I would appreciate anyone's support in regards to stopping the DEI ideology that has been integrated into our city's administration/ municipal departments. When they have to use such words as diverse, equity, and inclusional in their daily business, they are being exclusive to anyone not considered a minority. We should look at all people the same and stop separating ourselves or dividing us into groups by race/ color/ sexual orientation. We are all Americans. We should be seen by our work ethic and our character. The water department should not have to break it down on a chart what color/race people are who have not paid their bills thus having their water turned off. You either paid your bill or you did not. Period. If you need help, then x,y,z organizations can help you. We should not have one ideology being embraced over another or one group of people being uplifted over another such as the LGBTQI+. This is part of the global Agenda 2030 goals. Sustainability is another buzzword driven through the Agenda 2030. I understand having to speak about the longevity of different monetary investments the city makes but when everything is about "sustainability". We need to question the ideology we are following... Not everything that sounds good is good. Sustainability is a social goal for people to co-exist on Earth over a long time. Are we here to meet global social agenda goals or long-term financial and constitutional goals for our city? The Affordable Housing Summit was very interesting in regards to zoning... it was very socialist-minded to me. I know the "intentions" are for the good of the less fortunate. We all want affordable housing for those who are working hard in certain industries that pay less. Yet, the end resolve that I heard at the Affordable Housing Summit was “inclusional” zoning. Smaller homes/ shared land/ shared walls… allow more zoning. It was said that we must "overbuild" the amount of homes to get the prices to drop. It was recommended to build up the “zoner buffer”… allowing upzoning to 2/3 percent of the land. It is true that "supply and demand" affects the cost of things... But if we want to control/ slow the growth in the city and county building a TON of housing will only QUICKLY increase our growth. This affects our schooling/ hospitals/ infrastructure of roads/ water/sewer. It changes the whole character of our city and county. The GenH Plan brought forward a questionnaire and it continually wants more and more input past each deadline because they have not gotten the results they wanted from the questions asked.  The people do not want massive growth. They do not want to change the green space into massive amounts of apartments/ and high-volume housing. This is my input and what I have observed. Cher Silvius ### Contact Administration: City of Hendersonville https://www.hendersonvillenc.gov/administration The Administration Department includes the City Manager, Assistant City Manager, City Clerk, City Attorney's Office, Budget Office, Communications Office and Human Resources. The Administration department serves all departments and the City Council. View the City's Vision and Mission. The Administrative Suite is located at: City Hall - Second Floor160 6th Ave EHendersonville, NC 28792Telephone: 828/697-3005 JOHN CONNETCity ManagerPhone: 828/697-3005 email BRIAN PAHLEAssistant City ManagerPhone: 828/233-3218 email

Congratulations! And, Thank You to all of NCEIT's Legislative Action Day particilants on 5.22. H 1074, a Constitutional Amendment/ Citizens Only Vote, drafted on Thursday 5/23, passed the House on 5.24! It's now referred to the Committee on Election Law. https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2023/h1074 Please contact Election Committee members on Wednesday, 5.29, NCEIT Legislative Action Day for the constitutional amendment and others. ================================================================================== Ref to the Com on Election Law and Campaign Finance Reform, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House on 5/24/2024 Sponsors: D. Hall; Moore; Bell; Gillespie (Primary) Balkcom; Clampitt; Cleveland; Hastings; Howard; N. Jackson; Mills; Moss; Paré; Potts; Riddell; Setzer; Strickland; Torbett; White; Winslow -  Justification to Require Proof of Citizenship H1074 S630 History: (NCSenate: S630. A Constitutional Amendment to Provide for Citizens Non-Voting will appear on the ballot in November once the Senate and House pass it. Because it is an amendment to our NC Constitution, it does not need Cooper's signature. This will surely drive many conservatives to the polls. You need to spread the word. We will be having a Legislative Action Day in the near future. In the meantime, you can call the Senators below who are sponsors and supporters of the amendment. Tweet, call & email your NC representatives. FYI: Ohio moves to remove noncitizens from voter rolls after amendment passage. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/ohio-moves-to-remove-noncitizens-from-voter-rolls-after-amendment-passage/ar-BB1n0tgC?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=U531&cvid=5921e444c99b48a0b38bf34986a74263&ei=7

AN ACT TO INCREASE AFFORDABLE HOUSING BY ALLOWING FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OR SITING OF ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS. S374 has been in the Senate Rules and Operations Committee since March, 2023. It needs to remain there. Senator Tim Moffitt (R- Henderson, Polk, Rutherford) and Senator Julie Mayfield (D - Buncombe) The NC House companion bill, H409, was referred to the Senate Rules and Operations Committee in April, 2023. Rep Jennifer Balkcom (R- Henderson) is a co-sponsor. In a word: Accessory dwelling units - on your private property zoned residential one dwelling will be allowed to accommodate AFFORDABOE HOUSING on your property: " attached or detached residential structure that is used in connection with or that is accessory to a primary single-family dwelling and that has less total square footage than he primary single-family dwelling." See b,c,d,e, and Section 2 below. (This is the camel's nose under the tent to do away with residential zoning and put up multi dwelling units. ) This also allows the Commissioners to continue their unchecked growth. This bill explains why the Commissioners haven't been listening to the folks in Henderson for the past two years. The good news is that it's still in Committee. Make sure Sen Moffitt and Rep Balkcom keep it that way. SECTION 1. (a) Part 1 of Article 9 of Chapter 160D of the General Statutes is 6 amended by adding a new section to read: "§ 160D-917. Accessory dwelling units. (a) A local government shall allow the development of at least one accessory dwelling unit which conforms to the North Carolina Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings, including applicable provisions from State fire prevention code, for each detached single-family dwelling in areas zoned for residential use that allow for development of detached single-family dwellings. An accessory dwelling unit may be built or sited at any time before, concurrently, or after the primary dwelling has been constructed or sited. Nothing in this section shall prohibit a local government from permitting accessory dwelling units in any area not otherwise required under this section. For the purposes of this section, the term "accessory dwelling unit" means an attached or detached residential structure that is used in connection with or that is accessory to a primary single-family dwelling and that has less total square footage than the primary single-family dwelling. (b) Development and permitting of an accessory dwelling unit shall not be subject to any of the following requirements: (1) Owner-occupancy of any dwelling unit, including an accessory unit. (2) Minimum parking requirements or other parking restrictions, including the imposition of additional parking requirements where an existing structure is converted for use as an accessory dwelling unit. (3) Conditional use zoning. (c) In permitting accessory dwelling units under this section, a local government shall not do any of the following: (1) Prohibit the connection of the accessory dwelling unit to existing utilities serving the primary dwelling unit. (2) Charge any fee other than a building permit that does not exceed the amount charged for any single-family dwelling unit similar in nature. d) Except as otherwise provided in this section, a local government may regulate accessory dwelling units pursuant to this Chapter, provided that the regulations do not act to discourage development or siting of accessory dwelling units through unreasonable costs or delay. Nothing in this section shall affect the validity or enforceability of private covenants or other contractual agreements among property owners relating to dwelling type restrictions. (e) A local government may impose a setback minimum for accessory dwelling units of 5 feet or the setback minimum imposed generally upon lots in the same zoning classification, whichever is less." SECTION 1.(b) This section becomes effective October 1, 2023. SECTION 2. Local governments shall adopt land use ordinances and regulations or amend their comprehensive plans to implement the provisions in this act no later than October 1, 2023. SECTION 3. Except as otherwise provided, this act is effective when it becomes law

Chilling parallels from NAZI's in 30s. Church did nothing. It's happening again - here! Are you awake yet!! It's the job of the church to stand up - now! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5y2yhCVV-k

Senator Tim Moffitt of Henderson, Polk and Rutherford, SB 906 Hendersonville/Public Enterprise Operation, drafted by Senator Tim Moffitt, and referred To Committee On Rules and Operations of the Senate on 5/8/2024. It hasn't moved but certainly can be voted on and moved to the next committee for approval. Subscribe for alerts here for the Senate Rules and Operations Meetings. Let's stop this. Comment: This once again opens the door for urban encroachment into the county. 'Don't charge county resdents any more that anyone in the city but, oh by the way, those neighborhoods could petition to be annexed.' What's the problem with this? (Example: Buncombe has overbuilt and cannot support the growth. At Christmas, a good portion of Buncombe was without water. A neighborhood desperate for water will agree to the city's annexation for relief. ) This bill is another camel's nose under the tent designed to give commissioners cover for the 2045 Plan. Also, where are the limits on what the city can charge for their water. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Moffitt's bill forbids Hendersonville to charge higher water rates outside city limits Story by Dean Hensley, Hendersonville Times-News (The other half of the headline regarding annexation is missing. On the face of it, it looks good!) https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/moffitt-s-bill-forbids-hendersonville-to-charge-higher-water-rates-outside-city-limits/ar-BB1m5A3I?ocid=BingNewsSerp Moffitt bill aims to 'rekindle' negotiations in water war https://www.hendersonvillelightning.com/news/13923-moffitt-files-bill-attempting-to-rekindle-talks-to-settle-water-war.html According to a news release on May 8, North Carolina Sen. Tim Moffitt introduced a bill into legislation to forbid the city of Hendersonville to charge higher water rates for people living outside of the city limits. Senate Bill 906 was filed on May 7, according to the release, and it also requires that residents outside of the city limits be treated in an equitable fashion when it comes to rule making by the public enterprise. A municipal public enterprise includes any business activity owned or operated by a city, such as water, sewer, solid waste, electric, natural gas, public transportation systems, cable television, off-street parking facilities, airports and stormwater services, the release said. Permits annexation SECTION 2. G.S. 160A-31 reads as rewritten: "§ 160A-31. Annexation by petition. General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2023 Senate Bill 906-First Edition 1 (a)  The governing board of any municipality may annex by ordinance any area 2 contiguous to its boundaries upon presentation to the governing board of a petition signed by the  owners of all the real property located within such area. The petition shall be signed by each  owner of real property in the area and shall contain the address of each such owner.owner and a statement that the owner's petition for annexation is not based upon any representation by the municipality that a public enterprise service available outside the corporate limits of that municipality would be withheld from the owner's property without the petition for annexation. …. SECTION 3. G.S. 160A-58.1 reads as rewritten: § 160A-58.1. Petition for annexation; standards. (c) The petition shall contain the names, addresses, and signatures of all owners of real property within the proposed satellite corporate limits (except owners not required to sign by subsection (a)), shall describe the area proposed for annexation by metes and bounds, and shall have attached thereto a map showing the area proposed for annexation with relation to the primary corporate limits of the annexing city. The petition shall also contain a statement from 17 the owner that the owner's petition for annexation is not based upon any representation by the 18 municipality that a public enterprise service available outside the corporate limits of that 19 municipality would be withheld from the owner's property without the petition for annexation. 20 When there is any substantial question as to whether the area may be closer to another city than 21 to the annexing city, the map shall also show the area proposed for annexation with relation to 22 the primary corporate limits of the other city. The city council may prescribe the form of the petition. …. SECTION 4. This act applies only to the City of Hendersonville. Section 1 of this act shall not apply to the operation of public transportation systems or off-street parking facilities and systems as public enterprises. SECTION 5. This act becomes effective June 30, 2024. Section 1 of this act applies to the 2024-2025 fiscal year and to each fiscal year thereafter. Any assets, liabilities, or equity of a public enterprise operated or held by the City of Hendersonville in the 2023-2024 fiscal year shall be transferred to a separate fund in accordance with G.S. 160A-312, as amended by Section 1 of this act, when this act becomes law. Sections 2 and 3 of this act apply to petitions for annexation received by the City of Hendersonville on or after June 30, 2024

Tea Time Meetings: The 3rd Thursday of the month at noon at Bay Breeze Restaurant. 1830 Asheville Hwy, Hendersonville, NC 28791 (828) 697-7106. We will be meeting here until further notice. Henderson County School Board Meetings: The Second Monday of the MonthApril 8th at 4PM Here is the School Board Meeting website and schedule and where to see the agenda… https://www.hendersoncountypublicschoolsnc.org/district/administration/school-board10/board-meeting-notices-2/board-minutes/board-agendas-and-minutes-school-year-2023-24/ Henderson County Board of Elections Meetings: Check schedule on the website Buncombe County Board of Elections Meetings: Schedule here. •Henderson County Commissioners Meeting: Commissioners Meetings the First Monday @5:30PM and the Third Wednesday @9:30AM of the Month Old Historic Courthouse on Main Street. (Parking is horrid.  Get there early. Paid parking.) Tuesday, May 14th at 5:30PM DEI (Marxist group: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion) Proposing an offensive exclusionary flag (see below) to be painted on the side of a building to greet Hendersonville visitors. Let's not let that happen.) www.hendersonvillenc.gov 160 Sixth Ave E, Hendersonville, NC 28792 · (828) 697-3000 •The next DEI meeting is not until May 14 at 5:30. •https://hendersonville-nc.municodemeetings.com/ •The Marxists flag in their suggested mural is EXCLUSIVE not INCLUSIVE. The US Flag represents all of us and needs to replace the 'Pride Flag' that sends the wrong message and does not represent the good will of Henderson county as a welcome place for all. •All they need is one private property owner to say yes to this and it will become part of Henderson.  Is this what you want?  Make it unpopular and uncomfortable.

Only Citizens Vote Coalition Join the Movement to Protect the Ballot Box for American Citizens. Sign up to get updates and information on the fight to protect American citizen’s rights to vote. https://www.onlycitizensvotecoalition.com/ . Over 21.7 Million Potential Noncitizen Voters According to the Census Bureau, almost 22 million noncitizens were residing in the United States in 2022. That number has increased significantly as a result of President Biden’s open border. 19 States & DC Issue Driver’s Licenses to Illegal Aliens And every state issues driver’s licenses to noncitizens. Federal law requires the use of driver’s licenses or social security numbers to confirm voter eligibility, creating a dangerous loophole that allows noncitizens to register . . . and vote. 85% of Americans Agree: Only Citizens Vote The far-left is ignoring the vast majority of Americans who agree that only United States citizens should be able to vote in American elections. The Only Citizens Vote Coalition is dedicated to uniting American citizens and leaders fighting to ensure American citizens' voices are heard at the ballot box. We are calling on American citizens, our congressional leaders, state legislators, local election officials, and law enforcement to step up to the plate and end noncitizen voting. Coalition Partners The Only Citizens Vote Coalition is dedicated to uniting American citizens and leaders fighting to ensure American citizens' voices are heard at the ballot box. We are calling on American citizens, our congressional leaders, state legislators, local election officials, and law enforcement to step up to the plate and end noncitizen voting. Advancing American Freedom Advancing Integrity (Texas) Aiken County SC Election Integrity America First Legal Foundation America First Works American Family Association American Target Advertising American Values Americans for Limited Government Americans Winning Elections Association of Mature American Citizens Association of Mature American Citizens Action CatholicVote Center for Election Integrity/AFPI Center for Military Readiness Center for Security Policy Center for Urban Renewal and Education Citizen Outreach Foundation Citizens Renewing America Colorado Institute for Fair Elections Conservative Action Project Conservative Coalition of North Carolina Conservative Partnership Institute ConservativeHQ.com Council for National Policy Eagle Forum Election Integrity Network Election Oversight Group, LLC Election Research Institute Election Transparency Initiative Electoral Process Education Corp. (EPEC) EZAZ ("Easy Arizona") FAIR Elections Fund Family Research Council Federation for American Immigration Reform Florida Fair Elections Coalition Freedom's Journal Institute Georgia Election Integrity Coalition Gold Institute for International Strategy Greater Texas Votes Heritage Action for America Honest Elections Project Immigration Accountability Project Illinois Conservative Union Illinois Election Integrity Liberty Alliance (Missouri) Louisiana Election Integrity Coalition John K. MacIver Institute for Public Policy Maine Election Integrity Coalition Maryland Voter Integrity Group Michigan Fair Elections Moms for America New Mexico Election Integrity Network North Carolina Election Integrity Team Ohio Election Integrity Network Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs PA Fair Elections People for Opportunity (Oklahoma) Physicians for Reform Public Interest Legal Foundation Rep. Ann Bollin, Michigan House of Representatives Restoring Integrity and Trust in Elections (RITE) Restore Liberty Restore Minnesota Restore Minnesota Action Rhode Island Fair Elections Coalition Salvo Journeys Save our States Stand Up Michigan State Freedom Caucus Network Tea Party Patriots Action Tennessee Fair Elections Texas Public Policy Foundation Election Protection Project The Foundation for Government Accountability Vermont Election Integrity Coalition Virginia Fair Elections Coalition Virginia Institute Action Voter Integrity Project - NC Washington Eagle Forum Wisconsin Election Integrity Coaltion Women Impacting The Nation Working Together for New Jersey Election Integrity

https://www.onlycitizensvotecoalition.com/resources The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act Take the Pledge https://www.onlycitizensvotecoalition.com/activist-pledge Radical progressive Democrats are taking drastic steps to fundamentally remake America through open borders, the release of millions of illegal aliens into our communities, and by waging a full-scale assault on election integrity laws. The Problem Since taking office, Joe Biden’s administration has released at least 4.6 million illegal aliens into the country, with 1.8 million known “gotaways.” In many states, these illegal aliens are eligible for driver’s licenses and other benefits, providing ample opportunities to illegally register to vote in Federal elections. In some jurisdictions, non-citizens are even able to vote in local elections. While only U.S. citizens can legally vote in Federal elections, Federal law has generally preempted and undermined state laws requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote in such elections. Rep. Chip Roy’s SAVE Act would fix this problem, thwart Democrat efforts to cement one-party rule, and uphold and strengthen current law by requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote in Federal elections. Amends the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA), which has governed state voter registration since 1993, to require states to obtain documentary proof of U.S. citizenship and identity – in person – when registering an individual to vote in a Federal election. This requirement applies regardless of whether an individual is registering to vote at a DMV, a voter registration agency (such as a welfare office), or by mail. Directs states to establish an alternative process for applicants that may not have documentary proof of citizenship but are in fact U.S. citizens (due to religious reasons or otherwise), subject to minimum standards set by the Election Assistance Commission and signed attestations and affidavits by both the applicant and official making the determination. Directs states to provide reasonable accommodations for disabled Americans and applicants that have discrepancies on their documentation due to a name change. Requires states to establish a program to remove non-citizens from their existing voter rolls and gives states no-cost access to Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration databases to do so. Empowers citizens to bring civil suits against election officials that fail to uphold proof of citizenship requirements for Federal elections by expanding the NVRA’s existing private right of action, and adds penalties for election officials that register non-citizens to vote in Federal elections. Directs the Election Assistance Commission to promptly update any guidance associated with the SAVE Act and streamlines updates to federal forms by exempting the updates from the Paperwork Reduction Act. Download Summary State Legislators' Open Letter VIEW FULL OPEN LETTER VIEW BILL TEXT VIEW ONE-PAGE SUMMARY VIEW SECTION-BY-SECTION 144 Signers! The U.S. House of Representatives should immediately take up the SAVE Act and pass it. There is no time to waste—early voting in some of our states begins in September. As state legislators working in our own state capitols, we appreciate the leadership of our federal representatives on elevating the issue of noncitizens voting in our elections and we will continue to stand with them in their efforts. NC Representatives have not yet signed on. Call them. Here's the list https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members/NC#representatives ADD MY NAME State LegislatorsAdd My Name Only Citizens Vote Coalition is calling on all state and national Congressional members to add their names to a pledge to support the SAVE Act. First Name Last Name Title Email District State Party Affiliation    Democrat   Republican   Independent   Other

https://www.yahoo.com/news/aclu-threatens-sue-georgia-over-181909654.html The Georgia legislature passed new election ballot reforms that could have a big impact in the 2024 election in the key battleground state, should Gov. Brian Kemp sign the bill into law. The Georgia state legislature passed GOP-backed Senate Bill 189 last week, which now awaits Kemp’s signature or veto. The bill would grant access to Georgia’s ballot to any political party that has qualified for the presidential ballot in at least 20 states — a change that could boost independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and potentially draw votes away from President Biden. The bill also makes ballots, once certified, immediately available as public record in an effort to increase the scope of poll watchers on Election Day. It also makes audits of voter rolls easier, to ensure deceased residents or those who have moved out of state are no longer eligible to vote. LIBERAL GROUPS SUE TO BLOCK NEW ALABAMA VOTING LAW BANNING BALLOT HARVESTING Georgia Republican Gov. Brian Kemp. Hans von Spakovsky, an election law expert and former member of the Federal Election Commission, said the Georgia legislature, through measures like Senate Bill 189, is trying to address several administration problems highlighted in the 2020 election. "The Georgia legislature has been trying to correct the vulnerabilities that allowed some of those administrative problems to creep in," von Spakovsky told Fox News Digital in an interview. Von Spakovsky, who also served on the Board of Advisors of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission and on the Fulton County Board of Registrations and Elections, praised the measure as an effort to make future elections "as transparent as possible." MAIL-IN BALLOTS MUST HAVE DATES ON ENVELOPES, PENNSYLVANIA APPEALS COURT RULES Georgia's Senate Bill 189 will make ballots, upon certification, public record in an effort to increase the scope of poll watchers. Andrea Young, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) in Georgia, has said the legislation violates the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA), and threatened to sue if it becomes law. Among other things, the NVRA, signed by President Bill Clinton in 1993, bans states from removing registered voters from voter rolls unless certain criteria are met. "The majority in the Georgia General Assembly persists in passing laws that will undermine our democracy," Young told local news station FOX 5. "This is a recipe for election chaos, and we strongly urge the governor to veto it." But von Spakovsky said he doesn’t see anything in the state’s measure that would violate the NVRA, and says that similar legal challenges in other states have failed. He also noted that claims by President Biden two years ago that other Georgia election reforms — like requiring ID for absentee ballots — were a mechanism to suppress minority voters and amounted to "Jim Crow 2.0" have proven to be false. Von Spakovsky noted that a survey conducted by the University of Georgia found that precisely 0% of Black respondents said that they had a "poor" experience voting in 2022, compared to 0.9% of White voters. AG GARLAND PLEDGES TO FIGHT VOTER ID LAWS, ELECTION INTEGRITY MEASURES split image of Trump, Biden "I have a lot more confidence that we're going to have a good election this year than I did in 2020," von Spakovsky said. Janae Stracke, vice president of outreach at the conservative group Heritage Action, said that lawmakers in Georgia "deserve a lot of praise for their work to make it easier to vote and harder to cheat through commonsense proposals that are often supported by a bipartisan majority of Americans." "Free and fair elections are the bedrock of our republic, and everyone deserves to know their vote will be counted accurately this November," she said. The ACLU did not respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Original article source: ACLU threatens to sue Georgia over election bill conservatives praise as 'commonsense' reform

https://www.nceit.org/post/nceit-press-conference-video-and-press-coverage-of-amendment-for-only-citizens-voting Press Conference Video: The NORTH CAROLINA ELECTION INTEGRITY TEAM'S Press Conference in Raleigh on Wedneday, April 24th, 2024 at the Legislature https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#inbox/FMfcgzGxStsrcJpBJxHSLmFFdWVtbZld?projector=1 NC Republicans want citizens-only voting amendment. Would it change anything? BY KYLE INGRAM APRIL 23, 2024 2:26 PM Raleign News and Observer A constitutional amendment stating that only citizens can vote may be on the ballot in November as advocates for stricter rules in North Carolina elections lobby Republican lawmakers. Sen. Brad Overcash, a Gaston County Republican, told The News & Observer on Tuesday he would sponsor the effort to amend the state constitution, saying it would give voters an opportunity to make it “crystal clear” that only citizens can vote. It is already a crime for noncitizens to vote in federal elections, and state law requires residents to be citizens to register to vote. Advocates say the amendment would clear up ambiguity in the constitution, but critics — and even a group pushing for the change — see it as a way to drive conservatives to the polls. WHO IS PUSHING FOR MORE ELECTION CHANGES? The amendment is one of several measures being pushed for by a group of advocates who describe their mission as election integrity. The group has ties to Cleta Mitchell, a lawyer who assisted former President Donald Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election. In audio obtained by The News & Observer of meetings of the North Carolina Election Integrity Team, leaders of the group laid out their legislative priorities for the upcoming session, including reducing the early voting period, tightening voter ID rules and attempting to entirely eliminate same-day registration. Republicans already passed sweeping election changes last year, including eliminating the three-day grace period for receiving absentee ballots, empowering partisan poll observers and attempting to restructure state and local election boards. These bills were introduced last summer after top lawmakers met with Mitchell to discuss her push for stricter election laws. Most of these changes are currently being battled out in court, with some on hold after trial courts struck them down. DOES THE AMENDMENT HAVE A CHANCE OF PASSING? In several meetings, leaders of the NCEIT appeared most hopeful about passing a citizens-only voting amendment to the state constitution. “Phil Berger and Tim Moore have both said they favor moving that bill this session,” Jim Womack, the president of NCEIT, said in an April 16 meeting. “That’s the only bill that both of them have agreed that ought to move. So I’ve had very high hopes.” Senate leader Phil Berger’s and House Speaker Tim Moore’s offices did not respond to requests for comment about whether they supported the legislation. In the meeting, Womack added that he thought legislative leaders would want it to pass “simply because it’ll bring conservatives to the polls.” Womack is also the chair of the Lee County GOP and ran unsuccessfully for chair of the state Republican Party earlier this year. His group plans to hold a press conference Wednesday in support of the amendment. Overcash said he had not spoken with anybody from the NCEIT about the amendment. He sponsored a bill to send a citizens-only voting amendment to voters last year, but it never made it to a vote in the legislature. In order to pass an amendment to the state constitution, three-fifths of lawmakers must first approve the proposal in each chamber of the General Assembly. Then, the amendment is placed on the ballot in the next election and decided on by voters. WHAT DOES THE CONSTITUTION SAY ABOUT WHO CAN VOTE? Though it is already a crime for noncitizens to vote, proponents of the amendment say the current language in the North Carolina Constitution doesn’t go far enough. The constitution states that “every person born in the United States and every person who has been naturalized…shall be entitled to vote.” It does not specifically state who cannot vote, an omission Andy Jackson, director of the conservative Civitas Center for Public Integrity, said should be fixed. “This is a fundamental question about how we run our Republic – who can vote and who can’t vote – I think that deserves to be in the Constitution,” he said. Bob Phillips, executive director of Common Cause NC, a government watchdog group, said the passage of a citizens-only voting amendment would have no tangible impact. “I can’t help but look at something like that and see it as just a vehicle to drive base voters,” he said. U.S. law makes it a crime for noncitizens to vote in federal elections. Overcash and other proponents of the amendment, however, have pointed to municipalities in other states that have allowed noncitizens to vote in local elections, such as school board races. State law prevents municipalities in North Carolina from enacting similar changes to voter eligibility. A constitutional amendment codifying that law would help shield it from potential litigation, Overcash said. GROUP ALSO TARGETING EARLY VOTING, SAME-DAY REGISTRATION In meetings over the past two months, members of the NCEIT discussed further election law changes but appeared less optimistic about getting some of them through the Senate. The group frequently discussed shortening the in-person early voting period, which currently begins on the third Thursday before an election and ends on the last Saturday before an election. House Speaker Tim Moore has expressed support for reducing the early voting period in the past, telling reporters in February that “I like early voting. I like making it easier to vote, but I think it’s just too long at three weeks. It adds a lot of costs.” However, Womack told the group that the chairs of the Senate Elections Committee “have basically stated that there’s not much interest in doing anything on the Senate side this year.” Sen. Paul Newton, one of the committee chairs, did not respond to a request for comment. In a meeting on April 9, Womack said one of the group’s priorities is eliminating same-day registration. Voters in North Carolina can register while voting in-person during the early voting period. Absent action from the legislature, he said Mitchell was interested in filing a lawsuit targeting the practice. “If the General Assembly does not want to stop it through statutory means, then we need to go through the lawfare channel,” Womack said. The legislative session begins on Wednesday. Read more at: https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/article287923495.html#storylink=cpy Other newsmedia who reported https://www.aol.com/news/nc-republicans-want-citizens-only-182630214.html https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/politics-government/article287923495.html https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/article287923495.html https://www.arcamax.com/currentnews/newsheadlines/s-3217190-p1 --

Joel Burgess Asheville Citizen Times April 16, 2024 https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/local/2024/04/16/ex-western-nc-rep-cawthorn-hits-injures-florida-trooper-witness/73344616007/?utm_source=pash-DailyBriefing&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=daily-briefing&utm_term=hero&utm_content=1122CT-E-NLETTER65 Controversial ex-Western North Carolina Congressman Madison Cawthorn struck a Florida Highway Patrol car, injuring a trooper April 15, according to the highway patrol and a witness who posted video and still photos on social media. The highway patrol did not confirm the driver was Cawthorn. But spokesperson Lt. Jim Beauford said the 2021 Mercedes that rear-ended a patrol car, a Dodge Charger, at 4:30 p.m. on Interstate 75 in Collier County was driven by a 28-year-old male from Cape Coral, Florida. Cawthorn is 28 and moved from Henderson County to Cape Coral after losing his 2022 reelection bid. A crash report is not yet available Beauford said April 16. The trooper was transported to an area hospital with minor injuries, Beauford said. The driver was cited with violating Florida's Move Over Law, which requires motorists to slow down and move over a lane when approaching a law enforcement vehicle parked on a highway shoulder. The Citizen Times reached out to Cawthorn. A person posting on X (formerly Twitter) said the Mercedes had been "erratically & aggressively driving behind" her before she moved out of the left lane to let it pass. X user Alethea, with the handle @Women2Dc, said she then saw the wrecked vehicle and Cawthorn in a wheelchair on the side of the road. She posted pictures and video with the person who appeared to be Cawthorn.

This is what happens when you have out of control growth. Plenty of blame to go around to commissioners and the city council! The Hendersonville City Council last week fired a preemptive strike as the decades long city-county water war erupted again, spelling out to the county’s legislative delegation the ways the city had tried to “resolve the long-standing dispute over governance of the utility system.” https://www.hendersonvillelightning.com/news/13808-legislators-want-city-and-county-to-work-out-utility-and-growth-dispute.html