On this episode of We're Just Sayin', your hosts, Senator Vickie Sawyer and David Coble, cover a range of topics, including the upcoming Republican Women's Caucus Breakfast, the short session in Raleigh, misconceptions surrounding the moratorium in Mooresville, property rights, future transportation technology, sheriffs cooperating with ICE, a proposed amendment to the North Carolina Constitution concerning voting and citizenship, Video Lottery Terminals (VLT), the Joint Legislative Commission on Government Operations (GOVOPS), and political maneuvering by Democratic senators.
Senator Sawyer expresses concerns about the potential impact of political maneuvering on legislative proceedings during the short session in Raleigh, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a focus on substantive discussions. David Coble addresses misconceptions surrounding the moratorium in Mooresville, emphasizing that it cannot effectively address traffic congestion or slow down residential development to accommodate infrastructure improvements. David highlights the need for individuals to consider purchasing land if they wish to preserve natural views, rather than advocating for restrictions on property owners.
The two share an interest in modernizing transportation solutions to address 21st century challenges, acknowledging the validity of traffic concerns and the need for updated infrastructure. Senator Sawyer also discusses the topic of sheriffs cooperating with ICE, referencing a bill from 2018 and Governor Cooper's veto. She shares concerns about potential loopholes in the current language of a proposed amendment to the North Carolina Constitution concerning voting and citizenship that could allow non-citizens to vote.
Senator Sawyer expressed weariness with the topic of gambling, highlighting the widespread presence of illegal gambling machines and the need for regulation and taxation to address the issue. David Coble explain the distinction between VLTs and slot machines, advocating for their legalization and regulation as games of skill versus random chance. Finally, Senator Sawyer discusses political maneuvering by Democratic senators, who have used committee letterhead to demand information from crisis pregnancy centers and Christian schools, threatening criminal prosecution.