4.6—the number of unemployed workers for every job opening (Labor market will lose over half a million jobs if UI extensions expire in 2012, Economic Policy Institute, November 4, 2011)

70,000—number of unemployed workers in North Carolina who will lose their federally funded extended unemployment insurance benefits at the end of this year unless Congress approves an extension (Ibid)

45 billion—amount in dollars of the cost of extending federally funded unemployment insurance benefits (Ibid)

72 billion—amount in dollars of the positive economic impact of extending federally funded unemployment insurance benefits (Ibid)

18,300—number of jobs in North Carolina would be created or saved by an extension of unemployment benefits into 2012 (“How many jobs could Congress save in my state through 2012?,” The Economic Policy Institute Blog, November 14, 2011)

560,000—number of jobs nationwide that would be created or saved by an extension of unemployment benefits into 2012 (Ibid)

6—rank of North Carolina among 50 states in rate of food hardship in 2010, defined as a person not having enough money to buy needed food at some point over a 12?month period. (BTC Brief: Hunger Continues to Rise Across North Carolina – Key programs like food stamps softened the Great Recession’s deep blow, November 2011) [Read more...]

Every time we’ve allowed voter restrictions like the poll tax or literacy tests in North Carolina, we’ve seen one result: legal voters stripped of their dignity and the full rights of their citizenship, and turned away from the polling place.

Now, Republicans in the General Assembly have served up a voter suppression bill for our generation. They say it’s aimed at stopping fraud, but we’ve been here before. And the last time it took nearly a hundred years and the civil rights movement to put things right again.

The Voter ID Bill isn’t about fraud — it’s fiction. It’s an expensive, complicated solution to an imaginary problem.

This bill will keep a lot of good people who would never think about cheating their neighbors from voting. And those who want to game the system will just find another way to do it.

It’s up to us to stop this bill from becoming a law. Sign this petition and demand that the Voter ID Bill be stopped.

In just over 100 days in control of the General Assembly, the Republicans have passed legislation that targets working mothers by slashing subsidies for childcare. Republicans have laid off thousands of teachers and teaching assistants—the vast majority of whom were women. They have even reached into our lives to interfere with the private relationship between a woman and her physician.

Please watch the following video to learn more about the North Carolina GOP’s agenda to marginalize women in North Carolina.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=0YDv6uRKpYg

Enough is enough.

We need your help to send a message to North Carolina Republicans to let them know that we will not tolerate their war on women. CLICK HERE to sign our petition so that Republicans in the General Assembly can hear your voice loud and clear.

Sincerely,

Representative Alma Adams (HD58 – Greensboro)

P.S. We need your help to stop the Republican attacks on the women of North Carolina. CLICK HERE and sign the petition to tell the Republicans that we will not let them turn back the clock on North Carolina’s women.

]]> http://currituckdemocrats.org/2011/11/22/559/feed/ 0 http://currituckdemocrats.org/2011/08/17/standing-up-for-investments-in-americas-workers-and-industries-%e2%80%93-august-15-19-2011/ http://currituckdemocrats.org/2011/08/17/standing-up-for-investments-in-americas-workers-and-industries-%e2%80%93-august-15-19-2011/#comments Wed, 17 Aug 2011 15:00:36 +0000 A Currituck Democrat http://currituckdemocrats.org/?p=543 America’s workforce is our country’s most valuable resource, but right now there are more than 14 million people who can’t find a job. However, a large percentage of job openings remain unfilled due to a shortage in workers who have the skills these positions require. Federal employment and job training programs give Americans the education and training services they need to get back to work and help businesses find the workers they need. Now is not the time to reduce our investments in these vital programs.

Sign up today to participate in the National Workforce Week of Action and stand united with NSC and other national workforce organizations the week of August 15-19 in support of adequate funding for workforce education and training programs.

Members of Congress will be in their home districts the week of August 15. Call today to schedule a meeting with your Senators and Representative at their in-district offices to let them know where you stand on cuts to workforce training. Let them know that you oppose any funding cuts for federal education and training programs under the Fiscal Year 2012 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations bill.

Gov. Perdue Issues Order to Ensure Access for All At-Risk Four Year Olds

On Wednesday, Gov. Perdue issued Executive Order 100 which instructed the Department of Health and Human Services to preserve the high standards, quality and accessibility of NC Pre-K (formerly known as More at Four).  The order also requires DHHS to work closely with North Carolina’s education agencies during the transfer process in order to ensure and preserve NC Pre-K’s quality and academic integrity.

“It is absolutely essential that this program remain an academic Pre-K program,” said Gov. Perdue. “Data has proven that at-risk children who complete a year of academic preschool education show accelerated learning in language, math, social awareness and other skills – skills that persist through third grade. These children are far more likely to succeed in a career or college down the road.”

The General Assembly’s budget made significant changes to this crucial academic program for at-risk children. Changes include a 20 percent cut in funding that reduces the availability of the program to at-risk children, and the transfer of the program from the Department of Public Instruction to the Department of Health and Human Services.

Gov. Perdue Named to National Governors Association Economic Development and Commerce Committee

On Tuesday, Gov. Bev Perdue was named to the National Governors Association (NGA) Economic Development and Commerce Committee by NGA Chair Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman and NGA vice Chair Delaware Gov. Jack Markell.

The Economic Development and Commerce Committee has jurisdiction over a broad range of issues in the areas of transportation infrastructure, telecommunications, international trade promotion, financial services regulation, science and technology development and affordable housing. Members of the committee ensure that the governors’ views are represented in the shaping of federal policy.

Gov. Perdue will also serve on the NGA Center for Best Practices Board with chair Gov. Jack Markell, Puerto Rico Gov. Luis Fortuno and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker.

Founded in 1908, the National Governors Association (NGA) is the collective voice of the nation’s governors and one of Washington, D.C.’s, most respected public policy organizations. Its members are the governors of the 50 states, three territories and two commonwealths. NGA provides governors and their senior staff members with services that range from representing states on Capitol Hill and before the Administration on key federal issues to developing and implementing innovative solutions to public policy challenges through the NGA Center for Best Practices. For more information, go to www.nga.org.

Governor’s Restructuring Plan Streamlines Three Agencies into One Dept. of Public Safety

As part of her belt-tightening efforts to streamline state government, Gov. Bev Perdue announced this week that Secretary Reuben Young will serve as secretary of the new, restructured Department of Public Safety. The new agency will fold in the responsibilities of the current Department of Crime Control and Public Safety, which Secretary Young currently heads, and the Departments of Correction and Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.

The new agency is the result of Gov. Perdue’s consolidation plan, announced in December 2010, to streamline state government, to make it leaner and more responsive to citizens. The Department of Public Safety is expected to save several million dollars, in part by eliminating duplicative functions such as human resources, purchasing, training and administration.

“Reuben Young led North Carolina’s state law enforcement and emergency management communities over the past two-and-a-half years through many challenges,” Gov. Perdue said. “He knows North Carolina and is respected up and down the ranks of law enforcement. He is the right person to guide this new agency.”

Governor Perdue Presents Hunt Papers

Gov. Perdue spoke at the presentation of Gov. Jim Hunt’s papers at the North Carolina History Museum in Raleigh, on Tuesday August 9th.  Former Governor James B. Hunt Jr. received the first copy of “Addresses and Public Papers of James Baxter Hunt Jr., Governor of North Carolina, 1997–2001,” which documents the fourth term of the state’s longest-serving chief executive.

Governor Perdue hailed Former Governor Hunt “as a leader that served with integrity, vision, and courage.”

The Southeast Raleigh Magnet High School’s 18 Karat Vocal Ensemble provided music for the program which was attended by approximately 300 participants. Many attendees took advantage of the opportunity to meet Former Governor Hunt as he signed and personalized books.

The Hunt papers were edited and published by The Historical Publications Section, a part of the N.C. Department of Cultural Resources. (www.ncpublications.com)

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