It’s Tuesday, May 7.
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Good morning, readers.
Gubernatorial candidate Josh Stein thinks education could be a winning issue for the state’s Democratic slate in this fall’s election. Last night, Stein kicked off celebrations for teacher appreciation week with a stop at Zweli’s on Durham’s Main Street.
“I’m calling on individuals who are champions of public education to announce who they are. Will you do that for me?” asked Democratic candidate for state superintendent of education Mo Green. Durham mayor Leo Williams, a former public school teacher, told the crowd that they needed to prepare to “get uncomfortable” in making the push to reach voters outside of Durham.
When Stein took the mic, he made the case against the Republicans in the state legislature who are considering an expansion of the private school voucher program.
“They are taking money out of our public school kids’ backpacks to put it into the bank accounts of rich people sending their kids to unaccountable private schools and it is wrong,” said Stein.
While invoking policy is one of way of motivating a crowd, invoking fear is another, so Stein also brought up his his opponent, lieutenant governor Mark Robinson,
“He calls teaching indoctrination,” said Stein. “He called public school teachers demons and wicked people. It’s unfathomable that anyone would think these things about public school educators…let alone say them out loud.”
In a short interview with INDY reporters after the event, Stein reemphasized Williams’s call for Durhamites to travel the state to help build support.
“I hope they go to Caswell. I hope they go to Vance. I hope to go to Nash. I hope they go to Johnston…and help mobilize people who share our concern for the future of public education in North Carolina.”
So keep an eye out for a flock of Priuses traveling to the rural corners of the state this summer.
And have a good Tuesday.
—Chase
Editor’s note: The newsletter was corrected to reflect that the state’s school voucher program is for students attending private schools, not charters.
Durham
Parents are growing frustrated with a lack of maintenance at aging elementary schools across the Durham Public Schools districts.
Wake
A judge ruled that residents of Raleigh’s Hayes Barton neighborhood who sued a developer over planned luxury housing, as well as the City of Raleigh over its missing middle housing policy, must pay $28,000 in legal fees for the developer.
Veridea, a long-awaited planned community in Apex, could break ground this year.
Orange
More than 800 UNC faculty and staff members signed a letter asking the university to dismiss charges against student protesters.
North Carolina
Here’s how a North Carolina law blocks bike lanes from getting built in cities across the state.
Today’s weather
Cloudy with a high of 87 degrees, a chance of storms.
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