Critical Phone Calls to Make TODAY!

• Call or email your representatives today to ensure they know where you stand on these critical bills.

• Make your voice heard ASAP but no later than Friday, May 2!

• EDUCATION BILLS:

  • House Bill 806 - Public School Operational Relief - harms public schools in two ways. First, it removes class size limits on K-3 classrooms. Second, it drops the requirement for classrooms to be staffed by certified teachers from 100% to 50%.

  • House Bill 636 - Promoting Wholesome Content for Students - makes it easier for community members to have books removed from school libraries. Bill also allows community members to sue the district over library book/media access.

  • House Bill 171 - Equality in State Agencies/Prohibition on DEI eliminates ALL diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in the state and local governments an imposes penalties of up to $10K per violation.

  • Senate Bill 227 - Eliminating DEI in Public Education prohibits instruction to students on a list of divisive concepts. Also mandates impartial instruction of historical oppression or other controversial aspects of history.

• EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT BILLS (Both opposed by our county EM Director, William Kehler)

  • House Bill 219 - proposes to repeal the law that allows counties to franchise ambulance services, effectively removing the county's authority to issue contracts or agreements with ambulance providers. The bill also states that county officials are not required to approve modifications in the level of care provided by EMS providers that are not owned or operated by a city within the county or the county responsible for the emergency management system

  • House Bill 675 - proposes to require the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) examination for credentialing as various emergency medical services personnel in the state. Specifically, it mandates that anyone seeking or renewing credentials as an emergency medical technician, advanced emergency medical technician, paramedic, emergency medical responder, etc., must pass the NREMT exam. Our understanding of the opposition is that this is an additional financial burden to those being tested, could possibly cause shortages in rural communities, and is thought to be duplicative of the certifications already held.

• OTHER BILLS THAT WE JUST DON’T NEED:

  • Senate Bill 474 - Proposes the creation of “DAVE” - the Department of Accountability, Value and Efficiency - a DOGE-knock off - and would require each state agency to report to the DAVE on how the agency spends taxpayer funds and instructs Dave Boliek’s office to put together a report by the end of the year on which state agencies and jobs can be cut.

  • House Bill 5 - proposes permitless concealed carry, repealing the requirement that people must pass tests on firearm safety and accuracy in order to carry a concealed handgun. It includes a provision that would allow people to carry concealed handguns at places where they are not currently allowed, such as public events and parades. As a result, firearmswould no longer be classified as a “deadly weapon.”

  • House Bill 89 - the University Vaccination Freedom Act, would repeal immunization requirements for people who attend a college or university in North Carolina.

  • House Bill 380 - would provide for a “conscientious objection” to vaccine mandates, in addition to the medical and religious exemptions that already exist, which seems like it would render the whole idea of a “mandate” pretty moot.

  • House Bill 234 - would change the composition of the N.C. Senate so that each senator represents two counties, rather having a roughly equal number of residents in each Senate district. Example: Under such a model, Mecklenburg County would have just one state senator, who would also represent a neighboring county. Currently, Mecklenburg County has six senators, seeing as more than 1 million people live there. It would completely nullify the “one person, one vote” principle, which would violate the U.S. Constitution.

  • House Bill 64 - would erode one of the only powers that North Carolina’s governor has left: the power to grant pardons or reduce criminal sentences. The bill would make it so the governor could not grant clemency without majority approval in the state House and Senate.

• PLEASE ALSO EXPRESS YOUR SUPPORT FOR:

  • Senate Bill 744 / House Bill 815 - Twin bills titled Voucher School Accountability Act. This bill would require private schools receiving vouchers to adopt basic quality and accountability standards already in place for public schools.

  • House Bill 807 - Strong Public Schools for a Strong NC has a number of important provisions to help public schools. Raises teacher salaries, provides more funding for students with disabilities, pays for breakfast and lunch for all students, funds laptop replacements and decreases funding for vouchers.

  • House Bill 121 - School Calendar Flex/Statewide/Open Calendar and Senate Bill 103 - Make NC School Calendars Great Again would both return authority for setting school calendars to the school districts.