It’s another “Take Action Tuesday” from the ICCV Legislative Committee. Do you ever feel like you’re drinking from a fire hose with all that is going on? You’re not alone!

Once again, we’re trying something different. We have quick action alerts on a local issue, the NC legislature, and the ongoing chaos at the Federal level. If you do not live in Catawba County, the Local Focus will not apply to you, so feel free to skip that section. 

Local Focus

The Catawba County Board of Commissioners is considering a “forced” merger of the three school systems in the county. We recognize that some of our members do not live in Catawba County and would not be affected by this change, many would. The ICCV Legislative Committee is concerned that this merger is being pushed through without adequate analysis of the potential impacts on students, families, and the community. 

While the County Commissioners assert that the decision is not financially motivated, the only actual feasibility study comes from an architectural firm, McKissick Associates, that focuses its study only on capacity and costs for capital funding. There has been no feasibility study into the educational and social costs to children, families, and communities. The potential for children to be forced to change schools is significant. 

Some officials have expressed concern over the potential loss of federal funding, specifically Title 1 and Title 2. Whether you favor the proposed merger or not, we owe it to the children to have a more comprehensive study before forcing this merger through. April 20, next Tuesday, the County Commissioners will hold a public hearing at 7:00 PM, followed by a vote on the merger. They seem poised to approve the merger. It will then go to the NC State Board of Education before becoming effective. For more information, and WHAT TO DO and HOW TO DO IT: 

https://www.hickoryschools.net/families/merger-information

https://www.newton-conover.org/page/merger-information

https://www.catawbacountync.gov/county-government/schools/

https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article315154497.html

NC Legislature and Board of Elections Update

The NC General Assembly is still in recess until April 21, 2026, when the “short session” starts.  There has been no significant legislative activity since September! While they have been out, teachers and state employees continue to be paid at last year’s rates. Why? Because NC is the only state in the Nation without a budget. It is unclear what their priorities will be on return. The House may be focused on overriding Governor Stein’s vetoes some bills that have already been overridden in the Senate. 

WHAT TO DO

Call your NC legislators and tell them it is inexcusable that IT IS APRIL and the state does not have a budget. Insist that this be a priority immediately on their return to Raleigh. 

HOW TO DO IT

To find and contact your state legislators, go to

https://www.ncleg.gov/FindYourLegislators

Enter your home address to link to contacts for your NC Senator and Representative. 

This just in! The NC State Board of Elections will meet on Thursday to discuss the proposed voter restriction rules (my words). Information on these proposed rules has been shared in past Take Action Tuesdays. https://www.indivisibleccv.org/march-10-2026

You can attend the meeting in person, or via Webex if interested. We will update you on next steps. https://www.ncsbe.gov/news/press-releases/2026/04/13/state-board-meeting-april-16-2026

Authoritarian Chaos at the Federal Level Continues

Congress returns to Washington this week. There are many priorities that must be addressed, specifically:

·      The War with Iran. After talks broke down over the weekend, Trump posted that he would “blockade” the Strait of Hormuz. There seems to be a lot of bluster on both sides as oil prices rise above $100 per barrel. https://apnews.com/live/iran-war-israel-trump-04-13-2026

·      Questions about the president’s fitness to serve. https://thehill.com/homenews/house/5826129-raskin-presses-trump-fitness/

·      DHS funding, restraints on ICE and Border Patrol activities, additional money for the Iran War, and FY 2027 funding https://www.eenews.net/articles/congress-returns-to-dhs-shutdown-reconciliation/

WHAT TO DO

Please use https://5calls.org/ to choose one of the above, or any other issue that you want to address. Contact your elected representatives and insist that Congress do its job.  Share this information with your family and friends. Take time to talk to friends and neighbors who may be less engaged in the fight for democracy. The time is NOW! 

HOW TO DO IT:

- Senator Thom Tillis: (202) 224-6342

- Senator Ted Budd: (202) 224-3154

- Representative Pat Harrigan: (202) 225-2576

- Representative Virginia Foxx: (202) 225-2071

Refer to last week’s TAT on the War in Iran for more specific talking points about the war and about funding for continued military action. https://www.indivisibleccv.org/april-7-2026

WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT

Elected officials at all levels are there to represent their constituents, not their own or special interests. Whether local, state, or national, we must hold them accountable for decisions that are not in the best interests of our people, our communities, and our country. 

Reflecting the growing alarm over the tone and content of Trump’s social media posts that criticize and insult Pope Leo, a petition has been signed by more than 13,200 people as of Monday morning. Such uncouth (many are calling it “unhinged”) behavior reflects on all Americans, no matter what their religious beliefs. It is rude and unsuitable for the head of state of any nation.

https://www.newsweek.com/petition-demanding-trump-apologize-pope-leo-signed-thousands-11818718

Trump’s posting of a meme depicting himself as Christ, surrounded by heavenly beings and soldiers as he heals an injured man has brought an outcry from citizens, including Trump supporters, many of whom identify as Evangelical Christians. Supporters and opponents are demanding he take it down even as he scrambles to rebrand it into a “doctor”, not “Jesus”. (It is interesting that the Fox News article does not reprint the meme.)

https://www.foxnews.com/media/trumps-meme-depicting-himself-jesus-christ-draws-backlash-from-allies

Trump Caves: Removes Christ-Like Image That Angered Conservative Christians

Republicans plan to use budget reconciliation to circumvent Democrats and fund DHS. This despite the gargantuan daily expenditures on war. We can’t afford this. Tell your representatives to oppose it. 

https://www.npr.org/2026/04/13/nx-s1-5771608/immigration-congress-75-billion

Thank you for everything you do to protect our democracy! 

ICCV Legislative Committee                                                                                                               

“With Liberty and Justice for ALL”