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Apple Comes to NC Edition and Play of the Week
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From the Council Office of Steve Rao
April 27, 2021
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12,560 Covid 19 Deaths in North Carolina.
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Apple to bring 3,000 jobs to RTP with announcement of East Coast Office
(See Apple Section)
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India on Verge of Humanitarian Covid Catastrophe/US will lead in Assistance to India (See India in Crisis Section)
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US lifts pause on J&J Vaccine.
Wake County Resumes J & J Vaccine with 7,902 Doses in Storage
(See Vaccination Section)
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Application for Wake County Schools Virtual Academy is open until May 2
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Census Results are in! NC to gain a Congressional Seat!
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NC faces Racial Injustice as Andrew Brown is shot dead by Police Officer.
https://apnews.com/article/north-carolina-warrant-shooting-andrew-brown-082fe702910015753005ba591a77eedf
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Biden to address Congress on Wednesday. Approaches 100 Days of Presidency.
(See President Biden Approaches 100 Days in the White House Section)
President Biden to increase minimum wage to $15 for Federal Contractors / will ease Mask Mandate restrictions.
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Governor Cooper Eases Covid Restrictions / Mask Mandate and Addressed NC General Assembly on Monday
(See News in NC Section)
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Application for Wake County Schools Virtual Academy is open until May 2.
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Apple to Bring 3000 Jobs to RTP,
Invest $1 Billion in NC
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My Message:
Apple to Bring 3000 Jobs to RTP, Invest $1 Billion in NC
Apple announced Monday it will bring at least 3,000 jobs to Wake County as part of a plan to invest more than $1 billion in North Carolina.
The company plans to build a new campus and engineering hub in Research Triangle Park, employing people to work in a variety of roles including: machine learning, artificial intelligence and software engineering, among others.
Hiring is expected to begin right away, as the company anticipates leasing space in the area while it designs and builds the new facilities. The campus will be more than 1,000,000 square feet and run entirely on renewable energy, according to Apple.
The minimum average wage for the positions will be $187,001, according to the NC Department of Commerce.
Apple’s leaders said the announcement is part of a $430 billion plan to add more than 20,000 jobs across the country in the next five years.
The state’s Economic Investment Committee met Monday morning to approve an agreement where the company could receive more than $845 million in tax incentives from the state over 39 years and $20 million from Wake County.
State commerce officials said Monday the primary competition for this project, which was known as “Project Bear,” was Ohio. However, the noted a number of other states were considered.
The company said this move is estimated to have a $1.5 billion impact on the state’s economy annually by 2029.
Under the state’s Job Development Investment Grant program, companies can receive cash grants when they create jobs and invest in North Carolina as long as they meet certain performance targets, according to the NC Department of Commerce.
A so-called transformative project “can provide reimbursements up to 90% of the new personal income withholding for a period of up to 30 years,” according to the department. A company must create at least 3,000 jobs and invest at least $1 billion in the state, which Apple has said it will do.
As part of that agreement, at least $112 million would be contributed to infrastructure spending, such as broadband, roads, bridges and schools.
Apple also said it will create a $100 million fund to go toward school and community initiatives both in the Triangle region and throughout the state.
Apple currently employs about 1,100 people in North Carolina and opened its first store in the state in 2002 in Durham. The company would retain those jobs as part of the agreement with the state.
In 2018, CBS17 reported Apple was eyeing the Triangle for a new campus. At the end of the year, the company announced it had chosen Austin, Texas. State officials said despite the decision at the time, they were still talking to the company about a significant investment in North Carolina in the future. CBS 17 reported that Gov. Roy Cooper (D) met with Tim Cook, who graduated from Duke, when he came to the state that year to give a commencement address at the university.
The development follows a series of significant jobs announcements for the Triangle in recent weeks.
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India on Verge of Humanitarian Disaster with Second Covid Surge
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My Message:
India on Verge of Humanitarian Disaster with Second Covid Surge
Local Leaders Look to Help India in Covid Crisis:
India reported 352,991 Covid 19 Deaths on Sunday and 17 million cases. 2000 Indian Citizens are dying daily, and this past Friday, the government reported 4 million cases. This situation is affecting many Indian American Families in Morrisville, Cary and throughout the state. I am coordinating with leaders in the Congress, to brief the community later this week on the US Response in a Virtual Town Hall and Radio Broadcast on Radio Nyra.
The situation is particularly dire in the capital New Delhi, which is under lockdown until May 3. The city is facing severe oxygen shortages. Delhi does not produce its own oxygen and relies on resources supplied by the central government, according to Delhi's Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.
Several Delhi hospitals tweeted SOS messages over the weekend appealing for oxygen supplies. On Saturday, at least 20 critically ill patients died after oxygen supply was delayed at one Delhi hospital.
In a tweet Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said his administration will set up 551 oxygen generation plants "in every district to ensure adequate oxygen availability."
The central government has come under fierce criticism within the country for its handling of the outbreak, which has seen overwhelmed hospitals and residents post pleas on social media for more supplies from state and federal officials. Many have turned to the black market in a desperate attempt to save their loved ones.
Modi only addressed the nation on the crisis for the first time last week, having held political rallies and largely downplayed the second wave's urgency in the weeks before.
During his monthly radio program on Sunday, Modi said he had held meetings with experts from the pharmaceutical industry, vaccine makers and oxygen producers on how to tackle the second wave.
"I'm speaking to you at a time when Covid-19 is testing our patience and capacity to bear pain. Many of our loved ones have left us in an untimely way," he said on the radio program. "After successfully tackling the first wave, the nation's morale was high, it was confident. But this storm has shaken the nation."
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United States to provide India Raw Materials to Develop Vaccines, Medical Supplies to fight Covid Surge
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The Biden administration will immediately make raw materials needed for India’s coronavirus vaccine production available as the country works to counter the surge of Covid-19 infections.
In recent weeks, India has grappled with a staggering rise in new coronavirus infections. Over the weekend, India set another global record for daily cases, bringing the nation’s cumulative total to 16,960,172 cases, according to figures compiled by Johns Hopkins.
Just as India sent assistance to the United States as our hospitals were strained early in the pandemic, the United States is determined to help India in its time of need,” National Security Council spokeswoman Emily Horne said in a statement on Sunday.
Horne added that the United States would send raw materials required for India to manufacture the Covishield vaccine, as well as therapeutics, rapid diagnostic test kits, ventilators and protective equipment.
“The U.S. Development Finance Corporation is funding a substantial expansion of manufacturing capability for BioE, the vaccine manufacturer in India, enabling BioE to ramp up to produce at least 1 billion doses of Covid-19 vaccines by the end of 2022,” Horne wrote, adding that the U.S. would also send a team of public health advisors from the Center for Disease Control and USAID to India.
The announcement comes on the heels of a Sunday call between Biden National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. Sullivan “affirmed America’s solidarity with India, the two countries with the greatest number of Covid-19 cases in the world,” according to a readout of the call.
The U.S. response comes after Britain, France and Germany pledged aid to India over the weekend.
On Sunday, Biden wrote on Twitter that his administration would help India in its time of need.”
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MORRISVILLE PLAY OF THE WEEK:
Getting Folks who work at Apple to Live in Morrisville!
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PLAY of the Week:
Getting Folks who work at Apple to Live in Morrisville!
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Over the last few years, we have heard from many citizens frustrated at the pressure that development and growth has placed on both the Transportation and School Infrastructure of Morrisville. I am sure that many residents in Cary and Apex feel the same way.
I do think that our Playbook should also look at the recent announcement of Apple with 3,000 jobs as an economic opportunity for the Town. As the Research Triangle continues to be a destination for innovative Technology and Life Sciences companies, Morrisville has a great opportunity to be the place where these Tech employees not only work, but live, and play. For example, the recent 0 Slater Road rezoning, will provide workforce housing to the hundreds of employees who work at the growing list of companies calling the Triangle Home, most recently Apple and Invitae. This is not to mention the workers at IBM, Cisco, Channel Advisor, Syneos Health, Fuji Film Diosynth, Lenovo and the over 10 public companies who call Morrisville home.
The more folks who work and live in Morrisville will grow our tax base, and help our retail and restaurant establishments, which will be needed more than ever in a Post Covid Economy.
How do we meet the demands placed on Transportation and School Infrastructure?
Innovative Partnerships with Developers
First, when given the chance, Smart Development, which places conditions on companies and developers to invest in infrastructure is a critical component of how we manage and keep up with the pressures on our infrastructure. With 0 Slater Road, we were able to partner with the applicant to receive over $1 million of transportation improvements, and added $500,000 to our Parks Payment in Lieu, along with 15 Affordable Housing Units. Austin Mayor Steve Adler has warned that Mayors in our region should be looking at Approving more affordable housing as Apple executes their expansion plans in our State. More affordable, workforce housing will be critical to our Strategy.
When it is said and done, we are bringing in 2.5 cents worth of tax increase revenue to the Town though creative, innovative development while at the same time, providing more places for those who work in Morrisville to live here!
Innovative Infrastructure Partnerships in Economic Development Strategy
The recent Apple announcement does also demonstrates that North Carolina can be innovative when it comes to getting the companies we recruit to the region to invest in our transportation and school infrastructure.
As part of that agreement, at least $112 million would be contributed to infrastructure spending, such as broadband, roads, bridges and schools. Commuter rail, Bus Rapid Transit and other transit solutions will also need to be accelerated as we add thousands of workers and cars to our roads and highways. Discussions are already taking place in our region to accelerate the Commuter Rail from Durham to Garner.
In addition, Apple also said it will create a $100 million fund to go toward school and community initiatives both in the Triangle region and throughout the state.
Moving forward, we need to see more Infrastructure investments from companies looking to expand in North Carolina The Town of Morrisville and many of the cities in Triangle Region need to receive our share of this funding if we are to continue to provide the high quality of life expected by the citizens we serve.
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Imagine Morrisville Listening Sessions/Focus Groups
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Over the past few weeks, I have been hosting listening sessions and Focus Groups across the Town with the Business Community, Neighborhoods, Technology Leaders/CEOs, and entrepreneurs, and HOAs to get your feedback to develop a Long Term Vision for the Town.
I am still considering how I will continue to serve the citizens of Morrisville, either running for the same At Large Seat, and based on many citizens’ request across the Town, have put together an Exploratory Committee for Mayor as I explore serving in another role on the Council.
The election could be delayed until 2022, which will also affect my decision as I am weighing my options for the future in how I can continue to serve the citizens of North Carolina, whether in local or state government. I will make my final decision after the election date is set and would be honored to continue to serve the citizens of Morrisville and the Triangle region.
Either way, I want to thank all of the citizens for allowing me to serve you or the past decade, both as an At Large Council Member and a former Mayor Pro Tem (2015-2017)
Every week, I will be sharing a Play from the Morrisville Playbook which will transform us to be the number one Town to Live, Work, and Play in the country.
It is time to imagine what the Mosaic of Morrisville can be, a nonpartisan, coalition of diverse, engaged citizens, bringing out the best in each other, so we can be the Champions of the World!
Please email me to sr@steverao.com to set up a Listening Session and Stay tuned for our Play of the Week, over the weekend or early next week.
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Wake County Testing Sites:
All North Carolinians over 16 are now eligible for Vaccination as well as all Americans in all 50 states. Pfizer is the only vaccine available for 16 year olds.
47.1% Partially Vaccinated and 35.8% Fully Vaccinated in North Carolina.
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This Week in Morrisville Apr. 26 - Apr 30
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Apr.27th Virtual/Hybrid Town Council Meeting
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Morrisville Carpenter Road Project
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Morrisville Carpenter Road Project: Update for the week of April 26.
Work on the south side of Morrisville-Carpenter Road (between Town Hall Drive and Misty Groves Circle) in connection with the road widening operations will continue.
Drivers should be prepared for flagging operations in this area between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Northbound traffic for Town Hall Drive continues to be redirected along the southbound side of the median.
Temporary shoring work will start on the culvert for the Crabtree Creek tributary crossing between Morrisville Square and Town Hall Drive.
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Invitae calls Stitch new Home
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Governor Cooper and Invitae Corporation, a life sciences company specializing in genetic testing, announced yesterday that it plans to make a $114.6 million capital investment in the Town of Morrisville!
Joining the more than 600 life sciences organizations in the Research Triangle region, the San Francisco-based company harnesses the power of genetics and technology to make medical genetics affordable and accessible. The project brings 374 jobs, with an average salary of $91,176.
Invitae will become one of the first occupants of The Stitch, the adaptive reuse project of the former Morrisville Outlet Mall. The up-fitted facility boasts 245,000 square feet of office and lab space minutes from Raleigh-Durham International Airport.
Partnering with the North Carolina Department of Commerce and the Economic Development Partnership of N.C. on this project were the North Carolina General Assembly, the North Carolina Community College System, the North Carolina Biotechnology Center, Research Triangle Foundation, North Carolina Central University, North Carolina State University, Wake Tech, the Capital Area Workforce Development Board, the Town of Morrisville, Wake County, the Morrisville Chamber of Commerce, and Wake County Economic Development and Triangle Diversity Equity and Inclusivity Alliance, programs of the Raleigh Chamber.
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May 3 and May 5th Bond Referendum Open Houses
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The Town of Morrisville is hosting two Socially Distanced, Open Houses on the 2021 Bond Referendum on May 3 and May 5th. Residents are invited to attend to learn more about what is involved in the Bond Referendum, and to share their input as the Town works through the next phase of formally adopting the Bond Categories that will appear on the Ballots in November.
On Nov 2, 2021, Morrisville Voters will decide if Town Officials will be authorized to issue bonds in an amount to not exceed $37 million to finance capital projects that will impact the future growth of the Morrisville Community for years to come.
May 3 6 – 8 pm Morrisville Town Hall
100 Town Hall Drive, Morrisville, NC 27560
May 5 2- 4 pm Morrisville Aquatics Center
1301 Morrisville Parkway, Morrisville, NC 27560
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2021 Bond Referendum Public Comment Portal Open April 19 - May 14
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On November 2, 2021, the Morrisville Town Council will provide voters the opportunity to vote on financing up to $37 million in future capital projects that can be impactful for our growing community for generations to come.
Be sure to follow the Town’s social media accounts for additional engagement opportunities about the bond referendum through May 14.
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Intersection Improvement Study Open House Set for April 19-23
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A virtual open house that will inform the public about the Town of Morrisville’s Intersection Improvement Study will be available online Monday, April 19 through Friday, April 23. During that week people can click here to access the open house, provide input, and learn about the project, which involves a comprehensive study of more than 10 intersections. For complete details click here
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Wonderful Green Day April 24
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Morrisville Town Council proclaimed April 22 as the 51st Earth Day Celebration.
Thanks to everyone who joined us Saturday, April 24, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for Morrisville’s Green Day at Church Street Park! The socially-distanced, touch-free collection event provided document shredding and recycling options for electronics (including laptops), fats, oils, grease, and textiles.
Expired medications were dropped off on-site with the Morrisville Police Department during the event as part of National Prescription Drug Take Back Day (April 24).
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Morrisville’s Celebrates National Arbor Day April 30
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Town Council recognizes April 30 as National Arbor Day and encourages all citizens to celebrate Arbor Day and support efforts to protect our trees and woodlands.
Morrisville’s Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources has organized a kids scavenger hunt in the park Saturday, April 24 through Friday, April 30; a special Storytime Anytime with Morrisville Community Library staff on the Town’s YouTube Page; and a tree planting event with Town Council, Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources Advisory Committee and the Morrisville Environment and Stormwater Committee.
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Town of Morrisville Launches Community Engagement Platform Pilot
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The Town of Morrisville is excited to announce that a six-month pilot of a new community engagement platform, Engage Morrisville, has launched! Engage Morrisville is a place for residents and businesses to get involved by sharing ideas and feedback on a variety of projects and topics affecting the Morrisville community. The new platform allows members of the community to participate and contribute to important selected community decisions from anywhere at any time.
Active projects that have already launched on the new platform include:
- Morrisville Carpenter Road Improvements Project
- COVID-19 – Share Some Good News
- Social Justice and Equity – How Can We Make a Difference?
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Town of Morrisville Senior Center is now Open!
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The new Morrisville Senior Center, located in the McCrimmon Corners Shopping Center at 4117 Davis Drive, is now open! A variety of programs are offered, and walkthroughs are available during our standard hours of operation. Due to COVID-19, all visits and programs will be limited, requiring registration to maintain a safe environment for our participants. Programs through April 17 are listed. For details on the Center’s programs, hours, and sign-up options.
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Governor Cooper Delivers State of the State Address
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From the COVID-19 pandemic to fighting racial injustice, Gov. Cooper’s main message was for lawmakers and citizens to work together to move the State of North Carolina forward. He reminded the Leaders from the Legislature that they have worked in a bi partisan manner before.
Cooper delivered his “State of the State” speech to a joint session of the General Assembly on Monday.
The governor spoke about expanding Medicaid, the continued fight against the coronavirus, distributing fund to those in need, bringing students back to schools and systemic racism. He also challenged the General Assembly to invest in green technology and innovation, and was very proud of the recent Apple Announcement.
He was followed by a Republican Response by Speaker Tim Moore.
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Governor Cooper will ease all Covid Restrictions by June 1, except Mask Mandate
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Gov. Roy Cooper said Wednesday that he expects to lift almost all restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic on June 1 but will keep North Carolina’s mask mandate in place.
Restrictions limiting capacity at indoor restaurants, bars and concert venues are among those that will be lifted, as well as limits on indoor and outdoor gatherings.
The current existing order expires April 30. Cooper said he’ll issue a new order next week with safety restrictions for May.
The current order limits most outdoor gatherings to 100 people and indoor gatherings to 50 people. Retail establishments can operate at full capacity under the order, while restaurants are limited to 75% capacity inside. Bars, concert venues and sports arenas are limited to 50% capacity under the order.
North Carolina officials are planning to lift portions of the mask mandate on June 1 if COVID-19 trends remain generally stable.
Dr. Mandy Cohen, the secretary of the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services, said that while North Carolina is targeting continued stable case counts and increased vaccinations by June 1, parts of the mask mandate would remain in effect until the state reaches the target of two-thirds of adults taking at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.
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Wake County Schools Approves 2021-2022 Virtual Academy
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The Wake County school board has approved the Virtual Academy for 2021-22.
The board approved the plan Tuesday. The academy will serve grades K-12 and there will be a separate virtual learning option for Pre-K students.
The registration window will open on Thursday, April 22 and close May 2.
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Wake County Schools Returns to In Person High School Graduations
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High schools were supposed to tell parents and students about graduation plans by April 9. Information will also be posted online at https://www.wcpss.net/graduation.
Wake County high schools will offer something closer to a normal graduation ceremony this year for seniors, while still following North Carolina health rules about masking and social distancing.
Wake high schools are planning to hold in-person graduation ceremonies at their football stadiums and gyms this spring. High schools will typically hold multiple in-person ceremonies to maintain social distancing while also offering opportunities for seniors who don’t feel it’s safe to be at a large event.
This year’s events will be larger than last year’s graduation ceremonies, where more restrictive state rules led to drive-through ceremonies or timed individual walk-throughs in the auditorium. Graduation will come for seniors after more than a year of their education being disrupted by the pandemic.
Brian Pittman, Wake’s senior director of high school programs, said they’ll monitor whether changes in restrictions will allow them to increase attendance even more at graduations.
HEALTH AND SAFETY REQUIREMENTS
- Schools must implement health screenings and procedures related to visitors on campus for all indoor events.
- Tickets will include an attestation of self screening of guests for outdoor events.
- Schools will maintain a list of attendees for each graduation to support contact tracing if necessary.
- All guests / visitors will be required to wear a mask at all times.
- Students must be seated at least 6 feet apart to observe social distancing.
- One step Wake is not requiring is having students and staff pass a rapid COVID test before the ceremony. The state Department of Health and Human Services is encouraging schools to use the free test kits as a way to screen people before large events like graduations.
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Governor Cooper Signs Executive Order Providing Unemployment to Furloughed Employees
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Cooper announced he signed an executive order on Tuesday to help workers furloughed due to COVID-19 qualify for unemployment benefits. Before the order, employees who had been paid severance or furloughed by employers were ineligible for unemployment. Cooper said the state has issued $580 million in unemployment funds to 257,000 people since the start of the pandemic and will ask the General Assembly for increasing unemployment when they go back in session next week.
Focusing federal help
Cooper says his team and legislators are working to decide how federal relief funding for North Carolina will be allocated. Cooper says his budget proposal focus on three broad areas: immediate public safety needs such as testing and personal protective equipment; funding for schools and other core government services; and small business and local government assistance.
Cooper says many North Carolina hospitals have the supplies they need due to public response, but PPE is still needed to frontline workers such as EMTs, etc. and for some medical providers.
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Wake County Schools Asking for 5.5% Increase in Funds from County
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Wake County Public School System Superintendent Cathy Q. Moore is recommending a $28.2 million budget increase from Wake County commissioners, what would amount to a 5.5% county funding increase, mostly to address students’ emotional health.
The school board will consider Moore’s $1.9 billion budget proposal over the next month before submitting a final proposal to the commissioners. The budget is mostly state funding, accounting for nearly $1.1 billion next year. The county’s contribution is about 28% of the proposed budget, or $544.2 million. Other local funds comprise $63.6 million, and federal funds make up $259 million.
More than a third of the county’s more than $1.4 billion budget goes to the school district.
The school board will consider Moore’s $1.9 billion operating budget proposal over the next month before submitting a final proposal to the commissioners. The county's current contribution to the budget is $527.9 million.
Moore wants to make permanent a one-time $11.9 million budget increase the county gave the school district last spring during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. She also wants to add $16.3 million to, among other things, increase the number of school counselors, psychologists and social workers.
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President Biden Approaches 100 Days in the White House
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My Message:
As he rounds out his first 100 days in office, President Joe Biden’s focus on reining in the coronavirus during the early months of his administration seems to have paid off: He can check off nearly all his campaign promises centered on the pandemic.
Biden has delivered on a number of his biggest campaign pledges focused on climate change and the economy as well. But some issues have proved to be tougher for the administration — including immigration, where Biden is grappling with how to enact promised reforms in the face of a steep increase in unaccompanied minors seeking to cross the border. On some of his promises, Biden is waiting for Congress to act.
Where Biden stands on some of his key promises:
IMMIGRATION
— Raise refugee cap to 125,000, up from the 15,000 set by President Donald Trump.
- Nowhere close. The White House first said it would stick to Trump’s 15,000 cap due to “humanitarian concerns.” After facing backlash from Democrats, it shifted gears and said Biden would increase the historically low cap on refugees set by Trump — but probably not all the way to the 62,500 that Biden previously had planned. And the numbers actually admitted this year are likely to be closer to 15,000.
- Surge humanitarian resources to the border and encourage public-private partnerships to deal with an increase in migration there.
- Yes, but is it enough? The Department of Homeland Security has deployed the Federal Emergency Management Agency to help deal with the major increase of border arrivals, and Biden signed an executive order asking officials to prepare plans for using humanitarian resources there. He has yet to establish any new public-private partnerships. The largest number of unaccompanied children ever at the border created massive overcrowding at Customs and Border Protection facilities and set off a mad scramble for temporary space at convention centers, military bases and other large venues.
— Reform the U.S. asylum system.
- Incomplete. Biden signed an executive order in February directing his officials to craft a strategy for migration, including refugees and asylum seekers. Biden has promised to unveil a new “humane” asylum system but he and his aides have been mum on timing and offered no specifics. He’s eliminated some Trump-era policies, like a requirement that new asylum seekers wait in Mexico. But he has kept a Trump-era policy that allows Customs and Border Protection to expel migrants who enter the country without authorization to avoid the spread of COVID-19. And Biden has yet to articulate a plan to manage asylum flows beyond proposing that billions of dollars be spent to address root causes in Central America.
— Deliver a comprehensive immigration reform bill to Congress within his first 100 days.
— End travel restrictions on people from a number of Muslim-majority countries.
— Reverse Trump-era order expanding criteria for deporting immigrants and return to Obama-era principle of prioritizing deportations of immigrants posing a national security, border security or public health risk.
— Stop funding and building the border wall.
— Reverse Trump’s public charge rule discouraging immigrants from using public benefits.
— Restore the Obama-era principle of deporting foreigners who are seen as posing a national security threat or who have committed crimes in addition to the crime of illegal entry.
— Freeze deportations for 100 days.
- Attempted, but blocked in court.
— Streamline and improve the naturalization process for green card holders.
- In progress. Biden signed an executive order in February ordering a plan to improve the naturalization process, and the Department of Homeland Security has since revoked some Trump-era rules, sought public input into naturalization barriers and reverted to a 2008 version of the U.S. civics test for applicants, considered more accessible than the Trump-era revamp.
— End family separation and create task force to reunite families separated at the border.
- In progress. Biden signed executive orders ending the policy and establishing a task force focused on reuniting families. The task force is making slow progress as it pores over thousands of records.
— Order a review of Temporary Protected Status.
- No review has been ordered, but Biden’s Department of Homeland Security has granted TPS for Venezuelans and Burmese, extended it for Syrians and extended a related program for Liberians.
— Convene a regional meeting of leaders, including officials from El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico and Canada, to address the factors driving migration and propose a regional resettlement solution.
- Not yet. Vice President Kamala Harris, tasked with dealing with the root causes of migration, has spoken to the leaders of Mexico and Guatemala, but no regional meeting is on the horizon.
— Protect those often described as “Dreamers” — young immigrants brought to the U.S. illegally by their parents — and their families by reinstating DACA, the Obama-era policy defending them from deportation.
- Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said in March his agency was issuing a rule to “preserve and fortify DACA,” but the policy faces a Texas court challenge that could invalidate protections for those often described as “dreamers.”
— Ensure that personnel within Immigration and Customs Enforcement and within Customs and Border Protection abide by professional standards and are held accountable for inhumane treatment.
- Biden included funding for training and investigating misconduct in his immigration bill and in the budget he proposed to Congress. His administration has faced questions about allegations of abuse in at least one Texas facility, which are being investigated.
— End prolonged migrant detention and invest in a case-management system to process people.
- There’s been no announcement of added investments in case-management systems. The administration did roll out plans to release parents and children within 72 hours of their arrival in the United States in March. Officials subsequently acknowledged that hundreds of children have been held by Border Patrol for much longer, due to an increase in unaccompanied minors arriving at the border and a lack of facilities to house them.
DOMESTIC POLICY
— Reverse transgender military ban.
Done.
— Establish police oversight board.
- Abandoned. The Biden administration said it was scrapping the idea, after consultations with civil rights groups and police unions that said it would be counterproductive.
— Direct attorney general to deliver a list of recommendations for restructuring the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and other Justice Department agencies to better enforce gun laws.
— Direct FBI to issue report on delays in background checks for gun purchases.
— Reauthorize Violence Against Women Act
- Requires congressional action.
— Sign Equality Act
- Requires congressional action.
— Create Cabinet-level working group focused on promoting union organizing, tasked with delivering a plan to increase union density and address economic inequality.
- Done, by executive order Monday.
COVID-19
— Rejoin World Health Organization.
— Ensure 100 million vaccines have been administered before the end of his first 100 days, later increased to 200 million.
— Increase access to testing and establish pandemic testing board.
— Issue mask mandate on federal property and ask Americans to wear masks for 100 days.
— Extend nationwide restrictions on home evictions and foreclosures.
— Continue to pause student loan payments.
— Safely reopen a majority of K-8 schools.
- According to data collected by Burbio, a school-tracking site, as of April 18 62% of schools offered in-person learning every day. It’s unclear what percentage of those schools are elementary schools.
— Push for passage of $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief legislative package.
- Done; the bill passed in March.
CLIMATE
— Rescind Keystone XL oil pipeline permit, protect the Arctic National Wildlife Reserve, rejoin the Paris climate agreement and embrace the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol to reduce harmful hydrofluorocarbons, or HFC’s.
— Convene climate world summit and persuade nations to set more ambitious emissions pledges.
— Ban new oil and gas leases on federal lands and offshore waters.
- Sort of — he’s imposed an indefinite moratorium on new oil and gas leases on federal lands and waters.
— Reverse Trump rollbacks on 100 public health and environmental rules.
- In progress. Biden signed an executive order on Inauguration Day ordering a review of Trump-era rules on the environment, public health and science, and has begun the process of rolling back some.
ECONOMY
— Roll back Trump’s 2017 cuts to corporate tax rates.
- In progress. Biden has proposed raising the corporate tax rate to 28% from the 21% rate set by Trump’s 2017 overhaul of the tax code.
— Provide $2,000 in direct payments as part of COVID-19 relief.
- Done. The aid package approved right before Biden became president offered $600 in direct payments to eligible Americans. Biden said the payment should have been $2,000. His $1.9 trillion relief package included $1,400 in additional direct payments, which with the prior round adds up to $2,000.
— Pause federal student debt payments.
— Order a review of U.S. supply chains.
FOREIGN POLICY
— “End the forever wars in Afghanistan and the Middle East” and terminate U.S. involvement in the Yemen civil war.
- In progress. Biden announced that the American troop withdrawal from Afghanistan would begin by May 1 and the redeployment would be done no later than Sept. 11. Biden announced he was ending American support for the five-year Saudi Arabia-led military offensive in Yemen.
— Put human rights at the center of foreign policy.
- Mixed. Biden has directly raised concerns with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Hong Kong, human rights abuses against Uyghur and ethnic minorities in the western Xinjiang province, and its actions toward Taiwan. He’s repeatedly raised concerns about the jailing and treatment of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny. But Biden declined to hold Saudi Arabia’s crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, directly responsible for the killing of U.S.-based journalist Jamal Khashoggi even after the publication of U.S. intelligence showing Salman approved of the hit.
— Improving relations with allies who had rocky relations with Trump.
- Mostly accomplished. Allies like Canada’s Justin Trudeau and Germany’s Angela Merkel, who had stormy relationships with Trump, have praised Biden for his efforts reclaim U.S. leadership on climate issues, and leaders in the Indo-Pacific have been pleased by early efforts at coordination on China policy.
— Reversing the embrace of “dictators and tyrants like Putin and Kim Jong Un.”
- Mostly accomplished. Biden has levied two rounds of sanctions against the Russians. His administration decided to be measured in its approach with Putin and has said that he’s interested in finding areas where the U.S. and Russia can find common ground. Biden’s team acknowledges they have sought to reengage with North Korea, but have been rebuffed.
— Quickly rejoin the nuclear deal with Iran so long as Tehran comes back into compliance.
- Mixed. Indirect talks are under way among other signatories of the 2015 deal, including British, German, French, Chinese and Russian officials, with American officials down the hall. But the path forward is less than certain as Tehran has thus far refused to come into compliance with the old deal without sanctions relief and it recently began enriching uranium to its highest purity ever.
— Recognize World War I-era atrocities against Armenians as genocide.
- Completed. As a candidate, Biden said, if elected, he’d make it U.S. policy to recognize the killings and mass deportations by Ottoman Empire forces of hundreds of thousands of Armenians more than a century ago — something past presidents have avoided doing out of concern of angering strategic ally Turkey. Biden followed through on the promise on the annual commemoration Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day. Turkey swiftly condemned the move.
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BIDEN INFRASTRUCTURE AND AMERICAN JOBS PLAN
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President Joe Biden on Wednesday introduced a sweeping $2 trillion infrastructure and jobs package that looks to reshape the American economy and make the most significant domestic U.S. investments in generations.
His far-reaching American Jobs Plan includes spending to repair aging roads and bridges, jump-start transit projects and rebuild school buildings and hospitals. It would also expand electric vehicles, replace all lead pipes and overhaul the nation’s water systems.
But the plan goes far beyond infrastructure.
It’s as much a jobs program – one that looks to build the nation’s clean energy workforce, expand manufacturing and boost caregiving as a profession to serve the elderly and disabled.
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What is in Biden's plan?
The plan, the centerpiece of Biden’s economic agenda, will next need to pass Congress, where Republicans are already lining up against it.
According to White House, the plan is divided across four main areas. Here is how the money would be spent:
1. Transportation infrastructure: $621 billion
The plan would make a massive investment in America's roadways, railways and bridges with a focus on clean energy.
It would spend $174 billion, or about 28% of the transportation portion, on electric vehicles. That includes a network of 500,000 electric vehicle stations, using electric vehicles in bus fleets, and replacing the federal government's fleet of diesel transit vehicles with electric vehicles. It would also offer tax incentives and rebates for electric cars.
About $115 billion would pay for fixing roads and bridges, chosen by those in most need of repair. That includes 20,000 miles of highways and roads, the 10 most "economically significant" bridges in the U.S. as well as 10,000 smaller bridges.
Another $85 billion is set aside for modernizing transit systems and $80 billion for a growing backlog of Amtrak repairs as well as improvements and route expansion. Airports, ports and waterways would also receive improvements.
2. Quality of life at home: $650 billion
The largest part of the plan focuses on American homes, school buildings, underground water infrastructure and broadband expansion.
The plan would spend $213 billion to build, preserve and retrofit more than 2 million affordable homes and commercial buildings. This includes the construction or rehabilitation of 500,000 homes for low- and middle-income owners. An additional $111 billion would go toward clean drinking water, including replacement of all lead pipes and service lines.
The plan sets aside $100 billion for constructing or modernizing public schools, while another $100 billion would be used to build high-speed broadband networks throughout the country. The goal would be for broadband to become universal for all Americans and to drive down the costs for internet.
The plan also calls for $40 billion to improve public housing, $18 million for Veterans Affairs hospitals and clinics, $12 billion for community college infrastructure and $16 million to plug oil and gas wells and reclaim abandoned mines.
3. Caregivers for elderly and people with disabilities
Biden wants to pump $400 billion to improve access to quality, affordable home or community-based care for the elderly and people with disabilities. It would expand a Medicaid program to make more services available and eliminate a backlog that prevents thousands from getting care.
It would also boost pay for care workers, who are disproportionately women of color and typically earn about $12 an hour.
"For too long, caregiver have been unseen, underpaid and undervalued," Biden said.
4. Research, development and manufacturing
About $300 billion in the plan would be invested in manufacturing, including support for domestic production of technologies and critical goods. Around $50 billion would go toward semiconductor manufacturing and research.
The plan would spend $180 billion on new research and development with an emphasis on clean energy, fewer emissions and climate change research. That total includes $100 billion for worker training and an increase of worker protection systems.
"We've fallen back," Biden said of U.S. investment in research and technology. "The rest of the world is closing in and closing in fast. We can't allow this to continue."
How it will be paid for
Biden wants to raise the corporate tax rate to 28% to pay for the plan. That's the percentage corporations paid before President Donald Trump's tax cuts in 2017. Biden also wants to increase the minimum tax on U.S. multinational corporations to 21%.
The tax overhaul, dubbed the Made in America Tax Plan, seeks to incentivize job creation and investment in the U.S., end profit-shifting to tax havens and ensure large corporations pay "their fair share," according to the White House.
The plan would eliminate a rule that allows U.S. companies to pay no taxes on the first 10% of returns when they locate investments in other countries.
Under the tax hikes and other reforms – eliminating tax loopholes for intellectual property and denying companies deductions for offshoring jobs, for example – the White House projects the spending would be fully paid in 15 years and reduce deficits in the following years.
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48.2% of Adults are Partially Vaccinated/38.1% of Adults are Fully Vaccinated.
Total Doses Administered: 6,878,527
- First of Two Doses Administered: 3,741,272
- Second of Two Doses Administered: 2, 883, 789
- Single Shot Doses: 253,466
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Wake County: Wake County Public Health Vaccine Hotline 919-250-1515. It is now available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, or visit website at https://covid19.wakegov.com/vaccine!
Duke Raleigh Hospital at (19) 620- 5167.
Process is to Call or visit website, join the waiting list, receive notification, and get your Vaccination Appointment!
Walgreens will offer Covid 19 Vaccine in 300 Stores (31,200 doses) in North Carolina starting on Feb 12 as a distributor under the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program and is planning to distribute 1 million doses of the Moderna Vaccine. For more information, sign up at walgreens.com/findcare/vaccination/covid-19.
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Morrisville Walgreens is taking appointments at 3601 Davis Drive, Morrisville, NC 27560 and call (919) 468-6880.
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Wake County Resumes J&J Vaccine
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Wake County has 7,902 doses of the vaccine in storage at this time. The first J&J clinics are planned for Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Ting Park in Holly Springs.
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North Carolina Veteran Business Association Annual Meeting
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Thanks for attending our April 21 at 2pm for the North Carolina Veteran Business Association Annual Meeting.
I enjoyed Moderating this event, and am honored to serve on the Board!
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Thanks for attending our Community Colleges Month Virtual Fireside Chat with Keith Babuszczak.
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Apr 28th at 8 am Celebrating the Town of Cary 150 Years at the Cary Chamber Eye Opener!
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The Town of Cary is turning 150 years old! Mayor Harold Weinbrecht & Town Clerk, Virginia Johnson will be joining us to discuss the history of Cary, the celebrations the Town has in store and how you can participate!
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May 5 Asian American Hate Lobby Day
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May 5 Asian American Hate Lobby Day
In response to the rise in anti-Asian violence, join us for our in-person Lobby day in Raleigh NC Legislature building to advocate for better data collection of bias-motivated incidents and crimes, facilitated by the mandatory reporting requirement of the Hate Crimes Prevention Act. (Currently sponsored by Senator Jay Chaudhuri, Senator Mujtaba Muhammed and Senator Valerie Foushee)
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Join me Sunday 4 PM on Radio Mirchi for another update on local issues.
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.
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- For latest Covid 19 information, please dial 2-1-1 or 888- 892-1162.
- Get Updates by texting COVIDNC at 898211.
- For unemployment insurance, please visit NC Dept of Employment Security at https://des.nc.gov/.
- 1,486,980 NC citizens have applied for UI Benefits, 983, 165 have been paid benefits, and $11.3 billion of benefits have been issued. Appeals of denied jobless benefits are taking many months.
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Apply for Wake Forward program at https://covid19.wakegov.com/wakeforward/.
North Carolina health officials are reporting 1,334 new COVID-19 cases.
The state is reporting a 6.5% positive test rate.
Throughout North Carolina, 78 fewer people are being hospitalized for the virus. There are currently 1,067 COVID-19 patients being hospitalized in the state.
On Monday, the state reported 37 more COVID-19 deaths, bringing the total to 12,560.
As of Monday, 48.2% of the adult population in North Carolina is vaccinated with at least one dose.
CASES:
1,334 Newly reported Cases
+ N.C. = 962,623 Cases (Deaths = 12,560)
+ 1,067 Hospitalized
+ 6.5% Positive Rate
+ Wake County = 91,342 Cases (Deaths = 742)
+ US = 32,103,720 cases / 571,753 deaths
+ Worldwide = 147,211,802 cases/ 3,110,124 deaths
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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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See what's happening on our social sites:
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