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

Grier returned to Durant Road Middle School today for their "Constitution Day" program.  The event celebrates the many freedoms preserved in the Constitution.  The School honored the Constitution with songs, a dance, and a speech by Wake County Commissioner Betty Lou Ward.  Grier gave the keynote speech at last year's Constitution Day and was honored to be invited back to participate this year.

The North Carolina Board of Elections has created a "Vote in Honor of a Veteran" program to allow NC voters to pay tribute to the women and men who have served in our Nation's armed forces.  If you sign up by October 15, you will receive a button with the name of your veteran that you can wear on Election Day.

To sign up, visit the Board of Elections website.

The North Carolina Association of Educators (NCAE) has recommended Grier Martin for re-election. NCAE advocates for teachers and students and has 70,000 members throughout North Carolina. "It is an honor to again receive the support of the members of NCAE who do so much to prepare our children for the future," said Martin.

Area 10 of the State Employees Political Action Committee unanimously voted to endorse Grier Martin for re-election. The organization advocates for the interests of North Carolina's state employees and has thousands of members throughout the state. "I serve many state employees in my district and I am also married to a proud state employee," said Grier. "So, I am thrilled to receive this endorsement."

North Carolina today officially signed onto the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Families. Rep. Grier Martin, introduced legislation earlier this year to enroll our state in the Compact and fought hard for its passage. Governor Mike Easley signed the bill into law today. The Compact will ease the burdens of military children as they move to new school systems.

Rep. Martin was joined in introducing the legislation by Reps. Margaret Dickson, Marvin Lucas, and Rick Glazier, and Senators Tony Rand and Vernon Malone.

Read news about the Compact here.

The NC House of Representatives passed legislation today that would ensure cars purchased by state government are fuel efficient. HB2720-"Energy-Efficient State Motor Vehicle Fleets”, introduced by Rep. Charles Thomas (R-Buncombe), Rep. Pricey Harrison (D-Guilford), and Rep. Grier Martin (D-Wake), would require state government to purchase only cars that are in the top 15% of their class in fuel efficiency. If passed, the bill will save the state millions of dollars in fuel costs over the next several years.

“At a time when North Carolinians must make tough choices because of rising gas costs, it is important that state government lead by example in the choices we make” said Rep. Martin during debate on the bill on the House floor.

The bill now goes to the Senate.

For more on the bill read the Greensboro News & Record coverage.

For more on the bill read the Greensboro News & Record coverage.

Grier attended the Sanderson High School graduation today at Memorial Auditorium. He met several members of the impressive senior class. Congratulations, Spartans!