SALISBURY — U.S. Reps. Richard Hudson (NC-08) and Virginia Foxx (NC-05) helped a Republican majority House pass a provision to defund the Affordable Care Act on Friday.
The measure, H.J. Resolution 59, now moves to the Senate, where some critics say the provision is sure to be stripped out and sent back to the House.
But local congressional representatives took Friday’s 230-189 vote — largely by party lines — as a victory.
“Today we stood up for hardworking North Carolinians by shutting down Obamacare and keeping our government open to serve,” Hudson wrote in a statement. “Defunding an intrusive and expensive government takeover of health care that has and will continue to burden small businesses and families is critical if we are ever going to create more jobs in our communities.”
The resolution is intended to prevent a federal government shutdown and funds the government through December 2015.
U.S. Rep. Mel Watt (NC-12), a Democrat, was the only local congressional member to vote against the bill.
“I have stood by my commitment to my constituents to defund, delay, and dismantle the President’s unworkable health care law,” Hudson wrote, “and I look forward to my conservative colleagues in the Senate continuing this fight.”
Foxx called the new health care law a “train wreck,” but said her priority was keeping government open.
“Without question, I am focused on preventing a government shutdown. That’s why I voted with my House Republican colleagues today to pass a Continuing Resolution, in advance of the new fiscal year, that lays out how our government will be funded,” Foxx wrote in a statement.
Foxx said the health care law is unfair and hopes to see the Senate push the legislation through.
“Consistent with our conservative values, this legislation maintains current savings and also specifies that no taxpayer dollars should be wasted implementing the Obamacare train wreck. The American people, by and large, do not want the changes they see coming to their health care because of Obamacare. House Republicans agree and are united in firm opposition to the President’s unfair health law,” she wrote.
SALISBURY — Residents who are not registered and wish to vote in the November municipal election must register to vote by Oct. 11, election officials said this week.
The county elections office has mail-in voter registration forms available. These forms must be in the office or postmarked no later than October 11 to be a valid application to register for the November Election, Board of Elections Director Nancy Evans wrote in a release Thursday.
Voters who have moved since the last election must have their address changed with the Board of Elections by Oct. 11.
Persons wishing to register and vote after the registration deadline may appear in person at a one-stop absentee voting site, complete the voter registration application form and provide proof of residence by presenting valid documents showing current name and address.
Absentee ballot applications are available at the Board of Elections Office. An immediate relative may make application for a ballot to be sent to a voter who is out of town, such as a college student, or for a voter who is confined to the home and cannot get to the polls on Election Day.
The deadline for applying for an absentee ballot to be mailed is 5 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 29th.
No Excuse One-Stop absentee voting will be available to voters beginning Oct. 17th.
These voters may come to the Rowan Public Library on West Fisher Street in Salisbury, fill out an application and vote at the location. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, along with Saturday, Nov. 2 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The final day for voting through the No Excuse One-Stop Absentee voting is Saturday, Nov. 2, at 1 p.m.
Further information on registration, mail-in forms, polling place locations, absentee ballots or other election matters in Rowan County is available online at www.rowancountync.gov/elections or contact the elections office at 704-216-8140.
SALISBURY — A forum for City Council candidates is scheduled for Oct. 29 in the Peeler Crystal Lounge at Catawba College. Sponsors are Catawba, the Rowan Area Chamber of Commerce and the Salisbury Post.
Dr. Michael Bitzer, political science professor and acting provost, will moderate the discussion.
Ten people are running for the five seats on City Council: Karen Alexander, Maggie Blackwell, Rick Honeycutt, Blake Jarman, Pete Kennedy, Brian Miller, William Peoples, Dale Stephens and Paul Woodson.
The Post is collecting questions for the candidates from our readers. You can submit questions any of these ways:
• Email to editor@salisburypost.com.
• Mail to: Elizabeth Cook, Salisbury Post, P.O. Box 4639, Salisbury, NC 28145.
• Call Cook at 704-797-4244.