Briefs
Democrats challenge Senate budget, contends it hurts public schools
Sen. Graig Meyer, a Democrat from Orange County, criticized the Senate budget on Thursday, contending that it harms public education. “The Senate budget unveiled this week siphons critical dollars to so-called “voucher” programs that favor wealthy students and diminishes our public education system,” Meyer said in a statement. The Senate approved its version of the […]
NC Republicans prohibit the state joining an organization meant to keep voter rolls clean
State House and Senate Republicans agree that North Carolina will not join a multi-state effort to maintain accurate voter rolls. Both chambers included provisions in their budget proposals that prohibit the state from participating in the Electronic Registration Information Center and eliminate what was to be next year’s $35,000 membership fee. Republican states started abandoning […]
Justice Michael Morgan not running for re-election to NC Supreme Court
Associate Justice Michael Morgan announced on Twitter Thursday morning that he will not run for re-election to retain his seat on the state Supreme Court. “With the incredibly good fortune to be the only person ever in NC to serve in 4 different judgeships over my 34 years of judicial service, I shall not seek […]
Demonstrators gather outside Enviva’s Raleigh office to protest wood pellet industry
Crowned with colorful hats, their aprons studded with protest buttons, a half dozen members of the Raging Grannies charmed their way past security — “we’re just going to our cars” — and took an elevator to Suite 1020 of the Bank of America building in midtown Raleigh. They assembled outside the glass doors of the […]
Democratic attempt to expel Santos from U.S. House handed over to ethics panel
WASHINGTON — The U.S. House on Wednesday agreed on a motion to refer to the Ethics Committee a Democratic-sponsored resolution to expel New York Republican Rep. George Santos from Congress. The motion led by Republicans was approved 221-204, with seven Democrats voting present. The expulsion resolution introduced by freshman California Democratic Rep. Robert Garcia was […]
NC Senate budget proposal receives bipartisan support, though Democrats’ amendments are sidelined
The Senate on Wednesday took a crucial 36-13 vote to pass its version of the next state budget, with seven Democrats joining Republicans in pushing the spending plan to its next phase. After another vote scheduled for today, Senate and House negotiators will write a compromise version of the budget that the legislature will pass […]
House Democrats condemn ‘hurtful’ GOP remarks about Black colleagues’ abortion, education
Democrats issued a statement late Wednesday condemning “hurtful remarks” Rep. Jeff McNeely, a Republican from Iredell County, made questioning whether a Black colleague was only able to attend Harvard University because he was a track athlete and a minority. House Democratic Leader Robert Reives said lawmakers must conduct themselves appropriately and with respect for other […]
The House budgeted for Voter ID. The Senate did not.
In its budget proposal unveiled last month, North Carolina’s House of Representatives budgeted $3.5 million for the State Board of Elections to implement voter ID requirements — before the state Supreme Court even ruled on whether it was constitutional. The Senate released its budget proposal this week. Unlike their House colleagues, however, it did not […]
Senate budget would cut funding to UNC Law School, School of Government, fund controversial new school
Two prominent schools at UNC-Chapel Hill would have their funding cut by millions while a controversial new school would be created and funded under the proposed Senate version of the state budget. The budget proposal, released Monday, includes a $2.5 million cut to both the UNC School of Law and UNC School of Government in […]
Legislators advance foster care assessment bill
Members of the House Health committee advanced a bill Tuesday that attempts to help children in North Carolina’s foster care system, and those at risk of entering it. “We have to do better than this,” said Rep. Kristin Baker (R-Cabarrus), one of the primary sponsors of House Bill 860. Baker said her bill is focused […]
GOP senators decline to explain reason for controversial budget provision
Spending bill would bar funding for pregnancy prevention, adolescent services Members of the Senate Appropriations committee got their first look at the $29.7 billion proposed state budget Senate Republican rolled out on Monday. As the budget writers took turns sharing highlights of the massive bill, Sen. Natasha Marcus (D-Mecklenburg Co.) wanted to know why the […]
NC Senate proposed budget has smaller employee raises, would have legislators appoint some judges
The $29.7 billion proposed state budget Senate Republican leaders released Monday afternoon has smaller raises for teachers and state employees than the House wanted. The Senate budget proposes average teacher raises of 4.5% over two years, and 5% raises for state employees over two years. Beginning teacher salaries would go from $37,000 to $39,000 starting […]