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India Republic Day And Roe V. Wade Edition: | |
From the Council Office of Steve Rao
January 26, 2024
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Estimated Read Time: 10 minutes. | |
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Poster Concert Street Pole Banners
Last week, street pole banners were updated along Town Hall Drive including the grand prize winner of the Morrisville Environment & Stormwater Committee’s Student Art Poster Contest. Congratulations to our winner, first grader Saanvi Vinodh Kumar. Your poster looks great!
You can check out all the posters from the contest until Jan 31 at the Morrisville Community Library!
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Former State Treasurer and Dix CEO Janet Cowell running for Raleigh Mayor. (See NC News) | | |
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Park West Rezoning Application for Multifamily units pulled from Agenda. (See Zoning Update Section) | |
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NATIONAL MENTORING MONTH
January is #NationalMentoringMonth, which aims to unify and expand the mentoring movement, celebrate the power of relationships, and raise awareness around the importance of youth mentoring in the United States.
Want to be a mentor? Get involved locally with Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Triangle. Learn more at bigstri.org
Black History Month edition will be next week!
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Australian Open Semis and Finals! Will Novak win one more? Coco Gauff ousted by Sabalenka.
https://ausopen.com/
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Chiefs vs. Bills, Lions vs. 49ers on Sunday. Will Mahomes get another Superbowl Ring? | | |
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Join us this evening at 7 pm at Broughton High School for Wake County Superintendet State of Schools Update! Stream Live on WRAL app. | |
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APPLY FOR WAKE COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD VACANCY
Wake County School Board is seeking applicants for the Disrict 4 seat, which covers east Raleigh and a bit beyond, including Knightdale.Tara Waters held this seat and is now serving on the Wake County Board of Commissioners.
Applicants will need three letters of recommendation, a resume and proof of where they live. They also need to submit a letter of interest and be eligible to hold a public office in North Carolina. Applications will be accepted until 5 p.m. Feb. 2.
The board will publicly interview candidates Feb. 13, then vote to select a candidate, The new board member would be sworn in Feb. 20 and would serve the remainder of Waters’ term, which runs until December.
The seat is up for election in November.
All materials submitted are considered public records and can be emailed to District4vacancy@wcpss.net or mailed or delivered to C/O District 4 Board of Education Vacancy, Wake County Board of Education, Crossroads I, 5625 Dillard Drive, Cary, NC 27518.
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TOWN OF MORRISVILLE TREE PLANTING PROJECT
The Town of Morrisville Public Works Staff is working on a tree planting project, and we need your help.
We are planting 20 more big trees along the Grace Park Greenway on Saturday, January 27th.
We will have the holes dug and the trees on site and we need help with unwrapping them, planting, mulching, staking, and watering.
All ages are welcome.
We are looking for about 20 total volunteers.
The event runs from 11 am to 3 pm!
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APPLY FOR A STOREFRONT UPFIT GRANT!
Now through Feb. 9, the Town of Morrisville is offering storefront upfit grants between $2,500 and $5,000 for qualifying Morrisville small businesses while grant funds are available.
These storefront upfit grants are being made available for business owners looking to update their exterior signage or maintain other physical elements of their storefront (i.e. awnings, landscaping, paint, etc.) on a 1:1 cost-matching basis up to $5,000.
For a complete guide on this grant program and additional information on the application's requirements, visit the Town's website at https://bit.ly/41SfNWj.
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COUNCIL RETREAT: A REAL SUCCESS
Last weekend, our Council held our Retreat in historic New Bern, NC! We had a very productive retreat, focusing on affordable housing, economic development strategy, our Capital Projects pipeline, Town Center, along with productive discussions on exporing a Solid Waste Fee (which would provide us excess revenue capacity) and land acquisition for open space and parks.
Next week, I will share how the Wake County reval has impacted our home values in Morrisville, but the good news, is that we continue to grow as a town. This growth will require more revenue to continue to deliver high quality services to residents, so we need to keep this in mind when we set a tax rate.
Thanks to Brandon Zudeima for leading such a wonderful retreat (his first one!) along with the leadership of Deputy Manager Giselle Rodqiguez, Interim Assistant Manager Jeffrey Brown, Erin Hudson, and Beonca Mccain for a job well done!
I look forward to working with my Council Colleagues so our Town can continue to be ranked as one of the top Towns to live, work, and play in the United States.
AND.....
SEND US IDEAS ON THE TOWN BUDGET!
Please send us an email to towncouncil@townofmorrisville.org and also Let us know by taking the Fiscal Year 2024 Budget Community Input Survey at https://bit.ly/48vLbwe.
This is a quick poll for our community members to share some preliminary insight into your needs and wants as we look forward to the future.
Contact the Budget and Strategic Management Department at MSVBudget@townofmorrisville.org.
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WHY DO WE CELEBRATE INDIA REPUBLIC DAY | |
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My India Republic Day Message: https://www.facebook.com/steve.s.rao/videos/1183227039319636
India celebrates Republic Day on January 26th each year to honor the date on which the Constitution of India came into effect in 1950. On this day, India officially became a sovereign democratic republic, with Dr. Rajendra Prasad taking oath as the first President of the country. Republic Day is a significant national holiday in India, marked by a grand parade in the capital city, New Delhi, showcasing the country's cultural diversity, military strength, and achievements. It serves as a reminder of the values and principles enshrined in the Indian Constitution, emphasizing democracy, justice, liberty, and equality.
On India's 74th Republic Day, Indians across the world can pay homage to the countless sacrifices of our freedom fighters and vow to make their country a better place.
You can also mark the special occasion by sending best wishes, images, patriotic quotes, greetings, and messages to your friends, colleagues, loved ones and family on Facebook, WhatsApp and other social media platforms.
The Town of Morrisville is now over 47% Indian and we are grateful for the remarkable contributions of this Community to our Town, the Triangle Region, and the entire state of North Carolina.
Also, lets us always remember that the Republic of India is not only the largest democracy in the world but on its way to becoming the number one economy in the world as predicted by US India Forum Chair, John T. Chambers when he introduced Prime Minister Modi at the Kennedy Center in June.
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WHY WAS ROE V. WADE AN IMPORTANT CASE? | |
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Roe v. Wade was a landmark decision by the United States Supreme Court in 1973. The case addressed the constitutionality of a Texas statute that outlawed abortion,
except to save the life of the mother. The Supreme Court, in a 7-2 decision, ruled that the right to choose to have an abortion was a fundamental right protected by the constitutional right to privacy.
The decision effectively legalized abortion across the United States, establishing a woman's legal right to choose to have an abortion during the early stages of pregnancy. It also set a framework for state regulations on abortion based on the trimester of pregnancy.
The case was named after a woman using the pseudonym "Jane Roe," who challenged the Texas law. The decision has been both celebrated as a significant victory for women's reproductive rights and criticized by those who oppose abortion.
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MY INSIGHTS ON A POST ROE V. WADE NATION
MY ROE V. WADE INSIGHTS: https://www.facebook.com/724976359/videos/pcb.10159408993956360/1058113662069732
Monday was the 51st anniversary of the passage of Roe v. Wade. It should be a time for celebration. Instead, it's a reminder of what we’ve lost.
Federal abortion rights established by Roe v. Wade 50 years ago eliminated last June. And last year, our General Assembly, made any abortion after 12 weeks illegal.
Let us not forget that Lt. Governor Mark Robinson has also stated that as Governor, he would make all cases of abortion, even in cases of rape or incest illegal.
The Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe opened the floodgates to allow states across the country to ban abortion and acutely worsened our existing national health equity crisis.
Access to care has never been more vital. One in three women of reproductive age in the U.S. — Since June, bans have eliminated access to all or some abortions in 18 states. More states could implement abortion bans this year.
Due to our country's legacy of racist and unjust systems, we know that abortion bans and harsh restrictions hit hardest among people of color. The court’s decision continues to disproportionately harm Black, Latina/o/e, Indigenous, and other people of color — communities for whom systemic racism has long denied access to opportunity and health care.
I know that Abortion can be a very sensitive issue, but for me the question is what role the Government should have in telling a woman what she should do with her body. I believe that a woman should have the right to choose to have an Abortion, and I am not saying that I do not value the sanctity of life.
Roe v Wade protected that right and was the accepted law of the land before our Supreme Court overturned this landmark decision.
A court's role should be to uphold precedent and expand rights, not take them away.
What is next?
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REZONING FOR MORE APARTMENTS IN MORRISVILLE | |
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UPDATE
The Casto amendment request to the Mixed Use Planning Development at Park West Village, which would demolish the Theater (64,000 square feet) and replace the Theater with over 312 Multi-Family Units was pulled from the Agenda. The plan would have planned for 27,000 more square feet of retail and 21,000 square feet of office along with plans to create and provide more amenities for community gathering.
The council was not in favor of this rezoning at this time.
We would like your ideas on any other type of development you would like to see in this area. Residents are concerned about adding more apartments when many residents have expressed concern about frequent school assignments, and the need for more adequate transportation and school infrastructure.
Casto has served as a strong partner for our Town for many years and the Park West development has led to signifcant revenue growth and opportunity for our residents and businesses.
I hope we can work with Casto and invest in development that honors this partnership but at the same time takes into account our resident concerns.
Please email us your opinions and ideas to towncouncil@townofmorrisville.org on your ideas on they type of re-development you would like to see in this area.
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DOWNLOAD THE MORRISVILLE APP | |
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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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PRESIDENT BIDEN VISITS RALEIGH TO TALK BROADBAND!
Last week, President Biden visited Raleigh to highlight how the over $3 billion in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and American Rescue Plan funding is helping North Carolina:
At Abbott's Community Center in Raleigh, President Biden announced $82 million to connect 16,000 North Carolina homes and business to affordable, reliable high-speed internet. This investment, made through President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, advances his goal of delivering internet for all, creating good-paying jobs, and boosting U.S. global economic competitiveness.
In North Carolina, President Biden invested $3 billion to connect everyone in the state with affordable, reliable high-speed internet.
These investments:
1. Connected well over 300,000 more homes and businesses to high-speed internet by the end of 2026 and connected all remaining homes, small businesses, schools, healthcare facilities, and libraries in North Carolina to high-speed internet by the end of 2029.
2. Helped 885,000 - 1 in 5 - North Carolina households save $30 per month on their home internet through the Affordable Connectivity Program.
3. Incentivized the private sector to invest in fiber-optic manufacturing. Thanks to the President’s investments and Made-in-America requirements to manufacture fiber-optic cable in the United States, CommScope and Corning are invested nearly $550 million combined to build American-made fiber-optic cable, adding hundreds of jobs in Catawba County, North Carolina.
Across the country, the Administration invested $90 billion to close the digital divide by 2030 so all Americans can get an education, access health care, do their jobs, and stay connected with family and friends. Through the Affordable Connectivity Program, the Biden-Harris Administration has helped over 22 million Americans save $30-$75 per month on their internet bills. The Administration has called on Congress to extend funding for this bipartisan program, so that millions of families can continue to access affordable high-speed internet.
Over the next few weeks and months, I will be highlighting the impacts that the Biden Administration and ARP funding has had on the North Carolina economy.
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SECRETARY WEAVER PRESENTS TO NC TECH
I enjoyed attending Secretary Weaver's presentation to the NC Technology Association Committee on Broadband at the Govt Vendor Meeting this week.
As he stated, Deputy Secretary Nate Denny is the $2 billion man! North Carolina has provided broadband to 882,000 households.
$941 million was invested in Broadband infrastructure, $50 million in awareness and digital literacy, and an additional $1.53 billion for homes and businesses under the BEAD program.
Secretary is very excited to extend high speed interent to over 16,000 households with the additional $82 million announced by the President this week.
In addition, NC DIT is streamling and automating procurement processes and is looking at how to integrate generative AI into the state IT services across all agencies.
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DEFENSE ALLIANCE AI FORUM AT NC STATE
I attended a very informative forum focused on Defense opportunities in AI, hosted by Michael Best Firm and the NC Defense Alliance, led by Phil Williams. The highlight of the event was a warm welcome from the NC State Technology Department Heads, along with the Industrial Extension Partnership along with inspiring talks on the market opportunities for AI across a number of industrial sectors.
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CARY CHAMBER STATE OF CARY ADDRESS:
Insights from Mayor Weinbrecht: https://www.facebook.com/steve.s.rao/videos/1046525283241752
I enjoyed attending a sold out Cary Chamber of Commerce State of Cary. Mayor Weinbrecht provided a great update on future bond projects, the Cary Downtown, and very bold plans for Cary's future! I am looking forward to the expansion of the Cary Tennis Park! Our Council looks forward to collaborating with Cary on regional issues!
Keep up the great work!
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DAY OF SERVICE PROCLAMATION PRESENTED TO REV. DAVID JONES, SHILOH MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH
At Tuesday's Council Meeting, I asked Rev. David Jones, Paster of the Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church to deliver an invocation in honor of the MLK Day and Black History Month. Mayor Cawley and I presented him with the Day of Service Proclamation at the meeting.
Thanks to Shiloh for their contributions to Morrisivlle, and for the huge role they played in shaping the past and future black history of our Town and region.
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A Productive Jan 23 Council Meeting
Highlights from the January 23, 2024 Morrisville Town Council meeting include:
• Proclamations: National Mentoring Month, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, Black History Month, Surya Namaskar (I will post these pictures in next newsletter as I do not have the pictures yet)
• Town Center Amenities Update
• Town Center Phase I Main Street Planned Development Rezoning
• Spark Proposed Sign Master Plan
• Town Center Pre-Development Agreement Read the full details at https://bit.ly/4288eLf
#LiveConnectedLiveWell
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Central Pines Regional Council Meeting!
On Wednesday, we cut the ribbon on the renovated Central Pines Regional offices (formerly Triangle J) and it is great to be back as a Delegate to the Board. I enjoy working with other local governments and counties on regional issues affecting the Triangle, ranging from transporation, economic development, water, and aging. It will be a great year!
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SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY VISITS | |
THIS WEEK IN MORRISVILLE JAN15 - JAN19 | |
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Meetings
Jan. 9 – 6:00 p.m. Town Council Meeting
Jan. 10 – 6:00 p.m. Performance Measures Advisory Committee
Jan. 11 – 6:00 p.m. Senior Advisory Committee
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Community Input Fuels Budget Development
Every year, the Town initializes budget brainstorming and development activities in efforts to kick-off planning for future year budgets by weighing needs, funding levels, and other competing priorities. As part of the budget process, the Town will host various outreach options throughout the budget process seeking input from the community. Our initial portal to poll for community input is now open until February 2, 2024.
This is a quick poll opportunity for our community members to share some preliminary insight into your needs and wants as we look forward to the future. This initial online platform provides a first step towards connecting your thoughts and ideas directly into the process. Click on the Budget Portal and share your voice today.
Contact the Budget and Strategic Management Department at MSVBudget@townofmorrisville.org if you have any questions or need help with accessibility.
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Tree Recycling
Recycle your Christmas tree to mulch trails at Wake County parks. Drop off your undecorated holiday trees at designated locations through Jan. 28. (All facilities will be closed for New Year’s Day on Jan. 1.)
Locally - drop your tree off at Lake Crabtree, 1400 Aviation Parkway in Morrisville, 8 a.m. - sunset, seven days a week. Check out additional locations and hours here.
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MAFC Elevator Closure
The elevator at the Morrisville Aquatics & Fitness Center is currently closed for repairs. These repairs are expected to take up to six weeks. A recumbent bike and stepper will be moved downstairs to the racquetball hallway for first level access in the meantime.
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Little League Registration Opens Jan. 8
Little league baseball is open to boys ages 9-13, and softball is open to girls ages 9-12. The season will begin on March 2 and conclude on June 1.
For more information and to register your child for a league, please click here.
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DJ Spin and Swim Registration Open
The MAFC will be hosting a DJ Spin & Swim event on Saturday, Jan. 20, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. The pool party for teens (ages 12-17) will have food, music and other fun surprises. The cost is $10 (residents) and $13 (non-residents).
For more information and to register your teen, click here.
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Health Screening Fair Jan. 19
The Morrisville Senior Center will be hosting a Health Screening Fair on Friday, Jan. 19, from 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. There will be multiple companies on hand to conduct screenings such as blood pressure, blood glucose, and balance. There will also be companies with information to give to participants and be available to answer any questions they may have.
For more information, or to register please call 919.463.7140 or click here.
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Town of Morrisville Storefront Upfit Grant Applications Open Through Feb. 9
The Town of Morrisville is offering storefront upfit grants between $2,500 and $5,000 for qualifying Morrisville small businesses while the $20,000 in grant funds are available. These grants are being made available for business owners looking to update their exterior signage or maintain other physical elements of their storefront (i.e. awnings, landscaping, paint, etc.) on a 1:1 cost-matching basis up to $5,000.
For a complete guide on this grant program and additional information on the application's requirements, please visit the Town’s website here. Contact Sara Ellis, small business program specialist, for help with the application or with any questions by email at sellis@townofmorrisville.org or phone/text message/WhatsApp at 919.463.6909.
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Western Wake Farmers Market
The Western Wake Farmers Market (WWFM) offers healthy and fresh food and goods from small and local businesses from 9:30 a.m.-noon every Saturday at the Healthy Food Hub, 280 Town Hall Drive. 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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Catching Up with Secretary Weaver at NC Tech!
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Pepsi Cola Museum in New Bern a blast!
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OTHER NORTH CAROLINA NEWS | |
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JANET COWELL FOR RALEIGH MAYOR
Janet Cowell, former North Carolina state treasurer and current president and CEO of Dix Park Conservancy, has announced she will run for Raleigh mayor.
Cowell served as the first female state treasurer from 2009 to 2016, according to the Raleigh Chamber. She also served from 2001-2004 on the Raleigh City Council.
"There’s a lot of power that resides at the state in North Carolina, and you need to have strong relationships with them to have a successful city," Cowell said.
Cowell currently leads the Dix Park Conservancy, a nonprofit working with the city to transform the sprawling Dix Park site into Raleigh’s largest public park.
"This is inclusive [and] collaborative," she said of her campaign for mayor. "I want people’s ideas [and] advice."
Cowell will face longtime councilman Corey Branch in the Nov. 5, 2024, election. Branch had announced his run for mayor in October.
Raleigh Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin was first elected in 2019 and reelected in 2022. Her term ends in 2024.
Baldwin has previously told WRAL News she intends to run for re-election, but a formal announcement has not been made.
Cowell has stood alongside Baldwin in her work on Dix Park.
Governor Cooper wins Court Battle on Environmental Appointment changes
Gov. Roy Cooper secured a court order Thursday blocking recent changes to membership of the state Environmental Management Commission.
After a new state law replaced two Cooper appointees with appointees from the state agriculture commissioner, the EMC voted Thursday to drop a lawsuit against the state Rules Review Commission.
Cooper argued before Superior Court Judge Rebecca Holt that the EMC's decision proved that lawmakers had violated the state constitution by taking away his authority to control a majority of EMC appointments.
Read More at https://www.carolinajournal.com/cooper-wins-court-ruling-against-environmental-appointment-changes/
COUNCIL OF STATE FILINGS!
Scores of candidates filed for nearly a dozen high-profile elected positions in North Carolina where the incumbents aren't running in 2024 because of redistricting, retirements or term limits.
The two-week candidate filing period for next year's elections ended at noon Friday at the State Board of Elections and at all 100 county boards. Primaries will be held March 5 to whittle down the field where multiple candidates are running for their
party's nominations.
Six of the 10 statewide elected officials making up the Council of State — with Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper heading the list — and five of the 14 members of the U.S. House delegation aren't running again or are seeking new positions.
The state constitution prevents Cooper from running for a third consecutive term. Nearly a dozen people across four parties filed candidacy papers to succeed him, according to a state elections board list. They include Democrats Attorney General Josh Stein and former Supreme Court Justice Mike Morgan and Republicans Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, State Treasurer Dale Folwell and attorney Bill Graham.
Missing from the elections board list was former state GOP Sen. Andy Wells, who had announced his candidacy for governor months ago. He didn't immediately respond to a text message seeking comment.
State Auditor Beth Wood and Labor Commissioner Josh Dobson also aren't seeking reelection. Wood prepared to resign on Friday from the auditor's position that she has held in 2009. Cooper's choice to finish out her term, Jessica Holmes, is an auditor candidate next year.
For lieutenant governor, 15 people signed up to succeed Robinson, including four current or former state legislators. Filing for the post minutes before the noon deadline was Mark H. Robinson, a Sampson County Democrat who has been running for several months.
Mark H. Robinson, a former Navy officer, said Friday that his campaign isn't designed to cause voter confusion with the other Mark Robinson, saying he has believed for decades that he would run for statewide office.
While the two names won't appear on the same primary ballot, they could if both advance to the general election, albeit for different positions.
"I'm not trying to confuse anyone," Mark H. Robinson, 62, told reporters. "I think this is what my calling is, and that is to help as many people in the state of North Carolina before I die."
A leading candidate must get more than 30% of the primary vote to win the nomination outright. Otherwise runoffs are possible later in the spring.
Three of the five members of Congress who aren't running are Democratic Reps. Jeff Jackson, Kathy Manning and Wiley Nickel. Each of them said it was futile to seek reelection given that the redrawing of the congressional map by the Republican-controlled General Assembly this fall makes their districts lean strongly Republican. Jackson is now running for attorney general.
Fourteen Republicans alone are seeking the GOP nomination in Nickel's now-reconfigured 13th District, which includes part of Raleigh but stretches north to rural counties on the Virginia border and points south.
The Republicans not running a Bishop, who is also running for state attorney general, and Rep. Patrick McHenry.
Six Republicans are running for the 6th District seat currently held by Manning. The GOP field includes former Rep. Mark Walker, 2022 congressional candidate Bo Hines and Addison McDowell, a recent entry who received former President Donald Trump's endorsement.
Six GOP candidates also are seeking the nomination in the south-central 8th District that Bishop is leaving and five are running for the nomination in McHenry's reconfigured 10th District, which now ranges from Winston-Salem to counties north and west of Charlotte.
State House Speaker Tim Moore is one of three Republicans seeking the GOP nomination in the 14th District that will stretch from Charlotte west to foothills counties. Jackson is the current 14th District representative.
Republicans appeared all but assured to win the 6th District and 3rd District seats because Democrats failed to field candidates in either race. GOP Rep. Greg Murphy, the 3rd District incumbent, currently only faces a Libertarian challenger.
One state Supreme Court and three Court of Appeals seats, and all 170 General Assembly seats also will be on ballots. Republicans currently hold narrow veto-proof majorities in both the House and Senate.
Several legislators had already announced that they wouldn't seek reelection. Late additions to that list on Friday were Senate Majority Whip Jim Perry of Lenoir County and first-term Democratic Sen. Mary Wills Bode of Granville County.
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LATEST NATIONAL AND GLOBAL UPDATES | |
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1. Donald Trump won New Hampshire’s Republican primary, defeating Nikki Haley, who had hoped for a strong showing in the independently-minded state. With ballots still being counted, Mr Trump is projected to have secured an 11-point margin of victory. Upcoming Republican contests will take place in more Trump-friendly states, making a Trump victory, and hence a Trump-Biden rematch in November, look inevitable. Joe Biden won the unofficial Democratic primary in New Hampshire, despite not having appeared on the ballot.
2. America’s S&P 500 share index closed on a record high for the fifth consecutive day as investors were cheered by rosy economic data. Figures released on Thursday showed GDP grew at an annualised rate of 3.3% in the final quarter of 2023, defying fears of recession. Janet Yellen, the treasury secretary, dismissed concerns that the growth would cause inflation to rise again.
3. A Russian military plane crashed in the Belgorod region, near the border with Ukraine, killing at least 65 Ukrainian prisoners of war, according to the Russian ministry of defence. Ria Novosti, a news agency, said that nine other people were on board, including six crew. The plane was reportedly transporting the passengers for a prisoner exchange.
4. Volodymyr Zelensky accused the Kremlin of “playing with the lives of Ukrainian prisoners”. Ukraine’s president was speaking after a Russian military plane crashed in the Belgorod region, near Russia’s border with Ukraine, killing at least 65 Ukrainian prisoners of war being transported for a prisoner exchange. Russia said that Ukraine had shot down the plane. Mr Zelensky demanded an international inquiry to establish “all clear facts”. The two countries will continue to exchange prisoners of war, according to Interfax, a Russian news agency.
5. China’s central bank will cut the amount of money that 0.5 percentage points. The reduction, which will come into force on February 5th, aims to boost Chinese lending and support the stockmarket. China’s economy is grappling with deflation, a property-sector downturn and weak investor sentiment.
6. Germany’s services and manufacturing sectors contracted in January, according to a survey by S&P Global and Hamburg Commercial Bank. The purchasing managers’ index dropped to 47.1, down from 47.4 in December (anything below 50 marks a contraction). Separately, the downturn in the euro zone’s PMI eased slightly, growing to 47.9, from 47.6 a month earlier.
7. Netflix reported bumper profits in the three months to December after adding 13m subscribers, a fourth-quarter record. Operating income nearly trebled to $1.5bn, from $550m in the same period a year ago. Analysts had expected subscriber growth to fall after the streaming giant cracked down on password-sharing between its users. The firm credited its own productions, such as “Squid Game: The Challenge”, for the results.
8. North Korea fired several cruise missiles into the Yellow Sea off its west coast. The missile test came shortly after the hermit kingdom reportedly tore down a monument in Pyongyang dedicated to reunification with South Korea. Last week Kim Jong Un, North Korea’s dictator, said discussing unification with the South was
pointless.
9. The World Health Organisation warned of an “alarming” increase in measles cases in Europe in 2023. About 42,000 people contracted the disease last year compared with 941 in 2022. Measles put about 21,000 in hospital and led to five deaths. The WHO blames a lack of vaccination; first-dose rates dropped from 96% before the covid-19 pandemic to 93% in 2022.
Figure of the day: 32.8%, the increase in trade between Britain and Saudi Arabia in the year to June 2023. Read the full story here.
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Feb 6th RIOT STATE OF THE REGION at Tuesday, February 6, 2024 5:00pm - 7:00pm at Raleigh Founded, 509 W North St, Raleigh, NC 27603 | | |
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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.
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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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