1. NEWS & OBSERVER: Republicans release new NC maps for 2024
likely to expand GOP power in Congress
"North Carolina Republicans released a
slate of proposed electoral maps on Wednesday, aiming to reshape
congressional and legislative districts under new precedent from the
state Supreme Court, which ruled to limit its own power to decide on
claims of partisan gerrymandering.
Legislators unexpectedly filed two
different options for the state’s congressional maps without saying
which would be voted on. Both maps appear to give Republicans a far
greater advantage than the current districts, which were drawn by
court order in 2022 following a gerrymandering trial.”
Read more: https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/article280682515.html
2. CAROLINA JOURNAL: Senator Budd
co-sponsors bill to curb kids access to social media
"North Carolina Sen. Ted Budd has
introduced legislation in Congress that would limit children’s access
to problematic social media platforms like TikTok at schools that
receive federal broadband funding."
Read more: https://www.carolinajournal.com/ncs-budd-co-sponsors-bill-to-curb-kids-access-to-social-media/
3. DAILY SIGNAL: Trans access to girls'
restrooms and related legal claims fail in federal court
"A federal district court in Idaho just
declined to halt the operation of a state law mandating that public
schools separate their bathrooms and housing accommodations by
biological sex. The commonsense decision Thursday comes as more and
more federal courts across the country conclude that state laws
preventing the expansion of 'gender identity' rights are
constitutional."
Read more: https://www.dailysignal.com/2023/10/16/legal-claims-based-on-gender-identity-flounder-in-federal-court/
4. GREENSBORO: Proposed policy changes
would bring "Parents Bill of Rights" to Guilford County Schools
"The NC Values Coalition, which was among
those supporting for the legislation, called the law a 'first step'
toward addressing problems it sees in education. 'Parents are fed up
with public schools and healthcare professionals counteracting their
values, hiding critical information about their children, encouraging
their children to adopt identities and lifestyles that are harmful,
using obscene books and materials in the classroom, teaching LGBT
ideologies and how-to’s to their children, and hiding and encouraging
their children to consent to medical treatments that should be solely
their responsibility,' the group said on its website."
Read more: https://greensboro.com/news/local/education/north-carolina-law-lgbt-trans-parents-bill-of-rights-greensboro-guilford-county-policy/article_82d0d88e-6c39-11ee-ab29-0b7a6daa4d1c.html
5. DAILY SIGNAL: School Choice Is Better
for Democracy Than Government Schooling
"As state after state embraces policies
that empower parents with more options in K-12 education, opponents of
school choice are claiming that it is a 'threat to democracy.' But if
anything, school choice is better for democracy than government-run
schooling."
Read more: https://www.dailysignal.com/2023/10/15/school-choice-is-better-for-democracy-than-government-schooling/
WEEKLY PRAYER: FREEDOM
LORD, you have blessed us with a
spiritual liberty that is so wonderful and beyond description, that it
can only be understood through experiencing a life-giving relationship
with Christ. However, we also recognize that in your grace, you have
blessed our country with a political liberty that enables us to openly
proclaim the experience of a life lived in the freedom of the
Gospel.
LORD, as individuals and as a nation, may
we never take the inalienable right of religious freedom for granted.
Right now our country has faced a rapid increase in the number of
attacks made against this cherished right. We have seen groups across
our public arena increase in boldness and frequency their smears
against religious liberty. They claim it is bigotry, when we know it
is the security of the greatest of all possible loves.
Be with your people and our country as it
continues to protect the constitutional right protected by our
nation’s Founders. Be with legislators and the Supreme Court, as they
determine through their actions the protection of this particular and
fundamental freedom.
“It was for freedom that Christ set us
free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a
yoke of slavery.” (Galatians 5:1)
“For you were called to freedom,
brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the
flesh, but through love serve one another.” (Galatians 5:13)
“Act as free men, and do not use your
freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God.” (1
Peter 2:16)
Amen
Will you chip in $100, $50, $25, or even $10 to help
the NC Values Coalition continue to fight for your rights? You can
donate by clicking here.
Sincerely,
Tami & Team
NC Values
