North Carolina’s new $30 billion state budget contains a provision that gives extraordinary investigative powers to a partisan oversight committee co-chaired by Senate Leader Phil Berger (R) and House Speaker Tim Moore (R). The Joint Legislative Committee on Government Operations — or Gov Ops for short — is empowered to seize “any document or system of record” from anyone who works in or with state and local government during its investigations. The rule applies to contractors, subcontractors, and any other non-state entity “receiving, directly and indirectly, public funds,” including charities and state universities.
  • SokathHisEyesOpen@lemmy.mlEnglish
    164·
    7 months ago

    In the event that Gov Ops searches a person’s home, these rules mean that the person 1) must keep the entry a secret, 2) cannot seek outside help (unless necessary for fulfilling the request, the law says), and 3) could face criminal charges if Gov Ops deems them uncooperative.

    This is a blatant violation of multiple constitutional rights. No wonder they want it kept secret, they’re building the Gestapo. They’re dismantling American liberty in favor of over fascism.

            • FarraigePlaisteach@kbin.social
              10·
              7 months ago

              It’s not just hundreds of years. Those people are still there today. It’s never too late to do the right thing. In fact, Canada has returned some stolen land lately so please don’t tell me that it’s too difficult when you haven’t even tried.

              By the way, on second reading of your reply you sound like an absolute maniac. Are there any other minorities you’d like to see deprived of justice and funding? Wheelchair users maybe? The deaf or blind? Check yourself.

                • darthfabulous42069@lemm.ee
                  3·
                  7 months ago

                  It’s never too late to do what is right and to make amends for wrongs committed no matter how long ago it happened. Your actions affect people for the rest of their lives, often changing them permanently, and this is why we must aspire to be kinder to each other and to emphasize with one another.

                  Especially in terms of genocide and other crimes committed against whole cultures. Those types of crimes not only affect the direct victims, but their descendants, whose potential, prospects and lives were permanently changed for the worse before they were even born. What the Native Americans suffered is so horrendous it is hard to even describe. And it is all a part of the United States’s long history of racism, fascism, slavery and hatred.

                  To argue it’s irrelevant is not only pretty obnoxious but incorrect.

                • JimboDHimbo@lemmy.ca
                  3·
                  7 months ago

                  It’s Krazy to be this much of a dick to an indigenous person. I bet you want black people to stop whining about slavery and reparations too.

  • DreamButt@lemmy.worldEnglish
    51·
    7 months ago

    A third provision will allow legislators to “determine…whether a record is a public record.” Legislators can now decide to “retain, destroy, sell, loan, or otherwise dispose of’’ their documents.

    Sell?? Oh come on they aren’t even trying to pretend

  • Dagwood222@lemm.ee
    30·
    7 months ago

    GOP says they hate big government. Also creates bigger and more powerful government police agencies.

  • Ranvier@sopuli.xyz
    27·
    7 months ago

    If you work at any public university in North Carolina, start working on an exit plan. Though the wording of “indirect” public funds is so broad there’s not much this wouldn’t extend to in some way.

  • AquaTofana@lemmy.world
    25·
    7 months ago

    Fucking stasi mother fuckers.

    JFC, they were dismantled less than 40 years ago. How has society forgotten those horrors already!?