North State Journal Vol. 3, Issue 49

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VOLUME 3 ISSUE 49

WWW.NSJONLINE.COM |

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30, 2019

Inside Is Cam Newton going to be OK? Sports

DAVID LARSON | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Protesters listen to a speaker at the Women’s March on Raleigh on Jan. 26.

the Wednesday

NEWS BRIEFING

General Assembly reconvenes The North Carolina General Assembly returns to work in earnest Wednesday for a budgetwriting session that traditionally lasts until early summer. Exactly how long legislators will meet probably will depend on how well Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper and the Republican-controlled House and Senate can work together. Democratic gains in the November elections mean the GOP no longer has veto-proof control. The victories give Cooper and his allies more leverage in negotiating after Democrats have essentially been shut out since 2013.

Triad Confederate statue ownership uncertain amid removal row Questions about the ownership of a Confederate monument that city officials in Winston-Salem want gone have arisen just days before the city-imposed deadline for removal. In a Jan. 25 letter, the United Daughters of the Confederacy’s North Carolina chapter asked Winston-Salem’s city attorney for a 60-day delay on filing legal action to force the removal. The city had issued a Jan. 31 deadline. The UDC has previously claimed ownership of the statue, but recently unearthed news accounts have drawn questions over who owns the statue. The UDC wants a delay to resolve who actually owns the monument and whether the state’s monument protection law applies. Stacey Abrams to give

Democrats response to State of Union Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer says former Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams will deliver the Democratic response to President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address. The role elevates Abrams in Democratic politics after she narrowly lost the governor’s race in November. Schumer called Abrams a “great spokesperson” and a leader on voting rights. Senate Democrats are urging Abrams to run for Senate in 2020 against Republican Sen. David Perdue.

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Women’s March on Raleigh gathers on anniversary of nationwide protest Thousands attend rally at legislative complex for progressive causes

ELEVATE THE CONVERSATION

By David Larson North State Journal

Chief justice resignation creates opportunity for GOP Timing of resignation could create three elections in 2020 By David Larson North State Journal RALEIGH — North Carolina Supreme Court Chief Justice Mark Martin announced on Friday he is resigning from the Supreme Court to become dean of Regent University School of Law in Virginia. Martin’s resignation creates a vacancy on the state’s highest court which will be filled by Gov. Roy Cooper. Democrats currently enjoy a 5-2 majority on the court with Martin and Justice Paul Newby as the two Republicans. Martin issued a press release on Friday afternoon announcing the move and that his final day on the court would be Feb. 28. With a likely 6-1 majority on the Supreme Court, Cooper and his allies will have an ideological advantage in several lawsuits headed to the court over redistricting, voter identification and separation of powers. In an interview on Monday, Martin told North State Journal that the timing of his departure was based on the unique opportunity offered by Regent University. “When you’re in your fifties, you have to make a decision on whether you want a second career after public service,” said Martin. “I was approached about this position, and you can’t say ‘wait until the end of my eight-year term.’” Martin also noted his longevity on the court and in public service. “I’ve been on this court for 10 percent of its entire history,” said Martin. The chief justice presided recently over the court’s 200th anniversary session. With his resignation, Martin will have completed 26 years on the bench. He also spent two years as a law clerk and two in the executive branch before becoming a judge. When asked about his legacy on the court, Martin said he had lived up to his commitments. “I served the majority of my term and fulfilled my See MARTIN, page A2

“I’ve been on this court for 10 percent of its entire history. ... I served the majority of my term and fulfilled my pledges. North Carolina Supreme Court Justice Mark Martin

RALEIGH — On Jan. 26, a sunny Saturday, supporters of the “Women’s March” filled the Halifax Mall in North Carolina’s legislative complex. More than 40 community organizations, such as Carolina Abortion Fund, League of Women Voters, UNC Law School, Duke Health and labor unions, came to set up booths at the back of the rally or to have representatives speak. The thousands in attendance came to support a wide variety of

causes, but common themes included abortion rights, resisting President Trump’s administration, creating fair districts and expanding health care options. “I feel that our reproductive rights are under threat.” said Lindsay, a Raleigh woman, to North State Journal when asked what issues brought her to the march. “We have all these options limiting health care and abortions, but at the same time this administration is pushing policies that force us to carry pregnancies to term — forcing birth. This is hypocritical and, frankly, infuriating.” Her friend Erin, also from Raleigh, agreed that abortion rights were central to why many, includSee WOMEN’S MARCH, page A2

Dan Forest takes next step in 2020 bid for governor By Gary D. Robertson The Associated Press RALEIGH — North Carolina’s Lt. Gov. Dan Forest has taken another step toward running for governor in 2020. Forest announced Monday that he has formed an “exploratory” committee to seek the GOP nomination, releasing a brief video in which he talks about building a better North Carolina. There’s been little doubt since the conservative and former architect was first elected in 2012 that he would run. Every lieutenant governor in North Carolina of the last 50 years has tried to move up the executive branch ladder. Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper is already amassing money for a re-election bid. Forest, 51, also has been raising campaign funds, but now he has filed documentation with the state elections board making clear that money would go for a potential governor’s run, a campaign spokesman said. Forest’s video begins with footage of confrontations between protesters and police and between

black and white men arguing on the street. “When our culture values diviSee FOREST, page A2


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