NCDP News

The North Carolina Democratic Party echoes the call from U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-California, for a moment of silence to remember the victims in the Virginia Tech shooting.

Sunday's Washington Post featured a detailed account of two shooting incidents involving private security contractors operating in Iraq. Some witnesses are alleging that the shootings were reckless, unnecessary and obvious violations of the law. However, the article further reports that no investigation into the shootings was ever initiated by the Pentagon or the Justice Department, and in fact, "not a single case has [ever] been brought against a security contractor [in Iraq]."

The North Carolina Democratic Party joins seven states and dozens of cities across the country as they commemorate the 80th anniversary of Cesar Chavez’ birth and celebrate the Cesar Chavez Day of Service and Learning.

The North Carolina Democratic Party is pleased to announce that the Honorable Rahm Emanuel will be the featured guest at the annual Jefferson-Jackson Dinner on April 28th in Raleigh.

Congressman David Price (NC-04) today urged the Navy to come back to the drawing board with North Carolina officials to find an alternative site for the Outlying Landing Field. In a letter to Navy Secretary Donald Winter, Price wrote that he hopes the Navy will move quickly to avoid a confrontation over the authorization and funding of the OLF as Congress weighs the Navy's request. Price is a member of the House Appropriations Committee. Price's letter further states the Navy's selected site in Washington County "is not a viable option for an OLF because of the threats it would pose to Navy and Marine pilots and aircraft, to local communities, and to the surrounding environment." The letter sites the broad-based opposition to locating the landing strip in proximity to the world renowned Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, including objections from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The text of the letter follows.

The North Carolina Democratic Party has posted on its website, www.ncdp.org, a draft Delegate Selection and Affirmative Action Plan for a 30-day public comment period, ending April 23, 2007. The Delegate Selection and Affirmative Action plan outlines how delegates from North Carolina will be chosen to the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver, CO. Comments on the draft Plan should be submitted in writing to Mr. Kevin Smith, chair of the Delegate Selection and Affirmative Action Committee, at 220 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, NC 27603. Comments can also be submitted electronically on our webpage: http://www.ncdp.org/2008_NC_Delegate_Selection_DRAFT

Gov. Mike Easley announced today the More at Four pre-kindergarten program was one of only two in the nation to meet all 10 quality standards developed by the National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER).   The rankings were published in “The State of Preschool 2006: State Preschool Yearbook” released today by NIEER, a research institute based at Rutgers University.“A strong pre-k program helps students grow in language, literacy, math and social skills,” Easley said.

Gov. Mike Easley today announced that North Carolina has the nation’s lowest state and local business effective tax rate, according to a study by tax experts with Ernst & Young, one of the world’s leading accounting firms.  The study, prepared for the Council on State Taxation (COST), found North Carolina’s rate is 3.9 percent.  The state is tied with four others for the lowest in the nation.

North Carolina Democratic Party Chair Jerry Meek made this statement: "On behalf of the North Carolina Democratic Party, we were deeply saddened to hear of Senator Jeanne Lucas's death. As the first African American woman to serve in the state Senate, she made history. To her constituents and to her state, she made a real difference fighting for hardworking, everyday people. She was one of the most active legislators in the State Party organization and she always made us smile with her wit and spunk. Senator Lucas was well-respected by her colleagues and we will all miss her distinctive voice; when she spoke, it was like listening to a song. I considered her to be a good friend and will greatly miss her."

North Carolina Democratic Party Chair Jerry Meek announced today that Kerra Bolton will be joining the State Party staff as Communications Director. She will replace Schorr Johnson, who is leaving to become Communications Director for North Carolina Senate President Pro Tem Marc Basnight. As Communications Director, she will oversee all press and media for the State Party and act as spokesperson.

Gov. Mike Easley sent North Carolina’s Congressional Delegation concerning the Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement released by the U.S. Navy concerning the proposed outlying Landing Field (OLF) in eastern North Carolina. “I am writing to express my frustration and disappointment with the Navy’s decision to again identify Washington County as its preferred site for the proposed Outlying Landing Field (OLF) through its draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS).

N.C. House Speaker Joe Hackney, D-Orange, today announced the permanent House rules, which once approved by legislators in the coming days, will ensure a more open and democratic process in the House during the 2007-08 session. The new rules package, House Resolution 423, was drafted by the Speaker in consultation with House Rules Committee Chairman Bill Owens, D-Pasquotank, Majority Leader Hugh Holliman, D-Davidson, Minority Leader Skip Stam, R-Wake, and members of the Democratic and Republican caucuses, as well as various advocacy groups. “As Speaker, I want to ensure greater debate, openness and transparency in the way we do business in the House of Representatives,” said Speaker Hackney. “The rules that will govern the House during the next two years will allow us to accomplish our legislative goals regarding education, health care, our economy and other important issues while also strengthening the trust and confidence of the people of North Carolina, which must be our top priority each and every day.”

APThursday, President Bush visited Franklinton to promote alternative fuels and energy conservation. Despite the President's rhetoric, his record on energy independence is abysmal. Since Bush took office, America has become more dependent on foreign oil, pollution levels have skyrocketed, transportation costs have nearly doubled, and global warming has gotten worse. North Carolina Democratic Party Chair Jerry Meek said, "President Bush is years late and billions of dollars short when he talks about energy conservation. This is about as credible as Ronald McDonald telling kids not to eat junk food. While Democrats are demonstrating real leadership, the Bush Administration is still questioning climate change. Unlike the Bush rhetoric, Democrats in Congress have a comprehensive plan to make our country energy independent by the year 2020. The hard working people of North Carolina are looking for leadership, not more slick talk from an administration filled with oilmen."

North Carolina Democratic Party Chair Jerry Meek today announced the appointment of 22 Democratic leaders to serve on the Party's Delegate Selection and Affirmative Action Committee. The committee will develop a plan for determining the process for selecting delegates and alternates to the August 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver. The plan will detail procedures involving delegate candidate recruitment and delegate selection as well as a timeline for the delegate selection process.

Calls for Nation’s Most Ambitious High School Reform and College Graduation Initiative Tonight in his fourth State of the State address, Gov. Mike Easley called on the General Assembly to launch the nation’s most ambitious education initiative that would allow students to earn a four-year degree at a state university debt free. “This time in our history does not call for following the old familiar path,” said Easley in the address to a joint session of the General Assembly. “Now is the time to blaze a new trail so that all people of goodwill and ambition can travel that path to prosperity.

Today, the U.S. House is expected to pass a resolution that represents a vote of no confidence in the Bush Administration's plans to escalate the war in Iraq. The language cannot be simpler: Congress supports the troops and opposes the surge. Some Republicans, however, want more of the same. Congressman Robin Hayes spoke against the resolution on the House floor Wednesday. This is the same Robin Hayes who said, ""Saddam Hussein and people like him were very much involved in 9/11" When challenged, Hayes said, "I'm sorry, but you must have looked in the wrong places." [CNN, 6/29/2005] "Republicans in swing districts who don't back the resolution can expect to be attacked in next year's elections. They include Reps. Deborah Pryce of Ohio, Thelma Drake of Virginia and Robin Hayes of North Carolina. Each barely won reelection in November. This vote could end their careers." [Raleigh News & Observer, 2/16/2007] North Carolina Democratic Party Chair Jerry Meek said, "This issue is bigger than partisan politics and I commend Republican Congressmen Walter Jones and Howard Coble for standing up for what's right and speaking in favor of the resolution. For those who want more of the same failed strategy in Iraq, we are not going to wait until they're on the ballot to criticize them. If Robin Hayes wants to 'stay the course' in Iraq and continue to repeat the Bush Administration's rhetoric, he can expect to answer for it--not politically, but to his constituents who have so many family members in harm's way. North Carolina Democrats and Republicans in Congress who are taking a stand are making us proud and I salute them for their courage."

Congressman Bob Etheridge spoke on the House Floor Tuesday:Mr. Speaker, as a veteran, as you have heard, of the United States Army, myself, I strongly support our troops, our veterans and their families. Let me state at the outset that our troops have done everything that has been asked of them to do. They have done it well. Exceptionally well, I might say. More than 34,000 from North Carolina have been deployed on Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. And more than 5,000 are currently over there now. More are preparing to go back to the desert once again. I am tremendously proud of all the troops from North Carolina and across America who have laced up their boots, followed their orders, and done their duty. They are our heroes, and we salute them. Regardless if one terms the President's announced change in policy a surge or an escalation or an augmentation, the so-called new plan can be summed up in four words: more of the same.

AG seeks tougher laws against child pornography, more tools for law enforcementStopping sexual predators who victimize children requires better detection and tougher penalties once they’re found, Attorney General Roy Cooper said Monday. Cooper is presenting legislators with a comprehensive package of changes to state law that will increase punishment, give law enforcement better ways to track down offenders and require those who discover pedophiles to turn them in.

According to a new analysis by the Joint Economic Committee of the U.S. Congress, President Bush's 2008 budget will cut millions of dollars from critical education, health care, homeland security, and law enforcement programs in North Carolina. While the President's $2.9 trillion budget does little to address the rising economic insecurities that middle class Americans are facing, it slashes millions from programs that are essential to thousands of North Carolinians. President Bush's new budget shows that he continues to ignore the will of the American people. After all, a Newsweek poll last week found that 58 percent of Americans simply want the Bush Presidency to end.

Last night, Senate Republicans blocked an up-or-down vote on a resolution condemning the President's escalation of the War in Iraq and his refusal to offer a new direction that the American people demanded in November. While 70 percent of Americans disapprove of President Bush's misguided strategy in Iraq, both Democrats and Republicans have voiced opposition to the escalation. Yet, Senators Elizabeth Dole and Richard Burr are still clinging to the same "stay the course" strategy that continues to be advocated by President Bush.