FEDERAL:
Don’t Let McConnell Force States To Go Bankrupt:
[Adapted from Faisal Khan] Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Voldemort) said: “I think this whole business of additional assistance for state and local governments needs to be thoroughly evaluated...I would certainly be in favor of allowing states to use the bankruptcy route….My guess is their first choice would be for the federal government to borrow money from future generations to send it down to them now so they don’t have to do that. That’s not something I’m going to be in favor of.” McConnell’s rejection of providing further federal funding to states and cities facing massive revenue shortfalls as a direct result of the coronavirus-induced economic shutdown drew bipartisan scorn, including from New York Governor Andrew Cuomo (D), Maryland Governor Larry Hogan (R), and New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu (R), among others. Even President Trump has expressed support for providing this funding.
Yet not a single Republican senator has spoken out against McConnell’s comments. We are calling on these senators to speak out against McConnell and ensure states and cities receive the funding they need in Phase 4 legislation.
Script:
Hello, I am a constituent calling from zip code ____________ to urge Senator ________ to reject Mitch McConnell’s scheme to force our state and cities to go bankrupt in the middle of this coronavirus crisis and ensure the federal government sends critical funding to keep health care workers, police officers and firefighters on the job so they can keep North Carolinans healthy and safe.
Federal Contact Numbers:
Thom Tillis: DC: (202) 224-6342
Richard Burr DC: (202) 224-3154
Tim Scott (SC): Washington, DC: 202-224-6121
Lindsey Graham (SC): Washington, DC: 202-224-5972
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STATE:
Tell Moore and Berger: Put NC Voters' Safety Before Politics:
[From Democracy NC] Recent primary elections held in other states amid the COVID-19 crisis have made it clear: this year's General Election will be different. Recommendations to continue physical distancing this fall, the prospect of a poll worker shortage, and strained local resources all have implications for the ways in which we can take part and be counted.
Given these realities, it's time for NC General Assembly's leaders to join those of other states — and put politics aside by protecting North Carolina voters and our access to the ballot. Lawmakers return to Raleigh on April 28.
ACT NOW: Contact NC House Speaker Tim Moore and Senate President Phil Berger (we've made it easy) and tell them you want them to advance policies this spring that would:
Provide matching funds to access federal election dollars,
Make it easier to register to vote and securely request and cast votes by mail,
Protect in-person voting by addressing the threat of poll staff shortages, and
Make sure these and other vital voter protections are in place for the General Election.
By taking action today, you'll make sure Moore and Berger understand how important it is to North Carolina's voters to be able to safely cast a ballot this fall.
Action Link:
https://secure.everyaction.com/j8xEBLWX8EGx2QjfPu04kg2
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Email Berger and Moore to Expand Medicaid:
The power to expand Medicaid in our state lies almost solely in the hands of Berger and Moore. If they ever agreed to support Medicaid expnasion, it would almost certainly pass and would bring affordable healthcare to thousands of North Carolinians. Here’s an email you can send them with their email addresses below:
Script for email to Berger and Moore:
Dear Senate President Berger and House Speaker Moore,
Now is the time to unite during this crisis and work together for the health and well-being of all North Carolinians. More than ever, this virus has shown us that we are dependent on one another and we need each other to survive this crisis and beyond. When people in the coverage gap can’t access the care they need, this makes all of us vulnerable to infection, complications, and even death.
Our own health depends on the health of the person next to us, and the person next to them. Protecting the most vulnerable in our society—the uninsured, the overworked, people who earn low incomes while doing the “essential” work so that we can all survive—is fundamental to ensuring that we are all well and healthy. All of us need access to healthcare to have the support we need to be healthy and free from the burden of medical bankruptcy.
When we invest in our healthcare system, we invest in us. Rural healthcare is especially dire in North Carolina. Since 2013, we’ve seen seven rural hospitals close in our state. There have been nine maternity wards that have shuttered their doors and 15 rural hospitals that are vulnerable to closure.
More than ever, North Carolina needs to expand Medicaid as both an economic boost and a public health intervention to provide North Carolinians with the coverage they need to protect their health and financial well-being.
This moment calls on our leadership to come together and unite. Please expand Medicaid.
Email addresses:
Phil Berger: Phil.Berger@ncleg.net
Tim Moore: Tim.Moore@ncleg.net
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ELECTIONS:
Swing Left (Virtual) Letter-Writing Party:
The innovative folks at Swing Left are coming up with new ways to stay involved while we are staying at home. We'll be hand-writing letters to potential North Carolina voters asking them to vote in critical elections to help us transform our government and ensure fair maps for everyone in North Carolina. This proven tactic (3-4x more effective than postcards) will help turn out the vote for Democrats in our 12 Super States!
RSVP here, and we’ll let you know how to join this party online. Invite your friends, too, and let them know that Swing Left is hosting a big, innovative program that can effectively turn out Super State voters from home, using a great letter writing tool from Vote Forward. Volunteers have already written almost 2 million letters! You can download twenty letters using their easy-to-use system.
RSVP Here:
https://www.mobilize.us/swingleft/event/264556/
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Virtual Phone Bank:
Are you bored and tired of being locked in your house? Are you looking to make in impact in getting out the vote for November 2020. Well look no further! The Democratic Party is looking for people to phone bank. Right now, the focus is on talking to undecided voters to learn more about where they stand and to ensure that they know that we have an important election coming up.
https://www.mobilize.us/ncdp/event/267549/
