Yesterday I attended Senator Kay Hagan’s debt crisis round table at Kenan-Flagler Business at UNC School moderated By Charlie Rose. The meeting had many important aspects I wish to write about over time. With the importance of the debt ceiling crisis I wish to briefly summarize it now.

The main point made by the panelists was the separation of the debt ceiling from the debt crisis. The debt ceiling crisis needs to be solved immediately and the debt crisis in the near future. There is no reason for the two to be linked. Senator Hagan says the Senate needs to have the bill by Wednesday due to procedural problems which may be encountered such as cloture. Read More…

The N.C. House successfully overrode Govenor Bev Perdue’s veto of House Bill 854, the abortion waiting period bill: 72-47.

The so-called “Woman’s Right to Know” Act requires women seeking an abortion wait 24-hours, be shown a detailed ultrasound and receiving very specific counseling before the procedure is performed.

During Tuesday’s hour long debate, Rep. Rick Glazier said the bill was more intrusive than anything being considered in Washington.

Union County Rep. Frank McGuirt said with its passage Big Brother would be “bashing his way into the O.R., bashing his way into the relationship beteen a doctor and his patient.”

Rep. Ruth Samuelson said her bill keeps abortion legal and provides women with the information they need to make a difficult decision.

The measure now heads to the NC Senate where the GOP needs 30 votes to override the Governor’s veto.

To hear those who urged the House to sustain the Governor’s veto, click below:

The NC Justice Center’s “Video Training Manual for Advocacy Organizations” pulls together the basics of short video production for nonprofit advocacy groups.  Drawing on three years and hundreds of videos worth of experience, the manual not only provides technical advice but also explores the many different and surprising objectives advocacy groups can achieve using this powerful new tool.

We hope it’s helpful.