Renee and Susan go over the new, legislatively forced policies addressing book bans and letting kids miss school for religious instruction. First up: an overhaul of Policy 3210 that expands who can challenge instructional and library materials from parents to essentially anyone in the community, opening the door to coordinated, repeat book challenges under the guise of "fairness." Then: a new "released time" policy that requires schools to let students miss up to 160 hours of instruction a year for off-campus religious teaching with Susan and Renee digging into LifeWise Academy, the Ohio-based organization pushing this nationwide, its own stated goal of reinstalling religion in public schools, and the troubling track record that comes with it.

It's a dense one, but they close with concrete ways to push back: showing up to speak at your school board meeting, or emailing your board members directly about the safeguards these policies still need.

Have thoughts on this episode? Join the conversation and find more ways to get involved at saveourschoolsnc.org.

(00:40) Two policies, one late state budget
(01:10) Policy 3210: how book challenges work today
(04:57) What's changing: challenges opened up to the whole community
(07:40) Review timelines and the "one guy" problem
(09:27) Show up and speak: getting involved at school board meetings
(11:02) The real goal behind the book policy
(14:11) Released time for religious instruction, explained
(16:25) The hypocrisy of the attendance crackdown
(17:52) Requested safeguards: background checks, no ads, no prizes
(18:58) LifeWise Academy: the group behind "released time"
(20:40) Predators, peer pressure, and disrupted classrooms
(23:11) Where school board members stand
(26:43) There's no shortage of ways to get religious instruction
(28:49) What you can do next

Advocacy Bites is hosted by Susan Book and Renee Sekel. Learn more and get involved at saveourschoolsnc.org.

A quick overview of the ballot for this coming election and a discussion of lies and misinformation in political ads. Early voting is almost here, and hosts Susan Book and Renee Sekel walk you through everything on your North Carolina ballot this fall from school bonds and three dangerous constitutional amendments to the wildest, most dishonest political ads of the election season. If you live in Wake County or anywhere in North Carolina, this is your crash course on what's actually at stake before you vote.

Susan breaks down why local school bonds matter (think failing HVAC systems and mold-closed schools), makes the case for a long-overdue statewide school bond, and walks through the three proposed constitutional amendments on this year's ballot, including a new photo ID requirement and dangerous limits on property and income tax increases that would tie the hands of local government for good. Then Renee digs into why the legislature is rushing these amendments through now, and why, if they pass, they'll be nearly impossible to undo.

From there, we turn to the truly unhinged political ads flooding North Carolina airwaves this cycle: a cruel, photoshopped attack on candidate James Galliard, Erin Pare's fabricated outrage over a Dolly Parton tribute, the "Cooper raised taxes" claim that makes no sense at all, and a viral ad about the price of "burger" that has to be seen to be believed.

Have thoughts on this episode? Join the conversation and find more ways to get involved at saveourschoolsnc.org.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Red Wine and Blue Voter Guide https://go.redwine.blue/ncarolinavg

Photo ID Exception Form for Absentee Ballots https://s3.amazonaws.com/dl.ncsbe.gov/State_Board_Meeting_Docs/2024-06-26/Photo%20ID%20Exception%20Form/Photo%20ID%20Exception%20Form%20Absentee%2020230623_fillable.pdf

League of Women Voters Info Page on Amendments https://my.lwv.org/north-carolina-state/action-alert/three-constitutional-amendments-north-carolinas-2026-ballot

(00:35) Sample ballots and key election dates
(01:51) Why the school bonds matter
(03:59) The case for a statewide school bond
(05:58) The three constitutional amendments on your ballot
(06:20) Amendment 1: limiting property tax increases
(07:15) Amendment 2: capping the state income tax
(08:29) Amendment 3: a new photo ID requirement
(10:16) Don't skip the judicial races
(11:19) Why the legislature wants these amendments locked in now
(14:27) Political ad dishonesty, then and now
(15:15) A disgustingly cruel attack ad against James Galliard
(16:22) Erin Pare's fabricated outrage over Winn Decker
(19:46) The "Cooper raised taxes" claim, debunked
(22:28) Mary Ann Insprecker's party-flipping and the $8 "burger" ad
(26:03) What you can do before Election Day

Advocacy Bites is hosted by Susan Book and Renee Sekel. Learn more and get involved at saveourschoolsnc.org.

Renee and Susan discuss the state budget that was 365 days late and countless dollars short.

The title says it all.

In this episode of Advocacy Bites, hosts Renée Sekel and Susan Book take a hard look at North Carolina's newly signed state budget, unpacking what made the process so controversial and why they believe the final product falls short for students, teachers, families, and communities. From delayed negotiations and last-minute legislative maneuvering to education funding, teacher pay, school vouchers, legal aid, child care, and public schools, they examine the budget's biggest wins, biggest losses, and the long-term consequences for North Carolina.

The conversation also explores what the budget means for public education, why one-time bonuses aren't a substitute for meaningful investment, and how policy changes tucked inside the spending bill could affect classrooms across the state. Renée and Susan also discuss Governor Josh Stein's decision to sign the budget, the ongoing Leandro school funding debate, concerns about voting rights and government accountability, and close the episode by honoring the life and legacy of education advocate Matt Ellinwood.

If you care about North Carolina politics, education policy, the state budget, teacher pay, school funding, public education, voting rights, or advocacy, this episode breaks down the headlines and explains why they matter—and what everyday advocates can do next.

(0:13) - Budget Passed in a Flash
(1:24) - Conference Report Breakdown
(2:18) - Late Budget Fallout
(3:52) - Bonuses Not Backpay
(7:31) - Teacher Pay Sleight of Hand
(10:42) - Unfunded School Mandates
(12:13) - Vouchers and Other Addons
(14:06) - Childcare and PreK Gaps
(15:28) - Religious Release Time Debate
(16:22) - Governor Signs and Spins
(20:11) - Elections Power Grab
(21:07) - Remembering Matt Ellinwood