North Carolina
NC Republicans roll out last-minute constitutional amendments, before losing supermajority
Republican state lawmakers announced three proposals for new state constitutional amendments Monday morning, with plans to vote on them later in the day.
One of the amendments would further cap the state’s maximum possible income tax rate. Another would tweak the state’s voter photo identification requirements. The third would call for a new U.S. Constitutional convention. A convention could only be held if 34 states call for one. Currently 19 states have done so, according to the main conservative group that’s been lobbying for years for a new convention to rewrite the Constitution.
In North Carolina, amending the state constitution is a two-step process. A proposal must first pass the legislature with at least 60% in both chambers, a supermajority, voting in favor. Then it would be put on the ballot for voters to decide. If at least 50% of voters support the idea, it gets added to the state constitution.
The timing of Monday’s announcement might indicate that Republicans don’t believe they’ll be able to get any Democratic support for the three amendments in the state legislature.
North Carolina voters broke the GOP’s supermajority in this year’s elections, and new members will be sworn in next month. So starting in January, any constitutional amendment proposals would need at least one Democratic lawmaker to vote in favor in order for the amendment to be placed on the ballot.
Veto override also expected
The three new amendments aren’t the only major changes being rushed through in the lame-duck session following this year’s elections. Republican lawmakers also recently voted to strip powers away from the governor, attorney general, lieutenant governor and superintendent of schools — all offices won by Democrats in the 2024 elections.
In some cases, powers and duties held by those offices would cease to exist altogether. In other cases, the powers would transfer to different offices, which Republicans won election to in this year’s elections.
Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper vetoed the bill, calling it unconstitutional.
Republicans still have a veto-proof supermajority until January, however. They planned to begin the veto override process Monday in the same state Senate session where the new amendments were also expected to be heard.
North Carolina
North Carolina man to serve 15 years after having sex with Cumberland County 12-year-old
HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHP) — A North Carolina man learned his fate after recording himself having sex with a minor in 2023, according to the Department of Justice.
Brayan Garcia-Vazquez, 25, was sentenced to 180 months of imprisonment on April 1 after he knowingly had sex with a 12-year-old girl in her home and recorded it, the DOJ announced.
During his indictment hearing in 2024, it was found that he and the victim had sex on April 5, 2023, in Cumberland County. She told authorities she and Garcia-Vazquez had met on Instagram in 2022.
The Department of Justice said he came to her home on two separate days to have sex and, on the second day, he brought her a gold bracelet before recording them having sex.
During court proceedings, it was revealed that he shared the video with the victim, whose mother eventually found the video and shared it with authorities.
BE THE FIRST TO COMMENT
After his sentence is completed, Garcia-Vazquez faces deportation after the Department of Homeland Security assisted with the investigation.
North Carolina
ThRive Local announces award winners for North Carolina
GREENVILLE, N.C. (WNCT) — THRive Local has hosted five luncheons since they started in March and has announced some of the award winners.
THRive Local is a county-focused, community plan designed to strengthen local systems of care through targeted local partnerships, provider collaboration, and community-driven solutions.
The full list of North Carolina Award winners include:
Youth Advocate Award:
- Stacy Huss, Chief Court Counselor, District 2
- Terri Proctor, Chief Court Counselor, District 7
- Marlo Blake, Chief Court Counselor, District 3
Bridge Builder Award:
- Lori Leggett, Beaufort DSS Director
North Central CFAC:
- Lorrine Washington and Felicia McNair on behalf of the North Central CFAC
North Central Regional Advisory Board:
- Jerry Langley, Beaufort County Commissioner
- Deborah Herring, Co-Chair, on behalf of the North Central Regional Advisory Board
CIT Law Enforcement Officer Award:
- Probation Officer Harmony Campbell, NC DAC, Community Supervision
Equity in Action Award
- Ripe for Revival Mobile Market
- Stronger Together Black Youth Suicide Prevention
- Charletta Basnight, Trillium’s Council on Health Disparities
Appreciation of Service Award:
For more information, click here.
North Carolina
Lowering U.S. and NC Flags to Half-Staff in Honor of North Carolina Rep. Mike Clampitt
Governor Josh Stein today ordered all U.S. and North Carolina flags at state facilities be lowered to half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Saturday, April 4 in honor of North Carolina State House Representative Mike Clampitt, who died on Wednesday, March 18, after a long battle with cancer.
Before his passing, Rep. Clampitt was serving his fourth term and recently won the GOP primary to run for a fifth term in office. A native of Swain County, Rep. Clampitt represented North Carolina’s 119th District including Transylvania, Jackson and Swain Counties. Services for Rep. Clampitt will be held in Cullowhee, North Carolina on April 4.
“Before I was sworn in as Governor, Representative Mike Clampitt was one of the first people I called as we worked to rebuild western NC after Hurricane Helene,” said Governor Josh Stein. “He was a steadfast public servant for his community in WNC, and today I am saddened by the news of his passing. May his memory be a blessing.”
Individuals, businesses, schools, municipalities, counties, and other government subdivisions are also
encouraged to fly flags at half-staff for the time indicated.
North Carolina flag announcements are issued in accordance with regulations outlined in the U.S. Flag Code.
Click for the NC State Government Flag Guide.
Sign up for the North Carolina Flag Alert list.
-
Culture1 week agoWil Wheaton Discusses ‘Stand By Me’ and Narrating ‘The Body’ Audiobook
-
South-Carolina5 days agoSouth Carolina vs TCU predictions for Elite Eight game in March Madness
-
Miami, FL1 week agoJannik Sinner’s Girlfriend Laila Hasanovic Stuns in Ab-Revealing Post Amid Miami Open
-
Culture1 week agoWhat Happens When We Die? This Wallace Stevens Poem Has Thoughts.
-
Minneapolis, MN1 week agoBoy who shielded classmate during school shooting receives Medal of Honor
-
Vermont5 days ago
Skier dies after fall at Sugarbush Resort
-
Education1 week agoVideo: Transgender Athletes Barred From Women’s Olympic Events
-
Politics5 days agoTrump’s Ballroom Design Has Barely Been Scrutinized