By L.A. Williams, Correspondent
Christian Action League
May 16, 2013

RALEIGH — The N.C. House passed several key pieces of legislation this week in advance of Thursday’s crossover deadline and advanced others through committees. One bill that was expected to win approval was sidelined instead.

H 730 Insurance and Health Care Conscience Protection

A pro-life healthcare provider would not be required to take part in medical procedures that result in abortion under a bill passed by the House 73-39 on Thursday. Nor would abortion be covered under health insurance plans offered in North Carolina through federal exchanges established via the Affordable Care Act except in cases of rape, incest or when the mother’s life is endangered. Read the rest of this entry »

By L.A. Williams, Correspondent
Christian Action League
May 16, 2013

RALEIGH — Lost your license because of drinking and driving? If you want to get back behind the wheel in North Carolina, you might want to start learning how to use an ignition interlock device. At least that’s the hope of sponsors of a bipartisan bill that would require the device installed on any car to be driven by anyone convicted of an impaired driving offense.

“Research shows that up to 75 percent of drunk driving offenders drive illegally after a DWI arrest and license suspension,” said the Rev. Mark Creech, executive director of the Christian Action League and President of the American Council on Alcohol Problems (ACAP). “It also shows that when these devices are installed on an offender’s vehicle, rates of drunk driving are reduced by up to 64 percent.” Read the rest of this entry »

By L.A. Williams, Correspondent
Christian Action League
May 16, 2013

RALEIGH — Tar Heel senators passed a couple of key bills this past week, taking aim at sex traffickers and also trying to ensure that students get information they need regarding abortion.

S 683 Safe Harbor/Victims of Human Trafficking

Sex traffickers are still in the crosshairs of North Carolina lawmakers as the Senate voted unanimously Monday to approve the second of a number of bills proposed this session to try to bring the Tar Heel state off the top 10 list in the nation for the crime.

Sen. Thom Goolsby (R-New Hanover), who frequently reminds lawmakers that North Carolina is currently number eight on that “list of shame,” called S 683 a comprehensive bill. Among other things, the Safe Harbor/Victims of Human Trafficking law would increase the punishment for involuntary servitude, establish a first-offender conditional discharge program for prostitutes, treat minor prostitutes as victims, and increase the punishment for solicitation for prostitution and for soliciting a minor, Sen. Goolsby said. Read the rest of this entry »

NC Senate approves legislation to protect student organizations and to teach abortion can be a preventable cause of pre-term births
By L.A. Williams, Correspondent
Christian Action League
May 9, 2013

RALEIGH — Students’ rights — to pray in public schools and to operate their own clubs at the college level — were on the minds of Senators this week who also took up a bill that would broaden what students are learning in sex education to include more information on abortion.

“We’ve all heard of the myriad of problems faced in our schools today — matters ranging from guns to drugs. But the real problems that students face have little to do with what‘s in a student’s hand, but more to do with what’s in a student’s heart,” the Rev. Mark Creech, executive director of the Christian Action League, told members of the Senate Committee on Education on Wednesday. “And nothing is as effective in dealing with matters of the heart than the practice of faith, more specifically the practice of prayer.” Read the rest of this entry »

By L.A. Williams, Correspondent
Christian Action League
May 8, 2013

RALEIGH — Abortion as a means of gender selection may be a social norm in some countries, but many North Carolina lawmakers want doctors to know it isn’t acceptable in the Tar Heel state. With a vote mainly along party lines, the House approved H 716 “Clarify Law/Prohibit Sex-Selective Abortion” Tuesday, 79 to 40.

“We understand there were some concerns that the bill would put doctors in the role of investigators, trying to determine a woman’s precise motivation, but our hope is that those in the medical field see the larger picture here,” said the Rev. Mark Creech, executive director of the Christian Action League. “No child should be aborted because he or she isn’t the preferred gender. And no woman should be encouraged to make such a decision to end a life based on gender — a decision that, no doubt, she will later regret.” Read the rest of this entry »

By L.A. Williams, Correspondent
Christian Action League
May 8, 2013

RALEIGH — Drinkers at stadiums across the state won’t even have to walk to the concession stand to buy their next beer if an In-Stand Beer Sales bill passes the Senate as it has the House. The lower chamber voted 73-45 Tuesday to approve the measure which would allow in-stand sales in venues with at least 3,000 seats during professional sports events, even after some lawmakers wisely argued that it would result in more driving while impaired.

“We are spending a good portion of time this session toughening DWI laws, increasing penalties and decreasing BAC (Blood Alcohol Content) levels and talking about Ignition Interlocks, and then we have a bill that seeks to greatly expand the number of people likely to drink and drive,” lamented Rep. Rick Glazier (D-Cumberland), who told fellow lawmakers that he was “not a prude” and enjoyed both beer and wine. “But as a matter of public policy, I can’t see voting as I have done to toughen DWI laws, to fight alcohol abuse and then to create a bill that is, I understand, there for the vendors and venues but will inevitably lead to more drinking and driving.” Read the rest of this entry »

By L.A. Williams, Correspondent
Christian Action League
May 8, 2013

Union County Courthouse

MONROE — Union County Commissioners who have said they plan to continue their practice of opening meetings with prayer despite threats from a Wisconsin-based atheist organization have received an outpouring of support and encouragement from local residents.

“All of our board have received so much support, so many e-mails and letters,” said Commissioner Frank Aikmus, who admitted at first he wasn’t sure how far he should push the fight when the first complaint came in February.

“When I got the first letter, my initial thought was, ‘as an elected official, is it my right to spend tax dollars on something like this?’ But some things have happened to me personally that have reaffirmed to me the power of prayer, and I don’t think there is anything this country needs more than prayer,” he said Tuesday. “Part of my obligation to my county is to pray for knowledge and wisdom as we make decisions.” Read the rest of this entry »

Contact your lawmaker to voice your opposition
By L.A. Williams, Correspondent
Christian Action League
May 3, 2013

RALEIGH — A bill that would expand in-stand beer sales — now only allowed at Charlotte’s Panther Stadium — into at least a dozen other venues is headed to the House floor Monday night.

Despite its popularity in the Alcoholic Beverage Control panel of the Committee on Commerce and Job Development, which gave it a nearly unanimous approval on Wednesday, the Christian Action League’s Executive Director Rev. Mark Creech said it is not a good idea.

House Bill 610 – Modify Requirements for In-Stand Beer Sales, in contrast to the current policy in North Carolina, violates a cardinal principle of responsible alcohol control — that increased access results in increased sales, increased consumption and increased under-aged sales, inevitably resulting in increased harms,” he said. “In-stand beer sales is increased access, therefore lowering the bar and thereby generating the negative dynamics of irresponsible alcohol use and abuse.” Read the rest of this entry »

Bill would allow for casino gambling in towns and cities across the state
By L.A. Williams, Correspondent
Christian Action League
May 3, 2013

RALEIGH — It may sound like simply fun and games (with some alcohol thrown in), all to benefit the state’s needy non-profits. But the reality of House Bill 809, “Game Nights/Nonprofit Fundraisers,” now apparently gaining momentum at the General Assembly, is that it’s one more welcome mat being laid out for the gambling industry.

“Make no mistake. This bill is not innocuous or less dangerous because it comes as an angel of light with the promise of helping charities. Instead it is a fallen angel with all the same minions of commercial gambling,” the Rev. Mark Creech, executive director of the Christian Action League, told the House Commerce Committee Wednesday minutes before they approved the bill on a 27-18 vote. “This bill is in essence a de-facto form of legalized casinos across our state.” Read the rest of this entry »

Full House plans to vote on the measure Tuesday
By L.A. Williams, Correspondent
Christian Action League
May 2, 2013

RALEIGH — North Carolina could soon become one of a small but growing number of states seeking to protect people from gender-discrimination even before they’re born. The House is set to take up H 716 “Clarify Law/ Prohibit Sex Selective Abortion” Monday night, following Wednesday’s favorable recommendation from the Judiciary A Subcommittee.

“One thing that there doesn’t seem to be a lot of differences of opinion on is whether or not  abortion should be done for the primary purpose of selecting the sex of the child,” Rep. Ruth Samuelson (R-Mecklenburg) told the committee as she introduced the bill, which would fine a doctor at least $10,000 for performing or trying to perform an abortion “with knowledge or an objective reason to know” that the child’s gender is a significant factor in the pregnant woman’s seeking the abortion. Fines for subsequent sex-selection abortions would rise first to $50,000 and then $100,000, and abortionists performing them would be subject to civil suits. Read the rest of this entry »