Rep. Martin was the guest speaker today at The Heritage's Men's Group breakfast.  He talked about the budget process and the need to create jobs and fielded questions from the group on health care, campaign finance reform, and man other topics.

The Heritage is a senior living community located off Falls of the Neuse Rd. in Raleigh.

Rep. Grier Martin was one of a select few legislators honored today with Democracy NC’s “Sunshine Award.” Only 1 in 6 House members received the award, given for a “superior” commitment to openness in campaign finance disclosures.

“The public is demanding a higher standard of ethical conduct and more accountability to voters rather than narrow self-interests. Disclosure helps shine a light on problems, but it takes the right mix of restrictions, incentives, enforcement and leadership to change the political culture,” said Bob Hall, Democracy NC’s executive director.

For more on the Sunshine award, see Democracy NC's webpage (.pdf).

The non-partisan North Carolina Voters for Clean Elections awarded Rep. Grier Martin a perfect 100% score in its annual scorecard of North Carolina legislators.  The scorecard rates legislators on their commitment to reform our state's elections.  Martin received the top ranking for his votes in favor of reducing the importance of special interest money in politics.

View the complete scorecard here (.pdf)

Rep. Martin attended several Veterans Day events recently. On Veterans Day, he was the keynote speaker at a ceremony held by the Student Veterans of America at N.C. State University. Rep. Martin encouraged his fellow veterans to listen to Shakespeare’s Henry V and “remember with advantages” the things they have done in service of America. Earlier that day, he attended the dedication of the Town of Garner Veterans Memorial. Construction on the Memorial will begin soon at Lake Benson Park.

The Brain Injury Association of North Carolina presented Rep. Grier Martin with its "Our Hero" award at its annual reception Thursday. The Association honored Grier and Rep. Verla Insko for their successful work on legislation to provide greater care for victims of traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and to improve standards for faclities that treat brain injury victims.

Rep. Martin was the keynote speaker at Durant Road Middle School's 2009 Constitution Day program.  Over 200 students participated in a program that included song, dance, and other performances that celebrated the Constitution of the United States.

For more on the event, visit the Durant Road Middle School PTA site (.pdf file)

On June 9th, Rep. Grier Martin was awarded the Charles Dick Medal of Merit from the National Guard Association of the United States for his support of the men and women of the National Guard and their families.

According to the National Guard Association of the United States:
"The Charles Dick Medal of Merit was established in 1988 and is designed to recognize the contributions to the National Guard by elected representatives to legislative bodies at the state and national levels.

The medal is named in honor of Major General Charles Dick, President of the National Guard Association of the United States from 1902 to 1909, a major general in the Ohio National Guard, a Congressman and later a Senator. Dick was responsible for the passage of the Dick Acts of 1903 and 1908 that established the foundation of the modern National Guard.
. . . .
An individual must have distinguished him/herself over an extended period of time in their support to the National Guard through service in a state or national elected legislative body."

Rep. Grier Martin received a rating of 100% on the Conservation Council of North Carolina's 2008 Legislative Short Session Scorecard. The scorecard rates legislators on votes to promote cleaner air for North Carolinians to breathe and safer water to drink. The average score for members of the House was 71%.

To view the entire scorecard, click here.

Rep. Martin participated in a forum sponsored by The Arc, a group dedicated to people with disabilities and their families. Grier noted that almost everything state government does affects North Carolina's disabled population, and highlighted his role in improving our ability to protect the disabled in disasters such as hurricanes and floods.

The NC Voters for Clean Elections (NCVCE) released its 2007-08 Legislative Scorecard rating every member of the General Assembly on votes for campaign finance reform. NCVCE gave Grier Martin a perfect 100% score in recognition of his consistent support of efforts to promote clean elections in our state. The average score in the House was 60%.

NCVCE is a non-partisan coalition of dozens of statewide groups, such as the AARP, the Federation of Business and Professional Women, the NAACP, the Presbytery of New Hope and the NC Banker's Association. For more information about the Scorecard click here.

The Indpendent Weekly newspaper today endorsed Grier Martin for a third term in the NC House of Representatives:

"In his two House terms, Democratic incumbent Grier Martin has carved a reputation for himself as a progressive leader on ethics reforms and environmental issues. The N.C. Center for Public Policy Research this year ranked him the "most effective" of all first- and second-term members, he notes; he was also cited by the Conservation Council of N.C. and the Disabled American Veterans of N.C. for his leadership."

For the full text of the article, click here. For other endorsements of Grier Martin, click here.

The Raleigh News & Observer today endorsed Grier Martin for re-election to the NC House of Representatives, calling him "a straight shooter with an independent voice."

Read the full text of the editorial here. For other endorsements of Grier Martin, click here.

The NC National Guard held a mobilization ceremony in Raleigh today for the 449th Theater Aviation Brigade. The 449th has been called to active duty and is expected to deploy to Iraq, according to the Guard.

Rep. Martin was honored to attend the ceremony. "I hope the women and men of the 449th know that we in the General Assembly are proud of them and we are committed to taking care of them and their families" said Martin.

Read more about the ceremony in the Raleigh News and Observer