Fourth Circuit Hears Oral Arguments in SB2 Magistrates Case
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit heard oral arguments today in a lawsuit challenging North Carolina’s Senate Bill 2. This legislation, otherwise known as the “Magistrate Bill,” is the 2015 law that allows magistrates and registers of deeds employees to recuse themselves from performing duties related to marriages due to a sincerely […]
Evidence Mounts That HB2 Had Little Impact on Economy
House Bill 2 has been “repealed and replaced,” but the issues involved are still very much alive and will be at the forefront of policy discussions for the foreseeable future. Two recent reports have shed more light on one of the most talked about claims by opponents of North Carolina’s “Bathroom Bill,” namely that it […]
President Trump Issues Executive Order To Protect Religious Liberty
President Donald Trump took an important first step in fulfilling his campaign promise to protect religious liberty today, signing an Executive Order that guides “the executive branch in formulating and implementing policies for the religious liberty of persons and organizations in America.” The Order acknowledges that, “Federal law protects the freedom of Americans and their organizations to […]
Thursday is the National Day Of Prayer!
The first 100 days of the new presidential administration just ended last week, leaving some people encouraged and others discouraged. But all Americans can seek guidance and strength for our nation and its leaders through prayer and repentance in the 66th observance of the National Day of Prayer scheduled for this Thursday, May 4. This […]
US Supreme Court Hears First Religious Liberty Case with Justice Gorsuch
The United States Supreme Court heard oral arguments today in its first religious liberty case since Judge Neil Gorsuch was sworn in as a justice on the high court. The case involves Trinity Lutheran Church’s highly rated daycare and preschool program, which applied for a state grant to resurface playgrounds with safer recycled rubber material. The […]
N.C. General Assembly Passes HB2 “Reset”
Early Thursday afternoon, the N.C. General Assembly gave final approval to a bill that repeals House Bill 2 but also prohibits state agencies and local governments from adopting ordinances that regulate bathroom access, and prohibits local governments from adopting policies that regulate private employment, and public accommodations. The highly controversial measure, HB 142—Reset of S.L. 2016-3, […]
SCOTUS Sends Transgender Bathroom Case Back to Lower Court
The U.S. Supreme Court announced today that it has vacated and remanded the high profile transgender student bathroom case, Gloucester County School Board v G.G. (GG), back to the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals. The Fourth Circuit has been directed to reconsider the case “in light of the guidance document issued by the Department of Education […]
POV: Christians Are Eager To Get Involved
The American Culture and Faith Institute (ACFI) released a fascinating survey recently revealing that 95 percent of “Spiritually Active, Governance Engaged Christian Conservatives” or “SAGE Cons” are not satisfied with the state of American culture today. While this finding may not be surprising, what may prove to be informative and encouraging is that 67 percent of these […]
HB2 “Repeal & Replace Bill” Not a Compromise or a Solution
A bill filed in the N.C. House late Wednesday afternoon to “repeal and replace” HB2 is neither a compromise nor a viable solution to protect the privacy, safety and dignity of North Carolina citizens. House Bill 186, sponsored by Reps. Chuck McGrady (R-Henderson), Marvin Lucas (D-Cumberland), Ken Goodman (D-Richmond), and Ted Davis (R-New Hanover), proposes to […]
Trump Administration Rolls Back Obama “Bathroom Mandate”
The Trump administration acted Wednesday night to protect the privacy and safety of school children, rescinding the Obama administration’s radical “bathroom mandate.” At issue was a “guidance letter,” sent by the U.S. Departments of Education and Justice under the Obama Administration that had essentially directed all public schools, colleges, and universities across the U.S. to allow students […]