NC GOP News
The NCGA was back this week to swear in new members. Business starts up on the 30th, but Congress has already begun. NC09 stays quiet, relatively speaking, but next week might bring new info to light.
WHAT HAPPENED
STORIES FROM THE NATION
We'll start with some international flair. It's no secret that Democrats want to raise taxes to pay for their wasteful programs and drive up government spending in the name of economic development. South Korea recently did the same. Find out what happened: The New York Times
Caleb Hanna, the youngest black legislator in the country at 19, is ready to get to work in West Virginia. He also happens to be a Republican. Charleston Gazette-Mail
"The victorious strategist only seeks battle after the victory has been won." This partial quote from Sun Tzu's "The Art Of War" is good to keep in mind when deciding on whether or not to engage on an issue. However, we don't just need fighters; we need people who deliver results. Washington Examiner
Democratic socialist Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who stated this week that it's more important to be morally right than factually correct, and her proposed "Green New Deal" isn't anything new. In fact, it's just another piece of legislation recycling (no pun intended) old ideas. National Review
STORIES FROM NC
Let's transition by mixing DC with NC: the House Democrats are pushing a huge authoritarian proposal to overhaul campaign finance and elections. This legislation would force NC to create an independent redistricting commission. That would probably be unconstitutional (e.g. Obamacare forcing states to expand Medicaid), but read on about the legislation: Spectrum News
Oh look, voter fraud. The kind that Democrats say doesn't exist. Add this one to the file. WBT Radio
School choice has been on the rise in NC, as evidenced by the latest student enrollment figures from Wake County: projected growth of 1900 students was actually just 42. School district size has been discussed over the past couple years, but are smaller districts on the horizon? John Hood thinks so. Carolina Journal
The focus of financial mismanagement has usually been on larger organizations, but what about on the local level? Most of the spending decisions of money disbursed by the NCGA is done there and Treasurer Dale Folwell is holding them accountable. Carolina Journal
TRACKING YOUR REPRESENTATIVES
CONGRESS
While the House committee assignment aren't out yet, the Senate committee assignments are. Take a look to see who's leading and sitting which committees: Office of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell
Bad Bill Of The Week - I mentioned this was coming. Instead of enforcing the laws already on the books, Pelosi announced legislation to chip away at your second amendment rights. Here's the Senate version: SB 42
GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Most of the committees will be filled before session starts over the next two weeks, but the House has already announced the chairs of some of the more powerful committees. Speaker Moore
I'll post the Senate committee assignments when they become available.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Lots of counties are getting ready to have the Lincoln-Reagan Day Dinners and planning for County, District, and the State convention. As mentioned by NCGOP Vice Chairman Michele Nix on her FB page, if you'd like to be a delegate to a convention, you MUST be a registered Republican by 1/31/19. Need to re-register? Directions are here: NCSBE
-- Jeff Hauser