North Carolina Justice Center releases 2023 legislative agenda

RALEIGH (January 30, 2023) – The North Carolina Justice Center has released its 2023 legislative agenda, calling on lawmakers to adopt policies that advance the health and economic security of all North Carolinians. Drawing on the lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s agenda focuses on policies to protect working people, immigrant communities, families with low incomes, people of color, and individuals involved with the criminal justice system.

The agenda calls on the North Carolina General Assembly to ensure all households in the state have access to the opportunities, resources, and services they need to thrive.

“This legislative session presents an opportunity for lawmakers to remove barriers to economic mobility, expand opportunity for everyone, and position our state for sustained, equitable growth,” said Adam Svolto, Director of Policy & Engagement at the North Carolina Justice Center.

“The NC Justice Center’s 2023 agenda offers a comprehensive set of recommendations to help move North Carolina forward, ensuring our public institutions serve our state with the responsiveness and quality it deserves.”

Some of the policy recommendations include:

  • Opposing further reduction of the corporate income tax rate and reinstating North Carolina’s Earned Income Tax Credit
  • Raising the minimum wage, guaranteeing paid sick and family leave, and increasing the amount and duration of Unemployment Insurance benefits
  • Expanding Medicaid while ensuring those already receiving Medicaid understand the Medicaid managed care process
  • Opposing legislation to further restrict access to abortion
  • Expanding access to driver’s licenses, in-state tuition, and employment opportunities for immigrant communities
  • Supporting programs to protect homeowners from foreclosure
  • Increasing the opportunity to access safe, decent, and affordable housing
  • Protecting consumers from payday and car title lending and supporting improved legal protections against debt settlement companies
  • Reducing the population in North Carolina prisons and ensuring those in prison are treated humanely
  • Increasing the opportunity for people with criminal records to succeed at reentering their communities and are able and ready to work by expanding access to expunctions, restoring driver’s licenses, and providing reentry services and assistance
  • Ensuring North Carolina’s public education system is fully funded, in compliance with the Leandro court ruling

For a detailed list of policy recommendations, download the full 2023 legislative agenda.

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