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Date: 3/5/2023
Subject: LWV-Wake Update March 6th 2023
From: League of Women Voters of Wake County



LWV-Wake Update 3/6/2023

 

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Women

Dear ~~first_name~~,
 
Greetings from LWV-Wake.
 
The League calendar is FULL of activities this month. In addition, there is so much history to celebrate, honor and reflect upon during March.
 
It's Women's History Month, where we honor those who have led us to where we are today. The Smithsonian's Women's History Museum features some great online exhibits. We also invite you to follow us on Instagram and Facebook, where Leaguer Jenny Kotora-Lynch will be sharing Women's History Day posts during March. 
 
In addition, we celebrate International Women's Day this Wednesday, March 8th. This year's theme is #EmbraceEquity. On Wednesday, the IWD community encourages all of us to "share the passion and excitement that comes from valuing and supporting differences and to reflect on how we can all be part of the solution, not the problem" (internationalwomensday.com).
 
Do you want to support something great that's happening on International Women's Day right here in Raleigh? Keep scrolling!
 
Tomorrow, March 7th, is a time to reflect on the civil rights "Bloody Sunday" attack in Selma, Alabama. It was on that day in 1965 that activists led by John Lewis and Hosea Williams, marching in protest, were beaten by white state troopers and sheriff's deputies.
 
The marchers were protesting an earlier fatal shooting of a 26-year-old black man, who had been protecting his mother who was being beaten. They had just crossed the Edmund Pettus Bridge when they were assaulted with tear gas, bullwhips, and billy clubs. 
 
Let us not forget the violence inflicted upon peaceful protesters and recognize that, unfortunately, police violence is still happening today. To read more about "Bloody Sunday", click here.
 
 
NC ERA Bill Drops this Wednesday on International Women's Day!
Join fellow Leaguers and other advocacy groups this Wednesday, March 8th at 10am at the North Carolina General Assembly to listen to a press conference about the ERA bill that will be filed.
 
NC House Rep Julie von Haefen will hold the press conference in the Press Room (1328) in the Legislative Building. Attendees are encouraged to wear GREEN to show support for the ERA. Don't forget to wear your League name badge or pin!
 
 
LWV-Wake Earns PLATINUM Level of Transparency from GuideStar/Candid
If you look at the bottom of this newsletter and on our website, you will notice the Candid logo, acknowledging we have received the highest level of transparency again for 2023. The LWV-Wake board works hard to collect and document information and data related to our programs and the health of our organization.
 
This year, additional metrics were added to earn the 2023 seal. We are only one of five Leagues in the country with a Platinum designation!
 
GuideStar/Candid is used by donors to lookup organizations they wish to support, as well as organizations who use information for benchmarking their performance against similar organizations. Grant funders also use information contained on GuideStar to research their grantees. 
 
 We invite you to check out our GuideStar/Candid League of Women Voters of Wake County profile, and help us celebrate this achievement by making a donation!
 
 As we begin budgeting for future programs and projects (like Voter Girl and Youth Engagement), and set aside funds for staff support necessary to manage the organization, we depend on supporters for funding. You can donate, by clicking on the link below. Thanks to ALL of our members for supporting LWV-Wake! 
 
 
 
 

Upcoming LWV-Wake Events

Voter Services Update/Meetup
March 21st 5pm-6pm
League Office
 
Empowering voters is the heart of our mission, and the work of the Voter Services committee is the driver of our organization's success. Planning for the 2023 municipal and the 2024 election begins NOW and we need your help! It is our member volunteers who will determine what GOTV projects will be carried out over the next two years. 
 
This event is an opportunity to meet each other in person and brainstorm future projects. Attendees are encouraged to research voter engagement projects that have been successful in other communities, or by other organizations, and bring these ideas forward.
 
Marian Lewin will also provide a voting legislation update. We encourage everyone interested in helping out to attend.
 
If you cannot attend but want to help, please email Marian Lewin or Cheryl Tung.
 
Snacks and drinks will be provided. To register, click on the link below:
 
 
 
 
  

Women

Brecotea Image

  • March 15th 5:30pm - Women's Rights Committee presents guest speaker NC House Rep. Julie von Haefen - Join us as we welcome guest Rep. Julie von Haefen, head of the Wake County delegation at the North Carolina General Assembly. She will speak to advocacy recommendations for maximum impact and share strategic and tactical advice. Register here. 
  • March 16th 12pm-1:30pm - Timely Topics: Improving our Democracy with Ranked Choice Voting - Join us IN-PERSON for a discussion about ranked choice voting with Better Ballot NC guest speakers, Lennie Friedman and Vicky Ryder. For more details and to register, click here.
  • March 30th 3:30pm-6pm - Member Meetup at Brecotea - Meet other members and socialize at Brecotea, a Taiwanese inspired tea and pastry shop, located in Cary. There's plenty of free parking. For more information and to register, click here.
  • March 31st 1:30pm-3pm - Affordable Housing Committee - Join us as we welcome guest presenter Dan Sargent of Rebuilding Together of the Triangle. Mr. Sargent will discuss how Rebuilding Together is working to preserve affordable homeownership and revitalize neighborhoods by providing home repair and renovation services free of charge to those in need. This meeting is open to the public, however, registration is required. Register here.
  • April 18th 4pm-5pm - League Leaders Roundtable - Learn about the new committee work plan that will guide committees as they determine their focus areas and actions for the next year. This roundtable is open to ALL committee members. Register here.
  • April 19th 5pm-6pm- Timely Topics: Why Are Library Books Making Headlines? - Join us for our last Timely Topics presentation of the (League) year. Guest presenters, Dan Brooks, Materials Selector Manager for Wake County Public Libraries and Michelle Underhill, State Librarian for the State of North Carolina, will discuss current trends and responses in making book selections for public libraries. This virtual event is open to the public. Register here.  

League 101
April 25th 10am-12pm
League Office
 
We are excited to offer League 101 again! This is a great way opportunity for new and new-ish members to learn more about the League, make new friends and find out how to get more involved.
 
Leaguers Karen Ferguson and Judee Lonnee will guide attendees through an interactive session with time for mingling. To register, click on the link below:
 
 

LWVNC Events

LWVNC Convention 2023
LWVNC Convention
May 19th-21st
LWVNC’s 39th Convention ­will take place May 19-21, 2023 in Charlotte. We are excited to announce that Dr. Deborah Turner, the 20th president of the League of Women Voters of the United States, will speak at the Saturday evening banquet.
 
The early bird registration fee (through April 15th) is $250. LWV-Wake will reimburse the registration fee for members who want to attend. We encourage any member who wants to learn more about the League to join us for a weekend full of fun and learning.
 
Please email Cheryl Tung if you have registered so we can arrange reimbursement. Click on the links below to register and to make hotel reservations:
 
 
 
 
 
 

To see all upcoming LWVNC sponsored events, please view their Events Calendar
 
 
 
 
 

NCGA Legislative Update
  
Hell hath frozen over! Medicaid expansion FINALLY appears to become a reality as both houses have agreed on a path forward. 
 
NCGA leadership has communicated that Medicaid expansion would not take effect until this year's budget is approved later in the summer. According to the NC Justice Center, medicaid expansion would cover approximately 682,000 North Carolinians.
 
According to WUNC, N.C. Department of Health and Human Services says North Carolina will receive $8 billion annually "with no additional cost to the state, along with $1.8 billion which can support behavioral health, public safety support, rural health care, and other needs.” To put this number in perspective, North Carolina's state budget this year is roughly 28 billion. 
 
To learn more about Medicaid expansion, read the research from LWV-Wake's Healthcare Committee here.
 
Abortion Bill Watch
On Feb. 28th, House Speaker Tim Moore told WRAL news that the House expects to propose new abortion legislation as early as this week. The bill will likely reduce number of weeks at the start of a pregnancy when abortion will be legal.
 
On Feb. 21st, I joined other advocates at the NCGA for Reproductive Freedom Advocacy Day and visited the offices of 8 Republican House Representatives, asking that no additional restrictions be placed on abortion in North Carolina. It was a great event and I met several fabulous women who had never visited the NCGA before, but they were there to make sure their voices were heard. 
 
We must continue to send messages to ALL members of the NCGA asking that they put no further restrictions on abortions. If anyone has, or knows someone who has had an abortion, please share the stories with elected officials. They simply must understand that their actions have serious consequences on the health and well-being of women. You can find the list of elected officials at the bottom of this newsletter.
 
Other Bills to Watch 
 
HB 187 Equality in Education, was filed on February 23rd. This is an anti-CRT bill similar to one that was vetoed by Governor Cooper last year. Read more about this bill from NC Policy Watch here. 
 
SB 49, Parents Bill of Rights, was introduced on Jan. 31 and passed the Senate on Feb. 7, 29-18 partisan vote. It has been referred to the House.  

HB 40, Preventing Riot and Civil Disorder, introduced on Feb. 1, heard in committees Feb. 8 and passed 75-43, with 5 Dems voting yes. Update: Referred to Senate Judiciary committee on March 1st.

HB 17 Election of SBE, is moving to the House floor. This would have members of the State Board of Education chosen by partisan elections instead of appointed, and SPI becomes chair of SBE automatically. The concern is that this will further politicize the K-12 educational system in NC. Ref to Rules committee on Feb. 15th.

SB 88 Election Day Integrity Act, was filed February 9th. This bill effectively shortens the date by which absentee ballots must be received to 7:30pm on Election Day. This is a very troubling bill. Referred to Redistricting & Elections Committee on Feb. 13th.
 
SB 89  Prohibit Private Money in Elections Admin. was filed February 9th. This bill prohibits the State Board of Election from accepting private donations to conduct elections or provide temporary employment of individuals. Referred to Redistricting & Elections Committee on Feb. 13th.
 
HB 99 Wake County Bd. of Comm. Elections/Nonpartisan, was filed February 13th by Wake Rep. Paré. This bill would make Wake County commissioner elections nonpartisan and establish single-member districts instead of the current at-large districts. UPDATE: Feb. 21st: This bill was approved by the Local Government Committee 8-6 and sent to House Rules Committee. 
 
A note about HB 99: It is interesting to note there are no other nonpartisan commissioner races in NC, nor does the bill include any other county.  LWVNC and LWV-Wake follow the LWVUS Impact of Issues for representative government and "encourage electoral methods that provide the broadest representation possible and are expressive of voter choices." We are following this bill closely, and prepared to make public comments if given the opportunity. 
 
So many controversial bills moved so quickly that advocacy groups were not able to effectively communicate opposition to these attacks on vulnerable populations. Here is an updated NCGA Bill Tracker. There are several more worrisome bills on the list than the ones we are specifically tracking. Remember that not all issues you may be interested in are included.

 
League Advocacy

Encouraging effective advocacy on issues that align with our mission of Empowering Voters and Defending Democracy is the heart of what we do. And while we can send emails and provide public comment, we must also advocate to our family, friends and neighbors, social groups, etc. and encourage them to contact their representatives as well.
 
Find your representatives here.
Find 2023-2024 NC House Leaders here.
Find 2023-2024 NC Senate Leaders here.
   

 Looking for information from a past newsletter? Previous League Updates can now be viewed on our website's home page. Look for the "League Updates" blue tab on the top menu.
Thank you for continuing to support the League of Women Voters of Wake County. 
Sincerely,
Cheryl Tung
President


The League of Women Voters of Wake County is a designated 501(c)3 nonprofit charitable organization by the IRS. Donations and membership dues are fully tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
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