bully and marginalize LGBTQ college students. Don’t make academics re-write historical past. Hold the liberty to vote in attain for each eligible voter. Go away the selections about reproductive healthcare to girls and their docs.”

Legislators ought to embrace Cooper’s deal with the issues that matter most – a more healthy, higher educated state with a workforce that earns an honest dwelling and the chance to stay lives “of objective and abundance.”

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Capitol Broadcasting Firm’s Opinion Part seeks a broad vary of feedback and letters to the editor. Our Feedback beside every opinion column supply the chance to have interaction in a dialogue about this text.

As well as, we invite you to put in writing a letter to the editor about this or some other opinion articles. Listed below are some tips about submissions >> SUBMIT A LETTER TO THE EDITOR



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North Carolina

Multiple injuries reported in northeast Charlotte 8-car crash

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Multiple injuries reported in northeast Charlotte 8-car crash


CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) – An eight-car crash injured several people and shut down a major interstate on Christmas Eve, the Charlotte Fire Department confirmed.

The crash happened at Interstate 85 North at West W.T. Harris Boulevard. I-85 was shut down by 7:40 p.m. and isn’t expected to reopen before 10:40 p.m.

Of those injured, two were taken to area hospitals, according to Medic.

Crews at the scene said to expect significant delays in the area.

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For the latest traffic maps, visit drivenc.gov.

WBTV is working to find out more information. Download the free WBTV News app for the latest updates sent straight to your device.



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How AM radio helped storm recovery efforts in North Carolina

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How AM radio helped storm recovery efforts in North Carolina


How AM radio helped storm recovery efforts in North Carolina – CBS News

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After Hurricane Helene brought devastating flooding to North Carolina, internet and cell phone service were spotty at best. But many were able to coordinate relief efforts and get crucial information out over AM radio. Skyler Henry has the story.

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North Carolina Dems fight GOP power shift as lawsuit targets election boards

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North Carolina Dems fight GOP power shift as lawsuit targets election boards


Outgoing Gov. Roy Cooper (D-NC) and Gov.-elect Josh Stein (D-NC) filed an expanded lawsuit Monday to challenge a sweeping Republican-backed law that strips significant powers from the state’s incoming Democratic officeholders.

The move by the Democratic leaders escalates an ongoing legal battle over GOP efforts to reshape control of state agencies and boards ahead of next month’s transition.

The new legal action focuses on Senate Bill 382, which transfers the governor’s authority to appoint members of the State Board of Elections to the state auditor, a position set to be held by Republican Dave Boliek. Additionally, the law grants the auditor the power to appoint the leaders of all county election boards, further limiting gubernatorial influence.

Gov. Roy Cooper (D-NC) waves to supporters during an election night watch party for Democratic North Carolina gubernatorial candidate Josh Stein on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, in Raleigh, North Carolina. (AP Photo/Grant Halverson)

“These blatantly partisan efforts to give control over election boards to a newly elected Republican will create distrust in our elections process and serve no legitimate purpose,” Cooper said in a statement.

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The lawsuit was originally filed by Democrats over Senate Bill 749, a bill blocked earlier this year that would have overhauled the state election board structure. With SB 382 now law, Cooper and Stein are seeking to amend the lawsuit to reflect the changes, which they argue are unconstitutional and undermine democratic principles.

“In recent years, these legislative leaders have repeatedly tried and failed to seize control of the State Board of Elections for their own partisan gain,” Stein said. “This latest move insults the voters who rejected their power grab and must not stand.”

SB 382’s provisions extend beyond election oversight. It prohibits the incoming attorney general, Democrat Jeff Jackson, from taking legal positions contrary to those of the Republican-led legislature. It also reallocates $227 million to a Hurricane Helene relief fund but does not specify how the money will be used, raising concerns about delayed aid to affected communities.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

Republicans overrode Cooper’s veto of SB 382 earlier this month, using their supermajority in the state Senate. However, starting in 2025, they will lose their veto-proof majority in the House, creating a more challenging legislative landscape.

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The case now heads to Wake County Superior Court as the political fight over North Carolina’s balance of power intensifies.



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