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State Budget

Doomed Veto Spotlights Budget Flaws

By Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate

Presented with a new state budget that, whatever its occasional virtues, is mainly about easing tax burdens on the well-off while grinding opponents of legislative Republicans into the dirt, Democratic […]

Doomed Veto Spotlights Budget Flaws

· by Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate

Presented with a new state budget that, whatever its occasional virtues, is mainly about easing tax burdens on the well-off while grinding opponents of legislative Republicans into the dirt, Democratic […]

New Budget with Old Agenda Falls Short

By Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate

By now the strategy is familiar – the strategy used by the N.C. General Assembly’s Republican chiefs to try to make a fundamentally flawed state budget appear, well, not that […]

New Budget with Old Agenda Falls Short

· by Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate

By now the strategy is familiar – the strategy used by the N.C. General Assembly’s Republican chiefs to try to make a fundamentally flawed state budget appear, well, not that […]

Budget’s Big Picture: A Crumbling Core

By Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate

So, the question as always comes down to one of vision. The elected chieftains who decide how much money North Carolina’s state government will spend, what it will be spent […]

Budget’s Big Picture: A Crumbling Core

· by Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate

So, the question as always comes down to one of vision. The elected chieftains who decide how much money North Carolina’s state government will spend, what it will be spent […]

Raleigh Report — May 10, 2017

By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

By George Reed, Retired Executive Director [For more information on bills, including committee referrals and re-referrals, texts of bills, procedural histories, and recorded votes, go to the General Assembly website […]

Raleigh Report — May 10, 2017

· by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

By George Reed, Retired Executive Director [For more information on bills, including committee referrals and re-referrals, texts of bills, procedural histories, and recorded votes, go to the General Assembly website […]

Raleigh Report — April 21, 2017

By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

By George Reed, Retired Executive Director [For the latest committee referrals and re-referrals, go to the General Assembly website www.ncleg.net. There you can also find the texts of bills, procedural […]

Raleigh Report — April 21, 2017

· by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

By George Reed, Retired Executive Director [For the latest committee referrals and re-referrals, go to the General Assembly website www.ncleg.net. There you can also find the texts of bills, procedural […]

Raleigh Report — April 17, 2017

By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

By George Reed, Retired Executive Director Newly Introduced Bills BUDGET AND TAXES H 540, Teachers & State Employees Pay Raise, would give annual raises of $2,400 to teachers and other […]

Raleigh Report — April 17, 2017

· by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

By George Reed, Retired Executive Director Newly Introduced Bills BUDGET AND TAXES H 540, Teachers & State Employees Pay Raise, would give annual raises of $2,400 to teachers and other […]

Work for Just and Equitable Health Care is Not Finished

By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Every state legislator should be required to listen to the stories shared at a press conference organized this week by North Carolina advocates for health care. Anyone opposed to Medicaid […]

Work for Just and Equitable Health Care is Not Finished

· by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Every state legislator should be required to listen to the stories shared at a press conference organized this week by North Carolina advocates for health care. Anyone opposed to Medicaid […]

Who Would Choose to be Poor or Sick?

By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Around the release of the alt-health plan currently making its way through Congress, several elected leaders have gone where elected leaders sometimes go – blaming the poor for being poor. […]

Who Would Choose to be Poor or Sick?

· by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Around the release of the alt-health plan currently making its way through Congress, several elected leaders have gone where elected leaders sometimes go – blaming the poor for being poor. […]

2017 Legislative Seminar: Advocate in NC as well as DC

By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

The political situation at the national level has occupied the time and attention of many faithful progressives. Each day has brought with it more reasons to be concerned for our […]

2017 Legislative Seminar: Advocate in NC as well as DC

· by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

The political situation at the national level has occupied the time and attention of many faithful progressives. Each day has brought with it more reasons to be concerned for our […]

At Campaign Trail’s End, Voters Rule

By Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate

As the 2016 campaign season grinds along the final stretch toward Election Day on Nov. 8 – and with thousands of North Carolinians already having cast their ballots – we […]

At Campaign Trail’s End, Voters Rule

· by Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate

As the 2016 campaign season grinds along the final stretch toward Election Day on Nov. 8 – and with thousands of North Carolinians already having cast their ballots – we […]

Power Plays, Surprises at Session’s End

By Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate

These closing weeks, or days, of the General Assembly’s session are sometimes known as the silly season, when weirdness is the watchword at the maze-like Legislative Building on Raleigh’s Jones […]

Power Plays, Surprises at Session’s End

· by Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate

These closing weeks, or days, of the General Assembly’s session are sometimes known as the silly season, when weirdness is the watchword at the maze-like Legislative Building on Raleigh’s Jones […]

Budget Struggle’s Bitter End

By Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate

The proverbial elephant labored and, against all hopeful expectations, brought forth a mouse. The “elephants” who run the Republican-controlled General Assembly labored and now have brought forth, if not a […]

Budget Struggle’s Bitter End

· by Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate

The proverbial elephant labored and, against all hopeful expectations, brought forth a mouse. The “elephants” who run the Republican-controlled General Assembly labored and now have brought forth, if not a […]

Justice Advocates Convene for the Cause

By Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate

The Council of Churches’ Legislative Seminar – its top-profile public event of the year – is meant to inform, and it’s meant to inspire. We’re not too bashful to say […]

Justice Advocates Convene for the Cause

· by Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate

The Council of Churches’ Legislative Seminar – its top-profile public event of the year – is meant to inform, and it’s meant to inspire. We’re not too bashful to say […]

Council Puts Hot Topics on the Table

By Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate

The mission of the NC Council of Churches extends into many areas that highlight the links between faith and public policies. And of the various events and activities sponsored by […]

Council Puts Hot Topics on the Table

· by Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate

The mission of the NC Council of Churches extends into many areas that highlight the links between faith and public policies. And of the various events and activities sponsored by […]

Register for 2015 Legislative Seminar — Updated with Workshops and Presenters

By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Join us on April 14 at Greenwood Forest Baptist Church in Cary for the Council’s 2015 Legislative Seminar. Held every two years, the Seminar equips people of faith with the […]

Register for 2015 Legislative Seminar — Updated with Workshops and Presenters

· by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Join us on April 14 at Greenwood Forest Baptist Church in Cary for the Council’s 2015 Legislative Seminar. Held every two years, the Seminar equips people of faith with the […]

Compassion Makes Good ‘Cents’ — It’s Affordable

By Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

Our faiths call us to work for justice and show compassion for the “least of these.”  Justice issues can also make such good economic sense that we cannot afford not […]

Compassion Makes Good ‘Cents’ — It’s Affordable

· by Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

Our faiths call us to work for justice and show compassion for the “least of these.”  Justice issues can also make such good economic sense that we cannot afford not […]

Council Post-Election Road Shows to Charlotte and Asheville

By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

What do Tuesday’s elections mean for North Carolina? How can people of faith in the state continue to affect positive change? Join the staff of the North Carolina Council of […]

Council Post-Election Road Shows to Charlotte and Asheville

· by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

What do Tuesday’s elections mean for North Carolina? How can people of faith in the state continue to affect positive change? Join the staff of the North Carolina Council of […]

Warning Signs in Budget ‘Deal’

By Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate

UPDATE: After this blog was posted, the final budget was unveiled and passed by the House and Senate. The large reductions in Medicaid reimbursement rates mentioned in the blog below […]

Warning Signs in Budget ‘Deal’

· by Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate

UPDATE: After this blog was posted, the final budget was unveiled and passed by the House and Senate. The large reductions in Medicaid reimbursement rates mentioned in the blog below […]

Health Crunch for the Vulnerable

By Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate

For most North Carolinians, the myriad choices that comprise the state budget may affect the quality of their children’s education, or whether their favorite state park is kept in good […]

Health Crunch for the Vulnerable

· by Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate

For most North Carolinians, the myriad choices that comprise the state budget may affect the quality of their children’s education, or whether their favorite state park is kept in good […]

Senate Budget, Fracking Roar Through

By Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate

Say this much for the leaders of the North Carolina Senate and House: When they make up their minds on a course of action, they don’t mess around. The General […]

Senate Budget, Fracking Roar Through

· by Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate

Say this much for the leaders of the North Carolina Senate and House: When they make up their minds on a course of action, they don’t mess around. The General […]

Presbyterian Clergy Sign Letter for the Public Good

By George Reed, Former Executive Director

A group of Presbyterian clergy have prepared and circulated A Pastoral Letter to their colleagues. It is a fine statement, noting that “[a]n enduring principle of our discipleship is the […]

Presbyterian Clergy Sign Letter for the Public Good

· by George Reed, Former Executive Director

A group of Presbyterian clergy have prepared and circulated A Pastoral Letter to their colleagues. It is a fine statement, noting that “[a]n enduring principle of our discipleship is the […]

A Time to Mend: A Social Justice Study for Lent

By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Economic circumstances too often define us. How much we do or do not earn can put us on a path that either buffers our failures or tempers our successes. The people who make the least amount of money have the fewest opportunities to succeed, no matter how much they work or how hard they study. For Christians, the biblical calls to justice and to providing for the least of these are foundations of our faith. At the same time, we as a nation mark this year the 50th anniversary of the war on poverty. Under different circumstances we might celebrate the milestone, but there is still too much to be done.

A Time to Mend: A Social Justice Study for Lent

· by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Economic circumstances too often define us. How much we do or do not earn can put us on a path that either buffers our failures or tempers our successes. The people who make the least amount of money have the fewest opportunities to succeed, no matter how much they work or how hard they study.

For Christians, the biblical calls to justice and to providing for the least of these are foundations of our faith. At the same time, we as a nation mark this year the 50th anniversary of the war on poverty. Under different circumstances we might celebrate the milestone, but there is still too much to be done.

HKonJ 2014 — Moral March and People’s Assembly

By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

A cross-section of North Carolinians and progressives from other states flooded downtown Raleigh on Saturday as part of HKonJ 2014. Longtime activists from across the state walked with college students, parents […]

HKonJ 2014 — Moral March and People’s Assembly

· by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

A cross-section of North Carolinians and progressives from other states flooded downtown Raleigh on Saturday as part of HKonJ 2014. Longtime activists from across the state walked with college students, parents […]

Pray with Us on Friday, March with Us on Saturday

By George Reed, Former Executive Director

Join the NC NAACP, the North Carolina Council of Churches, and coalition partners for this weekend’s Moral March on Raleigh and HKonJ People’s Assembly. Events include: A Mass Meeting and […]

Pray with Us on Friday, March with Us on Saturday

· by George Reed, Former Executive Director

Join the NC NAACP, the North Carolina Council of Churches, and coalition partners for this weekend’s Moral March on Raleigh and HKonJ People’s Assembly. Events include: A Mass Meeting and […]

A Year of Setbacks, Pushbacks

By Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate

At the close of a momentous year for politics and public policy in North Carolina – a year that challenged many people of faith to act on their beliefs — […]

A Year of Setbacks, Pushbacks

· by Steve Ford, Former Volunteer Program Associate

At the close of a momentous year for politics and public policy in North Carolina – a year that challenged many people of faith to act on their beliefs — […]

How NC Tax-reform Plans Could Fray Safety Nets

By George Reed, Former Executive Director

The News & Observer

These are difficult times. We pray that our lawmakers and governor will demonstrate compassion for our fellow North Carolinians who need food, clothing, health care and shelter and for the many charitable nonprofit organizations that provide this support.

How NC Tax-reform Plans Could Fray Safety Nets

· by George Reed, Former Executive Director

The News & Observer

These are difficult times. We pray that our lawmakers and governor will demonstrate compassion for our fellow North Carolinians who need food, clothing, health care and shelter and for the many charitable nonprofit organizations that provide this support.

Faith Communities Cannot Do It All

By George Reed, Former Executive Director

Many of you listen to Marketplace, a business-news program produced by American Public Media and carried in North Carolina by WUNC radio. Monday night, Marketplace carried a very good, though […]

Faith Communities Cannot Do It All

· by George Reed, Former Executive Director

Many of you listen to Marketplace, a business-news program produced by American Public Media and carried in North Carolina by WUNC radio. Monday night, Marketplace carried a very good, though […]

Moral Mondays Reverberate Across the Country

By Chris Pernell, Director, Partners in Health and Wholeness

I finally had the chance to go my first Moral Monday earlier this week. Walking around Halifax Mall with our Executive Director, George Reed, I was struck by how many people we both knew. I'm deeply proud of the involvement by clergy and faith communities in particular. So many of our members are represented not only in the crowd but also in the faces of those participating in civil disobedience and getting arrested. As we celebrate Independence Day this week, we give thanks not only for the many freedoms our country offers, but in particular for the countless faithful voices speaking up and speaking out for those who are being pushed to the margins by this General Assembly.

Moral Mondays Reverberate Across the Country

· by Chris Pernell, Director, Partners in Health and Wholeness

I finally had the chance to go my first Moral Monday earlier this week. Walking around Halifax Mall with our Executive Director, George Reed, I was struck by how many people we both knew. I’m deeply proud of the involvement by clergy and faith communities in particular. So many of our members are represented not only in the crowd but also in the faces of those participating in civil disobedience and getting arrested. As we celebrate Independence Day this week, we give thanks not only for the many freedoms our country offers, but in particular for the countless faithful voices speaking up and speaking out for those who are being pushed to the margins by this General Assembly.

Reflection on Moral Mondays

By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Participating in Moral Monday impressed me with a sense of fraternity and hope in the face of policies and legislation that seem increasingly unjust and discriminatory, besides being detrimental to […]

Reflection on Moral Mondays

· by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

Participating in Moral Monday impressed me with a sense of fraternity and hope in the face of policies and legislation that seem increasingly unjust and discriminatory, besides being detrimental to […]

Why I Went to Jail for Justice on June 24, 2013

By Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

NCCC Volunteer Program Associate Sandy Irving was arrested at the June 24 Moral Monday. Thirty-five years ago today, I became a mother—and in these last 35 years, I’ve spent a […]

Why I Went to Jail for Justice on June 24, 2013

· by Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate

NCCC Volunteer Program Associate Sandy Irving was arrested at the June 24 Moral Monday. Thirty-five years ago today, I became a mother—and in these last 35 years, I’ve spent a […]

Deadlines Pass – Raleigh Report April 22, 2013

By George Reed, Former Executive Director

With the passage of deadlines for the introduction of most bills, there’s been a flurry of new legislation. This issue of Raleigh Report will cover some of these new bills, with others to come in the next issue.

Deadlines Pass – Raleigh Report April 22, 2013

· by George Reed, Former Executive Director

With the passage of deadlines for the introduction of most bills, there’s been a flurry of new legislation. This issue of Raleigh Report will cover some of these new bills, with others to come in the next issue.

Raleigh Report – June 1, 2012

By Rose Gurkin, Former Program Associate for Administration

The General Assembly leadership is committed to having this short session truly be short, and there’s talk of adjourning by early July. In fact, an adjournment resolution was introduced yesterday with a target date of June 19. This session, which starts in May of even-numbered years, is primarily to tweak the second year of the budget adopted the year before. In addition, certain bills which were introduced last year (mostly ones which passed in one house) can be considered. For a new bill to be introduced this year, it must fit into one of a few specific categories, with most new bills having to do with budgetary matters or coming from a study commission which met during the interim. Finally, pending veto overrides are also thought by the House and Senate leadership to be eligible for consideration.

Also in this Raleigh Report: Guns in Church, Gambling, Death Penalty, Boards and Commissions and more.

Raleigh Report – June 1, 2012

· by Rose Gurkin, Former Program Associate for Administration

The General Assembly leadership is committed to having this short session truly be short, and there’s talk of adjourning by early July. In fact, an adjournment resolution was introduced yesterday with a target date of June 19. This session, which starts in May of even-numbered years, is primarily to tweak the second year of the budget adopted the year before. In addition, certain bills which were introduced last year (mostly ones which passed in one house) can be considered. For a new bill to be introduced this year, it must fit into one of a few specific categories, with most new bills having to do with budgetary matters or coming from a study commission which met during the interim. Finally, pending veto overrides are also thought by the House and Senate leadership to be eligible for consideration.


Also in this Raleigh Report: Guns in Church, Gambling, Death Penalty, Boards and Commissions and more.

Church Council Bulletin, Spring 2012

By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

The Spring 2012 Church Council Bulletin includes photographs from the Council’s recent Critical Issues Seminar, an update on items of interest in the General Assembly’s short session, a statement on the passage of Amendment One, the Council’s spring appeal, and more.

Church Council Bulletin, Spring 2012

· by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

The Spring 2012 Church Council Bulletin includes photographs from the Council’s recent Critical Issues Seminar, an update on items of interest in the General Assembly’s short session, a statement on the passage of Amendment One, the Council’s spring appeal, and more.

Raleigh Report — May 18 Update

By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

The General Assembly convened this past Wednesday for its regular “short session.” As always, the primary purpose of the short session is to tweak the budget for the fiscal year […]

Raleigh Report — May 18 Update

· by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

The General Assembly convened this past Wednesday for its regular “short session.” As always, the primary purpose of the short session is to tweak the budget for the fiscal year […]

NC Ranks 21st in Protecting Youth from Tobacco

By Willona Stallings, Former Program Coordinator – Partners in Health & Wholeness

According to a recent report released by top public health organizations, NC spends just 16.2% of the $106.8 million recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on programs […]

NC Ranks 21st in Protecting Youth from Tobacco

· by Willona Stallings, Former Program Coordinator – Partners in Health & Wholeness

According to a recent report released by top public health organizations, NC spends just 16.2% of the $106.8 million recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on programs […]

How Our Health Affects the Bottom Line

By Willona Stallings, Former Program Coordinator – Partners in Health & Wholeness

A new report by the Trust for America’s Health examines how the health of a community affects its ability to attract new businesses and to ultimately stimulate economic growth.  Businesses […]

How Our Health Affects the Bottom Line

· by Willona Stallings, Former Program Coordinator – Partners in Health & Wholeness

A new report by the Trust for America’s Health examines how the health of a community affects its ability to attract new businesses and to ultimately stimulate economic growth.  Businesses […]

Safety Net Programs: They’re Worth Fighting For

By Willona Stallings, Former Program Coordinator – Partners in Health & Wholeness

NC Policy Watch

It’s no wonder why our political leaders are scrambling to find solutions, even while bumping heads in the process. Both sides want what’s best for America, but the process through which we work to achieve that has become increasingly contentious and politically charged. And I can’t help but believe that our own personal experiences and beliefs, not the persuasive views of political pundits, ultimately determine on which side of an issue we fall and what we deem worth fighting for. Let me share a story.

Safety Net Programs: They’re Worth Fighting For

· by Willona Stallings, Former Program Coordinator – Partners in Health & Wholeness

NC Policy Watch

It’s no wonder why our political leaders are scrambling to find solutions, even while bumping heads in the process. Both sides want what’s best for America, but the process through which we work to achieve that has become increasingly contentious and politically charged. And I can’t help but believe that our own personal experiences and beliefs, not the persuasive views of political pundits, ultimately determine on which side of an issue we fall and what we deem worth fighting for.

Let me share a story.

Raleigh Report – May 20, 2011

By Rose Gurkin, Former Program Associate for Administration

The focus of this issue is a handful of the most important items currently under consideration at the General Assembly. These are issues that are under challenge by the current majorities in both houses.

Raleigh Report – May 20, 2011

· by Rose Gurkin, Former Program Associate for Administration

The focus of this issue is a handful of the most important items currently under consideration at the General Assembly. These are issues that are under challenge by the current majorities in both houses.

Raleigh Report – April 18, 2011

By Rose Gurkin, Former Program Associate for Administration

Budget Edition: Last week the chairs of the House Appropriations Subcommittees started revealing their plans for the 2011-13 budget. Not surprisingly, their plans differ in significant ways from the budget proposed by Governor Perdue. The most important difference is that the House leaders will not approve the continuation of any of the emergency tax increases enacted in 2009.

Raleigh Report – April 18, 2011

· by Rose Gurkin, Former Program Associate for Administration

Budget Edition: Last week the chairs of the House Appropriations Subcommittees started revealing their plans for the 2011-13 budget. Not surprisingly, their plans differ in significant ways from the budget proposed by Governor Perdue. The most important difference is that the House leaders will not approve the continuation of any of the emergency tax increases enacted in 2009.

Raleigh Report – March 7, 2011

By Rose Gurkin, Former Program Associate for Administration

Governor Bev Perdue on Saturday vetoed H 2, the misnamed “Protect Health Care Freedom” bill. (It should be called the “Freedom to be Uninsured and Unable to Get Health Care” bill.) The bill was an attack on federal health care reform and purported to remove North Carolinians from the mandated purchase of health insurance, which is the basis of federal reform which will move millions of uninsured Americans into the ranks of the insured.

Raleigh Report – March 7, 2011

· by Rose Gurkin, Former Program Associate for Administration

Governor Bev Perdue on Saturday vetoed H 2, the misnamed “Protect Health Care Freedom” bill. (It should be called the “Freedom to be Uninsured and Unable to Get Health Care” bill.) The bill was an attack on federal health care reform and purported to remove North Carolinians from the mandated purchase of health insurance, which is the basis of federal reform which will move millions of uninsured Americans into the ranks of the insured.

Moving Forward with the NCCC

By Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

As December begins, we make the transition from a time of thanksgiving to a season of anticipation. The Council has much to be grateful for this year. Talented and dynamic […]

Moving Forward with the NCCC

· by Aleta Payne, Former Deputy Executive Director

As December begins, we make the transition from a time of thanksgiving to a season of anticipation. The Council has much to be grateful for this year. Talented and dynamic […]

Short Session Convenes, Senate Adopts Budget in Record Speed

By Chris Pernell, Director, Partners in Health and Wholeness

The summer’s “short session” of the North Carolina General Assembly convened on May 12, a continuation of the 2009 session. Its primary task will be to adjust the 2010-11 budget adopted last year, though it can also take up bills that made it through one house last year, bills coming from study commissions, and bills amending the state Constitution.

Short Session Convenes, Senate Adopts Budget in Record Speed

· by Chris Pernell, Director, Partners in Health and Wholeness

The summer’s “short session” of the North Carolina General Assembly convened on May 12, a continuation of the 2009 session. Its primary task will be to adjust the 2010-11 budget adopted last year, though it can also take up bills that made it through one house last year, bills coming from study commissions, and bills amending the state Constitution.