2024 NASW-NC Legislative Session Update: Action Alert! Stop SB 382!

In this week's update:

• Action Alert! Stop SB 382!
• NC Senate Override Governor's Veto
• Senator Sydney Batch next NC Senate Minority Leader
• NC Democrats sue over GOP’s challenge of 60,000 ballots in Supreme Court race
• Save the Date! 2025 Advocacy Day
• International Human Rights Day 
   

Action Alert! Stop SB 382! 

URGENT! In a shocking power grab, Republican leaders in the NC General Assembly are using their last few weeks with a veto-proof majority to strip powers from the leaders we just voted for, including the incoming Governor, Lt. Governor, Attorney General, and Superintendent of Public Instruction -- and hand those powers to Republicans instead.

Senate Bill 382 claims to be about Hurricane Helene recovery, but does not provide immediate or adequate aid to Western NC. It instead primarily moves money from one fund to another, while subverting the will of voters like you. Contact your NC House Representative now to stop this bill, and demand real and sustained aid for Western NC - WITHOUT the power grab.

Find Your Legislators Here. 

As of December 4th, the NC Senate has overturned the Governor's veto.  The NC House is scheduled to vote on December 11th.  This is subject to change.  Read more here: https://ncnewsline.com/2024/12/02/despite-protests-nc-senate-overrides-coopers-veto-of-bill-that-shifts-executive-power/

Click the link below to log in and send your message:
https://www.votervoice.net/NASWNC/Campaigns/119328/Respond 
 

NC Senate Override Governor's Veto

The North Carolina Senate voted to override a veto from Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper on Monday amid protests, the latest example of Republicans using their supermajority power after election results indicated they will lose it next month.

The House would have to take a similar vote before Cooper’s veto is overturned and the bill becomes law.

The bill includes some Helene relief but mostly is about policy and taking power away from the next governor, who will also be a Democrat. It was written in secret and fast-tracked, with no committee hearings and with the House starting its debate on the bill less than an hour after it was made public.

Cooper vetoed Senate Bill 382 on Nov. 26, calling it “a sham,” and criticizing the lack of Helene relief and variety of power grabs. Among other things, the bill gives control over the State Board of Elections to the state auditor, taking appointments away from the governor. The next auditor will be Republican Dave Boliek, who was elected in November. The next governor will be Democratic Attorney General Josh Stein. The bill also requires the next attorney general, Democrat Jeff Jackson, to represent the will of the General Assembly.

“This legislation was titled disaster relief but instead violates the constitution,” Cooper said.

(Source: News & Observer)

Senator Sydney Batch next NC Senate Minority Leader 

Senator Sydney Batch, a North Carolina social worker who was endorsed by NASW-NC’s PACE committee, was chosen by the NC senate to serve as the next minority leader. She will replace Senator Dan Blue, who chose not to pursue the leadership again after expressing the desire for the Democratic Caucus to “take a new direction.”

Senator Batch said of the decision, “"It is an honor to be chosen by my colleagues to lead the Senate Democratic Caucus during such a pivotal time for our state. North Carolinians are counting on us to protect their rights, expand opportunity, and fight for policies that prioritize people over politics,” she continued. “Our Caucus remains focused on creating a North Carolina where every resident can build the life they want for their families and themselves, and we are ready to work to get North Carolina back on the right track."

NASW-NC congratulates Senator Batch on being the first woman and first social worker as the leader of one of the NC Democratic caucuses within the General Assembly! 

(Source: WRAL) 

NC Democrats sue over GOP’s challenge of 60,000 ballots in Supreme Court race

The North Carolina Democratic Party filed a federal lawsuit on Friday seeking to invalidate Republicans’ challenge of over 60,000 ballots cast in the state Supreme Court election. “No North Carolinian deserves to have their vote thrown out in a callous power grab — but this is no surprise from the party of insurrectionists,” NCDP Chair Anderson Clayton said in a press release. “We are prepared to take on Republicans. They can’t stop the results of an election just because they don’t like the fact that we won.” 

The lawsuit comes over a month after Election Day and adds to an already contentious post-election fight over a seat on the state’s highest court.

Republican Jefferson Griffin initially led Democratic incumbent Allison Riggs by about 10,000 votes on Election Night. But after outstanding absentee and provisional ballots were counted, Riggs took the lead in the race. Following a statewide machine recount of the results, Riggs’ 734-vote lead didn’t budge. 

The race is currently undergoing a hand recount in certain precincts, but Griffin’s main recourse for challenging the results is the election protests he has filed, which aim to disqualify over 60,000 votes. Democrats’ lawsuit warns that these protests could lead to “mass disenfranchisement” and violate North Carolinians’ fundamental right to vote.

Griffin’s protests will be considered by the State Board of Elections, which is currently composed of three Democrats and two Republicans.

Read more here. 

Save the Date! 2025 Advocacy Day

MARK YOUR CALENDERS! NASW-NC's 2025 Advocacy Day is WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 2025 in Downtown Raleigh! We will have a new location for morning orientation (sessions between 9AM-12PM) this year due to the NC History Museum being closed for renovation.  

New Location: Church on Morgan

136 E Morgan St, Raleigh, NC 27601

Church on Morgan's meeting space is like an auditorium, not with religious symbolism of any kind.  

Church on Morgan is located (.4) miles/10 minute walk past the historic North Carolina State Capitol Building & then down Bicentennial Plaza to the NC General Assembly.  Please make plans to park where you did for 2023 Advocacy Day! 

That afternoon you will have in-person visits with your legislators on important 2024 Legislative Agenda items such as passage of the Social Work Interstate Licensure Compact Bill! Registration and more information will be sent after the holidays in January 2025.  We hope you can join us! 

International Human Rights Day 

Human Rights Day is observed annually around the world on 10 December. It commemorates the anniversary of one of the world's most groundbreaking global pledges: the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). This landmark document enshrines the inalienable rights that everyone is entitled to as a human being - regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, language, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.

The Declaration was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in Paris on 10 December 1948 and sets out, for the first time, fundamental human rights to be universally protected.  2024 Theme: Our Rights, Our Future, Right Now. 

Learn more about UN Human Rights Day: https://www.un.org/en/observances/human-rights-day
 

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.

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