70,000 North Carolinians to lose unemployment benefits tonight

The rally outside Grandover Resort. By Eric Ginsburg.

In 70,000 households across the state tomorrow morning, people will wake up to a difficult conversation about how they're going to make ends meet.

That was former state labor commissioner Harry Payne's message at a rally in Greensboro on Thursday, as he drew the distinction between those going without and those dining "in splendor" at a $5,000 a plate event featuring Gov. Pat McCrory in the background. McCrory stopped in the Gate City for a dinner hosted by the Renew North Carolina Foundation at the Grandover Resort, bumping elbows with well-off attendees.

"It's hard to hear [the people]  when you're that high up," Payne said.

Outside on the street corner, about 30 people held signs decrying the unemployment cuts, saying North Carolinians will be "kicked to the curb" while McCrory refuses to meet with or listen to citizens unless they're ponying up a donation.

Phil Diehl (above right), who was laid off with 334 other workers from his job in Cleveland, NC, said the contradiction between staff raises and slashed unemployment for people like him should be obvious, calling on the governor to lead by example. Other speakers argued against the cuts by pointing to the state's high unemployment rate — the fifth highest in the nation — and saying that the reduction to the deficit didn't justify the means.

Greensboro resident Gin Reid Hall (above left) said her husband has been unemployed since May 2012 and will lose his unemployment benefits tonight. Hall and her husband, who worked as a university level track-and-field coach, aren't sure how they'll make it without his unemployment check of about $400 a week. Hall said her husband has been looking since the first day he knew he needed to find work, and said one of their three adult kids is in college.

Critics said the Renew North Carolina Foundation is headed by the governor's close friend, supporting McCrory's policies and giving high-dollar donors access to him. Greensboro lawyer Bob Singer, who works at Brooks Pierce and is the foundation's president, could not be reached for comment.

Agency pleads for job training funds as Republicans move to cut benefits

Winston-Salem Urban League President Keith Grandberry, flanked by Rep. Marcus Brandon (D-Guilford) and Rep. Rodney Moore (D-Mecklenburg), carried the voice of unemployed workers to Raleigh on opening day of the General Assembly's long session.

Representatives of the Winston-Salem Urban League went to Raleigh today to plead for additional funding for job training programs as Republican lawmakers forged ahead with plans to reduce benefits to unemployed workers on the first day of the long session.

"That middle-class gentleman that comes down to the Urban League, who's done everything right — I mean, done everything right — worked at that job at RJ Reynolds or Wells Fargo for 16 years — got caught up in the layoffs and is now without a job, can't find a job because they've been at one job for so many years and their mindset hasn't changed, come down to the Urban League, they need to be heard because they have a family," President Keith Grandberry said during a press conference.

Despite the geographic reference in its name, the agency serves 21 counties and a number of cities in addition to Winston-Salem, including Greensboro, Raleigh and Durham.

Meanwhile, Rep. Julia Howard (R-Davie, Forsyth) filed a legislation today to reduce unemployment benefits and begin rebuilding the fund. She said the House Finance Committee, which she chairs, will consider the bill tomorrow. The lawmaker acknowledged that the bill is "rather lengthy," but turned down a request by Rep. Paul Luebke (D-Durham) to postpone the hearing by one day to give Democrats a chance to read the bill.

Members of the Democratic caucus disagree with the cuts to benefits received by unemployed workers, but hold little power to influence the legislation.

"Cutting workers off at the knees, as we're talking about in upcoming legislation will not be the answer," said Rep. Larry Hall (D-Durham). "That will not be a bridge that helps us re-employ our citizens and bring our new workforce forward."

Hall, who was recently elected minority leader by the Democratic caucus, acknowledged that his party is operating from a weakened position.

"Certainly we know that there's a different makeup of the General Assembly this session than there was last session," he said. "We know there's no veto threat. There's no potential to negotiate and defeat bills and have them reconsidered with more input by our caucus. This is a different environment."