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CHRISTMAS, HANUKKAH AND WINTER WEATHER EDITION | |
From the Council Office of Steve Rao
December 21, 2022
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Estimated Read Time: 10 minutes. | |
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! | |
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Komal, Sonia, Rayan and I wish all Christians a Very Joyful Christmas and a Happy Holidays to all! We pray for any family who has lost a loved one or anyone, who is battling illness and also, for our brave soldiers wherever they may be.
It has been a great year and in Morrisville, we continue to accomplish so much in the All American City.
Enjoy your time with your families and friends, and be safe.
Wishing all of you a Happy Holidays and see you in 2023!
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Carolinas Winter Weather Alert: | |
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Duke Energy meteorologists are tracking a significant winter weather event expected to move through North and South Carolina on Friday morning, bringing wind gusts up to 55 mph and below-freezing temperatures. Conditions like these also bring a higher risk of widespread power outages across the region.
Check the Town of Morrisville Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/TownOfMorrisville/ for any winter weather updates.
WEATHER Safety information
Duke Energy encourages customers to have a plan in place to respond to an extended power outage after severe weather. Below are some tips:
Before the storm
- Create (or update) an emergency supply kit to save valuable time later. The kit should include everything an individual or family would need for at least two weeks, especially medicines, water, nonperishable foods and other supplies that might be hard to find after a storm hits.
- Keep a portable radio or TV or a NOAA weather radio on hand to monitor weather forecasts and important information from state and local officials.
- Charge cellphones, computers and other electronic devices in advance of storms to stay connected to important safety and response information. Consider purchasing portable chargers and make sure they are fully charged as well.
- Maintain a plan to move family members – especially those with special needs – to a safe, alternative location in case an extended power outage occurs, or evacuation is required.
- Pet owners should arrange to stay at evacuation shelters that accept pets; friends' or family members' homes; or pet-friendly hotels.
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Note that all Town Administrative Offices will be closed from Dec. 23- Dec 27 and Jan 2, MAFC Closed Dec 23- Dec 26th and Jan 1, and Cedar Fork Community Center closed Dec 23- Dec 27th and Jan 1/Jan 2. | |
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The Morrisville Aquatics & Fitness Center Hours:
- Closed Friday, Dec. 23 – Monday, Dec. 26 for Christmas.
- Open on Tuesday, Dec. 27, hours are 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Closed Sunday, Jan. 1 for New Year’s Day.
The Morrisville Smart Shuttle will operate:
- Christmas Eve: Sunday schedule (8 a.m. – 7 p.m.)
- Christmas Day: Closed
- New Year’s Day: Sunday schedule (8 a.m. – 7 p.m.)
Police, fire, and rescue services will remain available. For life-threatening or in-progress emergencies, call 911.
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Over the next few weeks, I am going to be winding down from a very busy year. I will sending one last newsletter, before New Years’, an End of Year Review.
Starting in 2023, I will be sharing thoughts on how North Carolina can be both the Smartest State and the Start Up State of our nation and will share my insights from the NC Tech Beacon Awards and what I learned from this event.
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World Cup
Argentina wins World Cup!
Messi ends career with World Cup!
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SMART SHUTTLE FOR HOLIDAY SHOPPING!
Need some help getting around Morrisville for your holiday shopping? Our Smart Shuttle is here for you! Connecting riders from 15 locations throughout the area, the Shuttle provides residents, commuters, and visitors FREE, on-demand transit throughout the Town of Morrisville.
Check out stops, plan your ride, download links and watch tutorials for the Shuttle app, FAQs, and more at https://bit.ly/smartshuttle
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Dec 22 Town of Morrisville Menorah Lighting at 5:30 pm at Indian Creek Trail.
Rabbi Yisroel Cotlar will perform the lighting ceremony at the Indian Creek Greenway & Trailhead, 101 Town Hall Drive.
Inclement Weather: If it is raining, the ceremony will move into Town Hall with a smaller Menorah Lighting.
Add to your calendar at https://bit.ly/3Y33VP0
Dec 24 at 4 pm Radio Nyra interview with Bob Phillips
Tune in on Dec 24 at 4 pm to Radio Nyra for our interview with Bob Phillips from Common Cause for our discussion on Moore v. Harper.
99.9FMHD4, 101.9 FM, and 1490 AM and www.radionyra.com.
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Morrisville Substation Alert:
(For Addison Park and Ridgemont Residents)
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Duke Energy seeks to add a second transformer to the existing Morrisville 230kV substation at 940 Morrisville Carpenter Road. Approval by the Town of Morrisville would allow for the expansion of the substation by almost 150 ft where new equipment will be added to increase its electric capacity. This substation expansion is an important project needed to support the significant growth of the Town of Morrisville and allow Duke Energy to continue delivering reliable electricity to all its customers.
Planning and Zoning has recommended approval.
I will be hosting a Town Hall meeting with Duke Energy representatives for the week of January 5th to address concerns and explore options moving forward. The meeting will most likely be held on Jan 5th or Jan 6th evening but stay tuned for details which will be sent next week.
You can listen to the Audio of the Dec. 8th Planning And Zoning Board Meeting at: https://morrisville.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=11&clip_id=63
More Details will be provided after the Holidays
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US Border Expulsions are on track to end this week. | |
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My Hanukkah Message:
https://www.facebook.com/steve.s.rao/videos/1535146166988123
Our family wishes all of our Jewish Brothers and Sisters a Happy Hanukkah. Like the candles which will be lighted on the Menorah, let us always remember that the light and love of our hearts will always lift us out of the Darkness.
What is Hanukkah?
Hanukkah is the eight-day Jewish Festival of Lights that typically takes place between late November and late December. Jews celebrate it by lighting the menorah, playing the game of dreidel and eating special holiday foods like latkes and sufganiyot.
WHERE IS HANUKKAH CELEBRATED?
Hanukkah is celebrated around the world, wherever there are Jewish people. In Israel Hanukkah is a national holiday, and students present plays, sing holiday songs, and have parties. Schools are closed, and menorahs are displayed atop such prominent buildings as Israel’s parliament, the Knesset.
WHY IS HANUKAH CELEBRATED FOR EIGHT DAYS?
According to the Talmud, when Judas Maccabeus entered the Second Temple of Jerusalem, he found only a small jar of oil that had not been defiled by Antiochus IV Epiphanes. The jar contained only enough oil to burn for one day, but miraculously the oil burned for eight days until new consecrated oil could be found, establishing the precedent that the festival should last eight days.
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SANTA CLAUSE ALREADY CAME TO THE TOWN OF MORRISVILLE … | |
SANTA ANNOUNCES TOWN COUNCIL ON NICE LIST | |
SANTA RUN with Morrisville Police and Fire | |
SANTA AT THE FARMERS MARKET! | |
Santa and Mrs. Claus Spotted at MAFC! | |
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On Saturday, thanks to our Police and Fire Department, the residents of our Town were able to meet Santa as they took him through a run through Morrisville!
I joined them and it was great to catch up with Residents in Savannah, Breckenridge, Kitts Creek, Downing Ridge, Town Hall North and Walmart!
Mr. S. Claus and Mrs. Clause was also spotted at the Farmers Market!
I asked Santa why he is visiting Morrisville more often these days and he said that he is very proud of our All America City Status, the top rankings as a great place to live in Fortune, and he loves to watch Morrisville Cricket from the North Pole on Willow TV!
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AND I met with Michael Landguth to confirm that RDU Airspace is cleared for Santa's arrival on Dec. 24th. Michael Landguth confirmed for me that all air space at RDU has been cleared for Santa's Arrival at 1:15 am!
Santa's Estimated Arrival Time to Morrisville is at 1:23 am Easter Time.
Savannah
Shiloh Walmart
Kitts Creek
Breckenridge
Town Hall North
Santa's arrival to Morrisville/Cary Region is 1:24 am.
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TOWN OF MORRISVILLE AND WAKE COUNTY RECOGNITIONS! | |
MORRISVILLE 101
We celebrated the 2022 Morrisville 101 class at the Dec. 13 Town Council meeting. The five-week program included interactive activities, information from Town departments, great conversations and feedback.
Congratulations to our Morrisville 101 graduates: Anna Anthony, Tasha Jones, Abhishek Kumar, David McDowell,
Lisa Dolan-O'Brien, Prashanth Prakash, Donette Vicente, Brett Warner.
Morrisville 101 is our annual community academy for residents of Morrisville ages 16+. Learn more at https://bit.ly/3WgWCBq
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GREEN HOPE AND PANTHER CREEK STATE CHAMPIONS!
On Tuesday, Dec. 13, the Town of Morrisville and members of Town Council had the honor of recognizing high school state championship athletes from Green Hope High School and Panther Creek High School.
Congratulations to all on your accomplishments!
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SUSTAINABILITY POSTER CONTEST WINNERS
The grand prize and first place winners of the Sustainability Student Art Poster Contest were awarded at the Tuesday, Dec. 13 Town Council meeting. The theme this year was “Bees, Seeds and Butterflies” which highlighted the importance of creating more habitats for our pollinators.
• Grand Prize: Bryce C. (second grade)
• Kindergarten, First Place: Ameyaa Y.
• First Grade, First Place: Aanya R.
• Second Grade, First Place: Agastya J.
• Third Grade, First Place: Rutva U.
• Fourth Grade, First Place: Deekshith L.
• Fifth Grade, First Place: Yogya A.
Congratulations to all the winners!
Visit https://bit.ly/3BzRm3O to see all the winning entries.
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5 YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF WESTERN WAKE HUMAN SERVICES CENTER
I was honored to attend the Western Wake Human Services Center 5 year anniversary celebration.
Congratulations to the Wake County, the Town of Morrisville, Town of Cary and Town of Apex for being recognized as collaborative partners, and to all of those recognized at the event.
Most importantly, Congratulations to Karen Morant, for being honored and recognized for her exemplary leadership of the program.
The highlight of the evening was recognizing and thanking the late Howard Manning for his contributions towards the Center and presenting his wife Pam with a Lifetime Achievement Award in his honor.
As she said, the cheer of the day was “We are the Best in the West (Cary)
In my last newsletter of the year, I will be sharing more about this event, Western Wake Human Services Center, and others who were recognized.
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IMPORTANT MORRISVILLE UPDATES: | |
TOWN RECEIVES GOLDEN LEAF FOUNDATION FUNDING FOR STORMWATER MITIGATION
The Town of Morrisville was one of seven local governments to receive funding through the Golden LEAF Foundation Flood Mitigation Program on Dec. 1, 2022. The Golden LEAF Board awarded $1.3 million in funding through the program, and Morrisville received $250,000 to mitigate flooding near the Wolfsnare Lane and Crabtree Crossing Parkway intersection.
Morrisville’s project will include upsizing the existing culvert and improving existing channel berms to accommodate backflows and prevent flooding in the area.
Read the full story at https://bit.ly/3P28oNG
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Nate Lozinsky assumes role of Fire Chief on Dec. 31, 2022 | |
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Morrisville Fire/Rescue Department Deputy Fire Chief Nathan Lozinsky will become the Town’s next fire chief, effective Dec. 31, 2022. Lozinsky will be filling the role vacated by Chief Scott Criddle, who has served as the Town’s fire chief since November 2018.
“I am honored to serve the Town of Morrisville residents, businesses and visitors as the fire chief,” said Chief Lozinsky. “I am excited about the opportunity to continue to build off the progressive foundation Chief Criddle cultivated and further lead an already excellent fire department forward.”
Chief Criddle has requested to return to his former battalion chief role within the fire department where he looks forward to once again providing direct service to the community. Read the full story at https://bit.ly/3Y9RSPK.
Congratulations to Nate for this new opportunity and I am honored to call him not only our Fire Chief, but a great friend, whose jovial nature, charming personality, and positive attitude will continue to lead our Fire Department to great heights.
Chief Criddle’s return to the Fire Truck is inspiring as he demonstrates that his true love of the Fire Profession is what truly drives him, and his humility and servant leadership is inspiring.
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A Call to Action:
https://www.facebook.com/steve.s.rao/videos/2465079250308504
Over the past few weeks, I have written a few Op Eds, which were published on WRAL Tech Wire and the WRAL main site.
I wanted to share these insights with each of you and am going to be leading efforts in the next few weeks, to lobby our Congress and Senate to work with President Biden to accelerate the path to citizenship for skilled immigrants (H1B holders) and documented dreamers.
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Suicide Prevention Line to 988 |
On Saturday, July 16, the U.S. will transition the 10-digit National Suicide Prevention Lifeline to 988 – an easy-to-remember three-digit number for 24/7 crisis care.
The lifeline, which also links to the Veterans Crisis Line, follows a three-year joint effort by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to put crisis care more in reach for people in need.
Starting tomorrow, simply calling or texting 988 or chatting https://988Lifeline.org will connect you to compassionate care and support for mental health-related distress. #988Lifeline
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Join us on Radio Nyra on Sunday at 4 pm for our interview with HSS on Darsana Exhibit. 99.9HD4, 101.9 FM and 1490 AM!
Join us on Radio Nyra Sundays at 4pm for interesting interviews with local thought leaders
99.9FMHD4, 101.9 FM and 1490 AM!
Enjoyed our conversation with Real Estate Developer James Montague on Radio Nyra!
https://www.facebook.com/steve.s.rao/videos/590302713101626/?t=21
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Great US Open Roku TV Interview with Andy Andrews!
https://youtu.be/-Uy7aX-M2AI?t=79
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On the Porch with Randy Voller on WCHL 97.9 FM!
https://chapelboro.com/?s=on+the+porch
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WPTF Steve O'Bryan show on the Dream Act and DACA!
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Get with the Program with Gary Jones!
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Tune in on Friday at 7 pm and Sunday at 4 pm to PBS Carolinas Black Issues Forum for our engaging discussions on trending topics!
Engaging Discussion on PBS Carolinas Black Issues Forum on Affirmative Action, Election Security and other matters.
Link to the show:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BIOR-ih-Fg
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DEC 13th COUNCIL MEETING HIGHLIGHTS
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Highlights from the December 13, 2022 Morrisville Town Council meeting include:
• 17th Annual MESC Poster Contest
• Morrisville 101 Graduation
• Annexation of Properties Located Along Watkins Road
• Odyssey Lane Construction Agreement
• 2022/2023 Legislative Advocacy Agenda Development
• Capital Investment Program (CIP) Policy
• Church Street Park Amenity Expansion
For details visit https://bit.ly/3YoE1oW
#LiveConnectedLiveWell
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This Week in Morrisville: December 19th - 23rd | |
Town Offices Closed for Christmas and New Year's Holidays
The Town of Morrisville administrative offices and the Morrisville Senior Center will be closed from Dec. 23-27 and on Jan. 2 in observance of the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. The Cedar Fork Community Center will be closed from Dec. 23-27 and on Jan. 1-2, and the Morrisville Aquatics & Fitness Center will be closed from Dec.23-26 and on Jan. 1.
Police, fire, and rescue services will remain available. For life-threatening or in-progress emergencies, call 911.
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Menorah Lighting to be Held at Indian Creek Trailhead December 22
The Town of Morrisville will set up a menorah at Indian Creek Trailhead, 101 Town Hall Drive, and light it every night of Hannukah (Dec. 18-26). On Dec. 22, at 5:30 p.m., Rabbi Yisroel Cotlar will perform a Menorah Lighting Ceremony at the outdoor menorah. The public is invited to attend.
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Art and Photo Contest Winners Announced
The winners for the Student Art Poster Contest and the Stormwater Photo Contest have been announced. The grand prize winner of “Bees, Seeds, and Butterflies,” hosted by the Morrisville Environment and Stormwater Committee, is Bryce Cao. Check out all the winning entries here. The winner of the “We Are All Upstream” photo contest is Nisarg Mounachar of Panther Creek High School.
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Trees Planted at Cedar Fork District Park
The Public Works Department recently planted 20 new large trees throughout Cedar Fork District Park. A variety of native trees were chosen to continue the Town’s efforts to create more native landscape installations and spread awareness about the benefits to the public. The tree installation was one of many projects meant to provide a more robust and beautiful park for all users.
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Happy Trails Wake County Tree Recycling
Recycle your Christmas tree to mulch trails at Wake County parks. Drop off your undecorated holiday trees at designated locations from Dec. 26-Jan. 22. (All facilities will be closed for New Year’s Day on Jan. 1.) Local residents can drop off their trees at Lake Crabtree, 1400 Aviation Parkway, Morrisville. Check out additional locations and hours here.
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Have You Joined Engage Morrisville?
Engage Morrisville is a place for residents and businesses to get involved by sharing ideas and feedback with Town staff on various projects and topics affecting the Morrisville community. Current topics of conversation include the Town Center Project, What's Happening Around Town, and the Morrisville Smart Shuttle. Register and join the conversation today.
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MAFC Hosting Virtual Marathon Starting January 1
Start the new year right with a focus on healthy living! Join the Morrisville Aquatics & Fitness Center for a virtual marathon, from Jan. 1 to Feb. 4. You can choose to run a full marathon (26.2 miles), an ultramarathon (50 miles), or a mega marathon (100 miles). All miles completed can be logged toward fulfillment of the marathon, including those completed at home or at the MAFC, those walked or ran, and those swam or biked. Registration opens on Dec. 12. Click here to sign up.
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Now Hiring: Join the MAFC Team
The Morrisville Aquatics & Fitness Center is currently recruiting for the following positions:
- Senior Aquatics Specialist (FT)
- Marketing & Membership Coordinator
Both positions provide benefits. Learn more and apply here. The Town is offering financial incentives for part-time lifeguards who can work during the day in the off-season. Experienced swim instructors, as well as, day and early evening desk staff are needed. Learn more and apply here.
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Now Hiring: Join the Public Works Team
The Town of Morrisville Public Works Department has three exciting career opportunities open now. Join one of only three North Carolina municipalities with an American Public Works Association (APWA) accredited Public Works Department. We are looking for individuals to serve in our Streets Maintenance, Athletics Maintenance, and Grounds Maintenance divisions. For more information click on the following links:
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Morrisville Smart Shuttle Service is Now Operating! |
The Morrisville Smart Shuttle, the Town’s newest public transit service, allows riders to request a pick-up or drop-off from one of 15 nodes, or stops, located around the Town using the Smart Shuttle application on their smartphone.
Watch this short video on how to use the Morrisville Smart Shuttle App by clicking here!
The service runs seven days a week, from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, and from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday. Additional details on the Morrisville Smart Shuttle visit TownofMorrisville.org/SmartShuttle
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SMART SHUTTLE FOR HOLIDAY SHOPPING!
Need some help getting around Morrisville for your holiday shopping? Our Smart Shuttle is here for you! Connecting riders from 15 locations throughout the area, the Shuttle provides residents, commuters, and visitors FREE, on-demand transit throughout the Town of Morrisville.
Check out stops, plan your ride, download links and watch tutorials for the Shuttle app, FAQs, and more at https://bit.ly/smartshuttle
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Shop Local at the 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.-12 p.m. every Saturday at the Healthy Food Hub, 280 Town Hall Drive. Visit http://wwfm.ag/ to see a complete list of local vendors and shop local. The market will host a Winter Wonderland on Dec. 17, when vendors will be selling holiday gifts. There will also be a hot chocolate bar and gifts for kids from Santa.
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Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Chinese American Friendship Association Reception. | |
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Durham Chamber
Great Time and Durham Chamber Leadership Summit and Holiday Party! Great to be with Geoff Durham!
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Sunday am Geet Bazaar Update! | |
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Hanging out with David Gardner and Jim Free at Holiday Party! | |
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Mayors Association Holiday Party
Mayors Association Holiday Party at the Marquise Ballroom in Garner! Congrats to Mayor Jessica Day for Being selected as New President!
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Holiday Cheer with Raleigh Mayor Mary Ann Baldwin, Apex, Fuquay Varina and so many others….. | |
SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY VISITS | |
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Last week, I visited a number of businesses on Small Business Saturday. This went so well, that I am going to continue this throughout the year, visiting a business or two every Saturday or during the week. I also plan to focus on different markets like Technology, Health Care, Manufacturing, etc.
If you have a business and you want me to visit you and highlight your company, please email me at sr@steverao.com.
Thanks to all the companies who let me drop by.
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Small Business Listening Tour: | |
Send me an email at sr@steverao.com to book a Business Listening visit to your company. | |
Inside Out Sports
Thanks to Sid Cardoza for running a very successful sports company, Inside Out Sports, a destination for many of our top runners, and triathletes! We also thank him for hosting another very successful Turkey Trot.
Insights from Sid:
https://www.facebook.com/steve.s.rao/videos/549414760532828
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National and North Carolina News | |
Tillis’s Immigration Bill Failed. He Still Deserves Our Thanks
According to a great philosopher (by which I mean Calvin from the “Calvin & Hobbes” comic strip) a good compromise leaves everybody mad. If that’s the case then congratulations are due to Sen. Thom Tillis. His immigration bill, drafted in partnership with former Democrat Sen. Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona, drew howls of outrage from both the left and the right, finally culminating in the bill being denied a vote before the end of the current Congress.
Perhaps the bill’s failure shouldn’t surprise us. Conservatives had called the bill an immigration amnesty in disguise; progressives had called it an assault on asylum seekers. Both sides had warned that it had limited prospects during what was left of this month’s lame-duck session—and zero chance of becoming law once Republicans take control of the House in January.
But despite the bills’ flaws, and eventual failure, we should acknowledge the value of this bipartisan legislative unicorn. The Tillis-Sinema bill was a serious attempt to bring both sides together to address some of our country’s most urgent immigration problems.
Crucially, it would have given around 2 million Dreamers — people brought to America as children, and raised and educated as Americans — a real path to citizenship. It would also have provided new resources to process asylum cases, along with resources to strengthen border security and quickly remove asylum seekers who don’t qualify. Controversially, it would also have extended COVID-related rules that see many asylum seekers shipped to Mexico — a policy that immigration advocates say violates international law.
Like I said: it was an imperfect solution. But while both sides will continue to bicker over exactly what should or shouldn’t have been included in the bill — or what should be included in the next attempt to pass immigration legislation — one thing is clear. Here in North Carolina, we urgently need a solution (perhaps even an imperfect one!) in order to help our Dreamers.
It’s estimated that statewide, almost 33,000 Dreamers are currently enrolled in, or eligible for, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. That lets them study and work without fear of deportation — but it’s very much a stopgap solution. DACA recipients have no path to permanent status, and at any moment, a court or future president could scrap the program and order them deported.
That would be an enormous injustice. But it would also be a massive self-inflicted wound for our country. In North Carolina alone, DACA-eligible workers have a total spending power of almost $533 million, and pay almost $139 million a year in federal, state, and local taxes. With 93% of DACA recipients gainfully employed, our businesses have come to rely on these young people — especially during recent labor shortages — to help expand their businesses and drive economic growth for everyone.
Regardless of the Tillis-Sinema bill’s shortcomings, giving the Dreamers a meaningful path to citizenship would have been an unequivocal triumph—and would have allowed the bill’s backers to bank some political capital among younger voters, who are an increasingly important voting bloc.
The proposed bill wouldn’t have solved everything, of course. I’d love to see lawmakers do more to support high-skilled workers, for instance. Here in the Triangle, we have thousands of Indian skilled immigrants who are effectively barred from obtaining green cards because country-specific quotas mean they face decades-long waits for a visa. I’ve also written in the past about the plight of the “Documented Dreamers” — children of skilled workers who age out of their dependent visas, and are then forced to leave the country.
For now, though, it’s important to recognize that getting an immigration bill — even an imperfect one, and even just briefly — before Congress is an enormous achievement. Breaking legislative logjams isn’t easy, and that’s doubly true for immigration reforms: more than one Republican has paid a political price for trying to lead on these issues.
Political courage is in short supply these days, and as we move into a divided Congress, we’ll need more lawmakers, on both sides of the aisle, who are willing to make their friends and their enemies unhappy in order to get the job done. Regardless of whether we agree with every single thing his bill would have done — and perhaps especially if we don’t! — Sen. Tillis deserves our praise for raising his head above the parapets, and taking a real political risk. As we move forward we’ll need more of that kind of courage, from lawmakers on both sides, in order to drive the action we need on immigration issues.
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NC Supreme Court Rejects Independent State Legislature Theory
In a lawsuit that mirrors a nationally watched case on legislatures’ power, the N.C. Supreme Court on Friday delivered a ruling that rejects the “independent state legislature” theory Republican lawmakers have been promoting. The case drawing national attention, Moore v. Harper, is at the U.S. Supreme Court. It’s an appeal of the N.C. Supreme Court’s decision in February to throw out the new congressional districts that GOP leaders had wanted, due to unconstitutional partisan gerrymandering. The argument from Republican leaders is that no state courts — in North Carolina or anywhere else in the country — should be allowed to overturn laws on federal elections that the legislature passes.
Critics say a win for the legislature could spell the end of American democracy, The News & Observer has reported, by allowing for unchecked gerrymandering of U.S. congressional districts. Some contend that it even has the potential to allow for the overturning of future presidential elections.
But the theory isn’t only at the U.S. Supreme Court, which heard oral arguments in the case this month and is currently mulling a ruling on whether to apply the theory to federal elections. State lawmakers had used Friday’s case to try making similar arguments at the local level for state elections — that state courts shouldn’t be allowed to rule state legislative districts unconstitutionally gerrymandered, either.
Otherwise, this court is barreling into the political wilderness, where the legislative authority to redistrict will be transferred from the legislature to the courts,” a GOP attorney told the court in October during oral arguments, The N&O reported at the time. On Friday the Supreme Court rejected that theory, in a 4-3 opinion down party lines that affirmed the right of state courts to rule on gerrymandering cases. The ruling saw all the Democrats in the majority, and all the Republicans dissenting.
BEDROCK OF OUR SACRED SYSTEM’
At face value, the case was over the state legislative maps that were just used in the 2022 elections. The court ruled that the state House maps can continue to be used in future elections, but the state Senate maps are unconstitutional and must be redrawn. But the court’s most senior Democratic justice, Robin Hudson, wrote in the majority opinion that her ruling goes beyond just ordering new state Senate districts. “In so doing, we expressly and emphatically reaffirm the fundamental right of citizens to vote on equal terms enshrined within our Constitution’s Declaration of Rights, and this Court’s constitutional responsibility and authority to assess legislative compliance therewith,” she wrote.
These principles are — and must remain — the enduring bedrock of our sacred system of democratic governance, and may be neither subordinated nor subverted for the sake of passing political expediency.”
The court’s Republicans were unconvinced.
Chief Justice Paul Newby, in the dissent, wrote that courts should not have a say in redistricting. The state constitution gives that power to the legislature, he said, and when judges try to decide whether the legislature’s actions violate other parts of the state constitution, they end up improperly taking redistricting power for themselves. The ruling in February overturning the maps, due to the massive advantage the lines would have given Republicans even in elections in which they lost the statewide vote, was wrong, Newby wrote.
WHAT’S NEXT?
The legislature was already planning on redrawing the congressional maps this summer, for the 2024 elections and beyond. Republican lawmakers originally wanted a map that would’ve allowed Democrats to win only three or four of the state’s 14 seats in Congress, even if the statewide vote was split evenly for Republicans and Democrats. Instead, the court-ordered maps used in 2022 led to an even 7-7 split for the two parties. With Republicans about to take control of the court, and with Newby’s dissents in February and again on Friday stating he doesn’t think courts should be involved in redistricting, the legislature has been expected to draw an aggressively pro-Republican congressional map.
What would happen with the state legislative maps had been more of an open question. If the legislature follows Friday’s court order, it would now redraw the state Senate districts, and leave the state House districts as-is.
Read more at: https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/article270115877.html#storylink=cpy
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NC Supreme Court Stands Firm Against Voter ID
The North Carolina Supreme Court on Friday upheld a lower court ruling that struck down the state’s 2018 voter ID law, agreeing with the lower court that it had been passed with the intent of targeting Black voters who were unlikely to vote for Republicans.
“We hold that the three-judge panel’s findings of fact are supported by competent evidence showing that the statute was motivated by a racially discriminatory purpose,” the Democratic-majority court said, adding that the lower court also correctly applied the relevant precedent.
The state Supreme Court’s three Republican members dissented from the ruling Friday.
The law, known as SB 824, was passed in 2018 after Republicans lost their supermajority in the legislature but before the new legislature took over. The law was put on hold under a preliminary injunction, after North Carolina’s Court of Appeals said in 2020 that voter ID provisions could negatively impact Black voters. A three-judge state court panel then permanently blocked the law in September 2021.
Republicans will regain control of the North Carolina Supreme Court in the coming weeks, after the party flipped two seats on the court in last month’s midterm election, which could lead to overturning the Democratic Majority Court Decision.
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WHY IS MOORE V. HARPER SO IMPORTANT?
Last week, the Supreme Court heard Oral Argmuments for Moore v. Harper.
The Moore case hinges on a legal proposition known as the “independent state legislature theory.” The theory asserts that, when it comes to making state laws that apply to federal elections — from drawing congressional district lines, to determining the who-what-when-where of casting a ballot — only the state legislature itself has the power to set the rules. The theory claims that the state legislatures’ power is so exclusive that they can ignore the requirements of their own state constitution, including the fair districting requirements that the North Carolina Supreme Court has enforced under its own state constitutional power of judicial review.
If the Supreme Court adopts the North Carolina legislators’ proposed rule in Moore, it will make it even easier for state legislatures to suppress the vote and subvert election results, and it will give both political parties the green light to draw gerrymandered election districts. Adopting the legislators’ rule would also require the court to turn its back on principles ostensibly favored by its current majority, like original meaning and federalism, which stand against the legislators’ radical and disruptive legal theory.
Moore is an opportunity for the court to reject that radicalism, and to reaffirm the common-sense rule that has been in place since the Constitution was ratified: State legislatures always act subject to the state constitutions that charter them and define their powers.
Nothing less than that basic principle of American constitutional government is at stake.
We will be watching this case closely, and I predict that the Court may rule in favor of NC which will have a significant impact on North Carolina elections.
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LATEST NATIONAL AND GLOBAL UPDATES | |
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The Jan. 6 panel said Donald Trump should be charged with four crimes.
• What crimes? Inciting or assisting an insurrection, among others. The House panel formally referred the former president to the Justice Department yesterday.
• What this means: It’s an unprecedented move but has no legal weight. It’s up to the Justice Department to decide what, if any, charges to bring.
• What else to know: The committee’s investigation into the 2021 attack on the Capitol is about to wrap up. Its final report should come out tomorrow.
A massive storm is expected to hit the U.S. before Christmas.
• What to know: Storm watches have been issued for more than 32 million people from Kansas to Wisconsin so far.
• The forecast: The storm will probably start in the Midwest on Thursday and turn into a blizzard in some areas that night. If you’re traveling this week, this could cause chaos.
U.S. lawmakers announced a $1.7 trillion deal to fund the government.
• What to know: Congress has until the end of Friday to approve the deal or federal funds will run out, triggering a shutdown.
• Will it pass? It should. The package, unveiled early this morning, was negotiated by both Democrats and Republicans.
• What’s inside? Proposals to extend some Medicaid benefits, help Americans save for retirement, change the way the U.S. counts presidential electoral votes and more.
Harvey Weinstein was found guilty of rape in his second criminal trial.
• What to know: The former Hollywood producer, already serving a 23-year prison sentence, faces a further sentence of up to 24 years after yesterday’s verdict in Los Angeles.
• Why it matters: The allegations against Weinstein, 70, sparked a surge in the #MeToo movement in 2017. He is one of the few high-profile accused figures to face legal repercussions.
Sam Bankman-Fried will return to the U.S. to face charges.
• Who is he? The 30-year-old founder of FTX, one of the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchanges before it collapsed last month. He was charged last week with defrauding customers.
• What’s new? Bankman-Fried yesterday agreed to be extradited from the Bahamas, which could speed up the cases against him.
There’s a bottleneck blocking clean energy for millions of people.
• What’s going on? Energy developers want to build a ton of wind and solar facilities, but it’s taking longer and longer to get the okay from authorities to connect to the power grid.
• That’s a problem: The U.S. aims to shift 80% of its electricity away from fossil fuels by 2030, but these roadblocks are slowing that transition.
The “Titanic” director paid for a study about that infuriating raft scene.
• Why? There’s debate over whether both of the 1997 movie’s main characters, Jack and Rose, could have survived the shipwreck using their makeshift raft.
• The result: The study, using stunt people and hypothermia experts, showed only one of them could have lived. Is that the last word? James Cameron hopes so.
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Tune in on Friday at 7 pm and Sunday at 4 pm to PBS Carolinas Black Issues Forum for our engaging discussions on trending topics!
Please watch for the Black Issues Forum on UNC-TV! Fridays at 7 pm and Sundays at 4 pm!
Engaging Discussion on PBS Carolinas Black Issues Forum on Affirmative Action, Election Security and other matters.
Link to the Show:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BIOR-ih-Fg
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PBS NC
- Fridays at 7 p.m. (premiere)
- Sundays at 4 p.m.
- Thursdays at 1:30 a.m.
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NC Channel
- Fridays at 8:30 p.m.
- Saturdays at 1:30 a.m.
- Sundays at 6 p.m.
- Mondays at 12 a.m. and 8:30 a.m.
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Sunday at 4 pm for our Radio Nyra Interview | |
Join us on Radio Nyra on Sunday at 4 pm for our interview with HSS on Darsana Exhibit. 99.9HD4, 101.9 FM and 1490 AM!
Join me every Sunday at 4pm for a new show. 99.9FMHD4, 101.9 FM and 1490 AM!
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Radio NYRA
Join me Sunday 4 PM on Radio NYRA for another update on local issues.
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99.9FMHD4, 101.9 FM and 1490 AM! Listen at www.radionyrausa.com!
99.9FM HD4, 101.9 FM and 1490 AM!
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Join us every Friday on World Edition at 10 am for the Great America Project Panel where we discuss how we rebuild Americas' image with leaders from around the country and world.
OFFICIAL International Broadcast Media
Public Open Dialogue TV is a worldwide multilingual, multi-demographic network focused on inspiring, educating and entertaining the global community. We provide unique programming in areas not covered by traditional media, and provide a platform for the audience to engage with those shows. Formerly IBMTV.
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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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