Community News - Fall 2007.qxp
Transcripción
Community News - Fall 2007.qxp
A QUARTERLY NC Justice Center Opportunity and prosperity for all MAGAZINE FOR NORTH CAROLINA’S GRASSROOTS COMMUNITY community news noticias communitarias Fall/Otoño 2007 * The 2007 Defenders of Justice Awards are coming! (See page 3) Community News Noticias Comunitarias Published by the North Carolina Justice Center/es publicado por El Centro de Justicia de Carolina del Norte DEPUTY DIRECTOR AND MANAGING EDITOR/DIRECTORA ADJUNTA: Debra Tyler-Horton EDITORS/EDITORES: Polly Williams, Ajamu Dillahunt, Bill Rowe DESIGNER/DISEÑO: Phyllis Nunn TRANSLATIONS/TRADUCCIONES: Luis Olivieri-Robert BOARD OF DIRECTORS/JUNTA DE DIRECTORES Co-chairs: Reuben Blackwell, Jay Butler Cynthia A. Aziz Rev. William J. Barber Asa Bell Jean Cary Richard Hooker Fiorella Horna-Guerra Jerald Jones Luke Largess John Laast Raquel Lynch George Reed Fenita Shepard Tong Yang STAFF/PERSONAL Melinda Lawrence, Executive Director Debra Tyler-Horton, Deputy Director Kaci Bishop, Immigration Attorney Alyssa Brandt, Administrative Assistant Carol Brooke, Migrant Worker Attorney Mary Coleman, Chief Financial Officer Jill Diaz, Director of Development Ajamu Dillahunt, BTC - Outreach Coordinator Knick Dixon, Education & Law; Community Organizer/Trainer Nicole Dozier, Litigation/Health Access Nina Driver, Administrative Assistant Angella Dunston, Education & Law - Director Dan Dwyer, Litigation Paralegal Chris Fitzsimon, NC Policy Watch Clermont Fraser, Migrant Worker Attorney Meg Gray, BTC - Public Policy Analyst Jack Holtzman, Staff Attorney (Litigation) Attracta Kelly, Immigration Attorney, ILAP Director Harmony Mancino, Immigration Paralegal Dani Martinez-Moore, Immigration Network Coordinator Carlene McNulty, Staff Attorney (Litigation) Elaine Mejia, BTC - Director Diane Morris , Director of Communications Jan Nichols, Chief Technology Officer Phyllis Nunn, Design Director Annette Plummer, NC Policy Watch John Quinterno, BTC - Research Associate Al Ripley, Consumer Action Network Bill Rowe, Director of Advocacy Cristin Ruggles, Immigration Paralegal Rob Schofield, NC Policy Watch Adam Searing, Health Access Coalition - Director Sandy Sellnow, Accounting Assistant Debra Tyler-Horton, Deputy Director Louisa Warren, Policy Advocate Editor’s Message Mensaje de la editora “Much Accomplished, More to Be Done” Says Bill Rowe, Director of Advocacy Dear friends: I hope everyone had a good summer! It is so great to be back refreshed, reenergized and ready to get busy with the work at hand. A four month sabbatical, what a wonderfully rewarding experience! I would like to thank both the Z Smith Reynolds Foundation for making this possible, and the amazing staff and Board of Directors of the Justice Center for their support. In our last issue of Community News the Justice Center staff was gearing up for the legislative session. Our legislative staff, researchers, policy analysts and grassroots advocacy folks were working hand-in-hand to make sure that the best interests of all North Carolinians were taken into consideration during the decision-making process. Well, we had some victories and we have some challenges left to deal with in the next session. This issue of Community News will provide you with an overview of the session. It will also look at areas that we will need to be prepared to address together in 2008. In the last issue we focused on education by providing you with information on specific policies and budget priorities related to the future of our children. Our hope is that having read these articles you will join us in our fight to ensure that every child has access to a “sound basic education.” We cannot do it alone; join NC CARE today (see page 18) and work with parents and advocates for quality education in our state and in our communities. If you missed the last issue, you can print a copy from our website, www.ncjustice.org. Over the years we have truly appreciated the support of our readers. As we prepare to celebrate our Annual Defenders of Justice Event, we hope you will join us and bring a friend. On Thursday, October 25th, at the American Tobacco Campus, Bay 7 in Durham, we will gather to recognize the work of our 2007 Defenders of Justice Awards recipients (see page 3). You will also have an opportunity to meet our new executive director Melinda Lawrence. We are so happy to have Melinda on board. Melinda has been a contents 2 3 4 Great to be back -all here at the Justice Center look forward to working with you for a better tomorrow! Debra Tyler-Horton, Deputy Director Please mail information for the newsletter to the attention of Debra TylerHorton, PO Box 28068, Raleigh, NC 27611, or e-mail it directly to [email protected]. The Justice Center reserves the right to choose which articles will be published, to edit articles for length and clarity, and to choose which ones will be translated into Spanish. North Carolina Justice Center 10 The 2007 Defenders of Justice Awards 2007 Legislative Session Overview The 2007-2009 State Budget/Presupuesto Estatal 2007-2008 A Good Session Addressing Foreclosure/Buena Sesion Sobre Hipoteca Reposeidas Justice Too Long Delayed Attention for Farmworker Housing Needs/Atención Sobre Necesidades de Vivienda de Trabajadores Sgrícolas North Carolina Wins a Big Victory for Working Families Victories and Disappointments – an Education Advocate’s Snapshot/Victorias y frustraciones Public Employee Collective Bargaining Makes Headway/Adelanta Negociación Colectiva Empleados Públicos Older Adults Make Significant Gains in 2007 Session A Rating System at Last! COMMUNITY FOCUS/ENFOQUE COMUNITARIO 21 contenido POLICY UPDATE/ACTUALIDAD POLÍTICA Affordable Housing as Critical Infrastructure Issue Everyone Gets Sick, but Do You Have Time to Get Better?/¿Todos nos enfermamos, pero ¿tenemos tiempo para recuperarnos? INFORMATION EXCHANGE/INTERCAMBIO DE INFORMACION 2 – DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. EDITOR’S MESSAGE/MENSAJE DE LA EDITORA FEATURE ARTICLE/ARTÍCULO ESPECIAL 919-856-2570 phone 919-856-2175 fax [email protected] www.ncjustice.org “Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable. Even a superficial look at history reveals that no social advance rolls in on the wheels of inevitability. Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals.” (En Espanol: Mensaje de la Editora, pagina 4) VOLUNTEER: Polly Williams 224 S. Dawson Street P.O. Box 28068 Raleigh, North Carolina 27611 long-time advocate and supporter of the Center’s work. In just a few months Melinda has been able to bring in new funding sources and expand the staff. As part of the expansion we are excited to have NC Policy Watch staff join the Justice Center staff. With this new merger come old friends, Rob Schofield, former staff member of the Justice Center, great to have him back, and Chris Fitzsimon, long-time partner in the work. We also welcome Annette Plummer as part of NC Policy Watch team. (see page 7). The Justice Center also welcomes two administrative assistants and a new member of the policy team (see page 19). As always we ask for your thoughts and ideas for Community News. We are striving to make this magazine a true resource for you. We are interested in your communities’ success stories and challenges. We also ask that you please take a moment to review our distribution list (see page 19). If you know of locations that can benefit from receiving Community News please let us know. Same Day Registration in North Carolina/Inscripción Durante Período Electoral en Carolina del Norte NC CARE: Because every child in North Carolina deserves a sound basic education. Community News I Noticias Comunitarias Feature Article artículo especial Reception and Awards Presentation – Thursday, October 25th, 2007 z 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. at the historic American Tobacco Campus, Bay 7 z Durham, NC THE 2007 DEFENDERS OF JUSTICE AWARD RECIPIENTS LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY Representative Dan Blue Senator Katie Dorsett RALEIGH RALEIGH LITIGATION Edelstein & Payne RALEIGH POLICY RESEARCH & ADVOCACY Farmworker Advocacy Network GRASSROOTS EMPOWERMENT Special Musical Guest Representative Rick Glazier FAYETTEVILLE NC Fair Share RALEIGH A jazz trio from the John Brown Entertainment Group of Chapel Hill Tickets and Payment I WANT TO RESERVE ______________ TICKETS AT $50.00 EACH. Name ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Organization _____________________________________________________Title_____________________________________________ Address ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________ City __________________________________________________________________State______Zip ______________________________ Phone _____________________________Fax _____________________Email _________________________________________________ Enclosed is a check payable to the NC Justice Center Please bill my credit card: _____Visa _____MasterCard _____Discover Acct# _______________________________________________________Exp. Date________________________ Name on card_____________________________________________________________________________ Billing address (if different from above)_____________________________________________________________________________ Total Amount: _______________Signature ____________________________________________________________________________ North Carolina State Conference of the NC NAACP Become a DEFENDERS OF JUSTICE Sponsor! Platinum Sponsor: $5,000 Gold Sponsor: $2,500 Silver Sponsor: $1,000 Bronze Sponsor: $500 Corporate or $250 Individual For more information on sponsorship opportunities, please contact: Jill Diaz: (919)856-2575, [email protected] or visit www.ncjustice.org. 3 policy update actualidad política 2007 Legislative Session Overview: Much Accomplished, More to Be Done By Bill Rowe – Director of Advocacy This edition of Community News is an overview of the recently complete legislative session. It includes articles about some bills that were passed that will improve the lives of low-income North Carolinians and some efforts that are still pending, but deserve serious attention from lawmakers. For a more detailed and comprehensive report of the session, readers should visit the Justice Center’s web site at www.ncjustice.org. Even though a number of important issues including the death penalty, juvenile justice, affordable housing, mental health reform and the absence of collective bargaining rights for public employees were not adequately addressed this session , North Carolina’s lawmakers did take action that had a profoundly positive impact on the lives of thousands of North Carolinians. On several fronts the General Assembly embraced positive change and made significant investments that will help to increase opportunity and prosperity across the state. Some of the highlights include: z z A tax break for working families through a refundable state earned income tax credit Increased access to health care through a high-risk insurance pool for chronically ill people, the Kids Care insurance program for low- and moderate-income children, and a mandate that health insurers cover mental illness z Improved educational opportunities with more money for low-wealth school districts and the education of low-income students, drop-out prevention grants, and the governor’s new EARN Scholars program z Fiscal improvements for counties by freeing counties of paying for Medicaid and by providing counties with new options to pay for needed infrastructure z Foreclosure prevention by curbing loan servicing abuses, making the foreclosure process fairer, and enabling borrowers to sue for illegal lending practices z Migrant housing improvements through better enforcement and standards In addition, there was progress made by (1) creating a pilot for publicly financed elections for three statewide elections; (2) improving voter registration requirements by allowing North Carolinians to register to vote and cast their ballots at “one-stop” early voting sites on the same day: (3) adopting new improved landfill regulations; and (4) helping seniors by establishing a rating system for adult care homes, preventing expansion of the state’s right to place liens on the homes of Medicaid recipients and expanding the property tax “homestead exemption” for seniors and the disabled. None of these successes would have been possible without many different organizations and PEOPLE being involved with the process and demanding change from their elected representatives. This was a good session on a number of fronts on which advocates have been working very hard for years. With that in mind, much more still remains to be done. For more information, contact the Bill Rowe at (919) 856-2177 or [email protected]. Mensaje de la Editora “Mucho logrado, mucho por hacer” Queridos amigos y amigas – Espero hayan tenido un buen verano. Es bueno estar de regreso refrescada, energizada, y lista para ocuparme de trabajo pendiente. Una sabática de cuatro meses, una experiencia gratificante. Agradezco a la Fundación Z Smith Reynolds por hacer esto posible y al personal del Centro para la Justicia por su apoyo. En el pasado número de ‘Noticias Comunitarias’ nuestro personal se preparaba para los debates legislativos. Tanto los analistas, investigadores, y organizadores comunitarios trabajaron mano a mano para asegurar que los mejores intereses de los norcarolinenses fueran considerados durante la toma de decisiones. Bueno, tuvimos algunas victorias y algunos retos para la siguiente sesión. Este número de ‘Noticias Comunitarias’ le provee con un resumen de la sesión. También veremos reas para las cuales debemos prepararnos para la siguiente sesión. El pasado número lo dedicamos al tema de la educación y las movidas de reglamento y presupuesto relacionadas con el futuro de nuestro niños. Es nuestra esperanza que al leerlo se haya 4 sentido parte de la causa para asegurar a cada niño una ‘educación básica sólida’. No podemos lograrlo sólos; únase hoy a NC CARE y trabaje junto a padres y líderes por una educación de calidad en nuestro estado y comunidades. Para información llame o escriba a Knick Dixon en el Centro para la Justicia, [email protected] o 919/856-2151. si no pudo leer el pasado número puede imprimir una copia en la sección de publicaciones en www.ncjustice.org. A través de los años hemos agradecido el apoyo de nuestros lectores. Al prepararnos para nuestro Evento Anual Defensores de la Justicia confiamos que venga y traiga un(a) amigo(a). El jueves 25 de octubre en el American Tobacco Campus, Bay 7 en Durham, nos reuniremos para reconocer los recipientes de los premios 2007. También podrá conocer a nuestra nueva directora ejecutiva, Melinda Lawrence. Estamos contentos de tenerla con nosotros. por muchos años ha apoyado nuestra labor en el Centro. En pocos meses ha logrado traer nuevas fuentes de apoyo económico y ampliar el personal. Entre éstos, el personal de NC Policy Watch como Rob Schofield, Chris Fitzsimon y Annette Plummer. De igual manera damos la bienvenida a dos nuevas asistentes administrativas y un miembro adicional del equipo de políticas. Noticias Comunitarias necesita de sus opiniones. Queremos ser una publicación que le sirva como recurso. Nos interesan sus éxitos y sus retos. Le pedimos que revise nuestra lista de distribución por si conoce lugares que se puedan beneficiar al recibir “Noticias Comunitarias” y nos deje saber. “El progreso humano no es ni automático ni inevitable. Aún una mirada superficial a la historia revela que ningún cambio social avanza sobre las ruedas de la inevitabilidad. Todo paso hacia la meta de la justicia requiere sacrificio, sufrimiento y lucha; el incansable esfuerzo y la apasionada preocupación de individuos dedicados”. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Es bueno estar de regreso y poder trabajar juntos por una mejor mañana. Debra Tyler-Horton, Directora Adjunta Por favor envíe la información para el boletín informativo a la atención de Debra Tyler-Horton, al P. O. Box 28068, Raleigh, NC27611, o envíela por correo electrónico a [email protected]. El Centro de Justicia se reserva el derecho de escoger qué artículos serán publicados, de editar los artículos en cuanto a su extensión y a su claridad, y a escoger cuáles serán traducidos al español. Community News I Noticias Comunitarias policy update The 2007-2009 State Budget: An Affordable Step in the Right Direction By Elaine Mejia – Director of the NC Budget & Tax Center Now that the dust kicked up by the stampede of lobbyists and lawmakers departing Raleigh is settling, it is time to take stock of state policymakers’ actions (and inactions). No single piece of legislation impacts the daily lives of the North Carolinians of today and tomorrow as much as the state budget. In July, the legislature adopted and the governor signed a $20.7 billion budget that will fund education, the court system, health insurance for millions of residents, state parks and hundreds of other services upon which the state’s citizens and the state’s economy rely. While it certainly wasn’t perfect (how could it be when 170 people try to reach consensus), it was a giant step in the right direction - laying the foundation for a strong future for North Carolina. Critics of the plan are harping on the nearly 10% spending increase over last year (and similar increases in the few prior years as well). Yet, the North Carolina is in no danger of becoming, a “big government” state. North Carolina’s combined state and local taxes are holding steady and continue to be below the national average, according to data released in May 2007 by the U.S. Census Bureau. In fiscal year 2005, the latest year for which data are available, North Carolina state and local government taxes represented 10.4% of total state personal income, putting North Carolina 35th out of 50 states. In that year, North Carolina’s state and local governments combined collected $3,139 per person in taxes, ranking 33rd out of 50 states. These rankings are similar to North Carolina’s rankings in the 1980’s and 1990’s. More than half of the $1.8 billion spending increase is for education, undoubtedly a sound investment of our tax dollars. It might surprise naïve budget critics who accuse North Carolina of spending too much on public schools that, according to the latest Census Capital Improvement Reserves & Adjustments data, North 1% 1% Carolina ranks Debt Payments 42nd in spending Health & Human Services 1% 23% per student in our public schools, spending even less than our typically stingy neighbors in Natural & South Carolina. Economic Governor Easley Resources and legislators 3% have demonstrated Justice & Public Total Education Safety their 57% 10% commitment to spending more General Government on current and 2% new education programs over the past several years in order to new state budget is the first in eight years to return prepare our state’s future workforce to compete in North Carolina to the real per capita budget level the increasingly global economy. of fiscal year 2000. Compared to the 2000 budget, The remainder of the spending increase was the current state budget has grown by an inflationused primarily for pay raises for state employees adjusted $162 per person, from $2,209 in 2000 to plus a handful of expansions, such as a new health $2,333 in 2008 - a mere 7.3% growth rate over insurance program for children in low-income nine years. That’s hardly an indictment for families, operating funds for a new mental health “runaway” spending, especially considering that hospital, and funding to help local governments the state spends one in five dollars on health care rehab aging water and sewer systems - all of which related expenses. are sound investments in the future. What critics fail to realize (and why their As in the past, North Carolinians will see inflammatory and inaccurate rhetoric about through the politically motivated scare tactics of “exploding” taxes and spending isn’t working) is the budget’s critics and see that this spending plan that, even with this increase North Carolina will will help lay the foundation for a prosperous future still not be a “big government” state. Moreover, all for all tar heels. The dust has settled and the future North Carolinians share in the benefits when the looks bright. money is spent wisely, as was the case this year (i.e. on essential services, and smart investments in human capital and infrastructure). What Does the $21 Billion State Budget Pay For? Community News I Noticias Comunitarias actualidad política Presupuesto Estatal 2007-2008: Un Rentable Paso Adelante Por Elaine Mejia – Directora del NC Budget & Tax Center Ahora que el polvo ha volado por la estampida de legisladores y sus elementos que salen de Raleigh, es tiempo de evaluar sus acciones e inacciones. El presupuesto es la pieza de legislación que impacta con mayor fuerza nuestra vida diaria como norcarolinenses. En julio pasado la legislatura y el gobernador aprobaron un presupuesto de 20.7 billones de dólares para financiar la educación, el sistema de cortes, seguro de salud para millones de residentes, parques y cientos de otros servicios de los cuales tanto los residentes como el estado dependen. Aunque no fue perfecto (cuando 170 personas tratan de ponerse de acuerdo) fue un paso gigante en la dirección correcta hacia un mejor futuro para Carolina del Norte. Quienes critican el mismo señalan un aumento de 10% en gastos comparado con el presupuesto anterior. Sin embargo es el primero desde el 2000 que establece el ingreso per capita a su monto real. El ajuste fue de $162 por persona, de $2,209 en el 2000 a $2,333 en el 2008 - un crecimiento de a penas 7.3% en ese lapso. Ello llama la atención si tomamos en cuenta que el estado gasta uno de cada cinco dólares en aspectos de cuidado de salud.. Lo que no pueden ver los críticos es que aún de esa manera, Carolina del Norte no es un estado de ‘gobierno grande’. Más bien, todos los norcarolinenses comparten los beneficios cuando se gasta sabiamente en servicios esenciales, inversiones en capital humano e infraestructura, como fue en este pasado año. Carolina del Norte no peligran en convertirse en un ‘gobierno grande’. Su combinación de impuestos estatales y locales permanecen estables y le permite estar por debajo del promedio nacional según datos del Negociado del Censo provistos en mayo de 2007. En el 2005, el 10.4% de los impuestos estatales y locales provenían del ingreso personal, un lugar 35 entre los 50 estados, que representó un promedio de $3,139 por persona en impuestos, un lugar 33 entre los 50 estados, similar a los años 1980 y 1990. Más de la mitad del aumento de 1.8 billones en gastos va dirigido a la educación, lo que es una buena inversión el cual aún de esa manera gasta menos por estudiante de escuela pública (# 42 en la nación) que nuestro vecino Carolina del Sur. Se ha demostrado un compromiso genuino de parte de los legisladores y del Gobernador Easley en los pasados años, como una manera de preparar a nuestra fuerza laboral para una (“Presupuesto estatal 2007-2008” – pagina 9) 5 policy update actualidad política A Good Session Addressing Foreclosure: But More Work Remains By Al Ripley – Consumer Action Network For all the news stories appearing about the impact of the staggering increase in home mortgage foreclosures on financial markets, interest rates, and home prices, it is sometimes very easy to lose sight of the most devastating impact; the loss of homeownership and wealth in the form of home equity for thousands of families. In North Carolina, the foreclosure crisis has grown significantly with 46,512 foreclosures filed in 2006. This level represents an increase of over 173 percent from the 16,630 filings in 1998. Already, data for this year show that foreclosure filings for 2007 will set a new record above the 2006 levels. Many experts predict that nationwide the height of the crisis will not peak until 2008 or 2009, and in the interim many more thousands of families will lose their homes. For state policy makers the crisis represents an ongoing challenge but also an opportunity to pass new laws and develop other policies that help homeowners trying to cope. Fortunately, the General Assembly responded in this most recent session by passing several important bills. Two bills were aimed at helping to improve the making and underwriting of loans. House Bill 1817, “Protect Consumers / Covered Loans,” is designed to protect North Carolinians from predatory mortgage lending practices that increase foreclosure. The legislation improves existing North Carolina predatory lending laws by limiting broker fees that encourage brokers to “steer” borrowers into more expensive, higher rate, home loans, and, improves the duties mortgage brokers owe clients. The legislation creates new borrower protections intended to protect borrowers from abusive adjustable rate mortgage loans and other lending practices that have contributed to the number of loans being foreclosed on today. These additional protections include a prohibition on prepayment penalties and a requirement that lenders determine that the borrower has the ability Buena Sesion Sobre Hipoteca Reposeidas; Pero Queda Trabajo Por Hacer Por Al Ripley, de Consumer Action Network Muchas de las noticias sobre embargos de hipotecas consideran los efectos en el mercado, tasa de interés y costos de las casas, pero no toman en cuenta lo peor de todo que es la perdida de la casa propia y de la riqueza para miles de familias. En Carolina del Norte solamente se registraron 46,512 en el 2006, equivalente a un incremento del 173% comparado a las 16,630 en 1998. Para 2007 parece camino a establecer una nueva marca y de igual manera en el 2008 y 2009. Ello implicaría la perdida de sus hogares para miles de familias. Para los legisladores esto representa un reto 6 to repay the loan. Finally, the legislation strengthens the powers of the Commissioner of Banks. A second bill aimed at curbing fraudulent activity in the making of loans also passed this session. House Bill 817, the “Residential Mortgage Fraud Act,” creates a new definition of Residential Mortgage Fraud intended to make it easier to prosecute cases for fraud related to home mortgages. Not only did the General Assembly take steps to protect borrowers during the loan origination process, but it also passed legislation to protect homeowners who already have a loan. House bill 1374 “Protect Homeowners” / Reduce Foreclosure,” is designed to help North Carolina homeowners avoid foreclosure by making the foreclosure process fairer and by helping to protect homeowners from abusive mortgage loan servicing companies that misapply mortgage payments, charge illegal fees, and mishandle escrow accounts on home loans. The legislation requires loan servicers to notify homeowners of any fees charged on the loan and provide a full accounting of how payments are handled and fees accessed. HB 1374 also makes the foreclosure process fairer by requiring servicers to give a detailed accounting of the sums claimed to be owed at foreclosure and by giving homeowners better information about their rights in the foreclosure process. The legislation reverses constante y la oportunidad de aprobar nuevas leyes y desarrollar nuevas estrategias para ayudar a los propietarios a superar la situación. Afortunadamente, en la pasada sesión la Asamblea General aprobó leyes muy importantes. Dos leyes tienen que ver con la otorgación de préstamos. La ley 1817 de la Cámara, que defiende a los prestatarios de las tasas abusivas y otras situaciones que han provocado numerosos embargos recientemente. De igual manera fortalece a los organismos de defensa del consumidor existentes. La segunda ley, la 817 de la Cámara, ofrece protección contra acciones fraudulentas en hipotecas, facilitando el procesamiento de casos relacionados dichas prácticas. No solo las leyes han de amparar a quienes solicitan dinero prestado sino también a los que ya tienen hipotecas en existencia. La ley de la Cámara 1374 provee para evitar en la medida de lo posible los embargos de hipotecas, incluyendo cargos, penalidades, manejo de seguros y otros costos en cuentas hipotecarias. La misma requiere mayor información de parte de los prestamistas a sus two recent NC Supreme Court decisions that made it harder for borrowers to sue for illegal lending practices. Finally, when a home was foreclosed on and a tenant was renting the home, there was no requirement in North Carolina law that tenants be informed of a pending foreclosure.. House Bill 947, “NC Foreclosure / Landlord Tenant Laws,” protects tenants who live in a property going through foreclosure by requiring that the tenant receive the notice of a foreclosure sale describing the “order for possession” process and inform the tenant that she may terminate her rental agreement by giving proper written notice to the landlord. While this session was very successful in addressing aspects of the foreclosure crises, more needs to be done for the thousands of homeowners who will be foreclosed upon in the coming months and years. Perhaps the biggest challenge is how to help homeowners whose loans are unaffordable but were legally made and who have no option to refinance or sell the home because the loan amount on the home far exceeds the value of the home. For these homeowners, without subsidies to help refinance the home or a lowering of the amount owed on the loan there are few options. In addition, we still have many people in North Carolina facing foreclosure due to a temporary illness, disability and other factors. The state needs to explore ways to help homeowners in these circumstances as well. clientes. La 1374 incorpora nuevos derechos de los clientes en cuanto al conocimiento de los detalles de dicho proceso. La misma revierte dos decisiones de la Corte Suprema de Carolina del Norte que dificultaba el poder demandar por prácticas prestatarias ilegales. Finalmente, cuando una casa era embargada y alguien alquilaba la misma, no era requisito informar al mismo de dichas condiciones. La ley de la Cámara 947 requiere se informe al respecto a los inquilinos que alquilen y que puede finalizar el acuerdo con el debido aviso escrito al propietario. Todas estas fueron gestiones muy exitosas. Procede ahora seguir con otros retos como las hipotecas que son imposibles de pagar pero que no se puede refinanciar ni cancelar. No existen muchas opciones para quienes sufren esta realidad. Ello sin contra a quienes su casas son reposeídas por razones de enfermedad, incapacidad y otros factores. El estado debe explorar alternativas para estas personas también. Community News I Noticias Comunitarias policy update actualidad política Justice Too Long Delayed By Adam Searing – Director, NC Health Access Coalition In North Carolina, it was state policy between 1929 and 1974 to involuntarily sterilize men, women and children for often vague reasons such as “feeblemindedness” or “promiscuity.” Seventy-six hundred people were sterilized of whom 2,000 were age 18 or younger, including one 10-year-old boy who was castrated. For many years, sterilizations were carried out in rough proportion to the racial distribution of the population. That changed in the 1960s when more African-Americans were targeted with the goal of saving money for the state by looking especially hard at mothers getting federal and state welfare assistance. This shameful chapter in North Carolina’s history is one that many would like to forget. Thanks to reporting from the Winston Salem Journal, which ran a series of stories about the program in 2002, we are at last reclaiming some of this tarnished legacy. In addition, after years of delay, the state Department of Health and Human Services recently unveiled an excellent museum exhibit outlining in clear panels and recordings how North Carolina had harmed so many. Despite a growing awareness of the atrocities committed in the name of all North Carolinians, the General Assembly continues to drag its feet in redressing our mistakes. During the budget debate in the General Assembly this summer, Representative Larry Womble, a longtime champion of redressing the wrongs of the sterilization program, asked once again for compensation for victims. In addition, several victims of the program spoke about their experiences. This included victims like Jesse Riddick, who was 16 when she was sterilized and didn’t realize what had happened until years later after she was married and trying to start a family. This call for compensation and reform was again rebuffed and another study of the issue was ordered. Recommendations and a study were already put forth in 2003 and efforts have been made every year since then by Womble to bring the issue up for a vote. Despite foot-dragging by legislators, there is a great need for an accounting. The recent museum exhibit on the sterilization program shows this by highlighting the role of one state official. Dr. Ellen Winston was a prominent North Carolinian who was the state Commissioner of Public Welfare, the precursor to today’s state Department of Health and Human Services, from 1944 until 1962. She then became the first national Commissioner of Welfare in 1963 in the administration of President Lyndon Johnson. Dr. Winston took many progressive steps to advance the care of vulnerable people, especially the elderly. She served with distinction at both the state and national levels. She also was a prime mover and often one of the only people attending the North Carolina committee that approved and promoted the involuntary sterilizations of thousands. I met Dr. Winston as a child through her work with my mother who was then a young social worker with an interest in issues surrounding older adults. Dr. Winston was a towering figure but one with what was no doubt a terrible and largely unacknowledged burden that I and many others were never aware of. In the General Assembly resolution honoring her after her death in 1984 there was no mention of her work on the sterilization program. The importance of her effort in this part of North Carolina’s history is only starting to be fully explored. It’s truly past time for us to acknowledge our mistakes and take at least a few steps to righting the wrongs that were done in our names. There have been recommendations and suggestions since 2002, but three clearly stand out. First, we should immediately pay compensation to surviving victims of the program. Estimates place the number of living survivors at around 3,000. A $30,000 payment spread over two years to each victim would cost the state $45 million each year - less than the $50 million annual (and unending) tax break given this session to some major businesses to help with their energy costs. Second, the excellent museum exhibit DHHS has put together should be duplicated and given a permanent and prominent place in the NC Museum of History in downtown Raleigh. The History Museum is steps from the Legislative Building and a critical place to remember not only the triumphs of the Wright brothers but also those times when our moral compass went badly off track. We cannot vow “never again” if we do not remember what we did in the first place. Third, as the 2003 study commission recommended, North Carolina’s high school curriculum should include information about the sterilization program and a health care fund should be established to help survivors with health problems resulting from the sterilizations. We can never undo the terrible mistakes we made as North Carolinians, but we can move to remember and compensate at least in part for the burden that we all share. NC Policy Watch Joins North Carolina Justice Center Two of North Carolina’s leading sources for progressive public policy, the North Carolina Justice Center and North Carolina Policy Watch, are joining forces. NC Policy Watch, which was a project of the Raleigh-based A.J. Fletcher Foundation, has become a freestanding, special project of the Justice Center. The Fletcher Foundation will continue to provide support for Policy Watch with a four-year grant to the Justice Center. Policy Watch (www.ncpolicywatch.com) is a three-year old think tank that seeks to improve the quality of life in North Carolina by presenting progressive public policy solutions to the state’s most pressing problems. The project also provides support for numerous grantees of the A.J. Fletcher Foundation. It is best known for publishing and broadcasting hundreds of commentaries and policy analyses each year on a wide array of issues affecting state policy. “Our two organizations share the same guiding objective - to bring about social, political and economic justice in North Carolina,” said Justice Center Executive Director Melinda Lawrence. “These are critical and contentious times in North Carolina, and the state Community News I Noticias Comunitarias needs strong, uncompromising voices,” said Chris Fitzsimon, Director of NC Policy Watch. “By combining our Chris Fitzsimon Annette Plummer Rob Schofield efforts, we’ll be able to have a bigger impact than ever before on the issues that matter most - whether it’s fair and sustainable tax policy, healthcare, education, or affordable housing.” Barbara Goodmon, President of the Fletcher Foundation, stressed that each group will retain its independent identity. “Both the Justice Center and Policy Watch are respected and influential voices,” said Goodmon. “We need both of them to continue to advance strong, public solutions that make North Carolina a better place for everyone - especially the most vulnerable. Our hope and expectation is that this combination will make the progressive movement more effective than ever.” 7 policy update actualidad política Incremental Improvements Draw Attention to Farmworker Housing Needs By Carol Brooke – Migrant Farmworker Attorney For the first time in over 20 years, farmworkers can be assured of a mattress on their beds when they arrive in North Carolina to plant and harvest our crops. Thanks to a bill signed by Governor Easley on August 31, a loophole in the North Carolina Migrant Housing Act has been closed and housing providers must have clean mattresses, not just bedframes, for their workers. The bill, the product of several years of negotiations between the Farmworker Advocacy Network (FAN, whose members include the Justice Center), the NC Agribusiness Council, the Farm Bureau, and the NC Department of Labor (NCDOL), also makes improvements in the housing inspection and enforcement process. For its post-occupancy inspections, NCDOL must now prioritize housing that is likely to be in poor condition. When migrant housing is discovered to be uninhabitable, the housing operator must make immediate improvements or provide alternative housing at the same or lesser cost. “Workers are more empowered to make complaints about the most egregious housing conditions when they know they won’t be evicted with no alternatives if they do so,” says Mercedes Hernández-Pelletier, director of the NC Farmworkers’ Project in Benson and a member of FAN. “It’s the workers living in unregistered housing with no running water, holes in the floors, or no cooking facilities who will now be more likely to come forward.” Much remains to be done to make farmworker housing truly liveable, however. Amazingly, state and federal migrant housing laws still permit the use of outhouses instead of plumbed restrooms in migrant camps. Even those camps with indoor plumbing are not required to provide privacy partitions between showers or toilets, and the ratio of occupants to toilets is worse than what is required for NC jails. Despite a flurry of armed robberies at camps over the past several years, there is no requirement that locks be provided on doors or windows and farmworkers do not have access to a telephone in case of robbery or a medical emergency. Other priorities identified by FAN for future legislative action include: better access to laundry facilities so workers can ensure pesticide residues are removed from their clothing, a clear statement that farmworkers are allowed to have visitors at the camps, and the ability to hold growers accountable for housing provided by their crewleaders. “We applaud Senator Charlie Albertson and Representative Martha Alexander for their efforts on behalf of farmworkers in passing this important legislation,” says Melinda Wiggins, executive director of Student Action with Farmworkers and a member of FAN. “Unfortunately, we still have a long way to go to make farmworker housing safe and decent in North Carolina.” DUE TO PASSAGE OF SENATE BILL 1466 IN JULY 2007: z The NC Department of Labor gives priority in its post-occupancy inspections to the worst housing violators (units which are unregistered, whose operators have been fined in the past year, or whose housing was not in compliance during a pre-occupancy inspection). z Housing operators must provide clean and sanitary mattresses on all beds. z When migrant housing is determined to be uninhabitable by the NC Department of Labor, the housing operator must make repairs within 14 days or provide alternative housing at the same or lower cost. z Detailed records of housing inspections and violations are to be made available to the public and the legislature each year. z The NC Housing Finance Agency must study the need for the development and rehabilitation of farmworker housing. Mejoras llaman atención sobre necesidades de vivienda de trabajadores agrícolas Por Carol Brooke – Abogada de Trabajadores Agrícolas Migrantes Por primera vez en 20 años, los trabajadores agrícolas pueden contra con un colchón en sus camas al llegar a Carolina del Norte a sembrar y cosechar nuestros cultivos. Gracias a una ley firmada por el gobernador Easley el pasado 31 de agosto, un vacío en la ley conocida como North Carolina Migrant Housing Act ha sido llenado. Los proveedores de vivienda deben facilitar a los trabajadores no solamente marcos par alas camas sino colchones limpios también. La ley, producto de varios años de negociación entre la Farmworker Advocacy Network (FAN, cuyos miembros incluyen al Centro para la Justicia), el NC Agribusiness Council, el Farm Bureau, y el Departamento del Trabajo de Carolina del Norte, también provee para mejoras en los procesos de inspección y monitoreo de las viviendas. La misma establece prioridad para con las viviendas que se encuentren en malas condiciones. Cuando se encuentren en condiciones no-habitables, el operador de la misma debe mejorarlas inmediatamente o proveer vivienda alterna a un costo igual o menor. “Los trabajadores tienen ahora canales para manifestar sus quejas sobre sus viviendas, sabiendo que no pueden ser echados”, señaló Mercedes HernándezPelletier, directora del NC Farmworkers Project en Benson y miembro de FAN. “Son los trabajadores que viven sin agua, con huecos en el suelo, y sin facilidades para cocinar los que ahora podrán reclamar”, añadió. Falta mucho por hacer, sin embargo. Increíblemente, la ley estatal y federal permiten el uso de baños externos en vez de baños con plomería interna en los campamentos para trabajadores. Aún en los que tienen plomería interna, no se requiere separación y privacidad entre las duchas y los inodoros. Además, la proporción de usuarios por facilidad, es peor que la requerida en las cárceles del estado. De igual manera, a pesar de las grandes olas de robos en los pasados años, no se requiere candados en las puertas y ventanas y no hay acceso a teléfono en caso de robo o emergencia. Sobre la mesa están propuestas futuras de acceso a facilidades de lavandería, que aseguren la remoción de pesticidas de la ropa de los trabajadores, la posibilidad de recibir visitantes en los campamentos, y la responsabilidad de parte de los cosechadores en cuanto a las condiciones de vida provistas. “Aplaudimos al senador Charlie Albertson y a la representante Martha Alexander por sus esfuerzos en beneficio de los trabajadores agrícolas al presentar esta importante legislación” dijo Melinda Wiggins, directora ejecutiva de Student Action with Farmworkers y miembro de FAN. “Desafortunadamente nos falta un largo camino por recorrer para hacer de la vivienda de los trabajadores agrícolas en Carolina del Norte, una segura y decente.” In addition to the provisions passed in SB 1466, funding for two additional housing inspectors for the NC Department of Labor was approved. 8 Community News I Noticias Comunitarias policy update actualidad política North Carolina wins a big victory for working families – A Refundable State Earned Income Tax Credit By Lucy Gorham – EITC Carolinas This year, roughly 825,000 North Carolina working families received an important new tax benefit - a refundable state Earned Income Tax Credit or EITC. This tax credit, like the federal tax credit with the same name, directly benefits lowwage families by putting more money in their pockets at tax time. This huge victory for hardworking families across the state was the result of the efforts of a broad coalition of grassroots organizations, non-profit advocacy groups, and forward-thinking public leaders led by the NC Justice Center. If you were one of the many North Carolinians who took the time to contact your elected representatives about the needs of working families, we thank you! How will the new North Carolina EITC work? Everybody who qualifies for the federal EITC will also qualify for the state benefit. When it’s available, the state benefit will simply be 3.5% of the federal EITC. If a family’s state benefit is greater than income taxes owed, they will receive a refund for the difference. The North Carolina EITC won’t be available until you file your state tax return in 2009, so it will be more than a year before you really feel the benefit. In the meantime, be sure to find out if you qualify for the federal EITC and claim it on your federal tax return each year. Even if you don’t owe income tax you can get the credit, but you must file a federal tax return and should not use the 1040 EZ form if you have children. You can also claim the federal EITC for the past two years if you think you qualified and didn’t claim it. Each year, NC working families leave more than a hundred million dollars of Earned Income Tax Credit unclaimed Don’t be one of them! The EITC lifts roughly five million people out of poverty each year, including 2.5 million children - more than any other federal program. How do you know if you qualify for the credit? Below is a age 17. Some non-custodial parents may be able to claim the CTC. What if I need help to file my tax return? GET FREE HELP Tax preparation sites through the IRS VITA program help people earning less than $50,000 fill out their tax forms for free with IRS certified volunteers. These sites are open from late January through April 15. Most sites offer electronic filing for faster refunds and with direct deposit you will get your tax refunds within ten days. Here is how to find a site near you: 1) Call the Connectinc helpline toll-free at 888-9273230 or 2) the IRS toll-free hotline at 1-800-8291040 or 3) visit the EITC Carolinas website at www.eitc-carolinas.org for a list of free tax preparation sites. What else can you do to save at tax time? chart that shows who is eligible for the EITC. For example, a married couple filing a joint tax return that has two or more children can qualify for up to $4,716. Some taxpayers are also eligible for the Child Tax Credit (CTC) and the Child and Dependent Care Credit to help cover the expenses of child care when they work. The Child Tax Credit (CTC) can be worth an additional $1,000 for each child under z Do NOT use rapid refunds, which are actually LOANS with VERY HIGH interest rates. z Use direct deposit for the fastest way to get your tax refund. Be sure to bring your bank account information with you to the VITA site or wherever you have your taxes prepared. z Always take advantage of tax credits: the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), Child Tax Credit, Child and Dependent Care Credit, and Education credits. Use Forms 1040 or 1040A, not 1040 EZ. z Find out about the Savers’ Tax Credit if you are saving through a 401(K), IRA, or other retirement plan. z Participate in your employee retirement plan, ESPECIALLY IF YOUR EMPLOYER PROVIDES A MATCH. EITC QUALIFICATION INCOME LIMIT: EARN LESS THAN NUMBER OF QUALIFYING CHILDREN MAXIMUM EITC CREDIT Single or Head of Household $37,783 More than 1 $4,716 Married Filing Jointly $39,783 More than 1 $4,716 Single or Head of Household $33,241 1 $2,853 Married Filing Jointly $35,241 1 $2,853 Single or Head of Household $12,590 None $428 Married Filing Jointly $14,590 None $428 “Presupuesto estatal 2007-2008” – from pagina 5) economía cada vez más global. El resto del aumento en gastos va dirigido a financiar aumentos salariales de los trabajadores del estado, así como plan de salud para niños de familias de recursos limitados, un nuevo hospital Community News I Noticias Comunitarias de salud mental, y fondos para rehabilitar los envejecientes sistemas de acueducto y alcantarillado de los gobiernos locales, inversiones fundamentales para el futuro. De igual manera que en el pasado tendremos que superar las tácticas de miedo de los críticos del presupuesto que ayuda a establecer terreno para un futuro de prosperidad para todos los que vivimos en este estado. El polvo se ha removido y el futuro muestra su brillo. 9 policy update actualidad política Victories and Disappointments An Education Advocate’s Snapshot from the Close of the 2007 Legislative Session By Angella Dunston – Director, Education & Law Project After a flurry of activity which included endless days of continuous negotiations and compromises, the close of the 2007 legislative session resulted in a mix of victories and disappointments for education advocates. Before adjourning, the NC General Assembly passed a $20.7 billion state budget that included $7 million in new and recurring dollars for education. A few of the 2007-2008 K12 education budget highlights include: z $17.5 million for the Disadvantaged Student Supplemental Fund (DSSF) z $5.4 million for the Low Wealth Counties Supplemental Fund z $5.7 million for literacy coaches for middle schools z $4 million for the Focused Education Reform Pilot Program (five low performing districts- Mitchell, Greene, Warren, Washington & Caswell) z $3 million for the One to One Laptop High School Pilot Program (Rutherford, Davidson, Nash/Rocky Mount, Edgecombe, Sandhoke, Macon, Wayne and Wilson Hunt High School - laptops for every teacher and student) One of the most significant and innovative initiatives addressed by the General Assembly this session was the issue of dropout prevention. The NC House of Representatives renewed its commitment to at-risk and disadvantaged students through its focus on increasing the number of high school graduates. The House leadership reaffirmed its obligation to NC students by creating the Committee on Dropout Prevention. The Committee, which is comprised of local and state leaders, will distribute $ 7 million in dropout prevention grants to schools, local agencies, and nonprofits through a competitive grant-making process. Organizations awarded funds must demonstrate proven effective strategies that prevent students from dropping out of schools. The House also initiated creation of the Joint Legislative Commission on Dropout Prevention. The Commission is charged with determining which interventions and techniques are most effective at keeping students in school. Upon completion, the Commission will submit a final report to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee in 2009. In addition to expanding funding for education initiatives, numerous bills and special provisions vital to ensuring that all students receive a sound basic education were passed into law. One such piece of legislation is HB 1739, which allows students, placed on short term suspensions (ten days or less) to take their textbooks home for the duration of the suspension. It also allows students to have access to homework assignments and to ensure that parents receive actual notice of a student’s expulsion or suspension from school. Another bill is HB 14 which allows students with disabilities to have homebound instruction for discipline purposes if the home is the least restrictive environment. It also requires that the student’s IEP team determine the effectiveness of the learning environment and regular evaluation of the appropriateness of the homebound instruction. Also, a special provision which should be noted is No Cost for Summer School or Remediation Activities. This provision requires schools to inform -atrisk students and their families that participation in and transportation to intervention activities are free of charge. Schools cannot charge tuition or fees for summer school or any remediation activities necessary for graduation. In spite of the gains made this session, there is still a great deal of work to be done. Effective legislation which would have provided solutions to address NC’s growing gang problem as well discourage bullying in schools was stalled because of the efforts of law enforcement and the religious right. Education advocates worked in coalition to spearhead these bills and many others which focused on providing every child with a quality education. Such legislation, which is essential to the success of NC’s education system, works to reverse the current trends of “pull out” and “push out” which often lead to suspension and dropout especially among minority and at-risk students. Unfortunately, a great deal of hard work was also mounted by schools and administrators to block and derail such legislation. As we prepare for the upcoming session, lawmakers, advocates and the community at large must take a more proactive role introducing and championing legislation which will result in more students graduating from school. Instead of forcing students to leave school. We have to work together to find solutions to keep them in the school house and out of the jail house. We must always be reminded that every child in NC has a constitutional right to a “sound basic” education and it is our responsibility to protect that right. This is not an exhaustive analysis of the session but rather a quick glance at items that affect public schools. To learn more about specific bills or the budget, visit the General Assembly’s website at www.ncleg.net. Educativa (en los distritos Mitchell, Greene, Warren, Washington & Caswell) Victorias y frustraciones Imagen de un Luchador de la Educación sobre la Sesión Legislativa 2007 z $3 millones para el programa piloto de computadoras para cada estudiante y maestro en las escuelas superiores (Rutherford, Davidson, Nash/Rocky Mount, Edgecombe, Sandhoke, Macon, Wayne y Wilson Hunt High School) Por Angella Dunston – Directora, Education & Law Project Luego de ardua lucha, el cierre de la sesión legislativa de 2007 culminó en una mezcla de victorias y frustraciones para los que abogan por la educación. Antes de concluir, la Asamblea General del estado aprobó un presupuesto de 20.7 billones de los cuales 7 nuevos y recurrentes millones son para las gestiones educadoras. Algunos de los aspectos de dicho presupuesto escolar para 2007-2008 son: z $17.5 millones para el Fondo Suplementario para Estudiantes en Desventaja (DSSF) z $5.4 millones para el Fondo Suplementario para Condados con Recursos Limitados. z $5.7 millones para instructores de alfabetizacion en las escuelas intermedias z $4 millones para el Fondo del Programa Piloto de Reforma Una de las iniciativas que se destacaron en esta Asamblea General fue la concerniente con la retención de estudiantes en las escuelas. Existe un compromiso de parte de la legislatura para con los estudiantes en riesgo y desventaja y para aumentar el número de graduandos de escuela superior. Para ello la Cámara ha creado un comité compuesto por liderato local y estatal. Para distribuir 7 millones de dólares a escuelas, agencias locales, y organizaciones sin fines de lucro mediante un proceso competitivo de otorgación de fondos. De igual manera se ha creado una comisión bicameral sobre el mismo tema. Se evaluarán las estrategias y métodos más efectivos para cumplir con el propósito de dicha iniciativa. El informe inicial debe estar listo para el 2009. Otras piezas legislativas aprobadas fueron: HB 1739, que permite a los estudiantes suspendidos por tiempo breve (10 dias o menos) llevar sus libros de la escuela a su casa durante dicho tiempo, al igual que acceso a sus tareas y asegurar que los padres saben de dicha situación. La HB 14 permite a los estudiantes con necesidades especiales (“Victorias y frustraciones” – pagina 13) 10 Community News I Noticias Comunitarias policy update actualidad política Public Employee Collective Bargaining Makes Headway Ajamu Dillahunt – Outreach Coordinator, Budget & Tax Center Legislation that would enhance the ability of public employees in North Carolina to determine the quality of their jobs made unexpected but significant progress during the 2007 session. The bill, HB 1583, would repeal current law that prohibits public employees and their organizations from bargaining or entering into agreements with the state as well as local and county governments. This has an impact on nearly 700,000 employees across the state, including custodians in county schools, workplace and restaurant inspectors, and caseworkers doing Medicaid eligibility. The restrictions are contained in North Carolina General Statue 95-98. The law was adopted in the anti-union, anti-civil rights climate of 1959. It was passed with legislation that even prohibited public employees from belonging to a union. That statue was overturned as unconstitutional. What remains of the infamous laws has been cited as being in violation of fundamental labor standards by the International Labor Organization (ILO), a body of the United Nations. House Bill 1583 would remove these restrictions and as the bill title indicates “Restore Contract Rights to State and Local Entities.” A city government or town council could decide that it is in the best interest of its residents and employees for them to engage in a constructive process leading to an agreement that the employer and employee would be accountable to. N.C. State University history professor David Zonderman has said “A collectively bargained contract would give these workers a voice at their jobs--a voice for dignity and fair treatment from their employers, and a voice to share ideas for solving problems and making the public sector serve taxpayers more efficiently and effectively.” The bill was introduced by Representative Dan Blue, Chairperson of the House Judiciary II Committee and supported by the HOPE (Hear Our Public Employees) Coalition. HOPE’s membership consists of unions and employee associations that represent workers in the public sector. Their effort was strengthened by the support of the HKon J Coalition led by the NC State NAACP. Collective Bargaining for public employees was one of the points on its 14 Point legislative agenda. As expected, there was stiff opposition to the bill in the committee with the N.C. Sheriffs Association and the League of Municipalities throwing their weight around. However, the employee groups countered with grassroots membership mobilizations. Rank and file members joined their lobbyist in making the case to lawmakers. The original language was amended and the committee voted to send it to the Appropriations committee. With the session over, it awaits consideration during the 2008 Short Session. Everyone who participated in this historic effort feels good about the results. They plan to intensify the community and membership education efforts as well as the political work that will get legislators to support public employees in search of equity, fairness and dignity. For more information, please visit: www.nchope.org or http://carolinajustice.typepad.com/hkonj/2007/02/point_11_collec.html. Community News I Noticias Comunitarias Adelanta Negociación Colectiva Empleados Públicos Ajamu Dillahunt – Coordinador de Alcance, Centro de Presupuesto e Impuesto La legislación que ampliaría la capacidad de los empleados públicos en Carolina del Norte de decidir la calidad de sus trabajos tuvo un inesperado pero significativo progreso durante la sesión legislativa 2007. El proyecto de ley de la Cámara HB 1583, derogaría cualquier ley existente que prohíba a los empleados públicos y sus organizaciones de negociar colectivamente y llegar a acuerdos con el estado así como con gobiernos locales y de condados. Esto es de impacto para los 700,000 empleados en el estado que incluye custodios en las escuelas de los condados, inspectores de restaurantes y facilidades de trabajo, y agentes de servicios sociales de Medicaid. Las limitaciones se encuentran en el estatuto general del estado 95-98 (North Carolina General Statue 95-98). La misma fue adoptada durante el clima anti-uniones y anti-derechos civiles de 1959. Prohibía, sin legislación alguna, pertenecer a una unión. La misma fue declarada inconstitucional. Lo que queda de la misma ha sido declarada como en violación de los reglamentos fundamentales del trabajo según la Organización Internacional del Trabajo (International Labor Organization), perteneciente a las Naciones Unidas. El proyecto HB 1583 eliminaría estas restricciones para restaurar los derechos de contrato de las entidades estatales y locales, como dice el texto de la misma. El gobierno local o consejo municipal puede expresar que el negociar con los empleados en el mejor de los intereses de los residentes y empleados. Tanto patrono como empleado responderían por dichos acuerdos. David Zonderman, profesor de historia de la Universidad Estatal de Carolina del Norte (NCSU) ha dicho que ‘la negociación colectiva da a los trabajadores una voz A collectively bargained contract would give these workers a voice at their jobs--a voice for dignity and fair treatment from their employers, and a voice to share ideas for solving problems and making the public sector serve taxpayers more efficiently and effectively.” The bill was introduced by Representative Dan Blue, Chairperson of the House Judiciary II Committee and supported by the HOPE (Hear Our Public Employees) Coalition. HOPE’s membership consists of unions and employee associations that represent workers in the public sector. Their effort was strengthened by the support of the HKon J Coalition led by the NC State NAACP. Collective Bargaining for public employees was one of the points on its 14 Point legislative agenda. As expected, there was stiff opposition to the bill in the committee with the N.C. Sheriffs Association and the League of Municipalities throwing their weight around. However, the employee groups countered with grassroots membership mobilizations. Rank and file members joined their lobbyist in making the case to lawmakers. The original language was amended and the committee voted to send it to the Appropriations committee. With the session over, it awaits consideration during the 2008 Short Session. Everyone who participated in this historic effort feels good about the results. They plan to intensify the community and membership education efforts as well as the political work that will get legislators to support public employees in search of equity, fairness and dignity. www.nchope.org http://carolinajustice.typepad.com/hkonj/2007/02/point_11_collec.html 11 policy update actualidad política Older Adults Make Significant Gains in 2007 Session By: Bill Wilson and Mary Bethel – Advocacy Directors, AARP North Carolina The 2007 General Assembly adjourned August 2, with legislators having responded favorably to many of AARP North Carolina’s legislative priorities. While AARP works on dozens of bills every session, several pieces of legislation stand out, particularly improvements to the oversight of long term care facilities, programs for limited income older adults with escalating property taxes, and legislation addressing Medicaid beneficiaries. limited incomes by raising the income eligibility limit to qualify for the Homestead Exemption to $25,000. Qualifying homeowners can reduce the tax appraisal value of their primary residence by $25,000 (this is an increase from the current $20,000) or 50% of the appraised value, whichever is greater. Also, the Revenue Laws Study Commission will study whether the excluded dollar Penalty Review/Long Term Care Changes (Senate Bill 56): Older adults and others with health problems requiring a stay in a long-term care facility are especially vulnerable and in need of protections to ensure that they receive good care. Unfortunately, in North Carolina there are too often reports of abuse and neglect by providers and conditions in facilities that are not conducive to a good quality of life. Senate Bill 56 helps address these problems by expanding the Health Care Personnel Registry to cover additional health care facilities and by including individuals with indirect resident or client contact who have been found to have committed fraud, abuse, neglect, theft of drugs, or misappropriation of patient or facility property. This provision will help improve the quality of staff in health care facilities. The legislation also authorizes the Medical Care Commission to adopt rules allowing the issuance of certificates that rate adult care homes based on inspections and substantiated complaint investigations conducted by the Department of Health and Human Services. Specific areas to be reviewed include admission and discharge procedures, medication management, physical facility, resident care and services (including food services, resident activities, and safety measures), residents’ rights, sanitation grade, special care units, and the use of physical restraints and alternatives. These ratings will help families compare the quality of facilities and assist them in making informed decisions when choosing a home. Property Tax and Present-Use Value Changes and Studies (House Bill 1499): For older adults or others with limited incomes maintaining a home can be a challenge; especially if the homeowner’s income is not sufficient to keep pace with property taxes. This is particularly problematic when an individual retires and experiences a decrease in income. House Bill 1499 helps homeowners with 12 in excess of $960 (4% times $24,000), or $540 ($1,500 minus $960), can be deferred. If a homeowner’s property tax is $3,000 and they have $35,000 in income, taxes in excess of $1,750 (5% times $35,000), or $1,250 ($3,000 minus $1,750) can be deferred. The deferral process does place a lien against the property. If the owner transfers the residence, dies, or ceases using the property as a permanent residence, taxes for the current year (without benefit of the exclusion) and taxes and interest for the three preceding years are due within nine months. Medicaid Hardship/Estate Recovery/Data Share (House Bill 1537): One of the hardest decisions many older and disabled adults face is how to pay for health care costs. In many cases Medicaid is the safety net program which helps to cover the cost of care for those with limited assets and resources. House Bill 1537, among other things, provides safeguards to help ensure that people can receive Medicaid without facing undue hardship. The bill does the following three things: amount, now $25,000, should be indexed and if so to what index. The bill also provides a property tax deferral benefit for NC residents who meet the criteria below. The amount of taxes deferred is based on the income eligibility limit under the Homestead Exemption. If the owner (1) has an income for the preceding calendar year of not more that 150% of the Homestead income limit (e.g., $37,500 when the Homestead limit is $25,000), (2) has occupied the property as a permanent residence for at least 5 years, (3) is at least 65 years old or totally and permanently disabled, and (4) the owner is a NC resident; then they qualify for the benefit. Qualifying homeowners may defer the portion of tax imposed if it exceeds a percentage of the owner’s income as: For example, if a homeowner’s property tax TAX DEFERRAL QUALIFICATION INCOME PERCENTAGE Less than Homestead income limit 4.0% 100% to 150% of Homestead income limit 5.0% is $1,500 and they have $24,000 in income, taxes (1) Amends the Medicaid estate recovery provisions. In 2005, State legislation was passed which expanded the State’s right to impose a lien again real property, including the home of a recipient of Medicaid. This expansion was scheduled to take place July 1, 2007. This legislation was opposed by health and aging advocates as well as by groups such as the N.C. Bankers Association, the N.C. Bar Association, the N.C. Land Title Association. In addition to the economic harm that it would pose to older and disabled adults, it would cause confusion in the public record system and would create great uncertainty regarding mortgages and home equity loans. AARP worked in cooperation with the N.C. Justice Center and the groups noted above to repeal the law passed in 2005. This allows the law which is already in place pertaining to liens on real property to stay in place. (2) Amends the law regarding required data sharing by health insurers and the Department. (3) Sets forth the Medicaid undue hardship waiver process in regard to the transfer of assets. When a person requests Medicaid payment for institutional services, the county Community News I Noticias Comunitarias policy update actualidad política A Rating System at Last! By Polly Williams – NC Justice Center Volunteer Advocates for the aging enjoyed a huge victory at the very end of the General Assembly’s session when a rating system for adult care homes was finally approved. This was a hard-won success, since opponents worked nights and Sundays to defeat the legislation, and final passage took the efforts of everyone. In this case grassroots advocacy meant success. We owe thanks to members of the House Aging Committee, chaired by Jean FarmerButterfield, which this session was assigned some important bills and dealt with them at a level of discussion far above what some bills receive. The original bill provided for a fivestar rating system for adult care homes based on monitoring by the state’s Division of Facility Services, on penalties assessed against, a home, on participation in the state’s quality improvement initiatives, and on earning an NC New Organizational Vision Award. The industry lobbied hard against this bill, claiming that only private pay facilities could earn all the stars and protesting that adult care homes were being singled out from all the other types of long term care. Some well-intentioned legislators were persuaded to try to load up the bill with so many ratings for so many different types of facilities that the bill was bound to be way too encumbered and expensive for the heavy lifting required for passage. Meanwhile in an appropriations subcommittee, the bill’s funding was department of social services (DSS) investigates possible transfers of assets. If the DSS finds that the person transferred assets without receiving compensation equal to the value of the assets, he/she may be penalized by being ineligible for Medicaid payment of institutional services. Among other things, these provisions specify the process for requesting a waiver of the penalty due to undue hardship, spell out the criteria for a hardship, and define how income and resources of the person and the community spouse are counted. To receive a summary of action taken on legislation priorities of AARP North Carolina this session go to www.aarp.org/states/nc/. Community News I Noticias Comunitarias transferred to the Health Care Personnel Registry. The situation looked bad. When Representative Jennifer Weiss was appointed chair of a subcommittee to rework the bill, she offered alternative stripped-down versions, one of which was doctored up by the subcommittee but was really just a study bill. Still it went nowhere. The companion bill in the Senate was stalled as well. Suddenly inspired, Representative Weiss and other legislators managed to cram ratings certification (along with the measure to expand the Health Care Personnel Registry) into a bill that had already passed the Senate, S56, a bill making changes in the Penalty Review Committee system. S56 was passed by the House, but the Senate refused to concur, and the bill went to a conference committee where it encountered the same arguments in opposition. In the end, both houses agreed to it. What finally did they agree to? A minimal rating system based on inspections of a facility, penalties levied on it, and substantiated complaints against it. If an adult care home passes muster on basic standards, it gets a good rating. No credit is given for quality improvements or NOVA, though information is to be available on the web and at the facility on these matters. The rating certification will be displayed at the home and on the web, and those who are interested can be informed about the basis for the rating. A further provision requires a study of expanding rating certification to other types of facilities. No one thinks a choice of a home for Grandma should be based on a rating alone. But when time is short and the family is far away, a rating is a whole lot better than nothing. And for those who live nearby, the ratings give important clues about where to start looking further. Many family care homes should get a high rating as well as any decently run adult care home, even one whose residents are primarily recipients of State/County Assistance. With time, as the system is tried out, we can work to improve the system so that ratings reflect not only a basic level of care but all-around excellence as well. (“Victorias y frustraciones” – from pagina 10) recibir instrucción en el hogar con propósito disciplinario si es un ambiente apropiado. De igual manera requiere que el equipo de Plan Individualizado de Enseñanza (PEI) de cada estudiante determine la efectividad de dicho ambiente y el proceso regular de evaluación de la experiencia. De igual manera se ha provisto para la escuela de verano y las actividades remediativas sean libres de costo. La escuela debe informar a los estudiantes en riego y sus familias de dicho beneficio tanto para transporte como actividades. A pesar de estas victorias, queda mucho por hacer. Temas como las pandillas y la indisciplina escolar quedaron pendientes debido a la oposición de parte de los sistemas policiales y la derecha religiosa. Tambien hubo oposición de parte de administradores y lideres escolares. Dicha legislación es necesaria para cualquier reforma y cambio de calidad en nuestro sistema estatal de educación. Debemos hacer todo lo posible para que los estudiantes terminen la escuela en vez de abandonar la misma. Que sea la escuela y no la cárcel su alternativa. Recordemos que todo niño en Carolina del Norte tiene derecho a una educación básica sólida y que es nuestro deber velar por ese derecho. 13 community focus enfoque comunitario Affordable Housing as Critical Infrastructure Issue Chris Estes – Executive Director, North Carolina Housing Coalition Since 2005, the Campaign for Housing Carolina has sought to educate the NC public and policy-makers on the needs and benefits of increasing the state’s investment in quality affordable homes for low and moderate income NC residents with a goal of achieving a annual funding level of at least $50 million a year. Led by the NC Housing Coalition, the Campaign has been endorsed by over 150 organizations and businesses and has received significant support in the NC General Assembly from the NC Justice Center, NC Housing Finance Agency, United Way of NC, AARP-NC, Alliance of Disability Advocates, NC Bankers Association and many others. The totals appropriated to the Housing Trust Fund since the Campaign began have reflected the success of this effort to focus the attention of the NC General Assembly on housing issues. Starting with a recurring appropriation of $3 million, the Campaign led to increases to $8 million in 2005 and $18.9 million in 2006. In 2007 the total was less than last year at $15.5 million but the recurring amount increased to $8 million for the first time since the Housing Trust Fund was created in 1988. The most disappointing aspect of this total was that the funding cut came in the Housing 400 program which produces accessible affordable rental units targeted to persons with disabilities. We were also frustrated that the Campaign could not penetrate the funding priorities of legislative leaders at the end of the budget session when millions of discretionary funds were being decided. However an increase in recurring funding is a significant achievement and Bill Rowe from the NC Justice Center deserves significant credit for these increases as he has led the legislative effort inside the General Assembly each year of the Campaign and worked to increase the Housing Trust Fund since its inception. The message of the Campaign has been centered on changing the perceptions of what current quality affordable housing looks like, clarifying the housing needs of working families, fixed income seniors and persons with disabilities and the economic impact of investing funds in the NC Housing Trust Fund. To do this we have traveled the state to speak to a wide variety of interest groups to show them statistics as well as pictures of those in need of this housing and what it looks like. We developed attractive brochures for distribution and used our website for additional information and action alerts. The message throughout has been that access to quality affordable homes like the “hub” of a wheel with other issues like school diversity, fixed income seniors, persons with disabilities, growth, transportation, workforce sustainability, ending homelessness, asset building and economic development surrounding the hub like the rim. While people may generally recognize these other issues as significant for their community, we wanted to make sure that they saw access to quality affordable housing as central to all of them. In 2007 the Campaign had a news opportunity to expand on how the public and policy-makers saw affordable housing. During the winter of 20062007 the representatives from the Housing Coalition and NC Justice Center met with representatives from the League of Municipalities, Association of County Commissioners, School Boards Association, NC Rural Center, Land for Tomorrow and Asphalt Pavers and NC Go to discuss our work to achieve large amounts of funding for our various issues. The groups decided that by working together we could launch a combined campaign around NC’s infrastructure needs that would likely be more effective at generating significant funding resources in the form of general obligation bonds and dedicated revenue sources. This coalition, named the Partnership for North Carolina’s Future offered the Campaign the opportunity to position affordable housing as a critical infrastructure issue alongside schools, roads, water and sewer and open space. The Partnership had access to considerably more resources than the Campaign for Housing Carolina and launched print, radio and television ads to make its case. While it was difficult at times to balance all of the issues in individual ads, this effort provided affordable housing with much more exposure publically and within the General Assembly than it had received before. As we look ahead to the up-coming “short session” in 2008 we anticipate the Housing Coalition participating again with the Partnership’s effort while maintaining the Campaign for Housing Carolina as a full separate effort with our allies and endorsing organizations. Our goal will be to build on our previous efforts and move funding for the NC Housing Trust Fund to the top of the priority list of legislative leaders and encourage them to take bold steps to provide significant revenue for the Trust Fund of at least $50 million a year as well as other infrastructure issues. WE NEED YOUR NEWS! If your organization has news, reports to share, or upcoming events to publicize, won’t you let us include them in an issue of Community News? Call (919)856-2169 or e-mail [email protected] for publishing dates and other details. 14 Community News I Noticias Comunitarias community focus enfoque comunitario Everyone Gets Sick, but Do You Have Time to Get Better? By Louisa Warren – Policy Advocate We’re all likely to get sick this year, but not all of us will be able to take a day off from work to get well. That’s because there’s no state or federal law that requires employers to provide paid sick days. Almost half, 42 percent, of North Carolina’s workers, lack paid sick leave. That means that 1.6 million of our state’s workers cannot take even a single paid sick day off to care for their or their loved one’s health. We are a nation and state that prides itself on family values. When you work hard, you should be able to care for your family. But without paid sick days, many workers have to make a difficult choice-keeping their job and getting a paycheck or caring for themselves, a sick child, or maybe even a sick parent. Working mothers, part-time employees, and low-wage workers are especially hit hard by a lack of paid sick days. Nationwide, half of all working mothers lose pay when they take time to tend to sick children. Similarly, an estimated 75 percent of low-wage workers lack paid sick days. Because African-American and Hispanic workers dominate the low-wage labor force, those groups are impacted disproportionately by a lack of paid sick days. Not only do working folks need paid sick days to care for their children, they need them to care for their parents or other elderly sick relatives. More than a third of Americans have elder care responsibilities, and many have to take unpaid time off to provide care. The need for elder care will only increase as Baby Boomers retire in the near future. Paid sick days will not only help our families, it will help our economy too. We can save money and reduce illnesses. Employers would benefit from higher productivity. Employees who come to work sick because they don’t have paid sick leave are unproductive and can be contagious. Presenteeism-workers coming to work even when they are ill-costs our economy too much. One estimate says that it costs American employers $180 billion in lost productivity. This cost exceeds the price of employee-provided medical and disability benefits. Not only does it cost a lot, it means that other employees are exposed to the sick worker who comes in. This matters even more for foodservice, retail, and hospitality industry workers who interact with consumers on a day-to-day basis. Providing paid sick days makes us all healthier. Another benefit of paid sick days is reduced turnover in workplaces. Employees would retain their jobs with paid sick leave and employers would save on advertising, recruitment, and training, a much bigger bill than paid sick days. Overall, it’s estimated that if Americans were given seven paid sick days, we would save $8.2 billion per year. States around the nation are taking a good look at the benefits of paid sick leave and North Carolina is helping to lead the charge. Earlier this year, we introduced a paid sick days bill, HB 1711, and Congress is considering a federal version, HB 1225, called the Healthy Families Act. The NC Justice Center will be spearheading a Paid Sick Days Initiative and if you’re interested in joining us in our efforts to help families juggle the demands of work and family, please contact us. Louisa Warren is a Senior Policy Advocate focusing on work and income supports. ¿Todos nos enfermamos, pero ¿tenemos tiempo para recuperarnos? Por Louisa Warren Es muy probable que en algún momento del año nos enfermemos, pero no todos podemos tomar un día libre del trabajo para recuperarnos. Esto se debe a que no existe ley estatal o federal que requiera del patrono el proveer pago por los días de enfermedad. El 42% de los trabajadores en Carolina del Norte carecen de pago por ausencia en enfermedad. Eso significa que 1.6 millones de trabajadores en el estado no pueden ausentarse sin afectar su salario ante la enfermedad de ellos o de un ser querido. Somos una nación y un estado que se enorgullecen de sus valores familiares. Cuando se trabaja arduamente, debemos poder ocuparnos de la familia. Pero sin días por enfermedad con paga, muchos trabajadores tiene que tomar una decisión muy difícil- mantener sus trabajos y recibir su pago, o cuidar de si mismos o de algún familiar enfermo. Las madres trabajadoras, los empleados a jornada parcial, y los trabajadores sub-pagados son los que más sufren ante esta situación. En toda la nación, la mitad de las madres trabajadoras pierden dinero cuando permanecen en sus casas para atender a sus hijos enfermos. De igual manera sucede con el 75% de los trabajadores sub-pagados. Debido a que los trabajadores afroamericanos e hispanos dominan la fuerza laboral subpagada, son los grupos mayormente afectados por la carencia de pago por días de enfermedad. No solamente es necesario asistir a los hijos, sino también a los padres y otros familiares mayores de edad que se enferman. Más de un tercio de los americanos tienen que cuidar a personas de edad avanzada y muchos toman tiempo sin paga para hacerlo. La necesidad de cuidado irá en aumento según los ‘Baby Boomers’ (las personas nacidas entre 1948-1964) comiencen a retirarse en el futuro cercano. Community News I Noticias Comunitarias Los días por enfermedad pagados no solamente ayudará a nuestras familias sino a la economía. Permite ahorrar dinero y reducir las enfermedades. Los patronos se benefician de una mayor productividad. No sucede así con los empleados que al carecer de paga por día de enfermedad, vienen a trabajar enfermos y con el riesgo de contagiar a otros. Esto le cuesta mucho a nuestra economía: unos 180 millones anuales, que supera lo que los patronos pagan en planes de salud e incapacidad. De mayor importancia es para los empleados de puestos de comida, mercancía y hoteles que interactúan con clientes día tras día. Los días por enfermedad con paga nos hacen más saludables a todos. Otro beneficio es que los empleados pueden mantener sus trabajos y evitar el reemplazo constante en los lugares de trabajo. De esta manera los patronos ahorran en publicidad, reclutamiento, y adiestramiento, que es más costoso que pagar los días por enfermedad. Se calcula que el ahorro pudiera ser de unos $8.2 billones por año. Muchos estados alrededor de la nación han visto estos beneficios y Carolina del Norte está tomando la iniciativa. Durante este año introdujimos el proyecto de la Cámara HB 1711, y al momento el Congreso considera una versión federal, HB 1225, conocida como Ley para Familias Saludables. El Centro para la Justicia de Carolina del Norte llevará la iniciativa para los días por enfermedad con paga. Si interesa unirse a este esfuerzo para ayudar a las familias de los trabajadores, favor de comunicarse con nosotros. Louisa Warren es asesora en política sobre trabajo y apoyo salarial. 15 information exchange intercambio de informacion Same Day Registration in North Carolina: How it Works Lynice R. Williams – Executive Director, North Carolina Fair Share In 2004 because of voter disenfranchisement at the polls rural members of NC Fair Share Pender County Chapter wanted an expanded way of voting. They identified Same Day Registration as one of the answers. At the request of NC Fair Share member constituents and staff, Representative Deborah Ross, D-Wake, introduced legislation for NC Same Day Registration. After four years of grassroots community organizing, coalition building, and public policy advocacy by NC Coalition for Same Day Registration partners and allies, on July 20, 2007, Governor Mike Easley signed into law HB91 to create Same Day Registration during the early voting period. North Carolina is the first state in the south to have Same Day Registration and now joins an elite group of eight states, Idaho, Maine, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Iowa, and Montana that encourage voter turnout and eliminate arbitrary registration cut offs (these states except NC also have full Election Day Registration). How it Works: With Same Day Registration (SDR) eligible voters can register to vote AND vote at the same time and same place with a retrievable ballot during the Early Voting Period (also called “One Stop Voting”), which ends the Saturday before Election Day. Same Day Registration can only be used during the Early Voting Period and not on Election Day. The 2007 North Carolina Early Voting Period is, September 20-October 6 for cities with the October 9 election and October 18-November 3 for the November 6 election. To participate in SDR, voters must go to the Early Voting sites in their county, which can be found by calling the local Board of Elections toll-free at 1.866.522.4723 or at www.sboe.state.nc.us Voters must still abide by all the registration requirements including holding U.S. citizenship, being 18 years old by Election Day, Inscripción durante período electoral en Carolina del Norte: cómo funciona Por Lynice R. Williams – Directora Ejecutiva, North Carolina Fair Share En el 2004, electores desplazados en el condado Pender lucharon por una manera de poder ejercer su voto. Vieron en la inscripción en el día de eleciones una alternativa. Ante su solicitud, los miembros y personal de la NC Fair Share y la representante Deborah Ross (demócrata, condado Wake), introdujeron legislación con dicho objetivo. Luego de cuatro años de lucha comunitaria, establecimiento de redes de apoyo, y cabildeo legislativo, el pasado 20 de julio de 2007, los miembros y aliados de la NC Coalition for Same Day Registration , junto al gobernador Mike Easley, firmaron la ley HB91 proveyendo para inscripción en el mismo día de elecciones durante el primer período electoral. Carolina del Norte es el primer estado del sur que lo establece, uniéndose a Idaho, Maine, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Iowa, y Montana. Estos tienen inscripción inclusive en el día de la selecciones, no aún así, Carolina del Norte. having lived in the county for 30 days prior to Election Day, having proof of current address, and showing valid ID which may include only one of the following, NC drivers license, bank or bank card statement, utility bill, paycheck or paycheck stub or W2 form, student ID & school document with address or document from a government agency such as car registration, tax bill, Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid card, military ID, passport, or other ID from any government agency. Same Day Registration is simple, straightforward electoral reform that is proven to help increase voter turnout. Same Day Registration will be especially important for people who move, young people, and voters who have been historically disenfranchised. As a recent report by Demos found, SDR also helps prevents fraud. Voter registration is much more likely to be accurate when done as part of the official voting process. North Carolina’s SDR also makes voter fraud a felony. We together celebrate this landmark legislation for North Carolina and look forward to educating the public to use this new public policy for greater democracy in our state. Need fact sheets or speaker to talk to your group about Same Day Registration? Or have problems using SDR? We will have legal voting rights advice for you. Call NC Fair Share toll free 1-866-3020031 or email [email protected]. elecciones. No se puede usar el día de elecciones. Para el 2007 el período es desde el 20 de septiembre hasta el 6 de octubre para las ciudades con elecciones el 9 de octubre y desde el 18 de octubre al 6 de noviembre para las elecciones del 6 de noviembre. Para participar del mismo, deben ir e inscribirse en los lugares establecidos en el condado donde reside. Puede llamar a la Junta de Elecciones al 1-866-522-4723 o www.sboe.state.nc.us. Los requisitos para inscribirse incluyen: ciudadanía estadounidense, tener 18 años de edad para el día de las elecciones, haber vivido en el condado al menos treinta (30) días antes de las elecciones, evidencia de la dirección de residencia actual y mostrar alguna de las siguientes identificaciones: licencia de manejar de NC, estado de cuenta de banco, factura de agua o luz, talonario de cheque o cheque, forma W2, identificación de estudiante y documento escolar con dirección o algún documento emitido por oficina o agencia de gobierno. El proceso es sencillo y se espera que aumente el número de participantes del proceso electoral. Esta alternativa es de mucha importancia para quienes se mudan, para los jóvenes, y para electores que han sido históricamente desplazados. Un informe reciente de Demos encontró que la inscripción guante el período electoral ayuda a prevenir el fraude, que se procesa legalmente como felonía. Celebramos este logro legislativo y esperamos que la gente pueda ser educada con respecto a esta nueva herramienta para promover la democracia en nuestro estado. Proceso: Con esta alternativa, los electores se pueden inscribir durante el período de voto adelantado que termina el sábado ante del día de 16 Para información, llame al 1-866-302-0031 o escriba a [email protected]. Community News I Noticias Comunitarias information exchange intercambio de informacion Nonpartisan Organizations Can Be Powerful Mechanisms to Increase Voter Turn-out By Erin Byrd – Civic Engagement Coordinator and Julie Mooney, Director, Blueprint NC Nonprofit electoral civic engagement work (when well organized and coordinated) can be a powerful force for strengthening the movement to build a more just North Carolina. A nonprofit [or 501(c)(3)] organization can legally participate in the political process by encouraging its members, allies, clients, or constituents to vote and - in particular - by educating people to vote on the issues that matter to them and their communities. Is voting enough? Not at all. Ideally, nonprofits that work on voter engagement see this part of their work as a measure of how well they are doing in engaging members or constituents in the policy-making process. Voting is only one piece of the puzzle. The real work happens on an ongoing basis - learning about issues, building leadership skills to engage in the policy-making process, and taking active steps to speak out on issues. This article, however, is focused on what nonprofits can do to get involved in voter engagement. In the 2004 election cycle, approximately 3 million new voters nationwide were registered in underrepresented communities – thanks to national, state-level, and community-based faith organizations and serviceproviding organizations. Voting rates in underrepresented demographic groups were up from 2000 as well. Nonprofits matter in engaging people to vote! At the same time, many North Carolinians are marginalized from civic participation and do not have the tools or support they need to effectively engage in democratic and policy debate and activities. For example, according to Democracy NC’s research: z More than one million North Carolinians are not registered to vote 1/3 of them young people; z 2 million people who were registered to vote in 2004 didn’t vote; z In the 2006 elections, NC ranked 47th in voter turnout (with #1 being best) out of the 50 states. z People of color are disproportionately not registered to vote, compared to whites. We can do better! But nonpartisan, nonprofit organizations are often unsure of what they can and can’t do in educating and engaging voters. Fear of risking their tax status, many organizations shy away for what they consider “political work.” They see voter engagement as messy and risky and as a complicated program to develop. Some even ask why nonpartisan voter engagement efforts are even needed, since nonprofits cannot endorse candidates or help a candidate’s campaign. Nonprofit organizations are a powerful resource in engaging voters, because they CAN raise the issues. Housing for essential workers like firemen and teachers, affordable healthcare for all families, affordable long-term care for seniors, sound basic quality education, a clean environment - these and others are all issues that nonprofit organizations can advocate for in an election. Raising these issues encourages candidates of all parties to address them in their campaigns and gives people in the community a reason to come out and vote. According to the Alliance for Justice, nonprofits are allowed to do the following: 9 9 conduct nonpartisan public education and training sessions about participation in the political process; educate all of the candidates on public interest issues; Community News I Noticias Comunitarias 9 9 9 9 9 9 publish legislative scorecards (with certain restrictions); prepare candidate questionnaires and create voter guides (with certain restrictions); canvass the public on issues; sponsor candidate debates (with certain restrictions); conduct nonpartisan get-outthe-vote and voter registration drives; and more! Local, Primary Municipal Elections were Oct. 9th and General Municipal Elections are coming up November 6. These are so important for our communities, since they determine how funds will be allocated for schools, construction, open space, libraries, and more -- issues that play a very important role in the quality of life in your neighborhood. Because of a new law you can vote early beginning Oct. 18th and ending on Nov 3rd. Remember that until November 3, you can register and vote on the SAME DAY, thanks to a new law passed this year. (Call the Board of Elections in your county to find out where you can do early registration and voting. Or go to the State Board of Elections website at www.sboe.nc.us) Blueprint North Carolina is a partnership of state-level nonprofit policy advocacy and organizing groups that work together to advance civic and voter engagement in NC. Blueprint also partners with community-based organizations in communities where there are voter engagement coalitions. Blueprint builds the capacity of nonprofits to more fully engage their constituents in issues that affect their lives, in the following ways: 1. Offering briefings and trainings in nonpartisan voter engagement; 2. Supporting nonprofit civic engagement coalitions with tools and resources that they might not be able to afford on their own; 3. Building a network of nonprofits that can swap good ideas and resources so that we all get stronger. Organizations involved in Blueprint NC are driven by the shared values of justice, equality, responsibility, fairness, community, opportunity, shared prosperity, democracy, and hope. As a group, we’re exchanging ideas and initiating projects to advance our ability to communicate effectively and to get more people involved in policy change. If you want more information, contact Erin Byrd at [email protected] or (919) 861-0605. 17 information exchange intercambio de informacion NC CARE: Because every child in North Carolina deserves a sound basic education. Our Mission: North Carolina’s constitution guarantees a sound basic education for every child. NC CARE is determined to make sure the state lives up to this promise. About NC CARE: North Carolina Community Advocates for Revitalizing Education, or NC CARE, is a community-driven organization dedicated to improving the state’s public education system. Our members represent the economic, racial, ethnic, and geographic diversity of North Carolina. Parents, educators, business leaders, and community activists have all joined NC CARE because we believe that providing every child with a quality education is essential to the future of North Carolina. NC CARE empowers people around the state by giving them the knowledge and skills they need to be effective advocates. There are no fees or membership dues for NC CARE. Funding from the Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation helps support our work. education in our public schools.” The ruling means the state has a constitutional responsibility to provide the funding schools need and to ensure that each student gets the services he or she needs. Despite this constitutional mandate, hundreds of thousands of children are being denied a decent education and the lifetime of opportunity that comes with it. Many of them are minorities or economically disadvantaged. So why hasn’t Leandro worked? The state Our Goals: z Secure adequate and equitable funding for every school district z Improve educational outcomes for minority and disadvantaged students What We Do: z z Empower parents and students with information about their rights z Unite educators and communities in the effort to secure funding for low-wealth school districts z Train community members to be education advocates Supporters and Partners of NC CARE: z NC Justice Center z NC Association of Community Development Corporations A highly qualified teacher in every classroom and a competent principal in every school z NC Black Leadership Caucus z Action for Children of NC Schools that provide all children with the attention and instruction they need to succeed z NC NAACP Our Vision: z z z A statewide public education system that prepares students to compete in the global economy Why we exist: In 1997, the NC Supreme Court ruled that the state constitution guarantees “every child of this state an opportunity to receive a sound basic TAKE ACTION WITH US! NC CARE members are education activists! Join us as we seek to eliminate the achievement gap by ensuring that every student receives a quality education and every school district has adequate and equitable funding. 18 Advocate at the local and state levels for better education policies Supreme Court’s ruling was important, but it lacked the power to create change. It lacked the power of the people - you, your relatives, your neighbors, your communities. True reform of the education system will take a united force of parents, advocates, students and others who genuinely care about schools and children. It will take networking, advocacy, and passionate voices lifted up in common outrage. NC CARE strives to be that united force for change. z Adelante Education Coalition z Covenant with North Carolina’s Children z El Pueblo z Legal Aid of North Carolina z UNC Center for Civil Rights Join NC CARE! Would you like to be a part of NC CARE? Just fill out this form, cut it out and mail or fax it back to us. We will add you to our mailing list. You will receive the education e-newsletter, From the Ground Up, each month. You will also receive up-to-date information on state education issues via your e-mail address. In addition, you will receive notices of NC CARE meetings and NC CARE-sponsored activities in the state. Name ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ Address _____________________________________________________________________ (please include Apt. # if applicable) City ________________________________________________________________State ______Zip Code _________________ County _____________________________________Phone Number with area code __________________________________ E-Mail___________________________________________________________________________________________________ NC CARE c/o NC JUSTICE CENTER PO Box 28068 Raleigh, NC 27601 919/856-2151 phone 919/856-2175 fax [email protected] Community News I Noticias Comunitarias information exchange NC Justice Center Welcomes New Staff Looking for news that can help you make a difference in your community? Alyssa Brandt joined the Justice Center as Administrative Assistant in August 2007. As a native of Minnesota, she attended the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities where she graduated with a degree in Economics. As an undergraduate, Alyssa worked as an intern with the Minnesota State Senate where she gained valuable insight into state and local politics and served as a Student Representative for the University of Minnesota. After graduation, a passion for social and economic policy led Alyssa to join Teach for America. As a corps member, she taught Civics and Economics, served as AVID coordinator, and supervised the Student Government in a low performing high school in Charlotte, North Carolina. Alyssa plans to attend law school in the future where she will concentrate on Human Rights Law. Nina Driver joined the Justice Center in August of 2007 as Administrative Assistant. Before joining the Center she served as a Small Business and Community Development Volunteer with the US Peace Corps in Antigua, WI. While in Antigua, Driver’s primary role was assisting local entrepreneurs in the start-up and improvement of their businesses. She also taught marketing, packaging/labeling, and computer classes. In her spare time, she acted as advisor for the local Junior Achievement club and founded a literacy program in her village. Nina received her undergraduate degree from the University of Notre Dame majoring in Marketing and Anthropology. While obtaining her degree, she played clarinet in the Notre Dame marching band, served as president of the University’s NAACP and was a member of the Interrace Discussion Forum committee. She is excited to finally be back home in North Carolina and plans to enter law school in the next few years. Louisa Warren joined the Justice Center as a Senior Policy Advocate focusing on work and income support issues in July 2007. Prior to coming to the Justice Center, Louisa served as the Director of the N.C. Coalition for Lobbying & Government Reform that spearheaded comprehensive lobbying and ethics reforms in North Carolina. Before directing the Coalition, Louisa was the Coordinator of Special Events & Communications at El Pueblo, Inc., a statewide Latino advocacy organization based in Raleigh. She currently serves as the Secretary on the Board of N.C. Women United and helps coordinate their annual Women’s Advocacy Day. A Raleigh native, Louisa graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Grinnell College in Iowa. Upcoming Events Î October 17 - Conversation with Ron Ferguson: How Parents Can Help Their Child Succeed In School. Sponsored by Triangle High Five. For more information go to www.trianglehighfive.org. Î October 22 - Youth and Race Conference: Closing the Racial Achievement Gap III. Sponsored by UNC Institute of African American Research. For more information go to http://www.unc.edu/iaar. Î November 9 - Schools and Communities Getting Better Together: Place Based Learning Conference. Sponsored by Rural School and Community Trust. For more information go to www.ruraledu.org. Community News I Noticias Comunitarias intercambio de informacion Get your copy of Community News today! Community News distribution sites: Libraries 1. Cameron Village Regional Library 2. Green Road Library 3. North Regional Library 4. Richard B. Harrison Library Community Centers/Parks 1. Method Road Community Center 2. Chavis Heights Community Center 3. Pullen Park 4. Jaycee Park 5. Biltmore Hills Park 6. Tarboro Road Community Center YMCA/YWCA 1. Central YMCA 2. YWCA (Hargett St.) 3. YWCA (Oberlin Rd.) Other Sites 1. El Pueblo 2. NC Center for Non-Profits 3. Planned Parenthood 4. Dorothea Dix Hospital 5. Quail Ridge Books 6. Wellspring Grocery Store-50 7. Cup-a-Joe Coffee Shop (Hillsborough St.) 8. Cup-a-Joe Coffee Shop (Mission Valley) 9. Third Place Café 10. Manor House on Dixie Tr. (Retirement Village) 11. Glenwood Towers (Retirement Apt. Bldg) 12. Down East Partnership for Children, Rocky Mount 13. Episcopal Farmworker Ministry, Newton Grove 14. Poplar Springs U.C.C., Garner 15. Hispanic Liaison of Chatham County, Siler City 16. Good Work, Durham 17. Legal Aid Offices in: Ahoskie; Asheville; Boone; Charlotte; Concord; Durham; Fayetteville; Gastonia; Goldsboro; Greensboro; Greenville; Hillsborough; Lexington; Morganton; New Bern; Pembroke; Raleigh; Sanford; Smithfield; Sylva; Wilmington; Wilson; Winston-Salem 19 The Justice Centeris a statewide, non-profit advocacy organizationdedicated to securing economic justice for disadvantaged persons and communities. The mission of the Justice Center is to address poverty by ensuring that lowincome individuals and communities have the resources and services they need to move from poverty to economic security. The work of the Justice Center is based on the belief that four OBJECTIVES must be realized to enable disadvantaged individuals and communities to move from poverty to economic security. To achieve its mission, the Justice Center works in collaboration with North Carolina’s disadvantaged individuals and communities employing a multi-forum advocacy model in which the Center uses four primary STRATEGIESto fight poverty. /opportunity and prosperity for all/ A FUND FOR CHANGE The Justice Center is a member of Address Service Requested Permit No. 1424 P.O. Box 28068 Raleigh, North Carolina 27611 Raleigh, North Carolina PAID US Postage North Carolina Justice Center NONPROFIT ORG.