TCB Jan. 13, 2022 — The 2021 Legislative Issue by Triad City Beat

JAN 13-19, 2022 TRIAD-CITY-BEAT.COM

THE

2021

LEGISLATIVE

ISSUE So many bills, so few laws. PG. 6

UP FRONT | JAN 13 - 19, 2022

Coronavirus in the Triad

(as of Wednesday, Jan 12) Documented COVID-19 diagnoses NC 1,930,710 (+167,096) Forsyth 69,212 (+6,293) Guilford 85,978 (+6,701) NC 19,763 (+221) Forsyth 637 (+11) Guilford 957 (+5)

COVID-19 deaths

Documented recoveries NC 1,620,648 (+37,438) Forsyth *no data* Guilford 73,927 (+1,908)

Hospitalizations (right now) NC 4,098 (+999) Forsyth *no data* Guilford 253 (+59) Vaccinations NC Partially vaccinated 6,175,796 (+33,971) Fully vaccinated 6,212,320 (59%, +29,053) Forsyth Partially vaccinated 244,624 (+1,479) Fully vaccinated 227,600 (60%, +971) Guilford Partially vaccinated 337,854 (+1,904) Fully vaccinated 317,059 (59%, +1,512)

Brian Clarey brian@triad-city-beat.com

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OF COUNSEL

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CONTRIBUTORS

EDITORIAL ADVISOR

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STAFF WRITER

SALES SALES EXECUTIVE

Sayaka Matsuoka sayaka@triad-city-beat.com Nicole Zelniker nicole@triad-city-beat.com

1451 S. Elm-Eugene St. Box 24, Greensboro, NC 27406 Office: 336.681.0704 CHIEF CONTRIBUTOR KEY ACCOUNTS

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Dismantling Bob’s hoard

found 13 belts hanging from hooks on the back of his closet door. But by Brian Clarey I knew there had to be more, and there were: a shopping bag tucked into the corner with about 15 more belts inside it. He had approximately 20 jackets and coats — he particularly liked those Eisenhower-style zippered windbreakers, which comprise about 25 percent of the collection, and also a Burberry raincoat with a zip-in lining that I remember he bought for like $400 in 1983, at the Short Hills Mall in New Jersey. I kept the raincoat, though I have no need for it. Perhaps 20 pair of brown, beige and khaki pants still hang on one side of his closet; my wife and I will tackle that this weekend. And on Saturday I stopped over there with our middle child and together we went through nearly 50 sweaters, pulling out a few keepers for ourselves, among them a hand-knit Irish fisherman’s sweater that dates back to 1981 and is just perfect for a cold Boone winter. I’ve got a couple of those sweaters myself, now. They smell like him. He like plaid shirts with but-

ton-down collars, and so there’s 40 of them, separate from the flannel shirts which number in the twenties. He liked cozy pants, so there’s a pile of pajama bottoms and drawstring joggers. I haven’t cleared enough out from this closet to get a good read on the shoes, but I can already see that there are at least four iterations of the same brown slip-ons and five kinds of tennis shoes that he wore for pickleball. Fourteen pair of reading glasses. Nine boxes of Band-Aids on the bathroom counter, with nine more in the cabinets below. Six backscratchers in and around his chair. Socks, black and white, beyond number, and a bureau drawer stuffed with underwear that we estimated to be about 100 pair, but my mother said was more like 150 when she emptied it out. There’s so much more. With my father, there was always so much more. In the kitchen, I’ve already found four boxes of ice cream cones and thrown out eight bags of expired chocolate chip cookies, the good kind. The hall closet, where I found two pair of nearly identical hiking boots, still has rows of jackets, gloves and hats. His dresser still overflows with T-shirts and long johns. And we haven’t even started on his summer stuff yet.

There’s so much more. With my father, there was always so much more.

Current cases NC 290,299 (+129,617) Forsyth *no data* Guilford 11,093 (+4,788)

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UP FRONT | JAN 13 - 19, 2022

CITY LIFE Jan. 13 - JAN. 17 by Michaela Ratliff

THURSDAY Jan. 13

Icons Drag Dinner @ Chemistry Nightclub (GSO) 7 p.m.

Cupcake & Beer Pairing @ Foothills Brewing (W-S) 4 p.m.

If you never thought about pairing cupcakes and beer, now’s the time to try at Foothills Brewing. Enjoy four gourmet cupcakes paired with its perfect match in craft beer form. Visit the event page on Facebook for more info. Karaoke Thursdays @ Mac’s Speed Shop (GSO) 7 p.m.

DJ Energizer’s got the tunes you need to become a karaoke star for the evening. Hang out until 10 p.m. enjoying barbecue and drink specials. Find more dates on the event page on Facebook.

SUNDAY Jan. 16 Script Submissions @ Goodly Frame Theatre (GSO) Online Goodly Frame Theatre is seeking scripts for its February production, Affairs of the Heart: A Monologue Series. Interested playwrights should submit a 1–2-page monologue about sex, love, betrayal and more at goodlyframe.org/ script-submissions by Jan. 17.

Stop by Chemistry for a high-energy night featuring the finest drag performers in the state. Purchase tickets on Eventbrite.

Historic Postcard Exhibit @ Forsyth County Public Library (W-S) 10 a.m.

SATURDAY Jan. 15 Women in the Arts @ Milton Rhodes Center for the Arts (W-S) 9 a.m. Arts Council of Winston-Salem is hosting an exhibition showcasing the contributions of Salem Academy & College alumnae to the arts in the area. Contact Katie Hall for more information at khall@intothearts.org. Open House @ Humbled Warriors Yoga (HP) 12 p.m. Humbled Warriors Yoga is hosting an open house for you to learn more about the fitness class that may work best for you. Enjoy free yoga classes, prizes and more. See the event page on Facebook for a schedule of events. James Gregory: The Funniest Man in America @ High Point Theatre (HP) 7:30 p.m.

Preservation Forsyth in partnership with Forsyth County Public Library is excited to announce an exhibit featuring historic postcards, provided by local postcard collectors. Learn more on the Facebook event page.

MONDAY Jan. 17 Navigating Jim Crow: Green Book and Oasis Spaces in North Carolina @ Mount Tabor United Methodist Church (W-S) 2 p.m.

FRIDAY Jan. 14 Bridging the Triad @ Griffin Center Park and Recreation Center (GSO) 8 a.m.

Celebrate National Engineer’s Week and enter this competition to build the most efficient popsicle stick bridge. Free supplies will be provided to participants. Visit the event page on Facebook for more information.

James Gregory is bringing his Southern charm and whimsical comedic style to High Point. Find more information at highpointtheatre.com/ events/.

Mount Tabor United Methodist Church in partnership with the Winston-Salem Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., will be hosting an exhibit about the Negro Motorist Green Book and the locations in North Carolina featured in it. The Green Book was a travel guide published in the US from 1936-66, that let African-Americans know where they were welcome to patronize. Visit mttaborumc.org/green-book for more information.

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NEWS | JAN 13 - 19, 2022

NEWS

The 2021 Legislative Issue So many bills, so few laws. by Sayaka Matsuoka, Nicole Zelniker, Brian Clarey Perhaps you’re wondering why our 2021 Legislative Issue hits the streets in January 2022. It’s a valid question, but it’s one that should be directed at our own state legislature, which dragged out this session until Dec. 30, when it officially closed. For context, we used to run the Legislative Issue in June. For even more context, the legislature is already back in session as of this week. As always, we’ve highlighted the work of all our Guilford and Forsyth delegations to the state House and Senate, tallying their contributions — or lack thereof — and noting their successes. Triad reps authored hundreds of bills this session, often reaching across the political aisle to find common ground. And very, very few of them were passed into law.

SENATE FORSYTH Sen. Joyce Krawiec (R) District 31 Terms: 4 (+1 in House) About the district: The district contains Forsyth’s rural tracts outside Winston-Salem and the entirety of Davie County. Committee chairs: Appropriations on Health and Human Services (chair), Health Care (chair), Pensions and Retirement and Aging (chair) Primary sponsored bills: 67 (11 signed into law)

Highlights:

SB 143 - Juneteenth Observance Day in NC (with Lowe): This bill would have officially recognized Juneteenth as a state holiday in North Carolina. Status: Died in committee. SB 191 - No Patient Left Alone Act: This bill makes clear that patient visitation rights in health care facilities won’t be impacted during declared disasters or emergencies. The bill reflects on the unintended consequences of COVID-19, during which many people have been turned away from seeing hospitalized family members. Status: Signed into law on Oct. 15, 2021.

SB 249 - The SAVE Act: This bill would have clarified nursing regulations and eased requirements that make it costly or cumbersome for nurse practitioners to treat their patients. The bill would also remove supervision requirements for advanced practice registered nurses to grant them to full practice authority. Status: Died in committee.

SB 377 - Remove Foreign Citizens from Voting Rolls: This bill would have allowed the courts to notify the State Board of Elections of any noncitizens to remove their names from its list of registered voters. The names would be derived from those who request to be excused from jury duty because they are not citizens. Status: Died in committee. SB 404 - A Second Chance for LIFE: Bill would have required physicians to tell patients about the possibility of reversing the effects of drug-induced abortions after the first dose. Status: Died in committee. SB 405 - Born-Alive Survivors Protection Act: This bill, which Kraweic has introduced during the legislative session for the past several years, would charge doctors who fail to provide care for an infant born after a failed abortion. Status: Died in committee. SB 505 - Medical Billing Transparency: Would have required healthcare facilities to give patients at least 72 hours advance notice if they have scheduled appointments in which they would receive care from an out-of-network provider. Status: Died in the House. SB 530 - Medicaid for Twelve Months Postpartum: Would have provided pregnant women coverage under the NC Medicaid program for 12 months of postpartum treatment. The bill would also have waived tuition and registration fees at community colleges for the same individuals. Status: Died in committee. SB 700 - Balanced Political Discussion in Classrooms: Would have required balanced political viewpoints in classroom instruction and would have required the online publication of information about instructional materials. Status: Died in committee.

Sen. Paul Lowe (D) District 32 Terms: 3 About the district: District 32 contains most of the city of Winston-Salem and outlying areas to the north and south. Committee chairs: None Primary sponsored bills: 27 (1 signed into law)

Highlights:

SB 109 - Law Enforcement Recordings/ Winston-Salem: Would have amended the public records law in Winston-Salem to release law enforcement recordings to a citizens review board, to the city or county manager or to the city council. Status: Died in committee. SB 145 - Winston-Salem/Real Property Conveyances (with Krawiec): This bill allows the city of Winston-Salem to transfer city-owned real property to increase the supply of affordable housing. Status: Signed into law on June 17, 2021. SB 324 - Student-Athlete Compensation/ Study: This bill would have allowed student athletes to receive compensation for their name, image or likeness in relation to an athletic program. The bill would also have established a study committee on student-athlete compensation. Status: Died in committee. SB 639 - Commuter Rail Study/Piedmont Triad: This bill would have funded a Department of Transportation study to project the cost and feasibility of a commuter rail service linking Greensboro, Winston-Salem and High Point. Status: Died in committee. SB 694 - Black Farmer Restoration Program:

GUILFORD Sen. Amy Galey (R) District 24 Terms: 1 About the district: District 24, covers all of Alamance County and the rural eastern strip of Guilford. Committee chairs: None Primary sponsored bills: 33 (7 signed into law)

Highlights: SB 208 - Labor Law Changes: This bill made changes to the state’s Wage and Hour Act including requiring employers to notify employees of promised wages in writing at the time of hiring. Employers must also now provide written notice to employees at least one pay period prior to any reduction in wages. Status: Signed into law on July 8, 2021. SB 335 - Increase Penalty/Disruption of Open Meeting: Bill would have made it a Class 1 misdemeanor for anyone to disturb the peace of an official meeting of a public body. The second offense would have been a Class I felony while a third would have been a Class H felony. Status: Died in committee. SB 671 - Changes to K-12 Scholarship Programs: The bill would have changed the state scholarship program to allow private school students to receive state funding for scholarships. Status: Died in the House.

Sen. David Craven Jr. (R) District 26 Terms: 1+ About the district: District 26 covers all of Randolph County plus most of High Point in Guilford County’s southwest corner. Committee chairs: None Primary sponsored bills: 19 (3 signed into law)

Highlights:

SB 29 - Ricky’s Law/Political Sign Place-

ment: This bill shortens the time allowed to place political signs in right-of-ways from 30 days before one-stop early voting to 10 days before and after. Status: Died in committee. SB 238 - Life and Property Protection Act: This bill holds local governmental entities liable if they intentionally prohibit, prevent or delay law enforcement or fire and rescue services from accessing areas during public demonstrations. Status: Died in committee. SB 390 - UNC Law Enforcement Recruitment: Allows full-time and part-time UNC campus law enforcement officers to enroll in college courses without paying tuition or fees. Status: Signed into law on May 7, 2021. SB 492 - Establish NC Textile Museum: This bill would have allowed for the creation of a state textile museum through a partnership with the Randolph Heritage Conservancy, Inc. Status: Died in committee.

Sen. Michael Garrett (D) District 27 Terms: 2 About the district: District 27 includes all of rural Guilford County with the northern tier and west side of High Point, and a sliver of Greensboro west of Guilford College Road.

state employees. Status: Died in committee. SB 412 - $15/Hour Min. Pay for Noncert. Schl. Employees: This bill would have required the hourly rate for noncertified public school employees to be at least $15 per hour. Status: Died in committee. SB 565 - Supporting Law Enforcement: This bill would have directed the Department of Justice to assist local agencies in applying for grants, allocating $250,000 each year for grants to law enforcement agencies for community policing. Despite its somewhat misleading name, this bill would also have created a statewide database for decertified law enforcement officers, changed the definition of deadly force to include chokeholds and required officers to intervene when other officers violate policies. Status: Died in committee. SB 637 - Guilford County Mental Health Facility/Funds (with Robinson): This bill would have granted Guilford County more than $3.8 million from the state to construct a mental health crisis center for adults. Status: Died in committee.

Sen. Gladys Robinson (D) District 28 Terms: 6 About the district: District 28 is now most of the city of Greensboro, with a bit in the east ceded to District 24.

Committee chairs: None

Primary sponsored bills: 39 (0 signed into law) Highlights: SB 216 - Release of LEO Recordings/Greensboro (with Robinson): This bill would have allowed the release of police body-worn camera recordings to a citizens review board or to city council in closed session upon the recommendation of the city manager and a majority vote of the council. Status: Died in committee. SB 281 - Fair Treatment of Journalism/ Guilford County (with Robinson): Essentially a copy-and-pasted bill from the 2019 session, this bill would make it so that certain governmental meetings and legal actions must be advertised in local newspapers rather than just on government-run websites. Status: Died in committee. SB 369 - Make Election Day a State Holiday: Pretty straightforward, this bill would have made general election day an official state holiday, paid for

NEWS | JAN 13 - 19, 2022

This bill would have established a program to purchase farmland and grant it to Black farmers. It also would have established a training program for Black farmers. Status: Died in committee.

Primary sponsored bills: 24 (1 signed into law)

Highlights: SB 212 - Bennett College Accredit./Private Need-Based (with Garrett): Changed the requirements to allow for Bennett College students to receive need-based scholarships. Status: Signed into law on April 27, 2021. SB 286 - Greensboro/Local Speed Limit (with Garrett): Would have reduced the speed limit on residential streets in Greensboro to no more than 25 miles per hour. Status: Died in committee. SB 359 - K-3 Reading and Literacy Improvement Act: This bill would have worked to improve literacy for children by ensuring that every kindergarten through second grade classroom had a full-time teacher assistant and every three third-grade class-

NEWS | JAN 13 - 19, 2022

rooms had a full-time teacher assistant. Status: Died in committee. SB 485 - Fund Drug Treatment/Mental Health Courts: Bill would have allocated $4.2 million to support local drug treatment court programs. Status: Died in committee.

HOUSE FORSYTH

Rep. Amber Baker (D) District 72 Terms: 1 About the district: The district starts at Oak Summit Road, stretches from North Winston to Harmony Grove and extends all the way down to Ardmore. Committee chairs: None Primary sponsored bills: 21 (0 signed into law)

Highlights:

HB 131 - Stevens Center Funds/UNC School of the Arts: (with Lambeth, Terry, Zenger, Zachary): An act that would delegate funds to repair and renovate The Stevens Center at the UNC School of the Arts. Status: Died in committee. HB 170 - North Carolina CROWN Act(with Terry): The act would prevent discrimination against hairstyles historically associated with race. Status: Died in the Senate. HB 534 - Funds/Est. Black Women and Girls Task Force: The act would establish the North Carolina Black Girls and Women Task Force and allocate appropriate funds. The task force would consist of 13 members, including grassroots leaders, senate members and House representatives. Status: Died in the Senate. HB 837 - Increase Student Access to School Counselors: An act that requires at least one fulltime, permanent school counselor for every 300 high school students. Status: Died in committee. HB 953 - Funds for Sch. Mental Health Support Persons: Act to fund additional school counselors, social workers and psychologists or increase compensation for school counselors who are licensed clinical mental health counselors. Status: Died in committee.

Rep. Donny Lambeth (R) District 75 Terms: 5 About the district: The district starts at Walnut Cove Road and Belews Creek near and extends down to Walburg. Committee chairs: Appropriations (senior chair), Appropriations, Health and Human Services (vice chair), Health (chair) Primary sponsored bills: 73 (7 signed into law) Highlights: HB 32 - Equity in Opportunity Act (with Zenger): This act would create an opportunity scholarship grant program, personal education student accounts for students with disabilities and authorize counties to use local funds for K-12 scholarships. Status: Died in the Senate. HB 61 - Local Communicable Disease Programs/Funds (with Zachary): The act would appropriate funds to expand local infrastructure around the control and prevention of communicable diseases. Status: Died in committee. HB 91 - Accountability and Fair Play in Athletics: The bill will ensure oversight of high school sports and determine who is eligible to play based on school rules, health and safety requirements, fees and more. Status: Signed in law on Nov. 23, 2021. HB 127 - WF Baptist Health Regional Autopsy Ctr Funds (with Terry, Zenger, Zachary): The act would allocate funds for a new autopsy center at Wake Forest Baptist Health. Status: Died in committee. HB 289 - DIT/Broadband Mapping: (with Terry) The act would grant funds to the department of information and technology to prepare for statewide broadband maps. Status: Died in the Senate.

Rep. Evelyn Terry (D) District 71 Terms: 5 About the district: The district starts in Walkertown and stretches diagonally across the south east part of Winston-Salem to Highway 150.

Committee chairs: Education – universities (vice chair) Primary sponsored bills: 6 (0 signed into law)

Highlights:

HB 8 - NC Adopt ERA (with Baker): The act would ratify the Equal Rights Amendment and allocate funds to educate the public about the act. Status: Died in the Senate. HB 243 - UNC Legislative Priorities/ COVID-19 Impacts (with Lambeth, Zenger): An act that would address budget needs at UNC. Status: Died in committee. HB 873 - Repeal 2015 Law Relating to Monuments (with Baker): The act would repeal the 2015 law that was unanimously passed by both Republicans and Democrats protecting monuments across the state. The law as it currently stands prevents the removal of most monuments that are on public property. Status: Died in committee.

Rep. Lee Zachary (R) District 73 Terms: 4 About the district: The district stretches from Rural Hall in the east to Pea Ridge in the west and covers both Forsyth and Yadkin counties. Committee chairs: Judiciary 3 (chair) Primary sponsored bills: 17 (2 signed into law)

Highlights:

HB 37 - Establish Two At-Large Seats/W-S City Council (with Lambeth, Zenger): The act would have established two at-large seats in the Winston-Salem city council, making it the largest council in the Triad. Status: Died in committee. HB 404 - Ltd. Immunity for PSAP/TC for S.L. 2021-171: This act would ensure that law enforcement officers or anyone involved in 911 operations are not liable for damages resulting from death or injury unless the law can prove gross negligence or willful misconduct. Status: Signed into law on Nov. 18, 2021. HB 522 - Modify Service/Release of Alternate Jurors: This act would allow a judge to seat one or more alternate jurors. Status: Signed into law on July 22, 2021. HB 593 - Forsyth Senior Services Facility Funds (with Lambeth, Zenger, Baker, Terry): The

GUILFORD

Rep. Ashton Clemmons (D) District 57 Terms: 2

HB 766 - No Soliciting Certain Funds/Elections Boards: This act would prohibit funding elections through private means. Status: Died in committee.

About the district: The district starts in east Greensboro near East Market Street and stretches north and northwest, picking up much of the northern parts of the city before ending at the edges of Lake Brandt and Lake Townsend.

Rep. Jeff Zenger (R) District 74 Terms: 1 About the district: The district is on the west side of Forsyth County and covers Lewisville and Clemons.

Highlights:

Primary sponsored bills: 33 (3 signed into law)

Primary sponsored bills: 21 (4 signed into law)

HB 41 – Amend Lawful Age to Marry/18 Years of Age: Would have changed the lawful age to marry from 16 to 18 years old. Status: Died in committee

HB 211 - Reopen Bars and Restaurants: This bill would have allowed restaurants and bars to reopen at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Status: Died in the senate. HB 245 - Efficient Government Buildings & Savings Act: The act would have required public buildings to reduce their energy and water use by 40 percent by 2028. Status: Died in the senate. HB 279 - DMV Deployed Armed Forces Exemptions: This bill would allow deployed soldiers to get full provisional driver’s licenses remotely. Status: Signed into law on April 27, 2021 HB 782 - Elections Certainty Act: The act would clarify the date and time that mail in absentee ballot must be returned during an election, 5 p.m. on the day of the election. Any mail returned later than this would not be counted. Status: Died in committee. HB 861 - Back to Work Integrity Act (with Zachary): The act would create specific guidelines around how employers can report employment offers. It would have created a database to track when potential employees turned down jobs in order to keep them from obtaining unemployment. Status: Died in committee.

House Minority Whip Amos L. Quick III (D) District 58 Terms: 3

About the district: This southwestern district reaches towards Jamestown near Grandover Resort and then creeps up towards the UNCG area and Hamilton Lakes.

Committee chairs: None

Committee chairs: Finance (vice chair)

HB 82 - Summer Learning Choice for NC Families (with Zachary): The act would establish learning recovery and enrichment programs in local school administrative units. Status: Signed into law on April 9, 2021

HB 608 - Dignity for Women Who are Incarcerated (with Brockman, Faircloth, Hardister, Harrison, Quick): This bill limits the use of restraints on pregnant women, body cavity searches of women who are pregnant or in postpartum recovery and the placement of pregnant or recovering women in restrictive housing, amongst other changes. Status: Signed into law on Sept. 10, 2021

Highlights:

HB 215 – Early Childhood Data Analytics/ Pilot/Guilford (with Hardister, Harrison, Faircloth, Brockman, and Quick): Would have provided funding to Guilford County to support a data analytics system for early childhood development programs. Would also have established a high-quality early childhood care and education pilot program in the county. Status: Died in committee. HB 364 – Funds for the Expansion of NC Pre-K (with Brockman, Harrison, Quick): Bill would have provided $12.5 million in recurring funds for 2021-23 to provide funds for children to participate in the North Carolina pre-K program. Status: Died in committee. HB 542 – Fix Our Democracy (with Brockman, Harrison, Quick): Bill would have established an independent redistricting process, reenacted legislation to establish a nonpartisan method of electing supreme court justices and court of appeals judges, allowed for online voter registration and automatic voter registration, made campaign finance sources more transparent, limited super PAC influence, and more. Status: Died in committee. HB 698 – Release Body-Worn/Dashboard Camera Video (with Quick, Brockman, Harrison): would have required the release of requested bodyworn and dashboard camera recordings after 48 hours have passed from the time of the recording. Status: Died in committee.

NEWS | JAN 13 - 19, 2022

act would expand the Elizabeth and Tab Williams Adult Day Care Center into an intergenerational center for arts and wellness. Status: Died in committee.

Committee chairs: None Primary sponsored bills: 18 (0 signed into law)

Highlights: HB 214 – Grant Prog. To Reduce CV19 Vaccine Hesitancy (with Brockman, Clemmons, Harrison): This bill would have established a COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy Elimination Program as a competitive grant program. The program would have given funds to approved minority businesses to conduct or host public communications, initiatives or events. Status: Died in committee. HB 446 – Safeguarding Voting Rights (with Brockman, Clemmons, Harrison): Would have allowed for automatic voter registration at various agencies throughout the state. The bill would also have allowed for people to register to vote online, amongst other things. Status: Died in committee. HB 532 – Criminal Justice Equity Act of 2021 (with Brockman, Harrison): This bill would have expanded the criminal justice fellows program to all counties in the state. The bill would also have modified various law enforcement standards such as requiring regular use-of-force data reporting to the State Bureau of Investigation. Status: Died in committee. HB 719 – Repeal Death Penalty (with Brockman, Harrison): The bill would repeat the death penalty and change all of the current prisoners who have been sentenced to death to life imprisonment. Status: Died in committee.

NEWS | JAN 13 - 19, 2022

House Majority Whip Jon Hardister (R) District 59 Terms: 5

About the district: Hardister’s district, which is shaped like a backwards “C,” covers almost half of the county including much of the rural eastern parts. It then curves westward towards Summerfield in the north and Jamestown in the south. Committee chairs: Alcoholic Beverage Control (vice-chair); Appropriations (vice-chair); Appropriations, Education (chair); Education – Universities (chair); House Select Committee on Strategic Transportation Planning and Long-Term Funding Solutions (vice-chair); UNC Board of Governors Nominations (vice-chair)

that the front fender is four or more inches greater than the height of the rear fender. Status: Signed into law on Aug. 30, 2021. HB 707 - Student Borrowers’ Bill of Rights (with Brockman, Harrison): Would have required the state Commissioner of Banks to license and regulate student loan servicers to crack down on deceptive or abusive practices by the companies. Status: Died in committee. HB 923 - Social Emotional Learning Pilot (with Brockman, Harrison, Quick): Bill would have implemented social and emotional learning curriculums in kindergarten classrooms. The bill noted that “SEL can have a long-term positive impact through adulthood, including decreasing the likelihood of being on a waiting list for or living in public housing, receiving public assistance, being involved with police before adulthood and spending time in a detention facility.” Status: Died in committee.

Rep. Cecil Brockman (D) District 60 Terms: 4

Primary sponsored bills: 71 (7 signed into law) HB 133 – Create NC Golf Council (with Clemmons): Would create a statewide seven-member golf council to promote the sport in the state. The council would foster economic development, tourism, recreation and community involvement for golf. Status: Died in committee.

HB 307 - NC Time Zone/Observe DST All Year: In the event that Daylight Savings YearRound was authorized by Congress, this bill would have allowed for North Carolina to adopt it yearround as well. Status: Died in the Senate. HB 631 - Sports Wagering (with Brockman): Would have authorized and regulated sports wagering in North Carolina. Status: Died in committee.

HB 692 - Restrict Certain Vehicle Modifications: This bill made it illegal to drive cars with altered suspensions, frames or chassis that make it so

HB 908 - Access to Affordable Health Coverage for All (with Harrison, Quick): Bill would have helped eligible individuals who fall into the coverage gap to afford health insurance by providing a refundable premium tax credit. Status: Died in committee. HB 948 - Add Segregation Score to School Report Cards: As part of school scores and report cards, bill would have required the incorporation of a racial and ethnic proportionality score under the basis that the “segregation of children…solely on the basis of race deprives children of the minority group of equal educational opportunities.” Status: Died in committee.

Rep. Pricey Harrison (D) District 61 Terms: 9

About the district: Brockman’s district runs vertically along the western part of the county, starting near West Market Street near the airport, and moves south towards High Point, catching a bit of Jamestown on the way.

Highlights:

HB 232 - LRC Study-Affordable Housing (with Brockman, Harrison, Quick): Would have directed the Legislative Research Commission to study affordable housing in the state by examining the current availability of affordable housing options, identifying subsidies and grants, examining challenges facing those in need of affordable housing and looking at best practices in other states, to name a few. Status: Died in the Senate.

HB 760 - Opportunity Gap Task Force (with Harrison): Bill to establish an opportunity gap task force consisting of 14 members. The task force would have studied the opportunity gap, considered best practices to close the gap in grades K-12 and proposed a plan to reduce the gap by July 1, 2030. Status: Died in the Senate.

Committee chairs: Education K-12 (vice-chair) Primary sponsored bills: 18 (0 signed into law)

Highlights:

HB 540 - Study Workforce Development for Refugees (with Quick, Hardister, Harrison, Clemmons): Would have looked at the skills and education that refugees bring with them as well as investigated the challenges refugees face in finding employment or being recognized for their former work credentials. After the study, the commission would have used the information to tap into the pool of skilled individuals to fill gaps in the labor force. Status: Died in committee. HB 550 - Free Breakfast and Lunch in Public School Units (with Quick, Harrison): Would create a state school breakfast and lunch fund to allow all public schools to provide free breakfast and lunches to students who need them. Status: Died in committee.

About the district: Harrison’s district covers a swath of Greensboro from Franklin Boulevard on the eastern side through downtown towards Guilford College to the west. Committee chairs: Environment (vice-chair) Primary sponsored bills: 53 (1 signed into law)

Highlights: HB 288 - Bennett College Acreddit./Private Need-Based (with Hardister, Quick, Clemmons, Brockman): Would have changed the requirements to allow for Bennett College students to receive needbased scholarships. Status: Died in committee. However, the Senate version of this bill (SB 212) was signed into law. HB 354 - Hate Crimes Prevention Act (with Brockman, Quick): Would increase the scope and punishment of hate crimes and required the State Bureau of Investigation to create and maintain a hate crimes statistics database. It would also have required law enforcement officers and district attorneys to be trained on how to identify and prosecute hate crimes. Status: Died in committee. HB 444 - PFAS Mitigation Measures Cost Reimbursement (with Quick): Would hold those who discharged PFAS contaminants into private or public

HB 452 - Mental Health Protection Act (with Brockman, Clemmons): This bill would protect minors and adults with disabilities from attempts by others to change their sexual orientation or gender identity, thus outlawing what is known as “conversion therapy.” The bill would also have prohibited state funds from being used to conduct conversion therapy. Status: Died in committee. HB 612 - Up Minimum Wages/No Subminimum or Exemptions (with Brockman, Clemmons): Bill would have increased the regular minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2023 and would have phased out the tipped employee minimum wage through 2025. Status: Died in committee. HB 617 - Cannabis Legalization and Regulation (with Brockman): Would have legalized the sale, possession and use of cannabis in North Carolina. Use would have been legal for persons 21 years of age or older. Status: Died in committee.

Rep. John Faircloth (R) District 62 About the district: Faircloth’s district covers the northwestern and westernmost portion of the county, starting in Stokesdale, descending all the way to High Point. Committee chairs: Appropriations, Justice and Public Safety (vice-chair) 39 (4 signed into law)

Primary sponsored bills:

Highlights:

HB 418 - Threaten LEO or Correctional Officer: This bill would have made it a Class I felony to threaten a law enforcement officer or detention facility employee with bodily harm or death. Status: Died in the Senate. HB 761 - Police Vehicle and Equipment Protection Act: This bill increased the penalty for breaking and entering into certain law enforcement vehicles and for stealing certain equipment. Status: Signed into law on Oct. 15, 2021. HB 755 - Fund Law Enforcement/Detention/ Corrections: This bill would have set aside extra

funds for the State Highway patrol, county law enforcement agencies and municipal law enforcement agencies including signing bonuses for some newly-hired officers. Status: Died in committee. HB 858 - Permit Cannabis Medical Research Studies (with Brockman, Harrison): This bill would have allowed for the use of cannabis for medical purposes and to research the effects of the drug as treatment for various medical conditions. Status: Died in committee.

NOTABLE VETOES BY GOV. COOPER This legislative session, Gov. Roy Cooper vetoed a total of 16 bills. Here are just a few of the notable ones. SB 37 - In-Person Learning Choice for Families Local sponsors: Galey, Krawiec Veto date: Feb. 26, 2021 Status: Died in Senate committee What: This bill would have required local school boards to provide an in-person instruction option during the 2021 school year. Cooper’s statement: “As written, the bill threatens public health just as North Carolina strives to emerge from the pandemic.” SB 43 - Protect Religious Meeting Places Local sponsors: Craven Veto date: June 18, 2021 Status: Died in Senate committee What: The bill would have allowed people with concealed carry permits to carry guns on properties that serve as both churches and private schools. Cooper’s statement: “For the safety of students and teachers, North Carolina should keep guns off school grounds.” HB 453 - Human Life Nondiscrimination Act/No Eugenics Local sponsors: Faircloth, Zachary Veto date: June 25, 2021 Status: Died in House committee What: Would have made abortions based on presumed race, sex or presence of Down syndrome illegal. Cooper’s statement: “This bill gives the government control over what happens and what is said in the exam room between a woman and her doctor at a time she faces one of the most difficult decisions of her life. This bill is unconstitutional and it damages the doctor-patient relationship with an unprecedented government intrusion.”

HB 398 - Pistol Purchase Permit Repeal Local sponsors: Faircloth Veto date: Aug. 30, 2021 Status: Died in House committee What: Would have repealed a law that requires a permit to purchase pistols. Cooper’s statement: “Gun permit laws reduce gun homicides and suicides and reduce the availability of guns for criminal activity. At a time of rising gun violence, we cannot afford to repeal a system that works to save lives. The legislature should focus on combating gun violence instead of making it easier for guns to end up in the wrong hands.”

NEWS | JAN 13 - 19, 2022

drinking water supplies to be held accountable by being forced to pay to remove or correct the adverse effects. Status: Died in committee.

HB 324 - Ensuring Dignity and Nondiscrimination/Schools Local sponsors: None Veto date: Sept. 10, 2021 Status: Died in House committee What: A direct response to outrage over critical race theory, this bill notes that public schools can’t promote certain ideas around race or sex. Cooper’s statement: “The legislature should be focused on supporting teachers, helping students recover lost learning, and investing in our public schools. Instead, this bill pushes calculated, conspiracy-laden politics into public education.” SB 326 - Election Day Integrity Act Local sponsors: Galey, Krawiec Veto date: Dec. 2, 2021 Status: Died in Senate committee What: Would have changed the date in which county board of elections would have had to receive mail-in absentee ballots in order to be counted. Cooper’s statement: “The legislature ironically named this bill ‘The Election Day Integrity Act’ when it actually does the opposite. Election integrity means counting every legal vote, but this bill virtually guarantees that some will go uncounted.”

NEWS | JAN 13 - 19, 2022

News Feature Photo

Body discovered in Lake Daniel Park in Greensboro

n Sunday afternoon, a body was found in Lake Daniel Park near 2103 Mimosa Drive in Greensboro. According to Greensboro Police Public Information Officer Ron Glenn, the body was discovered around 2:37 p.m. on Sunday afternoon. Glenn noted that there was nothing suspicious about the death and that it is being investigated as a death investigation. Glenn did not disclose anymore details about the body and noted that once the person is identified that next of kin will be located and notified. Anyone with details should contact Greensboro police at 336-373-1000 or through the anonymous online portal.

EDITORIAL

The people vs. Madison Cawthorn

ep. Madison Cawthorn insurrection or rebellion against the is not just an embarsame, or given aid or comfort to rassment to all North the enemies thereof” may run for Carolinians — he’s or hold office in the federal governan embarrassment of riches for ment. fact-checkers, opinion writers and Now, the state Board of Elections anyone looking for a test case must hold a hearing, the results of against the Jan. 6 insurrectionists which can be appealed to the BOE, who are running for re-election this the NC Court of Appeals and the year. state Supreme Court. Remember, Cawthorn has The long and short of it is that ditched his own 11th Congressional Cawthorn may have to testify unDistrict in and around Asheville to der oath about his activities before, run in the neighboring during and after the 13th District, which Jan. 6 insurrection, was specifically drawn Cawthorn may giving us a look at his for former NC House text messages and Speaker Tim Moore. In have to testify emails about that day. return, according to an under oath about Of course, there’s unnamed Democrat always that video of his activities in the NC Legislature, him on Jan. 6. that before, during “The Republicans are looks an awful lot like going to do everything and after the Jan. a man in a wheelchair 6 insurrection. they can do to fuck trying to incite a riot. with Madison CawOr the dozens of thorn. They hate him tweets he has fired more than they hate us.” off supporting the terrorists who And now, an activist group has invaded the Capitol that day in the formally challenged his candidacy hopes of affecting the outcome of in the name of all NC voters bea free and fair election. cause they say — get this — he’s an Cawthorn is fairly comfortable insurrectionist! with lying — he’s lied about his Legally speaking, it checks acceptance to the US Naval Acadout. State law allows voters in a emy (he wasn’t), his status as a district to challenge a candidate’s Paralympic athlete (he’s not) and qualifications, usually matters of his successful real estate company residency or age. But Free Speech (nope). for the People is pulling the 14th But he can’t rely on the support Amendment of the US Constitution of the NC GOP on this one, at least into play. It specifically states that not in the kinds of rooms where it no one who “shall have engaged in really counts.

Jen Sorensen

jensorensen.com/subscribe

CULTURE | JAN 13 - 19, 2022

OPINION

John Cole Provided by NC Policy Watch

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

When I heard hip hop it immediately sounded like my voice. It sounded like something I could do.

–Jeffrey McNeill aka Thee Phantom, pg. 14

CULTURE | JAN 13 - 19, 2022

CULTURE Hip-hop orchestra to bring a ‘house party’ to Carolina Theatre in GSO by Michaela Ratliff

effrey McNeill grew up in a musical household, naturally gravitating towards the bassfilled beats by Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five and other hip-hop artists that emitted from his dad Stanley’s record player. “When I heard hip hop it immediately sounded like my voice, he says. “It sounded like something I could do.” When he was 13, he noticed the lack of melodies in the genre and tried his hand at audio mixing using his dad’s dual-cassette/turntable, blending the Beastie Boys’ “Paul Revere” with Beethoven’s Fifth. He excitedly ran to a friend’s house ready to show off his masterpiece, only to be met with a less than favorable review. “He looked at me, popped the tape out and threw it across the room. He told me it would never work,” he says. Despite his friend’s resistance, McNeill, who goes by Thee Phantom, bonded himself to the idea that hip hop and classical music can work together. He derived his COURTESY PHOTO name from The Phantom of the Opera, saying he’s a The Illharmonic Orchestra mines the territory between classical and hip hop at the Carolina Theatre this weekend. lover of music and performance. In the early 2000s, McNeill pitched the idea of an designed to make the listener think about how sounds are created when orchestra backing his rapping to his then-girlfriend and now wife, Andrea recording music in the studio. Phoenix believes listeners will gain a new Coln. He succeeded in 2002, becoming the first hip-hop artist to perform at perspective as many instruments in music are electronically simulated the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia, joined by the Philadelphia Orchestra and today. Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia. “When they see it to orchestration and it’s a Jay-Z or Kanye song, the conSoon after, he began seeking talent to form his own orchestra, aiming for, nections are made visually and mentally, and you’re able to appreciate hip but not limiting himself to, younger musicians of color who listened to hip hop in a different way,” she says. hop and could relate to what they played. Thee Phantom also wanted the This will be the orchestra’s first trip to North Carolina, something Phanaudience to be able to see themselves on the stage. tom’s excited about for more reasons than one. In 2003, Thee Phantom and the Illharmonic Orchestra made their debut “I grew up as a Tar Heel fan, so North Carolina has always been on my at the Kimmel Center. Of 25 musicians, 20 were of color. And on Jan. 15, target,” he says. Thee Phantom and the Illharmonic Orchestra will be bringing their fusion to The orchestra tailors the songs they perform to the audience and lothe Carolina Theatre in Greensboro. cation at which they’re performing. The setlist contains original songs by Since 2003, the group has graced the stage of several prestigious perforThee Phantom, fan-favorites like “Big Poppa” by Notorious B.I.G and several mance spaces on the east coast, including the Kennedy Center in Washingcovers of songs by hip-hop artists from North Carolina, including Phoenix’s ton, DC and Carnegie Hall in New York City. In fact, the group was only the favorite, J. Cole. third hip-hop act to perform at Carnegie Hall, after Wyclef Jean and Jay-Z, She’s also eager to perform for an audience that’s likely to enjoy and respectively. understand the songs. Coln, also known as Phoenix, serves as the orchestra’s vocalist. She “I’m looking forward to going to a place where we know there’s a large based her stage name on the phoenix, a bird in Greek mythology that is population of people who look like us who can relate to what this is about,” repeatedly born again, rising from the ashes of its predecessor. She says she says. the phoenix describes the way she’s been able to adapt to the life path she According to Phoenix, the show can’t be explained, but must be experichose, deviating from her original plan of becoming a dancer. enced. It’s not for people who opt to stay seated while watching. “I’ve been able to rebirth, regrow and reinvent myself,” she says. “It’s a house party in a classical venue,” she says. Growing up, Phoenix reserved her singing for her schoolmates on the bus, never intending to make a career of it. Thee Phantom and the Illharmonic Orchestra will perform at Carolina “I remember being in high school and the What’s the 411? album coming Theatre in Greensboro on Jan. 15 @ 8 p.m. Tickets are on sale at caroout and singing the whole Mary J. Blige album on the back of the bus and linatheatre.com. Learn more about Thee Phantom and the Illharmonic the whole bus being quiet while I was just belting out all of the songs,” she Orchestra at theephantomhiphop.com, Facebook and Instagram says. @illharmonic.orchestra. She continues, “Apparently it was meant to be.” The 25-member ensemble contains violin, cello, trumpet and more,

CULTURE | JAN 13 - 19, 2022

SHOT IN THE TRIAD Percy Street, Greensboro

CAROLYN DE BERRY

Greensboro’s newest gallery, the Percy Street Free Little Art Gallery, is curated by Ash Hein. The gallery charges no admission, has unlimited viewing hours and works of art are free of charge. Submissions are also welcome.

PUZZLES | JAN 13 - 19, 2022

CROSSWORD

by Matt Jones

Across

1 Kerosene lantern material 6 Invitation’s request 10 Current measures? 14 Displeased with 15 “A Change is Gonna Come” singer Redding 16 Cafe supplement 17 Basketball venue 18 Gymnastics gold medalist who made news in 2021 as the first Hmong-American Olympian 20 Horror movie revived in 2021 (with a script co-written by Jordan Peele) 22 “The ___ Ballerina” (Degas work) 23 Luggage checkers, for short 24 Crash maker 25 Low poker hand 28 Swampy land 32 Young ___ (small children) 33 British tennis star who won the 2021 U.S. Open, only the second Grand Slam tournament she had entered 37 Full of energy 38 Judges’ gp. 39 Rampageous revelry 43 2021 documentary directed by Questlove about the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival 46 Dad joke, generally 49 Ed of “Up,” “Elf,” and “JFK” 50 Sanitizer’s target 51 attery poles 54 Occupational suffix 56 Prepared potatoes, as for hash browns 57 2021 Adele chart-topper that broke records on streaming services 62 2021 Netflix series that made Lee Jungjae a star outside South Korea 65 Scheduled to arrive 66 Baseball scoreboard data 67 Make Kool-Aid 68 First class, briefly 69 Squirrel’s home 70 Where a Yankee follows November? 71 Ford’s failure

Down

“The Best of 2021”--keeping things positive.

1 Auto financing co., formerly 2 “Tomb Raider” protagonist Croft 3 Yemeni port on the Red Sea 4 Course hazards 5 Sticks around 6 “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” detective Diaz 7 Shock and amaze 8 Diesel in an automotive vehicle? 9 Pressure unit, briefly 10 Warning signal 11 California surfers’ mecca 12 Nursery rhyme merchant 13 Swipes 19 Person with intelligence?

LAST WEEK’S ANSWERS

21 One of the Berenstain Bears 24 Dance step syllable 25 Treat in collectible dispensers 26 “___ seeing things?” 27 Rapscallion 29 Surname shared by two presidents 30 “American Idol” winner Studdard 31 Sudden fright 34 Protagonist of the “Street Fighter” series 35 Bounced-check abbr. 36 Shipping option that skips air travel 40 Eggs in the water 41 Moldova’s cont. 42 Shady tree 44 Postgrad degrees 45 Metal minerals 46 “Winter Wonderland” clergyman 47 Matchless 48 “Wait your turn!” 52 Jefferson, by belief 53 “Ed, ___ n Eddy” (Cartoon Network series) 55 “Blame It on the Bossa Nova” singer Gorme 57 Cast forth 58 Dynamic prefix 59 Court dividers 60 Swampland 61 Organic compound 63 Channel that aired “Lingo” (which is pretty much what all your Wordle results posts are) 64 ___ high level

SUDOKU

LAST WEEK’S ANSWERS