SB 221: Department of Corrections/Ex-offenders
An act that would require the Department of Corrections to be the single agency responsible for the coordination and implementation of reentry policy initiatives. It also encourages the continuation of ensuring ex-offenders have a successful transition back into society.
- We support this bill based the dignity and worth of a person. Prison sentences do not mean the end of life, a person can be reintegrated back into society based on successful measures.
SB 239 Food Bank Funds
An act to appropriate $1 million for the food banks in NC for the 2011-2012 fiscal year and 2012-2013 fiscal year.
- Say thanks to bill sponsors for keeping this a priority!
SB 245 Medicaid Billing by Local Health Departments
An act to authorize local health departments to bill medicaid through an approved medicaid clearinghouse or through the department of health and human services, division of public health.
- We are watching this bill to see how it develops. So far, it seems that this bill will help facilitate billing by giving another option to billing (partnership). We are not sure of the impact of this bill yet and will continue to follow it.
SB 326: Evaluate DD Residential Options for Children
This act would require DHHS to evaluate and report on residential placement options for young children with developmental disabilities.
HB 267: Mental Health Workers' Bill of Rights and HB 287 Mental Health Workers' Bill of Rights
- This bill supports all that social workers' do! Please contact the bill sponsors to say THANK YOU!
- The second bill, 287 has more representatives signed on.
HB 387: Access Confidential Info/Child Abuse/Neglect
- This bill would clarify when, to whom, and under what circumstances the identity of a person reporting child abuse or neglect may be released. It would also clarify what information the division of social services is required to maintain in the foster care registry and under what circumstances information in the registry may be withheld.
- This is a big bill for those working with families and children. It will give extra safety when reporting. I encourage you to share this with your supervisors or staff to stay informed!
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
A message from Together, NC
Dear Together NC partners and allies:
We wanted to make sure you didn't forget about our trainings over the next two weeks in Charlotte, Asheville, and Raleigh on ways to talk about government and taxes that have been proven to really resonate with people.
Together NC is partnering with the Public Works: the Demos Center for the Public Sector and Blueprint North Carolina to bring these trainings to you. Each offers ideas about how to use enduring values and concepts to tell new stories about public issues and government. In addition, attendees will get an in-depth look at the research and recommendations that the Public Works program offers with a special focus on the challenge of talking about taxes, budgets and the role of government in the current North Carolina State fiscal context. Participants will also spend time in discussion and working in small groups to apply the Public Works approach in the current state budget debate.
We’ll conclude with an update on what’s going on with the NC state budget, polling, and how to get engaged.
And, free lunch will be provided!
To learn more about each of the training opportunities and to sign up to attend, click the links below:
• Monday, March 21 - Charlotte
• Thursday, March 24 - Asheville
• Friday, April 8 - Raleigh
Presenters:
•Elaine Mejia, Senior Program Associate, Public Works
•Louisa Warren: Together NC: Budget update
•Stephanie Bass, Blueprint NC: NC polls on citizen attitudes about budgets and spending
Please share with your members, staff, and Boards—these trainings are a unique opportunity to learn from the experts at Demos on how we can all do a better job of messaging around the state budget.
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Please check out the new report on the TABOR legislation currently being considered in the General Assembly. The Budget & Tax Center presents some interesting facts and statistics that can help you talk about this proposal within your organization and home communities:
NEW!!! Budget & Tax Center Report on TABOR
We wanted to make sure you didn't forget about our trainings over the next two weeks in Charlotte, Asheville, and Raleigh on ways to talk about government and taxes that have been proven to really resonate with people.
Together NC is partnering with the Public Works: the Demos Center for the Public Sector and Blueprint North Carolina to bring these trainings to you. Each offers ideas about how to use enduring values and concepts to tell new stories about public issues and government. In addition, attendees will get an in-depth look at the research and recommendations that the Public Works program offers with a special focus on the challenge of talking about taxes, budgets and the role of government in the current North Carolina State fiscal context. Participants will also spend time in discussion and working in small groups to apply the Public Works approach in the current state budget debate.
We’ll conclude with an update on what’s going on with the NC state budget, polling, and how to get engaged.
And, free lunch will be provided!
To learn more about each of the training opportunities and to sign up to attend, click the links below:
• Monday, March 21 - Charlotte
• Thursday, March 24 - Asheville
• Friday, April 8 - Raleigh
Presenters:
•Elaine Mejia, Senior Program Associate, Public Works
•Louisa Warren: Together NC: Budget update
•Stephanie Bass, Blueprint NC: NC polls on citizen attitudes about budgets and spending
Please share with your members, staff, and Boards—these trainings are a unique opportunity to learn from the experts at Demos on how we can all do a better job of messaging around the state budget.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Please check out the new report on the TABOR legislation currently being considered in the General Assembly. The Budget & Tax Center presents some interesting facts and statistics that can help you talk about this proposal within your organization and home communities:
NEW!!! Budget & Tax Center Report on TABOR
Monday, March 14, 2011
Thursday, March 10, 2011
HB 100 will not move through session
House Bill 100 which places strict requirements on Nonprofits receiving state funding will NOT be moving through the session! This bill did not generate enough support and the bill sponsor has announced it will not move forward this session.
Governor's Veto not overrode
The House attempted to override Governor Perdue's veto on House Bill 2, Protect Health Care Freedom. The House needed a three-fifths majority to override the veto and fell 4 votes short.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Action Alert from the NC Justice Center
Hey all! Sorry for the lack of postings on here. I have been running around and Friday we had a very successful Ethics Conference! Here is an important message about House Bill 93. I urge you all to take action! I received this message from the Justice Center. Remember to add information about yourself and include you are a social worker whenever responding to action alerts from either myself or messages forwarded.
TAKE ACTION: Bill to Gut State EITC Goes to Committee Next Week
House Bill 93 would eliminate refundability of EITC
The “No New Taxes” crowd in the NC General Assembly has no problem raising taxes on those who can least afford it. They are attacking the state Earned Income Tax Credit, which provides an important tax break to more than 800,000 low- and moderate-income working families in North Carolina.
House Bill 93 would increase taxes on 12% of non-elderly families in North Carolina. Legislators are considering this tax increase of working families even as they that contemplate lowering taxes on profitable corporations and letting expire the temporary surcharge on high-income earnings.
House Bill 93 would eliminate the refundable nature of the state EITC. Refundability is important because:
• It ensures those most in need—primarily low-wage workers with children—get the most from the credit.
• It offsets some of the sales and property taxes working families pay. The less money a family makes, the greater a share of its income it pays in these other taxes. The EITC makes the tax system fairer.
• It puts $52 million into local economies. Families tend to spend their tax refunds in close to home, creating the economic activity needed to jumpstart the state’s economy and put people back to work.
The House Finance Committee will likely hear House Bill 93 next week. Contact the committee members today!
TAKE ACTION: Bill to Gut State EITC Goes to Committee Next Week
House Bill 93 would eliminate refundability of EITC
The “No New Taxes” crowd in the NC General Assembly has no problem raising taxes on those who can least afford it. They are attacking the state Earned Income Tax Credit, which provides an important tax break to more than 800,000 low- and moderate-income working families in North Carolina.
House Bill 93 would increase taxes on 12% of non-elderly families in North Carolina. Legislators are considering this tax increase of working families even as they that contemplate lowering taxes on profitable corporations and letting expire the temporary surcharge on high-income earnings.
House Bill 93 would eliminate the refundable nature of the state EITC. Refundability is important because:
• It ensures those most in need—primarily low-wage workers with children—get the most from the credit.
• It offsets some of the sales and property taxes working families pay. The less money a family makes, the greater a share of its income it pays in these other taxes. The EITC makes the tax system fairer.
• It puts $52 million into local economies. Families tend to spend their tax refunds in close to home, creating the economic activity needed to jumpstart the state’s economy and put people back to work.
The House Finance Committee will likely hear House Bill 93 next week. Contact the committee members today!
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Eliminate EITC Refundability Provision
A message from Action for Children
The state EITC is under attack and we need your help to protect this important policy for North Carolina's working families.
House Bill 93 would eliminate the refundable nature of the state EITC. Refundability is essential to ensuring that the state EITC targets those most in need. It also offsets the greater share of total taxes these families pay as compared to those with higher income. Click here for more information, including county-level data.
Contact members of the House Finance Committee.
Urge them to oppose House Bill 93.
• This bill will hurt low-income working families when they are struggling to get by in this tough economy.
• 12 percent of non-elderly households in North Carolina will experience a tax increase as a result.
• This will remove $52 million from local economies at a time when consumer spending is critical to job creation and economic recovery.
Join advocates for a press conference on EITC next Thursday, March 3 at 10 a.m. on the steps in front of the legislative building (on Jones St).
To take action on this bill click here.
The state EITC is under attack and we need your help to protect this important policy for North Carolina's working families.
House Bill 93 would eliminate the refundable nature of the state EITC. Refundability is essential to ensuring that the state EITC targets those most in need. It also offsets the greater share of total taxes these families pay as compared to those with higher income. Click here for more information, including county-level data.
Contact members of the House Finance Committee.
Urge them to oppose House Bill 93.
• This bill will hurt low-income working families when they are struggling to get by in this tough economy.
• 12 percent of non-elderly households in North Carolina will experience a tax increase as a result.
• This will remove $52 million from local economies at a time when consumer spending is critical to job creation and economic recovery.
Join advocates for a press conference on EITC next Thursday, March 3 at 10 a.m. on the steps in front of the legislative building (on Jones St).
To take action on this bill click here.
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