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VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS MAKES HISTORY AND SUMMER WRAP UP EDITION: |
From the Council Office of Steve Rao
August 29, 2024
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Estimated Read Time: 10 minutes. | |
Tune into CNN at 9 pm today for interview with Governor Walz and Vice President Harris!
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I am excited to announce a new mobile platform, VoteVocal that I am on, VoteVocal. By logging into the mobile App, you can:
- Reach me directly over phone or via email
- Access my social media pages - X, Facebook & Instagram
- Download my newsletter(s)
- File grievances that would reach me directly.
- Learn about my priorities for the community and the current status of major issues facing the Town and County.
I am at your service and through the VoteVocal platform we communicate much better and I intend to enhance by digital communication strategy and reach with the residents of Morrisville and all of Wake County.
Please download the iOS mobile app by going to VoteVocal.
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/vote-vocal/id6499540241
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TOWN OF MORRISVILLE LABOR DAY HOURS | |
The Town of Morrisville administrative offices, Cedar Fork Community Center, Morrisville Aquatics & Fitness Center (MAFC), and Morrisville Senior Center will be closed on Monday, Sept. 2 for Labor Day.
Police, fire, and rescue services will remain available. For life-threatening or in-progress emergencies, call 911.
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GOVERNOR TIM WALZ VISITS RALEIGH TODAY | |
Vice Presidential candidate, Governor Tim Walz, will be in Raleigh for a fundraising reception today, Thursday, August 29th for the Harris Victory Fund. Governor Walz is fresh off a successful speech at the Democratic Convention. He was a high school teacher and coach and has a passion for education and supporting families and communities. He will make an excellent Vice President and we are thrilled to have him in Raleigh.
North Carolina is a battleground state and the Harris-Walz campaign has opened 26 offices across the state with staff working to get out voters for the ticket in November.
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BLACK ISSUES FORUM on Friday at 7:30 pm and Sunday at 4 pm. www.pbsnc.org
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US Open WPTF Radio Wake County Round Up on Friday with Special guest, former ATP Mens Player, Andy Andrews! 92.9 FM and 680 AM!
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WPTF DNC INTERVIEWS (LIVE FROM CHICAGO) | |
Use Here Comes the Bus: https://www.wcpss.net/herecomesthebus
Wake County Schools Start today! Summer is officially over and Fall begins!
It has been a very busy few weeks, and this will be the last newsletter of the Summer as we head into the fall, send our kids back to school, and kick off Football Season! In my next newsletter, we will be celebrating the meaning of Labor Day and I will be sharing my insights on Ukrainian Independence and wish every Ukranian in North Carolina and the nation a Happy Ukranian Independence Day, which we celebrated on Saturday!
Finally, I wish Sonia all the best as she heads off to Nairobi, Kenya for her fellowship with the Associated Press and to Rayan, who begins Biomedical Enginnering at NC State and his Sophomore year!
Good Luck to everyone in school!
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BREAKING NEWS AND IMPORTANT UPDATES | |
Gandhi Statue will Move to Morrisville! (See Gandhi Section)
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Vice President Harris Accepts Democratic Nomination for President of the United States.
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BACK TO SCHOOL IN WAKE COUNTY | |
Good Luck to all the kids for another year in School! It will be a another great year!
In addition, in my next newsletter, we will also be discussing the relocation of Parkside Middle School to Paramount Parkway, and Morrisville High School to the location of Parkside Middle. I know there are frustrated families in Morrisville and Cary and please send me your ideas and continue to attend public meetings.
A special thanks to Wake County Superintendent Dr. Robert Taylor for hosting a Community Input Meeting at Alston Ridge Middle School last week.
The district has launched a ThoughtExchange thread, inviting community members to contribute their questions and comments.
Visit and share your ideas at https://my.thoughtexchange.com/scroll/443352163/welcome
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Over the past few days, I have had a number of interviews with the Press about the VP Harris nominaton and other issues! Enjoy! | |
WPTF Radio Wake County Round Up on Friday with Special guest Gov Tech, Zack Thorn on the NC Digital Summit and guests to talk about Indian Independence Day events next week in Morrisville! | |
FINAL OLYMPIC GOLD MEDAL COUNT AND ALERTS | |
It was a wonderful Olympics and congratulations to all of the Medal winners! Team USA did very well!
The United States Led the Medal Count!
USA 27
France 27
Australia 18
France 13
Great Britain 12
Get all Highlights and Updates at https://olympics.com/en/paris-2024.
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Sept 5 White Goods Collection! The Fall White Goods collection day will be Thursday, Sept. 5. Registration is required and must be received by 5 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 2 at https://bit.ly/MSVWhiteGoods
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Sept 7 Music in the Park 6 pm Healthy Food Hub! | |
Sept 14 Morrisville Police Department Torch Run at 8 am at Morrisville Community Park!
Register at https://bit.ly/3WTY2Uz
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Sept 15 Cary Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting! | |
Sept 21 Town of Morrisville International Festival! 2pm to 6pm at Town Hall Drive. | |
MY REFLECTIONS ON VP HARRIS | |
As an Indian-American and a public servant deeply committed to fostering diversity and inclusion, I am profoundly inspired by the election of Kamala Harris as President of the United States. Her historic achievement is not only a testament to her dedication and leadership but also a monumental step forward for representation in our nation's highest office.
President Harris embodies the rich tapestry of America’s multicultural heritage. As the first woman, the first African-American, and the first South Asian-American to hold the presidency, she breaks through long-standing barriers and paves the way for future generations of diverse leaders. Her victory sends a powerful message to young girls and boys across the country and around the world—that no dream is too big, and no barrier insurmountable when one is equipped with determination, integrity, and a commitment to service.
This election marks a significant moment for communities that have historically been marginalized and underrepresented in our political system. It reinforces the idea that our government can and should reflect the diversity and complexity of the people it serves. President Harris's leadership promises to bring fresh perspectives and inclusive policies that address the needs and aspirations of all Americans, bridging divides and fostering unity.
Moreover, her ascent to the presidency highlights the enduring strength of our democracy, demonstrating that it continues to evolve and expand to include voices from all walks of life. It is a reaffirmation that in America, the son or daughter of immigrants can rise to the nation's highest office, contributing profoundly to the shaping of our collective future.
I wish the Harris and Emhoff families all the best during the Campaign and am looking forward to saying the words, Madame President.
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DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION WRAPS UP! | |
PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN PASSES THE TORCH
President Biden's remarks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTSgeqp6Tzs
My Message on President Biden: https://www.facebook.com/steve.s.rao/videos/1042601533939272
Last week on the first night at the Democratic National Convention, we had the honor of listening to a great American Patriot, President Joe Biden, a leader who has tirelessly worked to steer our nation through challenging times with resilience and a steadfast commitment to the values that define us as Americans. He has now courageously stepped aside and passed the torch to Vice President Kamala Harris to be the face of the Democratic Party and the next President of the United States.
During previous his address to the nation when he announced that he would not be seeling re election. President Biden reminded all of us that a boy with a stutter from humble beginnings can end up behind the resolute desk of the Oval Office, where other Presidents have sat, leading our nation through the best of times and the worst of times.
These pictures were taken when he visited Wolfspeed last year. I was able to let him know that I went to St. Andrews in Delaware, won the state tennis championship in 1987, and grew up in his state, playing against his alma mater, Archmere, where he and his sons went. He joked, you know the last Councilman to become a US Senator and President? Me, he said with a smile on his face.
Seriously, I want to thank him for reminding us that the love of our nation is more important than any title, or job. He was willing to leave and give up his power and pass the mantle on, leaving it up to us, We the People, to decide who our next President will be.
President Biden has had much darkness in his life, losing a wife and two children (Beau Biden a few years ago) I know Beau is in heaven, smiling and proud that the nation he loved so much could see the integrity of his father shine like a light on all of us, and give us hope in the promise of unity.
For over 60 years, President Biden was able to get our of the dark cloud around him by finding his own light in the service of our nation. We are grateful. We will always remember this Preisdent now as the George Washington of our era, whose legacy will live on in every breath of freedom we take from here on out.
Now, our children and grandchildren saw what a true leader is made of, and perhaps, a young boy or girl, enduring setbacks and misery today, can one day sit in the Oval Office as our President.
God Bless President Biden, Jill Biden, the Biden family and our entire nation.
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DNC CONVENTION ELECTRIFIES DEMOCRATS | |
The Democratic Convention had so many highlights and the energy was electric. So many great speeches, and of course, VP Harris has secured the nomination. Here is a recap of a few of some of the major highlights, and there were also great remarks from Nancy Pelosi, Bernie Sanders and AOC, and many other Dem Leaders.
A quick recap:
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VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS ACCEPTS DEMOCRATIC NOMINATION | |
Vice President Kamala Harris Acceptance Speech: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezXRXs9Ogpk
Vice President made history on Thursday, accepting the Democratic Nomination for President of the United States. She will face Former President Donald Trump and if elected, will be the first President, of Asian Descent, and the first female President. Polls are tightening in swing states.
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1. Doug Emhoff
Emhoff address: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_i0MKhkHCo
Emhoff highlighted the importance of unity, diversity, and the values that define the Democratic Party. He spoke about his personal journey, the challenges and opportunities he has faced, and his commitment to supporting his wife in her historic role.
Emhoff emphasized the significance of this election, underscoring the stakes for democracy and the need to protect fundamental rights. He also addressed issues like social justice, equality, and the importance of continuing to fight for the marginalized and vulnerable communities in the country.
Emhoff's speech resonated with many as he presented a more personal, heartfelt perspective on the campaign and the future direction of the nation under Democratic leadership. His words were a call to action for Americans to come together and work towards a more inclusive and equitable society.
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2. President Obama inspires Dems!
Returning to the city where he made his startling political ascent, Obama roused the Chicago crowd with the soaring rhetoric that catapulted him on the national stage 20 years ago. In a nearly 40-minute speech, Obama honored President Joe Biden; championed Kamala Harris and her running mate Tim Walz; warned of the perils of a second Donald Trump presidency; and encouraged Democrats to prepare for an arduous path to maintaining the White House. Former First Last Michelle Obama also addressed the convention, highlighting the experience of Vice President Harris to do the top job.
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3. SEC OF STATE HILLARY CLINTON
Hillary Clinton delivered a powerful speech that connected her historic 2016 nomination with Kamala Harris's 2024 presidential candidacy. She emphasized the importance of continuing the fight for progress and equality, praising Harris as a trailblazer who represents the culmination of decades of efforts by women to break barriers. Clinton urged Democrats to unite and keep pushing forward, reflecting on the significance of this moment in America's story.
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4. Former First Lady Michelle Obama
Michelle Obama address: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5sraR1CcK8
Michelle Obama delivered a powerful speech that focused on the themes of hope, resilience, and action. She passionately called on Americans to "do something" to ensure that Kamala Harris wins the presidency, emphasizing the importance of active participation in democracy. Michelle Obama highlighted Harris's historic candidacy, drawing parallels to her own experiences and the challenges faced by women of color in leadership roles. She also touched on the progress made during the Obama and Biden administrations and urged the audience to continue fighting for a more just and equitable future.
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5. President Bill Clinton
Bill Clinton address: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSzM0lZoAFs
Bill Clinton praised Kamala Harris's leadership qualities, emphasizing her vision, experience, and temperament. He highlighted the contrast between Harris and her opponent, Donald Trump, and underscored the importance of Harris’s ability to bring joy and unity to the nation. Clinton also reflected on the achievements of the Biden administration and called for continued progress under Harris’s leadership.
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6. Governor Gretchen Whitmer (Michigan)
Whitmer address: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9sw3UKQ2zm8
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer delivered a compelling speech where she fully endorsed Kamala Harris's presidential candidacy. Whitmer focused on Harris’s resilience, leadership, and the historic significance of her nomination as the first Black woman and first South Asian American to lead a major party's presidential ticket. Whitmer emphasized the importance of unity within the Democratic Party and the necessity of electing Harris to continue the progress made under the Biden administration.
Whitmer also highlighted the economic and social policies championed by the Democratic Party, including reproductive rights, climate change action, and gun control, positioning Harris as the leader who can effectively carry these forward. Her speech was a strong show of support for Harris, dismissing speculation about her own presidential ambitions and reinforcing her role as a key supporter in this election cycle.
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My friend, Mayor Leo
Leo's address: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFD_jUoo6XQ
Durham Mayor Leonardo Williams delivered a compelling speech focused on the importance of local leadership and grassroots activism. He emphasized the critical role of cities in addressing national challenges, particularly in areas like economic inequality, education, and climate change. Williams also highlighted the need for unity within the Democratic Party, urging members to work together to build a more inclusive and equitable society. His speech resonated strongly with the audience, reflecting the broader themes of the convention.
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Governor Roy Cooper
Gov. Cooper address: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53t-ZXM1O5k
Governor Roy Cooper delivered a powerful speech at the 2024 Democratic National Convention, emphasizing Vice President Kamala Harris's unwavering commitment to fighting for the American people. Cooper recounted a significant moment from their time as state attorneys general when Harris took a bold stand against big banks during the foreclosure crisis. She rejected a $4 billion settlement proposal, ultimately securing $20 billion for California families. Cooper praised Harris as a relentless fighter who will advocate for Americans in all walks of life, urging the nation to stand behind her as she takes on the challenges ahead.
Who were the NC Delegates?
https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/election/article289737369.html
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GANDHI STATUE HAS A NEW MORRISVILLE HOME | |
My Message on Gandhi Statue:
https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/counties/wake-county/article291042270.html
Over the past few years, I had brought the idea to my colleagues on the Council, to approach Marbles Museum of moving the Gandhi Statue to Morrisvill, in an effort to give the statue a more prominent location and to better reflect the growing Indian American community in Morrisville.
Last week, The Gandhi statue was relocated to Morrisville from its current location at Marbles Kids Museum in Raleigh at the Church Street Park Southern Lot Expansion. This decision has been made to The move is seen as a way to honor Gandhi's legacy and to make the statue more accessible to the community that deeply values his contributions.
As a precursor to accepting the Gandhi statue, our council first passed a public art policy in May that lays out criteria for accepting or rejecting public art proposals.
Stay tuned for details on the Gandhi Celebration event which will be held sometime in early October. A special thanks to staff, Council, and Marbles for making this move of the statue possible!
Read more at: https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/counties/wake-county/article291042270.html#storylink=cpy
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CELEBRATING INDIAN INDEPENDENCE DAY | |
Indian Independence Day, celebrated on August 15th, marks the anniversary of India's independence from British rule in 1947. The day is a national holiday in India and is observed with great enthusiasm and patriotism across the country.
KEY POINTS:
Historical Significance: India gained independence after nearly 200 years of British colonization. The struggle for freedom was marked by numerous movements, including the non-violent civil disobedience led by Mahatma Gandhi and the Quit India Movement of 1942.
Partition: Independence also led to the partition of India, creating two separate nations: India and Pakistan. This partition caused massive migrations and widespread communal violence.
Ceremonial Events: The Prime Minister of India hoists the national flag at the Red Fort in New Delhi, followed by a speech that highlights the country’s achievements, challenges, and the government's future plans. This event is televised nationwide.
Celebrations: Across the country, the day is marked by flag-hoisting ceremonies, parades, cultural programs, and patriotic songs. Schools, colleges, and government institutions participate in these activities, and many people decorate their homes and streets with the tricolor flag.
Global Observance: Indian communities around the world also celebrate the day, often with cultural events and gatherings that reflect Indian heritage and pride in the nation's history.
Indian Independence Day is not only a celebration of freedom but also a time for reflection on the country’s journey, its diverse culture, and its aspirations for the future. On a personal note, my grandfather S.V. Rao, served in the British army and then Indian Army after Indian Independence.
We wish all Indian Americans in Morrisville, the Triangle, and North Carolina, a Happy Indian independence Day.
Let us never forget that we can change our communities, our nations, by seeking to become the change we seek in the world. Our hearts and the love of our nation can be our true gps as we navigate through tough times.
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WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM INDIAN INDEPENDENCE DAY? | |
Indian Independence offers several valuable lessons that can be applied across various contexts, from personal growth to societal development and global diplomacy. Here are some key takeaways:
1. The Power of Non-Violent Resistance:
Lesson: Non-violent resistance, as championed by Mahatma Gandhi, can be a powerful tool for social and political change. The Indian independence movement demonstrated that even against a powerful colonial force, sustained non-violent action could lead to significant change.
This approach can be used in contemporary movements for justice, civil rights, and social change, emphasizing dialogue, peaceful protest, and moral integrity.
2. Unity in Diversity:
Despite its vast diversity in languages, religions, and cultures, India united in the struggle for independence. This unity in diversity was critical in overcoming colonial rule.
In any organization, community, or nation, fostering unity while respecting diversity can strengthen collective action and lead to more inclusive and effective outcomes.
3. The Importance of Leadership:
The role of visionary leaders like Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Sardar Patel was crucial in guiding the country through the independence movement and the challenges that followed.
Strong, ethical leadership is essential in navigating difficult times and inspiring others to work towards a common goal. Good leaders balance ideals with pragmatism and motivate others to strive for a better future.
4. The Consequences of Division:
The partition of India and Pakistan, which accompanied independence, led to significant violence, displacement, and ongoing conflict. This highlights the dangers of division and communalism.
Avoiding divisiveness and working towards inclusive solutions is critical in preventing conflict and ensuring long-term peace and stability in any society or organization.
5. The Role of Collective Action:
Independence was achieved through the collective efforts of millions of Indians, including farmers, workers, students, and intellectuals. It shows the power of grassroots movements.
Large-scale change often requires the involvement and support of ordinary people. Encouraging and organizing collective action can be a key strategy for addressing social and political issues.
6. Resilience and Persistence:
Lesson: The Indian independence movement was long and arduous, spanning decades of struggle. The perseverance of the Indian people in the face of hardship is a testament to human resilience.
Application: In any challenging endeavor, persistence and resilience are critical. Success often requires sustained effort over time, even in the face of setbacks.
7. The Value of Self-Determination:
Lesson: Achieving independence allowed India to determine its own future, free from external control. This underscores the importance of self-determination for any nation or community.
Whether in personal life or at a national level, the ability to make decisions independently and control one’s destiny is a powerful motivator and a key to long-term success.
Indian Independence reminds us that change is possible even in the face of great odds and that the principles of justice, unity, and non-violence can guide us toward a better future.
Sharma Aunty Radio Nyra Interview: https://www.facebook.com/steve.s.rao/videos/506819881732413
I had a very wonderful interview with Sharma Aunty last week on Radio Nyra and realy enjoyed our time together! As always, she had great advice for all of us and reminded the community about the Indian Independence Day event at the HSNC Temple on August 17th at 10:30 am!
We are so grateful to the Sharmas for their leadership and service to the community.
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DUKE ENERGY ON TOP OF IT! | |
Tropical Storm Debby has arrived in NC. Expect very heavy rain and wind. Stay home if you can.
Duke Energy has positioned more skilled workers, including crews from other states, throughout the Carolinas as we prepare to respond to whatever Tropical Storm Debby brings our way.
Approximately 7,500 workers are positioned and ready to respond as quickly and safely as possible.
In addition, the Duke Energy Foundation is making a $50,000 grant to the Red Cross in support of disaster relief.
We appreciate the critical role you play in public safety and preparedness as a key leader. Here are some important safety reminders we encourage you to share:
Downed Power Lines and Electrical Wires: Stay away from downed power lines and electrical wires. Do not drive over or stand near downed power lines. Assume all lines are energized. Electric current passes easily through water.
Vehicle Safety: If a power line falls on your vehicle, remain inside unless there’s a fire or other immediate danger. If you must exit, jump clear of the car and land on both feet, ensuring no part of your body touches the vehicle.
Generator Safety: If using a generator, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Turn the generator off when utility crews are in your area. The electrical load on the power lines can be hazardous for crews making repairs.
Power Shut-Offs: Turn off power at the circuit breaker panel or fuse box if rising water threatens your home or business or if you evacuate.
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Registration for Morrisville 101 is now open! Morrisville 101 is an annual community academy for residents interested in local government.
This is a free program for residents ages 16 and older. The program will begin Oct. 23 and will be held from 6-8:30 p.m. once a week for five weeks. For more information and to reserve your spot, visit morrisvillenc.gov/msv101
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During the next week, I plan to visit some Sports Venues and Facilities in Wake County to celebrate the Olympic Spirit! If you want me to drop in, please send me a note!
Enjoy the Olympics! I cannot think of a better time than now to use sports as bridge to celebrate our unity in diversity!
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MEET TIM WALZ, OUR NEXT VP! | |
Tim Walz is an American politician serving as the 41st governor of Minnesota, a position he has held since January 2019. He is a member of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party (DFL), which is affiliated with the national Democratic Party. Before becoming governor, Walz served as a U.S. Representative for Minnesota's 1st congressional district from 2007 to 2019.
Walz's political career is marked by his focus on education, veterans' affairs, and agriculture. Before entering politics, he was a high school teacher and football coach, as well as a member of the Army National Guard, where he served for 24 years, retiring with the rank of command sergeant major.
As governor, Walz has prioritized issues such as healthcare, education, climate change, and economic development. His handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and his response to civil unrest following the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis have been significant aspects of his governorship.
We wish him well at the Democratic Convention and on the campaign trail! Congratulations Governor!
I am pictured here wigh Governor Walz at the Democratic Governors Winter Meeting in Washington DC.
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WHY DID SHE PICK TIM WALZ? | |
Time Magazine: https://time.com/7008252/tim-walz-kamala-harris-pick/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=sfmc&utm_campaign=newsletter+brief+default+ac&utm_content=+++20240807
If the Upper Midwest is the fail-safe for Democrats’ Blue Wall, then Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz may serve as a break-in-case-of-emergency tool.
Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris selected Walz, a popular former congressman and ex-high school civics teacher, as her running mate and will introduce him to the nation at a rally Tuesday evening in Philadelphia. In picking Walz, Harris follows the tried-and-true winning rules of picking a running mate: first do no harm, and, second, never make voters wish the names were reversed. They are set to cover the map of up-for-grabs states in coming days: Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan, North Carolina, Georgia, Arizona, and Nevada.
Walz, 60, emerged as a late-rising contender for the gig in a field full of higher-wattage contenders like Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly, and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear. But Walz’s plain-spoken demeanor, his five terms in the U.S. House, and two successful runs for Governor helped Harris to cast him in the role she currently fills as the understudy for the presidency. Advisers say his chemistry with Harris helped to cement the decision over the weekend and outside allies—even those who previously harbored doubts about his one-time support from the NRA and his moderate tendencies—were expected to quickly fall in line, part of a Democratic retrofitting that followed President Joe Biden’s surprise decision to forego re-nomination himself.
To be sure, Walz is hardly a dynamo who will guarantee Democrats’ fortunes. He may take Minnesota off Republicans’ dream map—no Republican has won the state’s electoral votes since 1972—but he doesn’t fix Democrats’ weaknesses in other parts of his region, let alone necessarily boost their ambitions for Pennsylvania, Georgia, or North Carolina. He doesn’t hurt anywhere but he certainly doesn’t heal anywhere, either.
While Harris’ polling has markedly improved upon Biden’s—especially with younger voters, women, and communities of color—she is far from a sure-fire win in the contest against former President Donald Trump. Harris and Trump are still within a sneeze of each other in battleground states, and Trump has a slight and persistent advantage in them.
For his part, Walz has already proven himself a capable wingman. Armchair pundits credited Walz’s rise to his use of the jab “weird” to describe Republican positions and general vibe these days, a ding that clicked throughout a party struggling to find a concise description of Trumpism and MAGA ideology. Others may now be using the same playbook, but it was Walz’s delivery—fairly or not—that resonated with a level of authenticity that’s unmatched when others lean on a similar corny script.
While Walz’s Midwestern knack distilled a message for his party, that ultimately mattered less than this one truth that Harris knows all too well: the person in the Oval Office and the person in the room down the hall and to the right need to be able to be in sync. A bad blend can result in the misfortune that was Harris’ first stretch in the West Wing as an often isolated member of Biden’s outer orbit. Late to rise into her own lane, Harris nonetheless has perhaps learned the most important lesson available to any Vice President: the role can be a lonely one if defined solely by its relationship to the one gig that outranks it.
Harris’ decision faced intense lobbying unlike any seen in recent years. Shapiro could have made history as the first successful Jewish person to win the vice presidency, but faced not-at-all-subtle criticism for his steady support for Israel—although his criticism of Hamas and those who fail to condemn its terrorist attacks is not far from Walz’s own stance, which stems from his visits to the region and with Jewish groups at home. Shapiro also drew harsh scrutiny for his time on Pennsylvania’s parole board and his support for school vouchers, which put him on the wrong side of the state’s powerful teacher unions. His criticism of Hamas in particular seemed disqualifying for many younger voters, especially in Muslim and Arab communities.
At the same time, Harris was cautioned against Kelly over his support for efforts to curb some gun availability. Kelly, a retired Navy pilot and astronaut, partnered with his wife, former Rep. Gabby Giffords, to reset gun rights in this country after she was the target of an assassination attempt during a supermarket visit. Unions also told Harris they were dubious about his allyship for their agenda.
And with Beshear, they had a red-state Governor who nevertheless would do nothing to move Kentucky from the crimson column. A natural political talent and infinitely likable, Harris’ orbit thought it best to keep him in reserve for now.
Others, like Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, will have to wait at least four more years before chasing their own national ambitions. And yet others like North Carolina Gov. Rory Cooper and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer took themselves out of the running and didn’t file their vetting paperwork with former Attorney General Eric Holder, who ran the process the way he did for then-Sen. Barack Obama.
In Walz, Harris found a reliable avatar who placated most of the Democratic Party’s blocs. While he often disagreed with progressives in his state, he also leaned into their instincts once he found himself governor with Democrats in charge of the state House and Senate. For instance, he not only signed into law a measure to protect abortion rights and provide free school meals for students, he also made legal recreational marijuana a reality. While he was an A-rated member of the House from the NRA, that quickly became a failing grade as Governor as he off-loaded the gun lobbyists’ donations after the 2017 mass shooting in Las Vegas and backed a 2018 ban on assault weapons after the school shooting in Parkland, Fla. When given a free hand, he revealed himself as an ally liberals could find reliable. Even so, his handling of the protests after George Floyd’s death by dispatching the National Guard will now earn closer scrutiny and perhaps betray his new reputation as a pal to the post-2020 Democratic identity.
Still, Walz is far from the salve Democrats need. While Biden’s exit is expected to calm jitters about Minnesota’s tilt to Republican control and Walz can shore-up support in his backyard, fellow Blue Wall bricks like Wisconsin and Michigan in his region remain iffy. Pennsylvania, too, is a jump ball, which is why Harris and Walz are expected to debut as the ticket there on Tuesday before jetting off to other battlegrounds to start the march toward the convention in Chicago in less than two weeks and Election Day in fewer than 100 days.
In Walz, Harris signaled with her first major act of potential governing how she would approach a White House under her management. It was a responsible choice at first glance, and one that matched her own experiences four years ago when Biden elevated her out of the Senate: help the top of the ticket, never overshine the boss, and do a steady best not to alienate any of the must-have constituencies in the Democratic Party. As a bonus: the presidential nominee might even like her potential replacement.
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WHERE DOES TIM WALZ STAND ON THE ISSUES? | |
https://time.com/7008402/tim-walz-policy-positions-abortion-guns-immigration/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=sfmc&utm_campaign=newsletter+brief+default+ac&utm_content
Now that Vice President Kamala Harris has chosen Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz to be her running mate in the 2024 presidential election, his progressive policy record is in the spotlight as the Trump campaign casts him as a “radical leftist.”
Known as a champion of progressivism, Walz’s stances on several critical issues—including abortion, climate change, and immigration—offer a potential preview of how a Harris-Walz Administration might approach challenging policy questions.
As governor of Minnesota, he pushed an ambitious agenda that included free school meals, tax cuts for the middle class, and goals for tackling climate change. His selection was celebrated by top progressives, including Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York.
However, Walz is relatively unknown on the national stage. An NPR/PBS/Marist poll released Tuesday found 71% of U.S. adults have never heard of the midwestern governor or are unsure how to rate him.
For those just beginning to learn about Walz, here is a guide to where he stands on some key issues.
ABORTION
Walz has spoken out in support of abortion rights—“Abortion is health care,” he said on CNN in March—and signed several pieces of legislation protecting reproductive rights.
As governor, he signed a bill that enshrined the right to abortion into the state’s statutes, making Minnesota the first state legislature to codify protections into law in 2023 after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade months earlier. The bill also included protections for other reproductive health care, including contraception and fertility treatments. Abortion was already protected in the state by a 1995 Minnesota supreme court decision, but the new law was meant to safeguard against future courts potentially overturning that ruling.
“Today, we are delivering on our promise to put up a firewall against efforts to reverse reproductive freedom,” Walz said in a press release after signing the bill. “Here in Minnesota, your access to reproductive health care and your freedom to make your own health care decisions are preserved and protected.”
Also in 2023, Walz signed a bill that shields patients traveling to Minnesota for abortion care—and the medical providers who serve them—from legal attacks and criminal penalties other states that restrict access might try to levy against them. That same day, he also signed a bill that bans the practice of conversion therapy and another that protects people seeking or providing gender-affirming health care in Minnesota.
CLIMATE CHANGE
In recent years, Walz has become one of the country’s most skillful advocates for tackling climate change. His administration is aiming to move Minnesota to 100% clean energy by 2040, and he signed legislation in 2023 that encourages utilities to establish renewable energy facilities in communities that used to have fossil-fuel-generating plants.
In recent months, he has signed a bill that will shorten and streamline the process for permitting renewable energy projects and he has announced a $200 million grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to cut climate pollution from Minnesota food systems.
“As I sign this legislation, communities from one end of our state to the other are looking at months of rebuilding after an extreme weather event exacerbated by climate change. This is a measure that will help protect our environment and get the clean energy projects that are going to help fight climate change in motion,” Walz said in a June press release about the bill that streamlines the permitting process. “Together we’re taking meaningful steps to combat climate change.”
U.S.-MEXICO BORDER
Hailing from a northern state, Walz has not been a major voice in U.S.-Mexico border policy discussions. However, his past record on immigration issues suggests that he is likely to push for reform that offers a pathway to citizenship for some undocumented migrants.
As Minnesota’s governor, he signed bills that provided health insurance coverage regardless of immigration status and made undocumented immigrants eligible for state driver’s licenses. He also signed a bill that allowed the state’s nearly 81,000 undocumented immigrants to receive free tuition at a state university.
In 2021 he urged Democratic leaders in Congress to prioritize creating a pathway to citizenship for some undocumented immigrants, including “Dreamers” brought to the U.S. as children, essential workers, Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders, and their families.
And although he voted for stricter screenings for Syrian and Iraqi refugees while serving in Congress as a House member from Minnesota, as governor he later authorized the state government to consent to refugee resettlement: “The inn is not full in Minnesota,” he said in 2019.
Walz has offered a preview of how he’ll campaign on border issues, making several television appearances where he aligns himself with Harris in trying to flip the script on immigration by criticizing former President Donald Trump. “There’s no reason someone seeking asylum, which we will always be a guiding light for, should have to wait seven years to have that adjudicated,” Walz told CNN on July 30, signaling his support for a failed bipartisan border funding bill negotiated in the Senate that would have allowed migrants to be placed in a supervision program and have their asylum case decided within 90 days. Trump urged House Republicans to kill the deal in early 2024. “He's not interested in solving the problem,” Walz added.
He’s also criticized Trump’s pledge to finish construction of a wall along the southern border, claiming that it won’t curb the rise in illegal border crossings: “I always say, let me know how high it is. If it's 25 feet, then I'll invest in the 30-foot ladder factory,” Walz told CNN. “That's not how you stop this. You stop this using electronics, you stop it using more border control agents, and you stop it by having a legal system that allows for that tradition of allowing folks to come here, just like my relatives did to come here, be able to work and establish the American dream.”
ISRAEL-GAZA
Walz has not spoken extensively about the Israel-Gaza conflict, though his stance appears broadly aligned with the Biden-Harris Administration: “The situation in Gaza is intolerable,” Walz told CNN in March. “And I think trying to find a solution, a lasting two-state solution, certainly the President's move towards humanitarian aid and asking us to get to a ceasefire…”
While in Congress, Walz supported pro-Israel resolutions, including voting to condemn a United Nations resolution affirming that Israeli settlements in the West Bank are illegal. He also traveled to Israel as part of a diplomatic trip to the Middle East in 2009 and met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Democratic Majority for Israel, an advocacy group that supports pro-Israel policies, praised the Walz pick shortly after the announcement.
Walz condemned Hamas following its Oct. 7, 2023 attack on Israel during which 1,200 people were killed and more than 250 taken hostage. He also supported a deal to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza as Israel launched a devastating assault on the region after Oct. 7. “The vast majority of Palestinians are not Hamas, and Hamas does not represent the Palestinian people,” he wrote on social media on Oct. 20. “We cannot let terrorists like Hamas win.” Several progressive Democrats who have been critical of Israel have also come out in support of Walz as Harris’ running mate.
GUN CONTROL
Walz’s stance on gun control has changed over the years. A gun owner and supporter of the Second Amendment, Walz had an “A” rating from the National Rifle Association (NRA) while in Congress—but that later turned into an “F.” During his first campaign for governor in 2018, he began to champion more gun-control measures. After a gunman opened fire in 2018 at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida and killed 17 people, Walz publicly expressed support for an assault weapons ban.
“I had an A rating from the NRA. Now I get straight F’s. And I sleep just fine,” he said in a post on X on July 27.
In 2023, he signed several gun-control measures into law, expanding universal background checks to private party transfers of pistols and semiautomatic weapons, as well as creating a “red flag” law that allows a family member, guardian, city or county attorney, or police chief to intervene and ask a court to take weapons away from someone if they’re at high risk of hurting themselves or others.
“As a veteran, gun-owner, hunter, and dad, I know basic gun safety isn’t a threat to the Second Amendment—it’s about keeping our kids safe,” Walz said in a press release at the time. “There’s no place for weapons of war in our schools, churches, banks, or anywhere else people are just trying to live their lives..
Economy
As governor, Walz advocated for a historically progressive overhaul of Minnesota’s economy, passing a series of reforms that some progressives hope could be a model for the federal government if Democrats win control of the House and Senate.
Walz pushed for pro-labor legislation, signing a bill into law last year that established statewide sick and medical leave, banned non-compete agreements, and added worker safety requirements. The United Auto Workers (UAW), which has endorsed Harris and is one of the nation’s largest union groups, celebrated Harris’ decision to name Walz as her running mate: "Tim Walz doesn't just talk the talk, he walks the walk," the UAW wrote on social media. "From delivering for working-class Americans to standing with the UAW on our picket line last year, we know which side he's on."
As governor, Walz also signed the Local Jobs and Projects Plan, which gave roughly $1.9 billion to support construction and renovation projects, including affordable housing projects.
His administration provided tax cuts to many Minnesota residents, while raising taxes on some corporations and high earners. In addition, he provided rebates known as “Walz checks” for low- and middle-income families, which are worth up to $1,300 in some cases, and he championed a statewide child tax credit of up to $1,750 per child.
Paid leave, free school meals, and other issues
Walz has taken a progressive stance on several family issues. In 2023, he signed a bill that provides paid family and medical leave into law, saying at the time that the move is “ensuring Minnesotans no longer have to make the choice between a paycheck and taking time off to care for a new baby or a sick family member.” The program, which will start in 2026, will allow workers up to 12 weeks a year off with partial pay to take care of a newborn baby or a sick relative, and up to 12 weeks to recover if they themselves are seriously ill.
A former teacher, Walz has also supported funding for a program that provides free school meals to children. In 2023, Walz signed into law the North Star Promise Scholarship Program to provide public higher education in Minnesota tuition-free for eligible low-income students.
Walz has also signed legislation legalizing recreational marijuana and establishing a board that would expunge or resentence lower-level cannabis convictions.
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VICE PRESIDENT KAMALA HARRIS | |
Kamala Harris is the 49th Vice President of the United States, serving since January 20, 2021. She is the first woman, the first African American, and the first Asian American to hold the office of Vice President. Harris was born on October 20, 1964, in Oakland, California. Before becoming Vice President, she served as a U.S. Senator from California from 2017 to 2021. Prior to that, she was the Attorney General of California from 2011 to 2017. Harris is a member of the Democratic Party and has been a significant figure in American politics, known for her work on criminal justice reform, immigration, and civil rights.
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THE INSPIRING STORY OF VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS | |
Kamala Harris's life story is marked by numerous groundbreaking achievements and a commitment to public service. She is one step away from becoming the first female President of the United States.
Early Life and Education
Born: October 20, 1964, in Oakland, California.
Parents: Shyamala Gopalan, an Indian American cancer researcher, and Donald Harris, a Jamaican American professor of economics.
Education:
Attended Howard University, a historically black university in Washington, D.C., where she earned a degree in political science and economics.
Received her law degree from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law.
Early Career
Deputy District Attorney: Started her career as a deputy district attorney in Alameda County, California, where she focused on prosecuting cases of gang violence, drug trafficking, and sexual abuse.
San Francisco District Attorney's Office: Worked in various roles, including head of the Career Criminal Division.
Political Career
District Attorney of San Francisco:
Elected in 2003, becoming the first woman and first African American to hold the office.
Focused on combating truancy, reforming the criminal justice system, and promoting rehabilitation over incarceration.
Attorney General of California:
Elected in 2010, re-elected in 2014.
First woman, first African American, and first South Asian American to hold the office.
Known for her work on foreclosure crisis, criminal justice reform, and environmental issues.
U.S. Senator from California:
Elected in 2016.
Served on the Senate Judiciary Committee, Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, and the Select Committee on Intelligence.
Advocated for healthcare reform, immigration reform, and social justice issues.
Vice President of the United States
2020 Presidential Campaign:
Ran for the Democratic nomination for President but ended her campaign before the primaries.
Selected by Joe Biden as his running mate in August 2020.
Elected as Vice President in November 2020, inaugurated on January 20, 2021.
Vice Presidential Achievements
Historic Firsts:
First female Vice President, first Black Vice President, and first South Asian Vice President.
Advocates for various issues including the COVID-19 pandemic response, immigration reform, voting rights, and economic equity.
Personal Life
Married to Douglas Emhoff, a lawyer, since 2014.
Step-mother to Emhoff's two children from his previous marriage.
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FOR MY WEST VIRGINIA FAMILY, WEST VIRGINIA WILL ALWAYS BE HOME -Sonia Rao
https://www.100daysinappalachia.com/2024/07/for-my-indian-american-family-west-virginia-will-always-be-home/
West Virginia” is never what people are looking for when they ask where my family is from.
The first week of January, my dad and I drove five hours from our house in North Carolina to visit his hometown of Charleston, West Virginia, for a family friend’s memorial service. We drove the same route we’d taken many times during my childhood, up through Greensboro, stopping in Wytheville and Beckley.
I was not born in Charleston and did not grow up there. But I feel a connection to the city, and the Appalachian region where my family lived for more than 30 years.
I identify as South Asian and Southern American, two identities that have been difficult to reconcile.
The idea of Asian-Americanness and Southernness seen as opposing identities is expressed by scholars Jigna Desai and Khyati Y. Joshi in Discrepancies in Dixie: Asian Americans and the South. “The figure of the Asian American is perceived to be discrepant in and antithetical to the U.S. South,” they write. “Within the American imaginary, the Asian American as perpetual foreigner and alien is always seen as a recent immigrant, and therefore associated with contemporary times, while the South is perceived as an anachronistic and isolated region; this renders the two—the Asian American and the South—allegedly mutually exclusive and incongruous.”
My family’s story, and those of many others, directly disprove this notion.
I grew up in the Triangle, a hotspot for Asian-Americans in the South, living down the street from my grandparents. I was raised on stories about their decades in Charleston, where they were surrounded by a small community of South Asians who became their found family.
My grandparents, Pejawar Murali Dhar Rao and Nirmala Rao – whom I call “Ajja” and “Doma” – immigrated to New London, Connecticut in the late ‘60s from Madras, India, so Ajja could complete surgical training. In 1969, Ajja had to decide where to complete his residency. A former classmate from Madras encouraged Ajja to join him in Charleston.
My great-grandfather sent them discouraging cables from India: “It’s not a very rich state,” he wrote. “Don’t go there.”
But my grandparents, uprooted from their family and home, desired living near familiar people. “I need to go,” Ajja responded to my great-grandfather. “But I know someone I can lean on if I don’t do well.”
When Ajja started his residency at Charleston General Hospital, there were only three other South Asian families living in the area.
“We were family,” Doma always says about her friends from Charleston. They took care of each other. When my dad was born, Ajja was chief resident at the hospital and could not take shifts off. Doma spent the night at her friend’s house until she went into labor. The friend, whom Doma is still in touch with, drove her to the hospital in the morning and held her hand as she delivered the baby.
Even now, this community is connected. My grandparents call their friends every night, visit every few months and travel together.
“Because of the distance from the family, you didn’t have FaceTime, video calls, cell phones. If you called India it was long-distance, so we only called every few months, every year, maybe,” my dad said. “So the Indians going through the same experience, we became very closely knit, and those became our closest family members.”
It is this sense of family that permeated our most recent visit to Charleston. When we paused our drive in Princeton, West Virginia, my dad glanced at a man walking towards us, and after a second look, shouted his name. He was someone my dad had grown up playing tennis with in Charleston, en route to a family ski trip.
Theirs was the first of many reunions. My dad spent the rest of our drive making calls. Instead of going to our hotel, we made visits to see my dad’s childhood best friends and their families, who were aunts and uncles to my dad. We drove past my dad’s elementary school, the home he grew up in, the tennis center where he spent his formative years, his favorite bookstore.
My dad could not stop reflecting about how much the people and places he loved had changed. He called my grandparents, who reminded him that, like the rest of the South, Charleston had been changing for a long time.
From the 1970s when my family moved to Charleston onward, the South Asian population grew. West Virginia’s Asian-American Pacific Islander population, which the state didn’t count in 1970, was about 5,000 in 1980. (Today, that number is about 14,000).
My grandparents came to America on a tourist visa and were one of many families who gained citizenship from the 1965 Hart-Cellar Immigration Act, which allowed thousands of doctors, engineers and other professionals to immigrate to the U.S. during the ‘70s and ‘80s. The 1965 act is often credited with kicking off large-scale immigration from Asia to the U.S., although Asian people have existed in America long before the mid-20th century, coming over 150 years ago as laborers who mined, farmed and built railroads.
Southern states since the 1980s have been home to rapidly increasing Asian populations due to changes in the Southern economy, which have shifted migration patterns towards the South, according to Desai and Joshi.
This has influenced the region, including how Asian-American religious communities have formed and developed – Buddhist and Hindu temples, gurdwaras, mosques, and Korean churches.
“Often, Asian American religious communities have had to establish and maintain themselves in this hostile terrain by creating and fortifying clearly demarcated ethno religious spaces, by exposing and guarding against the normative influence of Christianity, and by slowly adapting social and political structures to accommodate religious diversity and difference through legal, cultural, and media activism,” Desai and Joshi write.
Every Sunday, when most people went to church, my grandparents met at their friends’ houses to conduct pujas – Hindu worship ceremonies – and share food.
Occasionally, they would drive more than three hours to the closest Hindu temple in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. My grandmother says the drive was worth it to expose her two sons to more Indian culture. Eventually, the community worked together to raise money and build the India Center, a space where they held religious and cultural events, and rented out to locals to increase knowledge of Indian traditions.
The India Center, where our family friend’s memorial was held, was my dad and I’s final destination in Charleston. This “uncle” had been one of my grandparents’ first friends in Charleston.
I joined my dad on the trip because I wanted to pay my respects. But more than that, I knew it might be the only chance I had to witness a glimpse of the Charleston childhood my dad always refers to as “the best days of his life.”
I was right. More than 100 people attended the service, eager to pay homage to someone who had been a pillar in their community. Amid hugs, handshakes and some tears, my dad kept turning to me and repeating, “I’m home. I’m home.”
I felt reassured that “West Virginia” is the right answer for people asking where we’re from.
Sonia A. Rao is a recent graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, studying journalism, history and Hindi-Urdu. She has written about education for The Tampa Bay Times, Dallas Morning News, Scalawag Magazine, Hechinger Report and other outlets.
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VACATION WATCH: DYK? The Morrisville Police Department can provide a drive by vacation check to your property this summer while you are out of town. Get all the info and register today at https://bit.ly/4erbTJO
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DOWNLOAD THE MORRISVILLE APP | |
Have you downloaded the Morrisville Central mobile app?
Learn about free community events, view an interactive map of Town facilities and parks to learn about court and field status, and get the latest information about the Town straight from the source.
Download via Apple Store: https://apple.co/3pKCNrg
Download via Google Play: https://bit.ly/3IfPctA
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Happy 80th to my Mother In Law, Ranjan Parekh!
My Toast of my Mother In law: https://www.facebook.com/steve.s.rao/videos/1024758435986359
Happy 80th Birthday to my Mother In law, Dr. Ranja Parekh! We love her so much and I have known her for over 35 years. I thank her for welcoming me into her family, and for all the love she gives us every day! We also thank her for her service to our nation, as she served for 25 years in the United States Airforce, retiring as a Col. alongside her late husband.
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Another Great Statelines!
I enjoyed another appearance on Statelines on Friday. We enjoyed discussing Governor Cooper's DNC Address, Mark Robinson, Josh Stein, Reproductive rights, etc. Rapid Fire and on point! A special thanks to Kelly Mcullen for moderating and to the PBS Carolinas team for their great work!
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Bee Hives at Fire Station 3
Insights from Bee Downtown:
Last week, we celebrated our two new beehives at Fire Station No. 3! This effort directly supports the Town’s commitment to the natural environment, specifically pollinators, by providing habitat and food sources. 🐝 We are also excited to announce the winners of our Queen Bee Naming Contest - Rani and Notorious B.E.E.
Learn more at morrisvillenc.gov/pollinators.
The hives will be maintained by Bee Downtown, who installs and maintains beehives across the southeast while simultaneously providing year-round employee engagement and leadership development programming.
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Cary Lazy Daze Festival a Blast!
Insights from an Artist:
https://www.facebook.com/steve.s.rao/videos/833217678955070
I had a great time yesterday at the Lazy Daze Festival in downtown Cary. It was amazing to see so many artists and crafts vendors, and always a pleasure to see Marla Dorrel on hand, volunteering!
During my time, I enjoyed visiting many artists, in this case, Jason Keisler, a young artist on the rise, who was very well received this year!
I hope we can bring our own Arts Festival to Morrisville soon! I am proud to be the father of a great artist, Rayan Rao!
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VP Harris Visits Raleigh!
During her recent visit to Raleigh at the Wake Tech Hendrick Automotive Center of Excellence, Vice President Kamala Harris delivered a significant speech focusing on economic issues. She emphasized her commitment to lowering costs for American families, particularly targeting food prices and healthcare costs. Harris announced plans to implement a federal ban on price gouging in the food industry and highlighted her efforts to reduce prescription drug prices. She contrasted her approach with Donald Trump’s economic policies, criticizing his proposed taxes on essential goods, which she argued would burden families further.
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Suresh Kakarla, becomes a Member of Parliament
Join me in congratulating Cary resident, and friend, Suresh Kukarla, who won the 2024 Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly election from Udayagiri Assembly constituency representing Telugu Desam Party. He polled 101,537 votes and defeated Mekapati Rajagopal Reddy of YSR Congress Party by a margin of 9,621 votes. It was an honor to welcome him a few weeks ago at the Hindu Society of NC!
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Cary Tennis Classic was a blast!
Kudos to Ted Reece, and all of the Sponsors, including Atlantic Tire, for the Cary Tennis Classic, a Mens ad Womens' Pro Tennis Challenger event at the Cary Tennis Park. For me, the highlight of the week was to have the Center Court dedicated to my dear friend, Anthony Blackmun, founder of the Tournament, who passed away last year from Cancer. Cary Council named the Court Anthony Blackmun Court and Ted announced the creation of the Anthony Blackmun Court!
The other highlight was watching a night match with Tennis Legends, Andy Andrews and former NC State Coach, JW Isenhour!
A great week of tennis for all!
Congratulation to winners Roma Safullin and Nora Diaz!
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An Inspiring NC Digital Summit.
A special thanks to E Republic and Secretary Jim Weaver for hosting very informative Digital Summit this year. I was honored to moderate a panel on AI, and for me, a major highlight of the Summit was to hear from High School Students, who are using technology to help their communities. Latino based Valeros helps the elderly with Technology in Alamance County! Finally, much focus of the Summit was on how the Public Sector can leverage innovation in AI, Data and Analytics to enhance the quality of services for the residents we serve! (I will highlight more details of the summit in my next newsletter)
Keep up the great work!
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CELBERATING INDIAN INDIAN INDEPENDENCE WITH NC WORLD TRADE CENTER
I was honored to be a guest last week at the Indian Independence Day Celebration at the Cary CHamber of Commerce, hosted by the NC world Trade Center. The theme was about growing trade and investment opportunities between India and the United States, and I was the keynote speaker, talking about the significance of Indian Independence Day and the connections between NC and India.
A special thanks to NWTCA for a great event!
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INDIAN INDEPENDENCE DAY PROCLAMATION
It was great to present the Indian Independence Day Proclamation to the Hindu Society of NC and BAPS Swaminarayan temple last week at our Aug. 13 Council Meeting. It was great to see the Sharmas in the House. He is 98 and she is 90!
A special thanks to these temples for all of their work and service to the Community. Long Live India, Long Live the United States.
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Indian Independence Day Celebrations!
Thanks to everyone who came out to the 77th Indian Independence Day Celebration at the HSNC! A special thanks to Hindi Vikas Mandal for hosting and to Mayor Pro Tem Garimella for inviting all of the elected officials, and it was great to see our next Governor, Josh Stein there!
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Language Access Plan
On August 17, the Hindu Society of North Carolina and the Hindi Vikas Mandal hosted a celebration in honor of India’s Independence Day. Town Council and staff were honored to be present at this celebration alongside state leaders.
The Town of Morrisville’s Language Access Plan was presented to attendees during the celebration. Town Council and staff are working with Hindi Vikas Mandal to implement a comprehensive Language Access Plan across the Town. Starting with Hindi, the Town aims to make government services more accessible to Limited English Proficiency (LEP) residents.
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Aug 13 Council Meeting Highlights
Highlights from the August 14, 2024 Morrisville Town Council meeting include:
• Proclamation Recognizing India Independence Day
• Proclamation Recognizing Senior Citizens Day
• Public Hearing on Proposed Amendment to the Zoning Map for HSNC
• Public Hearing on Proposed Major Amendment to the Park West Village Mixed-Use
• Planned Development District
• Public Hearing on Resolution Approving Town Center Development Agreement
Read the full details at https://bit.ly/3M57teL
#LiveConnectedLiveWell
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THIS WEEK IN MORRISVILLE AUG26-AUG30 | |
Meetings
August 27 – 6:00 p.m. Town Council Meeting
August 28 – 6:00 p.m. Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Advisory Committee.
August 29 – 6:00 p.m. Town Council Work Session
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Morrisville 101 Applications Open
Applications for the Town's annual community academy, Morrisville 101, are currently open. The free class is for residents ages 16 and up and meets for five sessions on Wednesday evenings from 6-8:30 p.m. starting October 23.
Morrisville 101 is an excellent way to learn the inner workings of the Town, chat with police and firefighters, and gain an understanding of the many departments that work together to make Morrisville so unique.
Click here to register.
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Morrisville Police Department Hosts Blood Drive August 28
The Morrisville Police Department is partnering with The Blood Connection to host a blood drive on Aug. 28. The blood drive will take place in the back parking lot of the police department (260 Town Hall Drive) near the Healthy Food Hub from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Click here to register (use Sponsor Code 55POL) and get more information.
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Diwali Vendor Applications Open
Applications are now open for artisans to participate in the Morrisville Diwali celebration on Oct. 19, from 6-9 p.m., at Cedar Fork District Park (228 Aviation Parkway).
Interested vendors can find the application here. The application will close on Sept. 6.
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Blueprint for Safety - Regional Transportation Safety Action Plan
The Capitol Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (CAMPO) is developing a comprehensive regional multimodal safety action plan in partnership with NCDOT, referred to as the Blueprint for Safety. The Blueprint for Safety will identify strategies and actions to improve roadway transportation safety in the CAMPO region. After identifying areas to improve upon, safety enhancements and countermeasures can be recommended and implemented. The Plan will also identify areas that are high risk for serious injury or fatal crashes, taking a more proactive approach in addition to reviewing crash history.
To learn more and provide feedback, please visit the project website.
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Current Surveying Projects
The Town of Morrisville would like to alert residents of three survey projects happening now through September:
Sorrell Grove Church Road sidewalk project
Slater Road/Sorrell Grove Church Road intersection improvements project
Church Street sidewalk project
There will be no sidewalk or street closures for these surveys. Be mindful of crews working in public right of ways in front of properties as part of this work. For questions, contact Kitty Thomas, capital projects manager, at (919) 463-6917.
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2035 Wake Transit Plan Update Survey
The 2035 Wake Transit Plan Update is currently underway. The goal of this update is to outline transit investments from 2026 through 2035. Transit investments will be funded through the existing dedicated taxes and fees for transit in Wake County.
To share your feedback on future transit projects in Wake County, please complete this survey. For more information on the 2035 Wake Transit Plan Update, please visit the project website.
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Fall and Winter Program Registration Opening
Morrisville Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources fall and winter program registration opens next Friday, July 26, for Morrisville residents. Non-resident registration opens August 5.
Don't miss out on Morrisville's exciting fall/winter programs! Activities are available for all ages, from preschoolers to seniors. Recreational programs include:
Before and After School | Age K-5
Family and Child Yoga Classes | Age 5-14
Pickleball Lessons for Beginners and Intermediate Levels | Age 18+
Senior Field Trips and Social Activities | Age 55+
Shotokan Karate for Youth and Teens/Adults | Age 7+
Winter Basketball Leagues | Age 5-12
Register for programs online by clicking here.
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MAFC Fall Pool Schedule Starts Aug. 26
The Morrisville Aquatics & Fitness Center (MAFC) will begin its fall pool schedule on Monday, Aug. 26. The pool will close from 1:30-2:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays for cleaning. Find the fall MAFC pool schedule here.
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International Festival Vendor Applications Open
Applications are now open for artisans to participate in the Morrisville International Festival on September 21, 2024. The festival, which runs from 2-7 p.m. along Town Hall Drive, celebrates the town's diversity with food, music and vendors. Interested artisan vendors can find an application here.
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Free Girls Softball To Go Clinics
Join Morrisville Athletics for FREE girls softball to go clinics on Saturday, Aug. 24, Saturday, Sept. 21, and Saturday, Oct. 12. Players will work on skill development and game play experience during the clinics. Learn more and register here.
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Fall CERT Training Open for Registration
The Morrisville Fire/Rescue Department is now accepting registrations for the Hybrid Morrisville CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) Basic Training Class for fall 2024.
On-line training opens Aug. 26, and needs to be completed by Oct. 20, to participate in the class. The skills weekend is Oct. 26-27, from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (Participants must attend both days to receive credit).
To register click here. Registration closes Tuesday, Oct. 2. For questions contact Deputy Fire Marshal Mike Chorney at (919) 463-6122 or email mchorney@morrisvillenc.gov.
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Fall White Goods Collection September 5
The Morrisville Public Works staff provides a white goods collection every three months for the collection of bulky appliances. The fall white goods collection will be September 5.
Items that will be collected include:
Washing machines
Dryers
Freezers
Refrigerators
Dishwashers
Water heaters
Stoves and ovens
Dehumidifiers
Registration is required to participate. Register by Monday, Sept. 2, at 5 p.m. using this form.
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Special Olympics Torch Run September 14
The Morrisville Police Department will host its second annual Law Enforcement Torch Run for the Special Olympics of North Carolina on Saturday, Sept. 14. The cost to participate is $30 for motorcycle riders and $10 for passengers, and proceeds will support the Law Enforcement Torch Run, which supports the Special Olympics and nearly 40,000 athletes across the state
The charity run will begin and end at Morrisville Community Park, 1520 Morrisville Parkway. Onsite registration begins at 8 a.m., or participants can register online before the event. Breakfast and lunch will be provided, along with raffles, refreshments, and a commemorative patch for all participants.
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Western Wake Farmers Market Saturday
The Western Wake Farmers Market (WWFM) offers healthy and fresh food and goods from small and local businesses from 8 a.m. to noon every Saturday at the Healthy Food Hub, 280 Town Hall Drive.
This week, come pick up a free local melon and/or squash plant and/or beans at the Morrisville Education Garden: 9:00 – 11:30 a.m., or until supplies are gone. Information will be given on care and oversight. This is open to all ages, but participants under 13 years old must be accompanied by a registered adult.
WWFM now accepts EBT card withdrawals from SNAP-eligible customers at the Info Tent. They are also currently offering Double Bucks, meaning each withdrawal will be matched 1:1 in value.
CompostNow.org is also now hosting a compost collection site at the market’s information tent. Residents are invited to bring their food scraps and select other items for collection during market hours. Visit wwfm.ag to learn more.
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Now Hiring
The Town of Morrisville is now hiring for both full- and part-time positions. Check out employment opportunities here.
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With Charlotte Council Member Malcolm Graham at NC Tennis FoundationLunch at Winston Salem Open | | |
Another great TUTA Picnic! | | |
Ukranian Independence Celebration! | | |
Marla Dorrell at Lazy Daze! | | |
Hanging with Cary Mayor at Cary Tennis Classic! | | |
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OTHER NORTH CAROLINA NEWS | |
Wolfspeed to close Durham facility
In a quarterly earnings report released on Wednesday, Wolfspeed confirmed its plans to close its chip-making plant at its campus in Durham.
A spokesperson for Wolfspeed said the 150mm device fab that will close is part of multiple facilities at the Durham campus on Silicon Drive.
In the report, the tech company said it plans to transition device production to its 200-millimeter chip factory in Mohawk Valley, New York. According to the company, the new Mohawk Valley plant is producing results at “significantly” lower costs than the Durham plant.
“This improved profitability gives us the confidence to accelerate the shift of our device fabrication to Mohawk Valley, while we assess the timing of the closure of our 150mm device fabricator in Durham,” the company said.
According to Wolfspeed CEO Gregg Lowe, the company will remained based in Durham and have a substantial employee presence there.
A representative with Wolfspeed told WRAL News the Durham campus has several factories. The representative said the Mohawk Valley facility is able to make slightly larger fabrication products than in Durham. They said the larger products are more profitable, which is why the company is moving fabrication to New York.
The representative said the Durham factory will close in the "next year or so," and the closing is not imminent. WRAL News has learned hundreds of jobs would be impacted, although more specifics will not be released until the company's next report in November.
It is expected employees will have opportunities to move to other jobs within the company.
Wolfspeed has about 4,000 employees throughout the country, which includes locations in Durham, New York and Arkansas.
Courts Want to Overturn Abortion Pill Law in NC
A total of 18 Republican states are asking a federal appeals court to overturn a decision that invalidates North Carolina’s law that limits the use of the abortion pill mifepristone.
On Monday, attorneys general from Iowa, Arkansas, and South Carolina headed the coalition of red states as they filed a brief to the U.S. 4th Circuit Court of Appeals to support North Carolina’s law restricting access to mifepristone, which was struck down by a federal court in June.
The states joined North Carolina to argue that healthcare policies have historically fallen under state jurisdiction and they each have the authority and responsibility to regulate access to medication.
“Each amicus State has a sovereign interest in protecting its citizens and in ensuring its laws are not preempted by an aggressive and expansive interpretation of the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act,” the attorneys general wrote.
The states argue that jurisdiction over abortion regulation returned to the states following the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization in June 2022, overturning Roe v. Wade.
The abortion pill mifepristone, initially approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2000, came under scrutiny this year in the first Supreme Court case on abortion issues since Dobbs.
In that case, anti-abortion advocates argued that the FDA did not have a proper basis to roll back regulatory restrictions on mifepristone, chiefly by allowing healthcare providers to prescribe the abortion pill without physically examining a patient.
North Carolina’s law regulating mifepristone, the Care Act, requires that only physicians can prescribe mifepristone, which is not necessary to get certification from the FDA to prescribe the abortion pill.
The law also required in-person prescribing and mandatory in-person follow-up appointments and required physicians to report non-fatal adverse events to the FDA, none of which are required by the public health agency.
“North Carolina’s common-sense laws protecting unborn life, maternal healthcare, and the integrity of the medical profession do not conflict with the FDA’s regulation of mifepristone, and the judgment below should be vacated,” the attorneys general in support of the Tar Heel State wrote.
Read More at https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/eighteen-red-states-back-north-carolina-in-lawsuit-to-reinstate-abortion-pill-restrictions/ar-AA1p8BxZ?ocid=BingNewsVerp
Robinson Rolls Out 10 Point Policy Plan
Both candidates for governor, Attorney General Josh Stein and Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, are pledging to cut taxes, but their plans to save people money look a lot different.
Robinson, the Republican candidate, announced what he calls his “10-Point Economic Plan” this month. Item No. 3 on his list is “Cut Taxes for ALL North Carolinians.” Stein has his own set of economic priorities listed on his campaign website, and his list includes “cutting taxes for working families.”
Neither candidate is proposing specific changes to the personal income tax rate at this point. That rate is currently 4.5%, and last year’s budget schedules further decreases for years to come: down to 4.25% next year and eventually to 2.49% by 2034 if the state revenues hit targets set out in state law.
Asked to elaborate on Robinson’s tax cut proposal, campaign spokesman Mike Lonergan told WUNC that “rather than Soviet-style price controls like the Biden-Harris-Stein plan, as governor, Mark Robinson will immediately provide relief by cutting taxes on groceries. He also wants to prioritize eliminating more taxes on veterans benefits.”
Grocery buyers pay a lower sales tax rate than other types of purchases: a 2% tax that funds local governments.
Rep. Ben Moss, R-Richmond, filed legislation last year that would have launched a state study on “the costs and benefits reasonably anticipated from excluding groceries from local sales taxes, including increased purchasing power for lower-income residents of the state and local revenue losses.” The bill drew a bipartisan list of co-sponsors, but it never got a hearing.
Stein’s tax plan, announced back in March, calls for bringing back the state’s earned income tax credit. It was eliminated in 2014 by the GOP-controlled legislature, and legislation filed by Democrats in the years since has gone nowhere. Republican lawmakers say they prefer cutting the tax rate for all income levels rather than targeted tax credits.
Stein said his plan would result in a $520 average credit for working families, and families with three children or more would receive a credit of up to $1,486.
Stein’s campaign announced another tax-related proposal this week: a plan to bring back a sales tax holiday in August that was popular for back-to-school shopping. His campaign said in a press release that he also wants to “provide teachers with a stipend to help cover the out-of-pocket costs of school supplies and invest in free school meals.”
Read More at https://www.wunc.org/politics/2024-08-21/nc-governor-taxes-economy-inflation-stein-robinson
STEIN AND ROBINSON ROLL OUT ECONOMIC PLANS
Both candidates for governor, Attorney General Josh Stein and Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, are pledging to cut taxes, but their plans to save people money look a lot different.
Robinson, the Republican candidate, announced what he calls his “10-Point Economic Plan” this month. Item No. 3 on his list is “Cut Taxes for ALL North Carolinians.” Stein has his own set of economic priorities listed on his campaign website, and his list includes “cutting taxes for working families.”
Neither candidate is proposing specific changes to the personal income tax rate at this point. That rate is currently 4.5%, and last year’s budget schedules further decreases for years to come: down to 4.25% next year and eventually to 2.49% by 2034 if the state revenues hit targets set out in state law.
Asked to elaborate on Robinson’s tax cut proposal, campaign spokesman Mike Lonergan told WUNC that “rather than Soviet-style price controls like the Biden-Harris-Stein plan, as governor, Mark Robinson will immediately provide relief by cutting taxes on groceries. He also wants to prioritize eliminating more taxes on veterans benefits.”
Grocery buyers pay a lower sales tax rate than other types of purchases: a 2% tax that funds local governments.
Rep. Ben Moss, R-Richmond, filed legislation last year that would have launched a state study on “the costs and benefits reasonably anticipated from excluding groceries from local sales taxes, including increased purchasing power for lower-income residents of the state and local revenue losses.” The bill drew a bipartisan list of co-sponsors, but it never got a hearing.
Stein’s tax plan, announced back in March, calls for bringing back the state’s earned income tax credit. It was eliminated in 2014 by the GOP-controlled legislature, and legislation filed by Democrats in the years since has gone nowhere. Republican lawmakers say they prefer cutting the tax rate for all income levels rather than targeted tax credits.
Stein said his plan would result in a $520 average credit for working families, and families with three children or more would receive a credit of up to $1,486.
“Josh Stein is the only candidate in this race with a proven record of delivering for the people of North Carolina,” campaign spokeswoman Morgan Hopkins said this week. “He has a plan to tackle the high cost of living by cutting taxes and lowering costs, grow the economy, and make sure it works for more people.”
Stein’s campaign announced another tax-related proposal this week: a plan to bring back a sales tax holiday in August that was popular for back-to-school shopping. His campaign said in a press release that he also wants to “provide teachers with a stipend to help cover the out-of-pocket costs of school supplies and invest in free school meals.”
Read More at https://www.wunc.org/politics/2024-08-21/nc-governor-taxes-economy-inflation-stein-robinson
MARK ROBINSON ROLLS OUT PUBLIC SAFETY PLAN
North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson reaffirmed his support for law enforcement, promising to crack down on violent crime, drugs, “and getting criminals off the streets and behind bars where they belong” if elected governor.
Robinson, the Republican gubernatorial nominee, rolled out his proposals for public safety Wednesday. It’s the latest in a string of recent policy statements Robinson has announced — releases that come as his Democratic opponent, Attorney General Josh Stein, paints Robinson as a candidate who has too little experience, and too-extreme views, to be governor.
Both men boast endorsements from various district attorneys, sheriffs, judges and other law enforcement leaders as they seek to prove their bona fides on public safety issues.
Wednesday's new additions to Robinson's platform say he’d work to bring back the death penalty — which still exists in North Carolina but hasn’t been used since 2006 — and appoint tough-on-crime judges when given the chance. Judges are elected in North Carolina, but the governor can appoint judges when vacancies arise. In his speech Wednesday in Statesville, Robinson also said he'd push for police officers to crack down more harshly on left-leaning protest movements if he wins the election.
"Radicals who believe in defunding the police, who have rioted and looted across the state and are committing acts of terror, and other acts, on our college campuses — that stops on Day 1 when I am governor," he said.
Robinson also slammed Stein for "pandering to radical activists that want to defund the police" and supporting a "pro-criminal, anti-law-enforcement agenda."
Stein co-chaired the state's Task Force on Racial Equity in Criminal Justice, a committee Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper established in response to the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests. Many of that task force's recommendations — as well as Stein's 2024 platform for public safety — focus on a combination of better pay and training for law enforcement, along with stricter rules for police conduct and greater accountability for officers who break the rules.
Stein’s public safety platform highlights his track record as attorney general.
Read More at https://www.wral.com/story/robinson-announces-public-safety-platform-as-he-and-stein-accuse-each-other-of-being-too-extreme/21587548/
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LATEST NATIONAL AND GLOBAL UPDATES | |
1. Israel issued new evacuation orders in central Gaza after Hamas rejected Israel’s conditions for a ceasefire on Sunday. Fears of wider war are growing. America said it was working to forestall escalation of a related conflict between Israel and Lebanon-based Hizbullah. On Sunday the Iran-backed militant group fired hundreds of rockets towards Israel—a long-awaited retaliation for Israel’s killing of a top Hizbullah commander last month. Israel conducted air strikes on southern Lebanon, which it claimed foiled Hizbullah’s plans for a bigger attack.
2. Telegram said that its boss, Pavel Durov, “has nothing to hide”, after his “absurd” arrest near Paris. The Franco-Russian billionaire allegedly failed to take action against harmful behaviour by users of the encrypted messaging app. Russian lawmakers also condemned the move. Vladislav Davankov, a deputy chair of Russia’s lower house of parliament, said the arrest “could have political motives”. Mr Durov insists Telegram abides by EU laws.
3. At least 33 people were killed in a series of attacks in Balochistan, in south-west Pakistan. The Baloch Liberation Army, a separatist group, claimed to have killed at least 22 people on a highway in the province. Officials say they targeted individuals from Punjab. Baloch nationalists in Pakistan feel that Punjabis, the country’s largest ethnic group, have sidelined and impoverished them.
4. Russia fired missiles and drones on 15 regions in Ukraine, including the capital, Kyiv. At least three people were killed. The attacks damaged energy and water infrastructure, causing power outages in several cities. Russian attacks since March have targeted thermal and hydro power plants; most of Ukraine’s non-nuclear generating capacity has been destroyed this year.
5. A law giving workers the “right to disconnect” came into force in Australia. Most employees now have legal protection if they refuse to be contacted outside of work hours. The law will apply to small businesses from August 2025. Employees who earn more than A$175,000 ($119,000) a year do not get a right to disconnect. The Australia Institute’s Centre for Work found Australians spent 5.4 hours per week on average working overtime without pay in 2023.
6. China warned America to “immediately stop its wrong practices”, after the State Department placed 42 Chinese companies under sanction for helping Russia’s war in Ukraine. China’s Ministry of Commerce said it would “resolutely safeguard” its firms’ interests. On Friday America added a total of 105 mostly Chinese and Russian companies to its “entity list”, which makes doing business with America nearly impossible.
7. Researchers at Edinburgh University and Dundee University were granted approval to use artificial intelligence to analyse 1.6m CT and MRI brain scans in the hope of developing a tool to predict dementia. They will compare the scans, which were taken between 2008 and 2018, with medical records. The number of people living with dementia worldwide is expected to nearly triple to 153m by 2050.
8. Russian air strikes damaged energy facilities across northern Ukraine. In the region of Ternopil a large fire broke out after missiles hit an industrial facility. In Sumy, which borders Russia, more than 18,500 people were without power. Earlier this year Russia began a campaign of attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure; the resulting damage could take years to rebuild.
9. American intelligence officials said Iran was responsible for hacking Donald Trump’s presidential campaign. The Trump campaign had accused Iran of doing so on August 10th; Iran denied that it was behind the hacking. American authorities said Iran seeks to “stoke discord” and “undermine confidence in our democratic institutions”.
10. George Santos, whose short stint in Congress ended in expulsion for ethics violations, pleaded guilty to wire fraud and identity theft at a New York federal court. Mr Santos, whose CV was largely fictitious, faced 23 felony charges related to stealing money from donors and lying to the government. His plea deal means he will probably face at least two years in prison.
11. Prosecutors brought a new indictment against Donald Trump for trying to overturn America’s 2020 presidential election. It preserves the four criminal charges of the original indictment, but pares away some allegations and emphasises that some of Mr Trump’s conduct lay outside of his “official responsibilities”. The revision comes after the Supreme Court ruled in July that presidents are entitled to broad immunity for official acts. Mr Trump called the new charges “the single greatest sabotage of our democracy in history”.
12. Israeli forces killed at least nine Palestinians in the northern part of the occupied West Bank. Israel claimed it was carrying out a “counter-terrorism operation”. It has sent in ground troops and launched a drone strike that hit a refugee camp. The operation is Israel’s biggest in the northern West Bank in years.
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Sept. 5 Raleigh Chamber Annual Meeting 2 pm to 6 pm Meymandi Hall. | |
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Council Member Rao holds office hours on Friday from 12:00-1:00 PM by appointment only at 100 Town Hall Drive in Morrisville.
For more information or to schedule a time to speak with Council Member Rao, please email SRao@TownofMorrisville.org and copy Town Clerk Patricia Spillane, PSpillane@morrisvillenc.gov, 919-463-6168.
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Council Member Steve Rao
Town of Morrisville
Dedicated to transforming Morrisville into an ideal place to work and raise a family!
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