Tag Archives: Dough Berger

Doug Berger for NC Senate: Questions Arise in NC Redistricting

Recent media reports indicate that advocacy groups found over two thousands voters who were assigned to the wrong state House, Senate or congressional districts. This information was gleaned from a “spot analysis” of six counties including: Wake, Durham, Wayne, Wilson, Robeson and Richmond. According to these reports, over two hundred of these voters received the wrong ballots on Election Day. Advocacy groups contend that black voters are much more likely than white voters to live in split precincts, which is the root of the issue.

One of the more impacted areas was the former NC Senate District 7 (Franklin, Granville, Vance, and Warren), which was carved up sending Franklin county as well as portions of Wake county into the newly formed NC Senate District 18.  This forced 4-term senator, Doug Berger, into a new district where he is unknown to many of the Wake county voters.

Senate districts were redrawn by the Republican majority during the last legislative session. To accomplish this, Thomas Hofeller who lists his present occupation as, “Redistricting Consultant at Republican National Committee,” was employed. According to Senator Rucho, who served as the Chairman of the North Carolina Senate Redistricting Committee, Hofeller was employed to provide “the technical expertise.” Hofeller also lists years of work at the United States Department of Agriculture, which has its own checkered past regarding race relations.

Via EPR Network
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Doug Berger for NC Senate: Senator Doug Berger Reaffirms Support of Teachers and Education on World Teacher Day

Today, Senator Doug Berger issued the following statement regarding World Teachers’ Day:

I want to thank teachers everywhere but particularly in North Carolina. Yesterday, we learned that in North Carolina we lost about 11,791 teachers last year. North Carolina is facing a critical time and we must find our footing regarding the prioritization of public education. Teachers are entrusted with our greatest resource, our children and the future they represent.  Instead of cutting education we need to invest in education and that starts with teachers. During the last legislative session I stood with teachers. As a former teacher for both middle school and high school, I understand the challenges that teachers face. It’s bad enough that teachers find themselves as targets, but the assault on the overall funding for education makes it even worse. For example, in Franklin County , they saw a 54.4% reduction in funding for textbooks; books are becoming so expensive that schools have to guard them due to the lack of funding, a student must ask to bring a textbook home and even then, there is no guarantee they will receive permission. Recent reports place the present spending for textbooks in Franklin County at approximately $14 per student, per year – that is unacceptable. North Carolina can do better, indeed North Carolina MUST do better. The choking of our schools funding simply cannot continue. Republicans want to take money from schools so they can pay for their tax cuts for millionaires – it’s Robin Hood in reverse, rob from the areas in need and give to those who do not understand need. I hold educators in the highest regard; I understand and thank them for their sacrifice. I am extremely honored and grateful to have been endorsed by the North Carolina Association of Educators. They represent what I have spent my eight years fighting for as a State Senator. I will do everything in my power to insure teachers receive what they need to make sure our children have the best possible chance for the future.”

Held annually on October 5th since 1994 – World Teachers’ Day was created by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, with the purpose of celebrating teachers worldwide.

A long advocate for teacher’s and education, Senator Doug Berger is running for senate in NC Senate District 18. This race represents a clear choice between Senator Berger and Chad Barefoot. Senator Doug Berger’s distinguished legal career has included serving as a prosecutor, judge, and an attorney in private practice. Berger has also served as a middle and high school teacher as well as a youth football coach. Senator Berger’s background in education and law has given him tremendous perspective and insight during his four terms in the Senate. If you would like more information visit www.bergerfornc.com or www.bergerbeatsbarefoot.com.

Via EPR Network
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