https://www.cbs17.com/news/local-news/cumberland-county-news/17-million-in-new-technology-coming-to-fayetteville-police-after-axon-contract-approved/

The images above were taken from the slide deck of a presentation put on by Down Home NC, which has an extensive summary here, and you can sign the pledge to vote no here.

Don't let the wording fool you. These amendments aren't about you, they are about corporations (think Duke Energy, Data Centers, and outside corporate interests) and the 1%, and we don't need amendments to pass the same exact laws. As I stated in the title, once amendments are passed, they are extremely difficult to undo, whereas normal legislation can be changed as the need arises.

"If passed, these ballot measures would drastically reduce state and local government funds, which could cause layoffs of educators, firefighters, emergency services, and other public workers — especially when combined with huge federal budget cuts coming down from Congress. It could mean the end of food stamps and affordable healthcare programs – which could in turn shut down hospitals and grocery stores and further impact NC farmers."
- Down Home NC

What is more, the NC income tax rate is already scheduled to fall below 3.5% in 2027, and still more by 2036 (image 5). As such, the income tax amendment will not affect you in the foreseeable future, but it will eliminate the possibility of corporations ever paying more than 3.5%, and any new legislation that tried to move the corporate tax rate above 3.5% would be unconstitutional.

At the same time, the other amendment seeks to cap property tax increases by local governments, but the wording is vague at best and doesn't say what it actually means to do, allowing for any number of interpretations they could argue as "constitutional" once passed. Regardless, taken in tandem with the income tax amendment, the mere nature of the other amendment would be to squeeze local communities of funds. When taxes levied by the state are reduced, the burden falls to localities. When taxes levied by localities are reduced, the burden falls on YOUR community. Think higher sales tax, fines, fees, parking, etc. and hits to local infrastructure - schools, roads, buildings, sidewalks, parks and recreation, libraries, Medicaid AND SNAP, etc.

In wrapping up, I'll reiterate once more that lawmakers do not need amendments to the NC State Constitution to achieve any what the amendments would achieve. Laws could just as easily passed - laws that could be revisited and adjusted over time in efforts toward a fairer tax code. Again, they are trying to rob the middle and lower class for the benefit of the wealthy and corporations, and lock that structure in for decades.

Don't fall for it!! VOTE NO on both tax amendments, and while you are at it, vote no on the Voter ID amendment. In case you haven't noticed, NC already requires Voter ID in order to vote.

https://www.mobilize.us/fayettevilleresistancecoalition/event/987643/

BRIDGE PROTEST - VOTE!

Rally

Time

Saturday, July 18

10am – 12pm EDT

Location

195 Poe Ave

Spring Lake, NC 28390

Map

About this event

On July 18th, from 10AM - 12PM, please join the Fayetteville Resistance Coalition and your fellow North Carolinians on the Poe Avenue/S. Bragg Blvd overpass in Spring Lake to send a clear message:

VOTE!

That's it. That's the message. Our democracy relies on we the people to engage in their civic duty to elect representatives. It is also our civic duty to vote OUT those who have demonstrated they do not represent us and instead cater to MAGA and this authoritarian regime, all while enriching themselves.

This is not business as usual—our government is spiraling into chaos: reckless, unaccountable, and out of control. Our Representatives must restore order, draw the line, and put the people first. Congress must act and Stop the Madness!

This is a recurring protest each Wednesday. Themes change each week. FRC will provide banners and signs to participants. In addition to our physical presence we will have action item(s) for participants to engage in so that we are turning protest into action. Stop by, take action - stay for as long as you wish.

Connect with the Fayetteville Resistance Coalition

FRC is committed to nonviolent action. We expect all participants to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those who disagree with our values and to act lawfully at these events. Weapons of any kind, including those legally permitted, should not be brought to events. NC State Law prohibits this, as well as numerous local ordinances throughout NC, to include Fayetteville.

Time

Friday, May 1

10am – 3pm EDT

Location

This event's address is private.
Sign up for more details.

About this event

North Carolina's kids deserve better — and on May 1, we're going to Raleigh to demand it. Join thousands of educators, parents, students, and community members at Halifax Mall for the Kids Over Corporations Rally.

Our state ranks dead last — 50th out of 50 — in school funding effort, while politicians have handed out $18 billion in tax breaks to corporations and the wealthy and siphoned over a billion dollars from public schools into private school vouchers. That's not an accident. That's a choice. On May 1, we're making a different one. RSVP today and show up ready to fight for the schools our kids deserve.

April 23 --- 4:00PM - Cumberland County Board of Elections located at 227 Fountainhead Lane, Fayetteville, NC 28301

The Cumberland County Board of Elections is seeking to fire Director Angie Amaro for reasons that are being kept secret from the public.

This follows an alarming trend here in NC and across the nation of Republican majority election boards seeking removal of officials using surreptitious pretexts.

We The People demand transparency by ending the abuse of closed door sessions. Please attend this "Special Meeting" and bring signs to convey your demands (e.g, Transparency Now!, Free Elections!, etc). Signs must not interfere with other attendees' so keep them reasonable in size but legible. Recommended standard 8.5" x 11" paper.

For more context and details of this issue, see this CityView article

This is not business as usual—our government is spiraling into chaos: reckless, unaccountable, and out of control. Our Representatives must restore order, draw the line, and put the people first. Congress must act and Stop the Madness!

This is a recurring protest each Wednesday. Themes change each week. FRC will provide banners and signs to participants. In addition to our physical presence we will have action item(s) for participants to engage in so that we are turning protest into action. Stop by, take action - stay for as long as you wish.

Connect with the Fayetteville Resistance Coalition

FRC is committed to nonviolent action. We expect all participants to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those who disagree with our values and to act lawfully at these events. Weapons of any kind, including those legally permitted, should not be brought to events. NC State Law prohibits this, as well as numerous local ordinances throughout NC, to include Fayetteville.

This is a clarion call.

To the ones watching from the sidelines.

To the ones who have been waiting for a sign, waiting for permission, waiting for someone else to go first.

This is the sign.

The moment is here.

The someone is you.

Veterans are in the streets.

Veterans are in handcuffs.

We have carried this country through 20 years of war, and today we are asking you to carry something with us.

Rise to the moment.

No war with Iran.

Not in our name.

Not with our children.

Not again.

#NoWarWithIran

On April 18th, from 2PM - 4PM, please join the Fayetteville Resistance Coalition and your fellow North Carolinians on the Poe Avenue/S. Bragg Blvd overpass in Spring Lake to send a clear message:

IMPEACH - CONVICT - REMOVE. The U.S.'s failed war on Iran has exacted an enormous financial and human cost and wreaked havoc on a global scale. Virtually everyone is affected and our leadership has gone rogue, acting without Congressional approval and threatening literal war crimes. We implore citizens to contact their elected representatives and demand impeachment. The madness must stop.