Republicans introduce another anti-democracy bill

On Tuesday, Republicans placed Senate Bill 749-No Partisan Advantage in Elections on the calendar for a vote (NASW-NC Opposes).  The bill passed the Senate in June and had no activity until this 2nd week of September, while we are still awaiting the budget past due since July 1st.  SB 749 would require the State Board of Elections to have an equal number of Republicans and Democrats and have all members be appointed by legislative leaders, rather than the governor. Currently, the board is structured to have a 3-2 majority of members from the governor’s party.

The bill also changes the makeup of all 100 county boards of elections across the state, requiring them to be evenly bipartisan as well and putting the legislature in charge of the 400 local appointments needed to staff the boards.

An evenly divided election board raises the possibility of deadlocked decisions, a situation that is currently not mentioned in the bill, apart from a provision giving the legislature the authority to hire an executive director if the board cannot reach a decision on one in 30 days.

No remedy is defined for a deadlock in more dramatic situations, such as if the board cannot agree to certify the results of an election.

Asked in June what would happen in this situation, Senate leader Phil Berger told reporters he suspected the matter would go to a superior court.
Source: NCInsider

From Common Cause NC:
I wanted to share an update on Senate Bill 749, a dangerous bill that would upend elections administration and jeopardize basic voting options in North Carolina. This morning, we and our democracy partners held a press conference in front of the legislative building as we spoke out against this harmful bill. You can watch a recording of our press conference and learn more about the dangers of Senate Bill 749 here. 

Then this afternoon, the NC House Rules Committee removed Senate Bill 749 from its meeting calendar for today as our opposition to the bill made headlines.

WRAL: NC Republicans postpone vote on major elections bill as protests mount

That’s welcome news. But legislators still insist they will attempt to take up this bad bill next week, even as protests mount. 

And so we can’t let up! We must continue speaking out against Senate Bill 749 and its outrageous attacks on our voting rights. If you haven’t done so already, please send a message to your NC House member and tell them to OPPOSE Senate Bill 749. 

TAKE ACTION: TELL YOUR HOUSE MEMBER
TO OPPOSE SB74
   

READ: North Carolina governor: Our state is on the front lines of voting rights battle Right-wing Republicans in North Carolina are waging an attack on free elections by moving to limit access to the ballot box and sow chaos in our election certification process. We can’t let them get away with it.
Opinion by Roy Cooper
Source: CNN    

Possible Budget Vote or further delays?
The NC General Assembly has stated to expect the vote on the budget the week of September 11th, however even that seems to be in question after an email was leaked to the press from Speaker Moore to House Republicans.  Moore's email stated there are currently not enough Republican votes to pass the budget with gaming (casinos) included and asked members to be prepared for a caucus meeting to vote on a budget version without gaming included.  

Read: Casinos fail to get support needed to be part of NC's state budget, House speaker says

From the NC Budget & Tax Center: 
Getting the state budget right should be the top priority of Speaker Moore and Senator Berger and all those we elect to represent the interestsand needs in communities across the state.  

But keeping the state budget tied to the health care of hundreds of thousands of North Carolinians shows just how little elected leaders in the legislature are thinking about their responsibility to the people of this state.  

Legislative leaders should move quickly to separate the expansion of Medicaid from the final budget vote and take the time needed to deliberate on a comprehensive final budget that builds a foundation for a state where everyone thrives — a state where no matter who you are or how much income you have, you can live a good, healthy life.  Such deliberations must reject the plan to further cut taxes for the wealthiest few so North Carolina can sustain the promise of progress toward a better future for all. 
 

SB 49-Parents Bill of Rights-NASW-NC strongly opposed: Schools need more time to comply with Parents' Bill of Rights, state superintendent says
North Carolina's top education official is asking state lawmakers to postpone to Jan. 1 compliance with the controversial new Parents’ Bill of Rights.  The new law is expansive. It forbids any instruction or discussion of sexual orientation or gender identity in kindergarten through fourth grade. And it requires schools to get parental consent before allowing a child to use a different name, pronouns or identifying themselves as something other than their gender at birth. It also restricts surveys on numerous topics, including political affiliations, religious practices or income.

Certain sections of the law went into effect Aug. 15 or at the start of the new school year. One section — related to parental permission for healthcare — goes into effect Dec. 1.

State Superintendent Catherine Truitt told the State Board of Education Thursday that state officials and school systems still have too many questions about how to comply with the law and are still waiting for answers. It’s preventing them from being able to implement the law now.

Board members also said they were hearing concerns from school systems about implementing the law and wanting for guidance to help. Truitt and the Department of Public Instruction are planning guidance for school systems, with the hope the guidance will be ready by the beginning of October.

Truitt said she’s been talking with lawmakers about delaying compliance deadlines, as well as placing a carve-out in state law that allows schools to continue to administer a survey targeted in the law.

A spokesman for Senate leader Phil Berger says lawmakers are aware of the concerns and are working to address them.

“I feel very good about the conversations we’re having,” Truitt said.

With the start of a new school year and a short window to comply, Truitt said “it is very, very bad timing for our districts.”

For example, Truitt said she isn’t sure what permission is and isn’t required for schools to provide medical services to children in emergency cases.

Many school systems are waiting on policy guidance from the North Carolina School Boards Association, which often drafts recommended policies for school boards. The association is still working on that guidance. One exception is the Charlotte-Mecklenburg school board, which has approved multiple new policies, though not without strong reactions, WCNC reported.

Read entire article here: Schools need more time to comply with Parents' Bill of Rights, state superintendent says

Tuesday, September 12th at 1PM. End Gun Violence Protest at NC General Assembly. In the wake of the shooting on UNC’s campus, on Sept. 12th, students, parents, teachers, and community members will protest at the General Assembly building in Raleigh to DEMAND common sense gun legislation. We are looking for volunteers to help out during the protest to pass out food, fact sheets, and provide support. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Gerald Givens at gerald@raleighbootsontheground.org.
 

Read: You saw our Terrified Texts During the UNC Shooting. Don't Look Away Now. 
Op-Ed: Caitilyn Yaede, managing editor UNC's The Daily Tar Heel 

National Suicide Prevention Week is September 10th-September 16th.  

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 988 (Call or Text).  Hours: Available 24 hours. Languages: English, Spanish. 

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (website) 

Access the National Institute of Mental Health (NIH) Suicide Prevention website page: HERE. 

Here are five steps you can take to #BeThe1To help someone in emotional pain:
ASK: “Are you thinking about killing yourself?” It’s not an easy question, but studies show that asking at-risk individuals  if they are suicidal does not increase suicides or suicidal thoughts.
KEEP THEM SAFE: Reducing a suicidal person’s access to highly lethal items or places is an important part of suicide prevention. While this is not always easy, asking if the at-risk person has a plan and removing or disabling the lethal means can make a difference.
BE THERE: Listen carefully and learn what the individual is thinking and feeling. Research suggests acknowledging and talking about suicide  may reduce rather than increase  suicidal thoughts.
HELP THEM CONNECT: Save the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline number (call or text 988) in your phone so they’re there if you need them. You can also help make a connection with a trusted individual like a family member, friend, spiritual advisor, or mental health professional.
STAY CONNECTED: Staying in touch after a crisis or after being discharged from care can make a difference. Studies have shown  the number of suicide deaths goes down when someone follows up with the at-risk person.

What is #UniteNC?
Pro-Choice North Carolina is excited to join with our partners at Common Cause North Carolina and other organizations across the state for a series of #UniteNC town halls! This is a fantastic opportunity to build our shared power and hold lawmakers accountable. Pro-Choice North Carolina will have materials at all town halls and we’ll be in-person at some of them, too. 

If you're concerned about harmful policies in the state legislature like attacks on abortion access, upcoming elections, and redistricting, join us and speak up for people-first policies!

• September 11: Pitt [Greenville]
• September 12: Scotland’s Neck (Halifax)
• September 14: Hoke / Scotland [Wagram]
• September 18: Cabarrus [Kannapolis]
• September 19: Catawba [Hickory]
• October 1: Dare County
• October 4: Orange County (Hillsborough)
• October 5: Roberson County 
• October 11: Asheville 

And there are more #UniteNC town halls to come…stay tuned! You can register and learn more by clicking HERE.  

All county boards of elections can now print FREE photo ID cards for registered voters in their county who need an acceptable form of ID. http://bit.ly/3rUePe7  

Learn about the state law and what you need to cast your vote in 2023: http://bit.ly/3qQudaU

Item to Watch: 
SB 90- Searches of Student's Person (Children's Law Omnibus) was re-submitted to the K-12 Education Committee with several PCS (proposed committee substitutes) that would change how social workers can support children with their mental health.  The PCS version of the bill would clarify that minors have no authority to consent to mental health treatment unless they believe themselves to be a danger to themselves or others.  NASW-NC OPPOSES ALL PCS SUBMITTED. 

• Challenge school library books and prosecute librarians
• Challenge instructional materials
• Force a superintendent to be dismissed or receive a reduction in pay
• Request for their child to be reassigned to another school or district
• Be informed if their child identifies as transgender or is at risk of suicide
• Prohibit instruction on gender identity, sexual activity and sexuality in fourth and fifth grade
• State that charter schools are not state actors, potentially giving them more leeway to institute dress codes 
   

Due to public backlash and media coverage, SB 90 was pulled from the committee calendar.  Please be on the lookout for more information from NASW-NC if it is reintroduced during this legislative session. 

You can see a copy of SB 90 with the PCS changes by clicking HERE. 

Thank you to the members of NASW-NC for supporting the advocacy work we do. We would not be able to advocate for the social work profession or social justice issues in North Carolina without a robust and engaged NASW membership. If you are a social worker and not a member, we ask that you join NASW today. Our voice is louder with your membership.

Learn more about NASW-NC membership here.

Want this information sent directly to your inbox? Sign up for weekly NASW-NC legislative updates: https://votervoice.net/NASWNC/home