Weekly Roundup: Interesting Reads for GPS Members
“Everything you wanted to know about nonprofits and elections…but were afraid to ask.” By David Heinen, North Carolina Center for Nonprofits. From the Article: “As yard signs are beginning to show up in lawns across North Carolina in preparation for the March 3 primary election, the North Carolina Center for Nonprofits has been fielding many questions about the types of election-related activities nonprofits can and can’t do. To save you the trouble of a phone call or email, we’re sharing some thoughts (and even a few answers!) on some of the most common questions we’re hearing.”
“Argument preview: Justices to consider whether the Appalachian Trail blocks proposed natural gas pipeline.” By Noah Sachs, February 18, 2020, SCOTUSblog. From the Article: “On Monday, February 24, the Supreme Court will hear argument in U.S. Forest Service v. Cowpasture River Preservation Association and Atlantic Coast Pipeline LLC v. Cowpasture River Preservation Association. These consolidated cases pit a pipeline developer and the U.S. Forest Service against environmental groups that want to halt the pipeline’s construction and protect the Appalachian Trail.”
“State appeals court temporarily blocks voter ID law in North Carolina.” By Elise Viebeck, February 18, 2020, The Washington Post. From the Article: “A second court has temporarily blocked North Carolina’s new voter identification law on the argument that it discriminates against African Americans. The ruling reduces the likelihood that the rule will be in effect in a key swing state during November’s elections.”
“Communities Across NC Awarded $166 Million for Water and Sewer System Improvements.” February 19, 2020, Press Release, NC Governor Roy Cooper. From the Press Release: “$166 million in loans and grants to help pay for 88 critical drinking water and wastewater projects. The projects are scattered across the state and directed toward infrastructure resiliency and protection of drinking water and the environment.”
“What Ails Rural Health Care?” By Zack Buck, February 13, 2020, Health Law Jotwell. From the Article: “In the piece written for the Harvard Law & Policy Review, Huberfeld starts by documenting the health disparities that citizens living in rural America face—from lower rates of insurance coverage; to limited access to primary care; to higher rates of chronic diseases and poverty. . . . Huberfeld then skillfully weaves these data and trends into other data that reflect higher rates of deaths of despair, mental and public health challenges, and ultimately, differences amongst financial structures that negatively impact access to health care in rural areas.”
“Keeping Calm With First Amendment Audits.” January 2020, Municipal Association of South Carolina. From the Article: “The city clerk is busily preparing council meeting minutes when an unexpected and confrontational visitor arrives. The person gives no reason for the visit or an identification, but instead demands answers: “What is your name? What is your job here? What’s in that room over there?” The person is also recording the encounter with a mobile phone and begins to walk down the hallway into the private office areas. What should the clerk do?”