I started the day at a quick senate committee
hearing (pictured on the right) before heading to a second setting committee at the ’80s’ building with Chris. There we saw a lobbyist and her client debate the bill which was about giving North Carolinian’s incentives to return back to work. Then Chris, Jacqueline, and I headed across the street where we saw a pro-life protest. We heard a very passionate speech before around 4 pro-choice protesters were arrested. Then we headed back to the building where we attend a meeting with Rep. Torbett who is on the Education committee. Then we went over to Rep. Wheatley where we talked about the future of the Interstate Compact for Counselors. This is a bill that Ashley (lobbyist), Rep. Martin, and Rep. Wheatley are working on. This bill will make it easier for mental health counselors to gain a license in North Carolina if they already have one in another state. After this Chris and I headed to a press conference held by Rep. Pierce
. Rep. Pierce was with a group who is worried about the ethical and environmental implications of wood pellet production in poor rural NC Counties (pictured on the left). At the Press conference, we could see the protesters had now entered the building and they were singing and walking up and down the halls. Then Aryan, Jacqueline, and I hea
ded to the gallery to watch the session (pictured to the right). We saw two bills to be sent to Gov. Cooper’s office to be signed into law. Then they took a recess so the republican caucus could meet before the next bill was voted on (the democratic caucus had met earlier, no L.A.s allowed). Then they came back and voted unanimously yes on the last bill. Then I returned to Rep. Martins’s office and made plans for Chris to try and Schedule meetings with the Secretary of State, Education, and Military Affairs. As well as the Governor and Lt. Governor.