Because This Is America!

Weekly News, Updates, and Events

We As Democrats Believe:


"You have to walk in the other guy's moccasins. You have to think what they think. If you want to bring somebody onto your side, you have to figure out what motivates them. What do they need?"

 

-- U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer


 

Suggest a future quote?: Click here to send to the Editor

NEWS




 

 

Trump Budget: Less for the People, More for the Wall 

 

 

 



(Excerpted for the New York Times) President Trump has proposed a record $4.8 trillion budget for the 2021 fiscal year, and while Congress decides what to fund, the document provides a window into the White House’s spending priorities. The president’s plan includes about $2 trillion in cuts to safety net programs and student loan initiatives. Those reductions encompass new work requirements for Medicaid, federal housing assistance and food stamp recipients, which are estimated to cut nearly $300 billion in spending from the programs. The budget would also cut spending on federal disability insurance benefits by $70 billion and on student loan programs by $170 billion.

 

Foreign aid, public broadcasting and environmental programs also get cut under Mr. Trump’s proposal. He wants to spend more money on areas like restricting immigration, including an additional $2 billion for his wall along the southern border, and more money to develop state-of-the-art weapons. The administration’s budget once again calls for eliminating subsidized federal student loans and ending the public service loan forgiveness program, an incentive for teachers, police officers, government workers and other public servants that cancels their remaining federal student loans after a decade of payments. 

 

The budget proposes numerous changes to Medicaid that reduce spending on the health program for the poor and the disabled. Combined with a section of the budget devoted to “health care reform vision,” it cuts spending on Medicaid and subsidies for the Affordable Care Act by a combined trillion dollars. This comes at the same time as the Trump administration is in court trying to kill the ACA altogether.


 

 


Tillis and Burr Refuse to Rein in Trump War Powers

 

(From Policy Watch) In a rare move of bipartisanship, the U.S. Senate passed a resolution Thursday that direct the removal of “United States Armed Forces from hostilities against the Islamic Republic of Iran that have not been authorized by Congress.”

 

The 55-45 vote came weeks after a drone strike killed Maj. Gen. Qassim Suleimani,a top Iranian official. Virginia Senator Tim Kaine (D-Va.) who introduced the resolution in early January said it was intended to serve as a strong bipartisan message, that senators were committed to upholding their “constitutional duty to deliberate and vote before sending troops into harm’s way.”

 

Eight Republicans joined Senate Democrats in voting to restrain President Trump, but North Carolina's Senate delegation, Richard Burr and Thom Tillis, continue to cower before an unfit Commander in Chief who refuses to listen to his own military advisers and scoffs at the Congressional war powers spelled out in the Constitution. See Policy Watch article here.

 

State Treasurer Candidate Weighs in on Hospital Sale

 


(From a press release) Matt Leatherman, a Democrat on the primary ballot next month for state treasurer, said he thinks one solution to address working across county boundaries could be regionalism – an approach being looked at in some parts of the state with water and sewer system mergers. Leatherman, who also said he is not in favor of a sale of NHRMC, said he thinks the treasurer’s office should take a more active role to help NHRMC figure out its bonds dilemma.”  

 

Matt’s position stands in stark contrast to the Republican incumbent’s. Specifically, Matt knows how to use the State Treasurer’s office to help New Hanover County maintain ownership of the hospital, while the Republican incumbent is satisfied to criticize the deal but do nothing to help. Leatherman is quoted in a story on the topic here.

 

 


Republican Roundup -- Quick Takes on Ongoing GOP Disasters (from NCDP)


A new poll from High Point University shows Thom Tillis once again neck-deep underwater with voters and mired in the low 30s heading into the 2020 election cycle. 

This week, an ethics complaint was filed against NC Senate Leader Phil Berger on the charge that he has improperly benefited financially from the recent sale of his Raleigh townhouse and from payments he made from his campaign to himself for home and work expenses. Full story here.

Senator Tillis sat down with WBTV last week and tried to dance around the issue of Medicaid expansion before reiterating that he’s against a “broad based expansion.” Tillis signed the 2013 law that made it illegal for North Carolina to expand Medicaid - a position that he bragged about last summer (when he was locked in a brutal primary campaign). See his interview here.

Bankruptcy for family farms in North Carolina and elsewhere spiked last year despite Trump's claims of "the best economy ever." See the full story here.


 

Early Voting for the March 3 Primary Now Underway

North Carolina's election primary will be held on March 3, Super Tuesday, this year. A few things to remember:


One Stop Early Voting began February 13.

One Stop Voting and registration site information is available here.

You won't need to show a voter ID to vote in the primary.

17-year-olds who will be 18 by the November election may vote in the primary on March 3 if they register.

A sample ballot for New Hanover Democrats is available here.


DOING (Democrats Organizing In Neighborhood Groups) Going Strong in New Hanover County

 



 

Are you feeling anxious about this years election? Do something! If you want to make a difference consider joining the ongoing DOING effort to establish contact with as many Democratic voters as possible. People in each precinct can work together to build community and mobilize Democrats in their local area.

 

Here is a list of canvasses, which is updated as new canvasses are added.



 

 

 

 

 

 

"Get Elected" Workshop Planned for March

Are you running for office or managing an election campaign? LEAD NC is organizing a two-day workshop in Wilmington on March 14 and 15. LEAD NC is a non-partisan 501(c)4 organization that provides training and leadership development for any North Carolinian who strongly supports LEAD NC's values such as voters rights, women's rights, transparency in government and inclusiveness. 

The training covers campaign messaging and story, base building, direct voter contact, fundraising, and campaign planning. The fee is $40, and helps cover the cost of the trainers, food and materials for the training. Please feel free to register now to reserve your seat even if you are facing a primary. Some scholarships are available. Email [email protected] for details.

 

EVENTS





 

New Hanover County Democratic Party Monthly Meeting -- February 17

 

When: Monday, February 17, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. 

Where: Democratic Headquarters, 5041 New Centre Drive, Wilmington 

 

The regular meeting of the county Democratic party is held the third Monday of each month.  This month we expect to host statewide candidates who are competing in the primary.

 

Early Voting Electioneering for Leslie Cohen and Marcia Morgan -- Through February 29

 

When: February 13 through 29, times TBA

Where: Early voting polling stations

 

Volunteers are sought to electioneer for the Leslie Cohen for County Commission campaign and Marcia Morgan for NC House 19. Volunteers at Pine Valley Library location will electioneer for both Leslie Cohen and Marcia Morgan. We are seeking volunteers to hand out literature to voters during the early voting period. To get information on times and places and to sign up for shifts, click here.

 

"Souls to the Polls" -- February 23

 

When: Sunday, February 23, after church services

Where: Check with your church

 

The local NAACP chapter has organized a "Souls to the Polls" event at 12:30 p.m. Sunday, February 23, from St. Stephen AME Church, 501 Red Cross Street. Parishioners will be transported to the polls to vote early in the March 3 primary. Other churches are encouraged to organize similar events. Find details of the NAACP event here.

 

Democratic Candidates for County Commission Forum -- February 25

 

When: Tuesday, February 25, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.

Where: Union Station Building, Cape Fear Community College, 401 N. Front Street, Wilmington

 

The CFCC Political Science Club is hosting a forum for Democratic candidates for New Hanover Board of County Commissioners. The free event will feature questions from CFCC students.

 

Republican Candidates for County Commission Forum -- February 27

 

When: Thursday, February 27, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.

Where: Union Station Building, Cape Fear Community College, 401 N. Front Street, Wilmington

 

The CFCC Political Science Club is hosting a forum for Republican candidates for New Hanover Board of County Commissioners. The free event will feature questions from CFCC students.

 

SEC Meeting and Blue NC Gala -- February 29

 

When: Saturday, February 29, 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.

Where: Charlotte, NC


 

2020 WINTER SEC MEETING: 

 

UNC Charlotte, McKnight Theater, Cone Center

9025 University Rd.

Registration 9:00 a.m., Statewide Candidate Speeches, 11:30 a.m., Meeting, Noon-5.

 

Proxy Form: [link removed]

 

SEC Pre-Registration (open until 2/14):  [link removed]

 

Hotel Room Reservations:

 

Drury Hotel

415 West W.T. Harris Blvd.

Charlotte, NC 2826

 

[link removed]

 

Or call 800-325-0720 and use Group Number 2402130 (note that the deadline for the hotel room block was January 28th).

 

2020 NCDP BLUE NC GALA: (After the SEC Meeting)

 

Hilton Charlotte University Place

8629 J.M. Keynes Dr. Charlotte

VIP Reception: 6:00 p.m.

Dinner: 7:00 p.m.

 

2019-2021 SEC Member-Only Link: [link removed]. General Admission Link:  [link removed].  Please notify Richard Poole when you buy your ticket if you want to be seated with others from New Hanover County.

 


Fundraising Reception for Harper Peterson -- March 1

 

When: Sunday, March 1, 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Where: Parsley Woods Clubhouse, 6610 Sedgewood Road, Wilmington

 

Former UNCW Chancellor Jim Leutze invites you to a Reception for Senator Harper Peterson. Harper is running for his second term for NC Senate 9 and has been a strong advocate for cleaning harmful chemicals out of our drinking water, protecting our environment, increasing investment in public education, bringing the film industry back to Wilmington, and expanding Medicaid to North Carolinians in need. For reservations and donations, click here.

 

Reception for Attorney General Josh Stein -- March 16

 

When: Monday, March 16, 5:30 to 7:00 p.m.

Where: The home of Carol and Todd Atwood, 2009 Montrose Lane, Wilmington

 

Representative Deb Butler will be a special guest at this reception honoring Attorney General Josh Stein who is seeking reelection. For reservations and donations, click here. 

 

New Hanover County Democratic Party Convention --  March 28

 

When: Check-in begins at 9 a.m., closes at 10 a.m.

Where: Board of Education Center, 1805 South 13th Street, Wilmington

 

Italian Wine Tasting Event with Marcia Morgan -- March 31

 

          When: Tuesday, March 31 5:30 - 7 p.m.

Where: Home of Anne York and Jeffrey Schrager, 305 S Lumina, Wrightsville Beach

 

Click here for a ticket.

 

Micah's Rule Concert for Marcia Morgan -- April 9

 

When: Thursday, April 9, 7:00 p.m.

Where: Hannah Block Historic USO/Community Arts Center, 102 S. 2nd Street, Wilmington

 

Join supporters of Marcia Morgan for an evening of inclusive inspirational gospel and patriotic songs with local vocal trio Micah's Rule. The group will perform  inspirational, gospel, country, bluegrass and blues stylings with powerful voices and intricate harmonies. Proceeds benefit the campaign for Marcia Morgan NC-19. Tickets available here: [link removed]

 

7th Congressional District Convention -- April 25

 

When: Saturday April 25, Time TBA

Where:  Riegelwood NC

 

New officers for the 7th District Party were elected on February 1st. Sonya Bennetone-Patrick was elected Chair of the organization. Congratulations Sonya!

 

State Convention -- June 6

 

When: Saturday June 6, checkin at 10 a.m.

Where: TBD

 


 

Best,

Richard Poole, Chair

News Content by James Cummings

 

If you have any announcements, comments, questions or concerns regarding this email series, please contact the Editor here.


-------------------------------------------------------------
| Paid for by the New Hanover County Democratic Party |
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Mailing Address: 

NHCDP

PO Box 3036

Wilmington, NC 28406 

 

Office Address:

5041 New Centre Drive

Wilmington, NC 28403

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