U.S. Senator Kay Hagan is taking a stand in North Carolina’s marriage equality debate, urging voters to oppose the proposed constitutional amendment that would ban civil unions and define marriage as only between one man and one woman.

On Wednesday, Hagan released a statement criticizing the far-reaching and negative consequences of the ballot initiative, noting the May 8th amendment will harm the state’s ability to recruit businesses.

The Greensboro Democrat goes on to say the discriminatory amendment “harms our state’s resolve to make all people and all families great.”

You can read Senator Hagan’s full statement below:

 ”In today’s hyperpartisan political environment, I view any attempt to alter our state constitution with a critical eye. Amendment One has far-reaching negative consequences for our families, our children and our communities. North Carolina is one of the most business-friendly states in the nation, and this amendment would harm our state’s ability to recruit the innovators and businesses that are driving our economic recovery. Jobs are my number one priority, and we cannot afford to take our eye off the ball and give businesses a reason to grow and expand elsewhere. The people I hear from everyday - the families that make up the fabric of the Old North State – tell me they are sick and tired of watching their jobs and their livelihoods fall victim to divisive partisan posturing. In North Carolina we say our state is “Where the weak grow strong and the strong grow great.” Amendment One harms our state’s resolve to make all people and all families great, and as a proud daughter of North Carolina, I urge all North Carolinians to join me in opposing it.” – Senator Kay R. Hagan

A new statewide poll finds three out of four North Carolina voters believe that the state should continue to dedicate some of the money it receives from the tobacco settlement to fund the state’s tobacco prevention and control program.

The findings released Wednesday by the North Carolina Alliance for Health also indicated that despite budget concerns, nearly half of those surveyed (49%) believe it is very important that the money go to programs to prevent kids from smoking, and to provide help for smokers who want to quit.

Amy Barkley, an advocacy director with the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, says legislators who abolished funding for the Health and Wellness Trust Fund (HWTF) last year would be wise to review the findings. Voters by a more than a three-to-one margin, said they are more likely to vote for a candidate who supports funding tobacco prevention programs.

Currently, 16.7 percent of North Carolina high school students smoke, and 11,100 additional kids become regular smokers every year.

Click below to hear Barkley discuss the need to continue funding the HWTF:

Gov. Bev Perdue has identified $9.3 million that will allow 2,000 additional at-risk 4-year-olds to attend NC Pre-K this year.

Wednesday’s announcement comes seven months after Superior Court Judge Howard Manning directed the state to provide quality pre-kindergarten services to any eligible four year old that applies.

The Republican-leadership of the General Assembly had earlier rejected the Governor’s plan to spend more on Pre-K, saying the state could not afford the extra spending.

The additional funding for the 2,000 new slots will reportedly come from child care subsidy funds on a one-time basis.

Here’s more from the statement released by the governor’s press office this morning:

“NC Pre-K is a nationally recognized, academic program that helps prepare children to succeed in kindergarten, throughout school and in life,” Gov. Perdue said. “This additional investment in our children will pay big dividends for all North Carolina because these children will be less likely to fall behind and drop out later in life.”

“All children in North Carolina, regardless of where they live, deserve a chance at a successful future and we know that NC Pre-K changes lives,” Gov. Perdue said. “We have one shot to give these children the benefit of Pre-K. They can’t wait, and we can’t either.”

You can read the full release here.