First Tuesday Asheville

Do you need names and contact details for your elected representatives? Ask Ernestine, and you'll be chatting with them in minutes!

 It’s easy to feel outnumbered—but your voice matters more than you think. A well-written letter to the editor can break through the noise, influence public opinion, and remind local leaders that conservatives are still here and still engaged.

We’ve created a simple, step-by-step Letter to the Editor Starter Kit to help you craft and submit an effective letter, even if you’ve never written one before. This free resource includes writing tips, sample topics, a letter template, and submission details for local papers.

Download the kit now and join others who are speaking up for common sense, fairness, and accountability in our community.

Sunshine laws are only powerful if citizens use them.
Getting access to government records shouldn’t feel intimidating—yet too many people don’t know where to start, or what to say. That’s why we created a step-by-step How to Request Public Records Starter Kit.

This free resource gives you:

• Simple instructions for making effective requests
   
• Email and letter templates you can copy and use
   
• A guide to local online request portals
   
• Tips for tracking your request and following up
   

Download the kit and discover how easy it is to hold local officials accountable. Transparency starts with you—get started today!

Senate Bill 474, introduced during the 2025 legislative session, proposes the creation of a North Carolina Department of Government Efficiency (DoGE) Task Force. This task force would be responsible for evaluating government agencies to identify opportunities for improved efficiency, cost savings, and enhanced accountability. The goal is to ensure taxpayer dollars are used effectively and responsibly across the state.

House Bill 659 aims to enhance transparency in local government spending by mandating the following:​

• Itemized Invoices: All local government invoices must detail the payee, amount paid, items or services purchased, and performance dates.​
•  Public Access: Local governments are required to provide a link on their websites to view all quarterly invoices. Municipalities without websites must maintain physical copies accessible to the public.​
•  Bid Transparency: Websites must also display the top three bids for every project, service, or goods purchased with tax dollars, updated quarterly.​
•  Unredacted Documents: Both invoices and bids should be presented unredacted unless redaction is specifically required by law.​
•  Effective Date: The act is set to become effective on July 1, 2025.​

HB 171 would end government-mandated Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs in North Carolina state and local agencies. The bill prohibits the use of taxpayer funds for DEI offices, bans DEI-based hiring or training requirements, and ensures that government jobs are awarded strictly on merit and equal treatment under the law.

Learn more about HB 171, get ready-to-send letter templates, and see how to counter common arguments from the left on our HB 171 Action Page.

This bill reinforces non-discrimination in state and local hiring and training policies and prohibits compelled belief in certain political or ideological concepts. It applies to state agencies and local governments and includes enforcement mechanisms to ensure compliance. Sponsored by Reps. Brian Echevarria, Mitchell Setzer, and Wyatt Gable.