Neighbors on Call's Weekly Policy Update for 1/24/22

Fair Representation

• On Wednesday the NC General Assembly passed a bill to delay 2022 primaries to June 7. HB 605, which was introduced the same day and passed both chambers on a party-line vote, was drafted by Republicans to allow them more time to redraw legislative maps in the event current maps are struck down by the NC Supreme Court. Democrats objected to the bill as premature, especially given that the NC Supreme Court had already delayed primaries to May 17 to make time for the case. Gov. Cooper may veto the bill.

Education Policy

• On Tuesday Governor Cooper issued a proclamation declaring this week “North Carolina School Choice Week.” Given Cooper’s previous opposition to private school vouchers and concerns about charter school expansion, this proclamation was unexpected. A spokesperson for Cooper’s office indicated that the proclamation was issued in response to a request from the NC Association for Public Charter Schools, and that honoring educators for their work during the difficult conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic is a priority.