Presidential Candidates Continue to Compete for Our Battle Ground State

As the Presidential race begins to heat up after the major party conventions ended, North Carolina doesn’t fall short of the spotlight when it comes to campaigning for our battle ground state.

Democratic Vice Presidential nominee Tim Kaine visited Greensboro today to speak about the Hilary Clinton campaign and their plan to make the working world better.

“If hard work is important, and I believe it is, and we have good workers, and I know that we do then we ought to value work and treat workers with dignity. That’s equal pay for equal work and minimum wage,” Kaine said.

Kaine said that according to Moody’s Analytics company that if Hilary Clinton implements her plans during her first term as President, she will produce more than 10 million new jobs.

“Would you rather have a ‘you’re hired’ president or a ‘you’re fired’ president,” Kaine asked the audience to a resounding, ‘You’re hired’ response. “Of course. Of course. It’s so simple we want a ‘you’re hired’ president not a ‘you’re fired’ president and folks, Hilary Clinton is and will be a ‘you’re hired’ president.”

Attorney General Roy Cooper, who is the Democratic nominee for governor, spoke at the rally encouraging everyone to go out and vote.

“We need you to go knock on doors, we need you to call your neighbors, we need you to register new voters and tell them how important this election is. We need all of you doing whatever it takes from now until Election Day to make sure we succeed,” Cooper said. “I believe that with the work that you have already done and with the work that you are going to do that we are going to elect a new governor of North Carolina, and we are going to elect the next Vice President and President of the United States,” Cooper said.

The campaigning continues as Republican Vice Presidential Candidate Mike Pence takes the stage in Raleigh tomorrow to speak on Donald Trump’s campaign.

http://chapelboro.com/news/election/presidential-candidates-continue-to-compete-for-our-battle-ground-state

McCrory Threatens Senate Budget Veto

RALEIGH – Gov. Pat McCrory says he’d veto any North Carolina budget plan on his desk that raises teacher pay dramatically like the Senate wants because it would mean huge cuts elsewhere to pay for it.

McCrory told The Associated Press in an interview Thursday he’s not going to risk key government services and allow Medicaid reductions to accept the Senate’s average 11 percent pay offer. The original Senate proposal cut funding for thousands of teacher assistants to pay for it.

Senate Leader Phil Berger (R-Rockingham) issued the following statement Thursday:

“I’m disappointed by the governor’s threat to veto the largest teacher pay raise in state history and surprised by his demand for a budget without cuts to teacher assistants and Medicaid – given that his own budget included almost $20 million in cuts to teacher assistants along with significant, though ultimately achievable, cuts to Medicaid.

“The governor has been unable to sustain any of his previous vetoes in the Senate. It would be more helpful for him to work with members of both chambers of the legislature, since his unwillingness to listen to those who have an honest disagreement with him on spending priorities in favor of staging media stunts and budget gimmicks is a major reason the budget has not been finalized.”

The governor is siding with the latest House offer to raises teacher pay on average by 6 percent, up from 5 percent. He says 6 percent is about as far as he can go and feel comfortable.

The two chambers are negotiating budget adjustment for the year that started July 1.

http://chapelboro.com/news/state-government/mccrory-threatens-senate-budget-veto

UNC BoG Recognizes Former Governor Holshouser

CHAPEL HILL – The UNC BOG recognized our former Governor James Holshouser and honored his life with an award in his name. UNC System President Tom Ross says Holshouser was a great leader and influenced many.

“This University and our entire state lost a consummate public servant, a source of infinite wisdom and a true statesman, this summer with the passing of Jim Holshouser” Ross stated.

Holshouser served as Governor of North Carolina from 1973 to 1977.  He also served on the Board of Governors for the UNC system for more than 30 years where many members have said they valued his thoughts and practices.

“I always told people that Governor Holshouser should have been named Mr. E.F. Hutton, because when he spoke truly everyone listened” Ross said “in word and indeed he personified the true meaning of statesmanship and servant leadership, and our university had no greater friend or stronger ally.”

To honor Holshouser the BOG voted to change the name of their public service award to the Governor Holshouser award for excellence in public service.  This award was originally created in 2007 to encourage, identify, recognize, and reward public service by faculty of the University. Holshouser exemplified many of the characteristics that this award represents.  BOG member Peter Hans says words do not describe the loss of Holshouser.

“President mentioned in his remarks, we lost a giant in June, and a man who epitomizes public service” Hans commented.

The board also recognized another BOG member that recently passed, Julius Chambers.  Chambers was a civil rights attorney for many years along with Chancellor of North Carolina Central University.

For more information on James Holshouser click here.

http://chapelboro.com/news/unc/former-governor-james-holshouser-receives-honors