VOLUME 7 ISSUE 43 |
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WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2022
Merry Christmas from North State Journal Hurricane subcommittee apologizes to citizens: ‘You’ve been failed’ By A.P. Dillon North State Journal RALEIGH — The Hurricane Subcommittee of the Joint Legislative Committee on Government Operations received updates from officials with the N.C. Office of Recovery and Resiliency (NCORR) and the Department of Public Safety (DPS) in a tense hearing on Wednesday, Dec. 14. The subcommittee held its first
meeting in September on the anniversary of Hurricane Florence. The hearing on NCORR Chief Operating Officer Laura Hogshead and DPS Eddie Buffaloe were both issued invitations to appear before the subcommittee. Legal Aid of North Carolina also provided testimony to the subcommittee. The hearing ran well over its 3-hour schedule. Hogshead’s testimony lasted
for almost two hours and lawmakers made it clear they were unhappy with the slow progress being made. Hogshead, who in the past worked for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), was appointed to her position by Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper in 2018. “I am here to show you the progress,” Hogsheads said in her See SUBCOMMITTEE, page A2
Burr delivers farewell address in Senate Washington, D.C. Wrapping up a nearly 30year career in Congress, Republican U.S. Sen. Richard Burr told colleagues that the chamber needs “more statesmen and fewer politicians” and that he remains optimistic about America’s future. Delivering a farewell address on Dec. 14, North Carolina’s senior senator thanked family and a generation of staff who helped him serve in the House for 10 years before getting elected to the Senate in 2004. “America’s full of bright and intelligent men and women of all ages who are creative at finding solutions and forging new paths,” Burr said. “We need these folks in the United States Senate and I’m glad that I’ve had the chance to serve with some who will now continue to carry on the great efforts for years to come.” As a Winston-Salem businessman, Burr ran for Congress in 1992 as a first-time candidate and lost. He won two years later. Burr moved to the Senate after defeating Democrat Erskine Bowles. Burr’s legislative career included the chairmanship of the Senate Intelligence Committee for five years until 2020. He also helped pass laws to reform the Food and Drug Administration, prepare for pandemics, help people with disabilities set aside tax-favored funds to pay for expenses and end the government-backed tobacco quota system for growers. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Raleigh The surprise retirement of first-term Labor Commissioner Josh Dobson could lead to a competitive primary between at least two interested N.C. House Republican members. Soon after Dobson’s announcement, Guilford County Rep. Jon Hardister said he was “strongly” looking at the race. Hardister, who has won competitive races in eastern Guilford County, was recently reelected to a sixth term in the N.C. House of Representatives. First-term Rep. Ben Moss of Richmond County formally entered the race on Tuesday. Moss, who defeated the outgoing Moore County Rep. Jamie Boles when the two were double-bunked, said he has spent his entire life working to advance North Carolina’s workforce. “I have real-life experience to offer North Carolinians by serving as Labor Commissioner. I am an employer, and I’ve also worked as an employee in a high-risk work environment,” said Moss in a statement. NSJ STAFF
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Seeing stars this Christmas
The Old Salem Heritage Bridge is modeled after covered bridges from the 19th century. A white Moravian star hangs in the center. The star was originally created at the Moravian Boys’ School in Germany as a geometry class project, but was later adopted by the Moravian Church as a Christmas symbol representing the Star of Bethlehem.
House select committee releases final draft report recommending education changes By A.P. Dillon North State Journal
Two NC House Republicans look to succeed Dobson
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PHOTO PROVIDED BY OLD SALEM MUSEUMS AND GARDENS
RALEIGH — The House Select Committee on An Education System for North Carolina’s Future released its final draft report recommending various changes to the state’s education system at a meet-
ing held on Dec. 12. The committee first met on Jan. 24, 2022. Over a dozen meetings were held throughout the year leading up to the meeting on Dec. 12. Many of the meetings were of a listening tour style in nature and took place at schools in the various districts across the state.
Rep. John Torbett (R-Gaston) chairs the select committee. Cochairs include Rep. Hugh Blackwell (R-Burke), Pat Hurley (R-Randolph) and David Willis (R-Union). Torbett indicated the committee will continue to meet when lawmakers return for the long session. The draft report is 38 pages long
House Judiciary Republicans probe possible antitrust violations involving ESG movement By A.P. Dillon North State Journal RALEIGH — Investigations and complaints from state-level officials into the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) movement have been going on for the better part of the last year, however, members of Congress are also picking up the topic. Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee led by Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan issued a letter to steering committee executive for Climate Action 100+ Mindy S. Lubber and Simiso Nzima. The letter outlines antitrust violation concerns related to ESG practices. Jordan is the incoming chair of the House Judiciary Committee. Other Republicans joining the letter include Reps. Dan Bishop (NC), Matt Gaetz (FL), Scott Fitzgerald (WI), Cliff Bentz (OR) and Tom McClintock (CA). “We are writing to you because of your roles coordinating how
some companies pursue environmental, social, and governance (ESG) policies in ways that may violate antitrust laws. Each of you is on the Steering Committee for Climate Action 100+, which seems to work like a cartel to “ensure the world’s largest corporate greenhouse gas emitters take necessary action on climate change,” the letter reads. The House Judiciary Committee Republicans tweeted out a portion of the letter, along with a quote from Bishop that reads, “ESG is, at its heart, radical partisan activism masquerading as responsible corporate governance. These corrosive practices may violate our nation’s antitrust laws, and we must be relentless in investigating them.” In addition to “climate change,” the Republican’s letter says ESG goals have gone beyond climate change activism and can include other policy concerns, such as “fake news dissemination,” “gun
control,” and “access to abortion.” The letter demands a host of documents, communications and other correspondence to be turned over to the congressional committee no later than 5:00 p.m. on Dec. 20 of this year. The letter also “serves as a formal request to preserve all existing and future records and materials relating to the topics addressed in this letter.” “Woke corporations are collectively adopting and imposing progressive policy goals that American consumers do not want or do not need. An individual company’s use of corporate resources for progressive aims might violate fiduciary duties or other laws, harming its viability and alienating consumers,” Republicans wrote. “But when companies agree to work together to punish disfavored views or industries, or to otherwise advance environmental, social, and governance See PROBE, page A3
and provides a summary of the committee’s work with six main findings. The report does not include any suggestions for fulfilling the recommendations presented. Finding 1: All students should receive a high-quality standard edSee EDUCATION, page A3