Because This Is America!

Weekly News, Updates, and Events

We As Democrats Believe:

"You've got to vote, vote, vote, vote. That's it; that's how we make progress for ourselves and for our country."

— Michelle Obama

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NEWS

GOP Leaders Jet Off to Europe in Middle of Budget Talks

 

(From NCDEMS) Senate Leader Phil Berger and Chief Budget Writer and Majority Leader Harry Brown skipped town last week in the middle of budget talks to attend a Senate President conference in Berlin. Their foreign foray comes just 3 days after Berger released a statement saying that the Governor’s attempts to negotiate were “not what a good-faith conversation looks like.” Governor Roy Cooper recently vetoed a Republican budget proposal that Cooper said shortchanged education funding and rejected critical Medicaid funding in North Carolina.   

 

Governor Cooper has presented legislative Republicans with a compromise budget to move negotiations forward on vital issues like Medicaid expansion and teacher pay. Instead of coming to the table and working with the Governor, Berger and Brown headed for Europe. Republicans don’t have the votes to override Governor Cooper’s veto of their bad budget, despite their best efforts. Republicans recently tried tempting North Carolina House of Representatives members with a bill that partially expands Medicaid. Republicans used the ploy in an attempt to get Democratic votes in the House hoping the move would open the door to Republicans getting their way in the Senate. The gambit failed, and last week's legislative session wrapped with no budget veto vote, no Medicaid expansion, and a jet-setting trip to Germany for Senate leaders Berger and Brown.

 

Tillis Stands By as His Fellow Republicans Try to Kill the Affordable Care Act

 

Last week, North Carolinians who rely on vital protections under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) rallied to hold Senator Tillis accountable for his unwillingness to stand up to a Trump-administration-backed lawsuit that would gut protections for people with preexisting conditions, allow insurers to reinstate lifetime or annual limits on care or charge women more for care, and end other important consumer protections. 

 

According to NPR, the fate of the ACA , commonly known as Obamacare, again was on the line last week, as a federal appeals court in New Orleans takes up a case in which a lower court judge has already ruled the massive health law unconstitutional. If the lower court ruling is ultimately upheld, the case has the potential to shake the nation's entire health care system to its core. First, such a decision would immediately affect the estimated 20 million people who get their health coverage through programs created under the law. But ending the ACA would also create chaos in other parts of the health care system that were directly or indirectly changed under the law's multitude of provisions — including calorie counts on menus, a pathway for approval of generic copies of expensive biologic drugs and, perhaps most important politically, protections for people who have preexisting conditions.

 

Protesters gathered at Tillis' Raleigh offices last week to urge him to stand up against the challenge to the ACA. However NCDEMS said Tillis told Specturm News last week: "What I should say though is I support anything that ultimately takes a failed health care plan – Obamacare – off the table…” Tillis instead supports a Republican plan that would not go nearly as far as the ACA. According to NCDEMS: Senator Tillis is hiding behind a sham bill that “would do little to protect people with pre-existing conditions” and has been widely panned as “political cover” and a “false promise” that leaves protections “on the cutting room floor.”

 

New Hanover County Board of Elections to Hold Voter Education Seminars

 

Beginning with the critical votes of 2020, North Carolina voters will be required to provide photo identification before they vote. This includes both in-person and by-mail voting, with some exceptions. The New Hanover County Board of Elections will hold two educational seminars about the new requirements on Tuesday, July 23. The first will be at 2:00 p.m. at the New Hanover County Government Center on Government Center Drive. The second session will be at 6:00 p.m. at Cape Fear Community College's Union Station Building on Front Street downtown.

 

The seminars, which are required by law, will cover voting options including absentee-by-mail voting, One-Stop early voting and Election Day voting. Information about provisional voting, the availability of free North Carolina voter ID cards and residency requirements will also be provided. For more information on the new North Carolina voter ID requirements, please go to this site.

 

Debate Watch Parties

 


Watch Party and Summer Potluck and Social hosted by Precinct W25,  Tuesday, July 30, 7:00 to 10:00 p.m., at the Ironclad Brewery, 115 N. 2nd Street, downtown Wilmington. Jim Nesbit, one of the plaintiffs in the NC gerrymandering case has agreed to speak if the case is closed and reached a conclusion ( he cannot speak about an open case). Richard Poole will be there to fill us in about the case as well. The Ironclad is also reserved on Wednesday, July 31,  from 8:00 to 10:00 p.m., however, this day will be for viewing, no speakers nor Potluck. 

FP07 watch party hosted by Tony and Marlene Barney, Wednesday, July 31, 7:00 p.m. 8508 Lakeview Drirve, Wilmington, (The Cape, near Snows Cut Bridge. RSVP: text or call 703-304-704-7623. 


 

Nominations Sought for 2019 Unity Banquet Awards

 


Awards will be presented at the September 21 Unity Banquet to recognize the precinct of the year and two individuals who made outstanding contributions to the community over the last year. If you have a precinct or individual you think is worthy of recognition please email your nominations to [email protected] no later than Friday, August 2.

 

For specific criteria for the awards, click here. 


Silent Auction Items Needed For Unity Banquet


Organizers of the NHCDP Unity Banquet silent auction are seeking donations of auction items. High on the list of desirable contributions are things such as weekends at Mountain Cabins, Beach Condos, Camps, Vacation Homes, to name a few. Please also contact folks you know in the service business, for example, restaurant owners, hand-craft artists, hair stylists, dry cleaners, yoga instructors, etc. for Certificates/Gift Cards. Other new items welcome (no used or yard sale items). Please note that these items are not tax deductible for the contributor. All items must be submitted by August 31st, and should be accompanied by an in-kind donation form, downloadable here. Please direct inquiries to Mary Melia at (973) 223-4976, or at [email protected].



 

 


EVENTS

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Canvassing for Dan McCready -- July 15

 

When: Monday, July 15, 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Where: Meet at NHCDP Office parking lot, 5041 New Center Drive, Wilmington

 

New Hanover Volunteers have been canvassing for Dan McCready Since June. New Hanover volunteers will meet at the NHCDP Office to caravan to Elizabethtown, which is an hour away.  For details, contact Jim Fleagle at (919) 426-3355 or [email protected]. Jim wants you to know that RSVP's are important so McCready organizers have the correct number of clipboards for canvassers. You should consider lunch at Melvins, just around the corner. The Raleigh News & Observer says Melvin's makes the best and fastest burgers in the state, and has been doing so since 1938.

 

New Hanover County Democratic Party Monthly Meeting -- July 15

 


When: Monday, July 15, 6:00 p.m.

Where: NHCDP Office Large Conference Room, 5041 New Centre Drive, Wilmington, NC

 



Democratic Women of New Hanover County Quarterly Social -- July 16 

 


When: Tuesday, July 16, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Where: Skytown Beer Company, 4712 New Centre Drive, Wilmington

 


This quarter's social is also a membership drive. Candidates for 2020 state and local offices are planning to attend. The Democratic Women will provide some light snacks, but Skytown has a great menu to choose from as well. Click here for details about the restaurant. 

 

Phone Bank for Dan McCready -- July 17, 24 and 31

 

When: Wednesdays, July 17, 24 and 31, 5:30 to  8:00 p.m.

Where: 8209 Furtado Road, Wilmington (Porter's Neck area)

 

Dan McReady is running for the District 9 seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in a September 11 special election. Local supporters for the Elizabethtown candidate can help by making calls to potential voters. Please RSVP to Jim Fleagle at (919) 426-3355 or [email protected] 

 

"Support the Port" So Fresh and So Clean Event -- July 20

 

When: Saturday, July 20, 9:00 a.m. to noon, or until supplies run out

Where: Lake Forest Church,1626 Lake Branch Drive, Wilmington (at Greenfield Lake)

 

Support the Port is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the homeless and underserved populations in New Hanover County. The So Fresh and So Clean Event will start off with breakfast, followed by a hot shower provided by Vigilant Hope’s shower trailer.  There will be a “Street Store” setup where homeless citizens of Wilmington can shop for clothes that are free, as if they were in a shopping center.  The group is asking for helping hands to help with day of execution, and to donate items to the street store. At noon they will serve lunch and then after that will provide a to-go bag filled with toiletry items. The organization is also looking for barbers in the area to help with cutting hair for the men. 

 

Increase the Minimum Wage Rally -- July 24

 

When: Wednesday, July 24, 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.

Where: The corner of Oleander Drive and South College Road

 

The Alliance for Economic Justice and Raising Wages NC says July 24 marks the 10-year anniversary of the last time the minimum wage was raised. "Over the same decade, the cost of living has skyrocketed leaving working North Carolina families far behind," the organization says. The Alliance advocates a living wage for workers and is pushing for a minimum wage of $15 an hour.

 

Leslie Cohen for N.C. House Fundraising Event -- July 24

 


When: Wednesday, July 24, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Where: Home of Kate Phillips Connolly, Figure Eight Island

 

Leslie Cohen, candidate for NC House 20, will hold her first fundraising event on July 24. Her special guest will be Gene Nichol, a UNC School of Law Professor and author of "The Faces of Poverty in North Carolina: Stories from Our Invisible Citizens." Nichol will do a reading and discuss his novel. Sponsor at the $500 level and above and receive a signed copy of his novel. Sponsor at the $250 level and above and receive 4 tickets to the event.  

 

To purchase tickets click here.

 


League of Women Voters on Fair Districts -- July 29 

 


When: Monday, July 29, 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.

Where:  NHCDP Headquarters, 5041 New Centre Drive, Wilmington, NC

 


The League of Women Voters will hold a presentation on "How to Get Fair Districts." The League is a nonpartisan political organization encouraging informed and active participation in government. It influences public policy through education and advocacy.

 

Televised Democratic Presidential Candidate Debates -- July 30 and 31

 

When: Tuesday, July 30, and Wednesday, July 31

Where: Broadcast on CNN

 

The debates will be split into two nights with 10 candidates appearing each night. Candidate line-ups TBA. 

 

It would be great to have watch parties around the county to watch these debates with fellow Democrats. If you are planning a watch party, please click here to send date, time, location and RSVP info to the editor so we can include your event in our emails.

 

Summer Social Fundraising Event for  Marcia Morgan and Leslie Cohen -- August 1

 

When:  Thursday, Aug. 1, 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Where: Indochine Restaurant, 7 Wayne Drive, Wilmington

 


Now or Never NC is holding a series of events across the state to promote candidates challenging the Republican majority in the state legislature. The group seeks to support Democrats already in the legislature and to increase their ranks. For more information on Now or Never NC, click here.


 

 

Canvassing for Dan McCready -- August 3

 

When: Saturday, August 3, 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Where: Meet at NHCDP Office parking lot, 5041 New Center Drive, Wilmington

 

Volunteers are canvassing in support of Dan McCready who is running in a special election September 10 for 9th District seat in the U.S. Congress. New Hanover volunteers will meet at the NHCDP Office to caravan to Elizabethtown, which is about an hour away.  For details, contact Jim Fleagle at (919) 426-3355 or [email protected]. Jim wants you to know that RSVP's are important so McCready organizers have the correct number of clipboards for canvassers. You might even plan lunch in Elizabethtown after the canvass. Elizabethtown has small-town charm and good restaurants.

 

Support StepUp Wilmington at Wilmington Sharks Game -- August 3

 

When: Saturday, August 3, 7:05 p.m.

Where: Wilmington Sharks field, 2149 Carolina Beach Road, Wilmington

 

StepUp Wilmington is teaming up with the Wilmington Sharks baseball team to raise funds for StepUp's jobs program. Purchase tickets at the special link [link removed] and a portion of each $7 ticket price will be shared with StepUp. StepUp Wilmington provides job training and job search assistance to local residents seeking help in improving their lives through employment. The Sharks will be playing the Fayetteville Swamp Dogs, and the Aug. game will also be "Back to School Night." 500 children attending the game will receive a school supply kit, which is a great excuse to buy tickets for the whole family.

 

Third Annual SOBAD Golf Tournament -- August 25 

 

When: Sunday, August 25, 9:00 a.m.

Where: Sandpiper Bay Country Club,  in Sunset Beach, NC.

 

Brunswick Democrats are hosting a Golf Tournament, and you are invited! Captain's Choice (Scramble) with three flights, men's, women's and mixed. The $75 entry fee includes lunch. Statewide candidates are expected to attend. Registration deadline is August 16. Contact Dwight Willis at [email protected] or 910-540-2614. 

 

2019 NHCDP Unity Banquet With Chief Justice Beasley -- September 21

 


When: Saturday, September 21, 6 to 9 pm

Where: Wilmington Convention Center, 515 Nutt Street, Wilmington 

 

Keynote speaker: the Honorable Cheri Beasley, Chief Justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court.


 


To buy an Early Bird Ticket to the Unity Banquet for $75, click here.


 


To Sponsor the Unity Banquet and meet Chief Justice Beasley at a VIP Reception, click here.

 

 


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.


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| 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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