A High Point University poll released Wednesday shows that 42% of North Carolinians approve of President Donald Trump and that half of them disapprove of the job he is doing.

Gov. Roy Cooper has an approval rating of 43%, with 30% disapproving and 27% having no opinion on his job performance.

The poll also asked state residents about U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., and 27% said they approve of the job he’s doing while 38% said they disapprove.

Only 19% of North Carolinians said they approve of how Congress is doing its job in general, while 61% disapproved and 19% offered no view.

“The most recent HPU poll indicates that North Carolinians are split on their approval of the president, while close to one-third don’t offer an opinion on the states’ other elected positions,” said Brian McDonald, associate director of the poll and an adjunct instructor. “We will continue to track the public’s reactions to our elected officials as they seek re-election in 2020.”

The High Point University Survey Research Center questioned 1,030 adults in North Carolina on Sept. 13-19.

Of the respondents, 35% said the country is generally on the right track, and 56% say it is on the wrong track.

An HPU poll in April found that 40% of North Carolinians approved of Trump’s performance as president and 52% disapproved. Cooper received an approval rating of 41% and a disapproval rating of 30% in the April poll.

Tillis co-sponsors Dignity for Abortion Children Act

Sen. Tillis is co-sponsoring legislation to enforce guidelines for the dignified handling of the remains of unborn children and penalties for failing to respect the sanctity of human life.

The legislation comes after the discovery of more than 2,000 remains of unborn children at the home of an Indiana abortion doctor, Tillis’ office said.

“The disgusting actions by the abortion doctor in Indiana who held the remains of unborn children is a total disregard for life and any similar occurrence should have strict punishment,” Tillis said. “This legislation would ensure the remains of unborn children are treated as any other human so they get the burial they deserve.”

The bill requires abortion providers to dispose of the remains of unborn children just as those of any other human being are. Failure to do so is punishable by a fine and as much as five years in prison.

The legislation also requires a consent form so the mother can choose to retain possession of her unborn child’s remains or allow the provider to cremate or inter the remains. Failure of the provider to execute these forms would be punishable by civil penalty.

The bill was introduced by Sens. Todd Young and Mike Brian, both Republicans from Indiana.

“I will always fight to protect innocent life and ensure all children are treated with dignity,” Young said. “The recent discovery of over 2,200 fetal remains in the home of an Indiana abortionist proves there is a deeply disturbing problem with our current system. That’s why I joined a group of senators to introduce the Dignity for Aborted Children Act to ensure the bodies of the unborn are treated with respect.”

The legislation has been endorsed by the Susan B. Anthony List, March for Life, Family Research Council, National Right to Life, and Concerned Women for America.

Dan Forest announces first plan for 2020 governor campaign

Lt. Gov. Dan Forest on Wednesday announced his military and veterans plan, the first plan in his 2020 campaign for governor.

The plan aims to make North Carolina the nation’s most military-friendly state, according to a campaign statement.

The three-pronged plan would address shortcomings by:

• Supporting military families with help for children of active-duty soldiers to access high-quality education no matter when their families arrive in North Carolina.

• Easing transition to civilian life by waiving the first year of property taxes when military families make their home in the state, eliminating theh state income tax on veterans’ retirement benefits and creating veterans treatment courts in Jacksonville, Raleigh and Charlotte.

• Helping veterans transition into careers in law enforcement and the Helping Heroes Bonus program, which would provide $2,500 to businesses that hire and train apprentices leaving military service.

“Our nation owes a debt of gratitude to the men and women who sacrifice to defend our freedoms. In a day and age when we long for heroes, these are our real heroes,” Forest said. “But sometimes, by the way they are treated, they don’t feel like heroes. Our state’s lack of attention in some key areas has damaged its reputation among the military.”