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Dear Friends,
I hope my message finds you and your family healthy and well.
Happy Asian American & Pacific Islander Month!
This month we celebrate the culture, history, and contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders across North Carolina.
North Carolina’s population is approximately 3% Asian and Pacific Islander and continues to increase according to the 2020 Census. The efforts and contributions of Asian American-Pacific Islanders can be seen in many aspects of society, including education, history, business, and science, playing a pivotal role in North Carolina’s rich history.
Celebrate this month by supporting an AAPI owned business in your area!
Please share our newsletter so your friends and family can stay up to date with the latest news, information, and resources relevant to the Cooper Administration.
Emma Hubacher
Office of the Governor
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Governor Cooper Declares a State of Emergency for Public Education in North Carolina
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In a special address on Monday, May 22nd, Governor Roy Cooper declared that public education in North Carolina is facing a state of emergency. In his address, the Governor outlined extreme legislation in the NC General Assembly that would cripple the state’s public education system and urged North Carolinians to contact their legislators.
“It’s clear that the Republican legislature is aiming to choke the life out of public education. I’m declaring this a state of emergency because you need to know what’s happening. If you care about public schools in North Carolina, it’s time to take immediate action and tell them to stop the damage that will set back our schools for a generation,” said Governor Cooper.
In recent weeks, Republicans have pushed a series of sweeping legislation that would choke the life out of public education. These extreme bills would cause public schools to lose hundreds of millions of dollars, exacerbate the state’s teacher shortage and bring political culture wars into the classrooms.
A Devastating School Voucher Scheme
Legislative Republicans propose pouring billions of dollars in taxpayer money into private schools that are unaccountable to the public and can decide which students they want to admit. Their plan would expand private school vouchers so anyone – even a millionaire – can get taxpayer money for their children’s private school tuition.
By expanding voucher eligibility to any K-12 student, our public schools, especially schools in rural and poorer counties, will face steep funding cuts, leaving schools without the resources to maintain fixed costs and support students.
A Worsening Teacher Shortage
North Carolina schools currently have more than 5,000 teacher vacancies. Recruiting and retaining quality teachers to the classroom is harder than ever and low pay is a big reason why. Governor Cooper’s budget proposed an 18% pay raise over two years. But last week Senate Republicans proposed increasing veteran teachers’ salaries by just $250 spread over two years. This will cause North Carolina to continue to fall behind, pushing teachers out of our classrooms and leaving public school students without instruction. In addition, legislators are proposing an acceleration of tax cuts that are projected to cut North Carolina’s state budget by almost 20 percent —hamstringing the ability to fund public education now and in the future.
Injecting Culture Wars into the Classroom
Republican leaders want to inject their political culture wars into classrooms across North Carolina with bills that would put politicians in charge of curriculum setting, micromanage what teachers can teach, and target LGBTQ+ students. Already, prominent Republicans have proposed eliminating core science classes and are pushing to rewrite history curriculums to fit a political agenda. Students need an education that prepares them for the workforce and success. North Carolina’s families, businesses and economy depend on it. Putting politicians in charge of the classroom is dangerous.
Learn more about North Carolina’s public education emergency.
Read the Governor’s full remarks.
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Governor Cooper Statement on Republican Vote to Override SB20 Veto
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The bill goes into effect July 1st.
For resources and information on safe abortions and reproductive rights in NC, please visit a resources guide provided by the ACLU.
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Governor Proclaims Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month 2023
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Governor Cooper Urges North Carolinians to Prepare for Hurricane Season
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Governor Roy Cooper is urging North Carolinians to learn about and prepare for the dangers of severe tropical weather in preparation for the upcoming hurricane season. Hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30.
“Severe tropical weather can have devastating impacts on communities across the state and the best way to prepare is by having a family emergency plan and kit,” Governor Cooper said. “These small steps now can bring big relief for people trying to stay safe during a storm and recover more quickly after it’s over.”
“Part of being prepared includes practicing what is in your emergency plan, so that everyone in your household is comfortable with their role in the plan,” said North Carolina Emergency Management Director, Will Ray.
The plan should include details on how and where you would evacuate, a meeting place, and important phone numbers. Everyone should have an evacuation plan to stay with family or friends, or at a hotel outside the affected area. Staying at a public shelter should be a last resort, not your primary plan. Offer to share your home as a shelter location for family or friends from coastal or flood prone areas.
Governor Cooper also emphasizes that all North Carolinians should be looking out for one another by checking on their neighbors, especially the elderly who may be more vulnerable.
Residents should pay attention to weather and evacuation information from local news media and have a battery-powered radio in case there is a power outage. If asked to evacuate, residents should promptly follow evacuation instructions.
To help mitigate damage to your home from severe weather, people can take common sense measures such as trimming trees, covering windows, securing loose outdoor items before severe weather strikes.
North Carolina continues to recover from the devastating effects of multiple large storms including Hurricane Ian, which brought wind, rain, isolated tornadoes and power outages to North Carolina. Tropical Storm Fred caused devastation and six deaths in Western North Carolina two years ago. In 2020 Hurricane Isaias and the remnants of Hurricane Eta pummeled parts of the state; as did Hurricane Dorian in 2019; Hurricane Florence, Tropical Storms Michael and Alberto in 2018; and Hurricane Matthew in 2016.
More information on emergency planning, preparedness and hurricanes is online at ReadyNC.gov.
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Governor Issues Executive Order 280, “North Carolina’s Commitment to Building an Age-Friendly State”
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“It's important to make North Carolina a place where seniors can live lives of engagement and purpose. This Executive Order will help us continue our work to make North Carolina the best place in the country to grow older.” – Governor Cooper via Twitter
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On May 2nd, Governor Cooper issued Executive Order No. 280 directing action to continue the state’s commitment to building an age-friendly state and bringing a whole-of-government approach to support North Carolina’s aging population.
Read the full press release.
Read EO 280 in full here.
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Governor Proclaims Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women 2023
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Governor Cooper proclaimed May 5 as a Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women to raise awareness about the disproportionate rate of American Indian and Alaska Native women who have disappeared or lost their lives due to acts of violence.
“Too many communities, especially communities of color, are impacted by violence,” said Governor Cooper. “As we raise awareness about the disproportionate rate of missing and murdered indigenous women, we also recommit ourselves to pursuing justice for them and their families.”
American Indians face some of the highest rates of violent crime in the country. In some tribal communities, Indigenous women face murder rates that are roughly 10 times the national average according to a study conducted on behalf of the U.S. Department of Justice.
“As an American Indian woman, the stats are both alarming and heartbreaking. We must continue to be a voice for victims and their families, engaging law enforcement and increasing outreach and education to combat this unconscionable issue,” said North Carolina Department of Administration Secretary Pamela Brewington Cashwell, North Carolina’s first American Indian woman to serve as Cabinet leader.
“It is vital that we further acknowledge and work to close the gaps that lead to this continued victimization, to help keep American Indian communities safe,” Secretary Cashwell said.
Over the past 60 years, North Carolina had approximately 106 missing and murdered cases involving American Indians with 57 percent of those missing being women and girls.
Due to poor data collection, this number is merely a fraction of those crimes considering many go unreported each year. North Carolina has the largest American Indian population east of the Mississippi and is home to eight state recognized tribes including the Coharie, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, Haliwa-Saponi, Lumbee, Meherrin, Occaneechi Band of the Saponi Nation, Sappony and the Waccamaw-Siouan.
The NC Department of Administration’s Commission of Indian Affairs works with tribal communities to provide resources and education to women experiencing domestic and sexual violence. Support for domestic violence and sexual assault victims is just one of the ways the Commission has advocated for local and regional American Indian concerns since the agency was established by the NC General Assembly in 1971.
“We provide resources including volunteer advocates for tribal populations such as the Coharie, Haliwa-Saponi, Meherrin, Sappony and Waccamaw-Siouan,” said NC Commission of Indian Affairs Director Greg Richardson. “It’s imperative that we not only lend support but be a voice and continue to shed light on this disparity impacting our communities.”
For additional resources and information on North Carolina’s state recognized tribes, visit the NC Commission of Indian Affairs website for details.
Read Governor Cooper's proclamation here.
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Governor Cooper Announces Building Bright Futures Apprenticeship Program and Recognizes Child Care Provider Appreciation Day
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Governor Roy Cooper and North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) Secretary Kody Kinsley visited Little People Preschool in Raleigh and celebrated Child Care Provider Appreciation Day.
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Governor Cooper and North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) Secretary Kody Kinsley visited Little People Preschool in Raleigh and celebrated Child Care Provider Appreciation Day. As a part of the visit, they discussed the importance of investing in quality child care options for North Carolina’s workforce.
Governor Cooper also announced the Building Bright Futures (BBF) early childhood education pre-apprenticeship-to-apprenticeship program. This program is a partnership between The North Carolina Business Committee for Education (NCBCE) and the NCDHHS Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) to pilot new pathways to entering the early childhood profession. BBF creates supportive pathways for high school and postsecondary students to earn credentials, while also obtaining hands-on, work-based learning experiences, in the early childhood education field.
“North Carolina’s children, families and businesses need more early childhood education and care options, and Building Bright Futures is an innovative solution to increase access,” said Governor Roy Cooper. “By supporting and encouraging students to enter the early childhood profession, we’ll help make sure more families and employers have the quality child care they need to thrive.”
North Carolina’s business communities need accessible child care so that workers can continue to remain a part of a strong workforce. Apprenticeship programs are vital to the state’s economic success.
BBF is currently recruiting child care providers, students, local school districts, community colleges, and other community partners to participate in the program. Those who are interested are encouraged to contact Morgan Ford, Program Director, at morgan.ford@nc.gov. Learn more about the Building Bright Futures program here.
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Governor Cooper Receives the NC Council of Churches’ Faith Active in Public Life Award
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Governor Cooper visits North Wilkesboro Speedway during All-Star Week
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On Wednesday, May 17th, Governor Cooper stopped by Victory Lane at North Wilkesboro Speedway. The event marks NASCAR’s 75th anniversary season as it returns to racing’s roots at the historic North Wilkesboro Speedway.
"NASCAR is a part of North Carolina. We are the birthplace of motorsports here, and I’m proud to be here today," Cooper said.
Cooper had allocated $18 million of American Rescue Plan funding to the reconstruction and renovations of North Wilkesboro Speedway in the 2021 state budget.
Governor said, "The return on investment economically is great, but return on investment to the sport to putting North Carolina on the map across the globe, putting Wilkes County and North Wilkesboro on the map across the globe-- nothing like it”.
Cooper also talked about how much bringing back the Speedway has meant to him and so many North Carolinians. "There’s just some places that are so ingrained in communities and states and people’s lives that they just take a special place unto themselves. That's what you get when you talk about the North Wilkesboro Speedway,” Governor Cooper said.
Cooper said the return on investment from this and events to come is going to be astronomical.
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Governor Cooper Announces $1.6 million in Workforce Development Grants to Nonprofits, Programs Funded by Grants Will Support Small Businesses
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The North Carolina Department of Commerce has awarded four special workforce training grants totaling more than $1.6 million to North Carolina nonprofit organizations.
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The North Carolina Department of Commerce has awarded four special workforce training grants totaling more than $1.6 million to North Carolina nonprofit organizations, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. Federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds are supporting this state initiative, called the “ARPA Business Work-Based Learning Grant” program.
“Helping businesses train their workers and strengthen their pipeline of talent is critical to meeting the needs of our changing economy,” Governor Cooper said. “Workforce investments like these grants will support not only the small businesses that are so important to our communities, but also the diverse North Carolinians who will be able to succeed in good jobs at these companies.”
The source of funding for these grants is the State Fiscal Recovery Fund (SFRF), a component of the American Rescue Plan Act which provided $5.4 billion to North Carolina to help turn the tide on the pandemic, address its economic fallout, and lay the foundation for a strong and equitable recovery. The N.C. General Assembly appropriated the SFRF in the 2021 Appropriations Act (Session Law 2021-180).
To learn more about those who were awarded grants, read the press release here.
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Governor Cooper Emphasizes the Need to Close the Digital Divide in North Carolina
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On May 23rd, Governor Cooper joined officials from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration and the Department of Information Technology to spotlight their “Internet for All” efforts to close the Digital Divide in North Carolina.
At least 1.1 million North Carolina households lack access to high-speed internet, cannot afford it or do not have the skills needed to take advantage of the digital economy. Governor Roy Cooper has a plan to close the digital divide to achieve digital equity for all North Carolinians.
Read Gov. Cooper’s Plan for Digital Equity here.
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Did you know?
CDC recommends universal testing of ALL adults for hepatitis C at least once in their lifetime and routine testing of people with ongoing risk factors. Get tested!
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Medicaid recertifications began April 1. There may be steps you need to take to keep your coverage. Make sure your contact information is up to date. To update, set up an enhanced ePASS account epass.nc.gov or contact your local DSS ncdhhs.gov/localdss.
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Las recertificaciones de Medicaid comenzaron el 1 de abril. Es posible que tenga que tomar algunas medidas para mantener su cobertura. Asegúrese de que su información de contacto esté actualizada. Para actualizar, cree una cuenta mejorada de ePASS epass.nc.gov o comuníquese con su DSS local ncdhhs.gov/localdss.
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More than 600,000 NC households are now participating in the US Federal Communications Commission’s Affordable Connectivity Program to save $30/month on high-speed internet. Households may qualify by income, participation in government assistance programs or other options. Learn more and apply here.
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