State government
Weekend reads: NC’s new Teacher of the Year, UNC losing faculty and staff, and one word makes a big difference for NC’s environment
In this issue: 1. One-word change in Farm Act could increase greenhouse gas emissions from hog farms A one-word change in the Farm Act could allow hog farmers to capture methane from their waste lagoons, but choose not to use the gas for energy. Instead, the farmer could merely send the potent greenhouse gas through […]
NC Rep. Tricia Cotham, then and now
About two weeks before her Democratic primary last spring, Rep. Tricia Cotham declared her unequivocal support for abortion rights. “Now, more than ever we need leaders who will be unwavering and unapologetic in their support of abortion rights,” she wrote on Twitter on May 3, 2022. At a news conference last week where Cotham announced […]
Beyond medical marijuana, a bipartisan group of NC legislators wants to study psychedelics
Editor’s note: This story mentions PTSD and suicide. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. North Carolina’s Compassionate Care Act, a bill that would legalize medical marijuana for certain patients, faces an uncertain future in the state House this […]
Weekend reads: Rep. Cotham’s big jump, absentee ballot restrictions, and what’s in the House budget
1. Rep. Tricia Cotham’s party switch gives the House GOP a veto-proof majority Rep. Tricia Cotham formally announced she is switching parties to become a Republican, giving the GOP a veto-proof majority in the state House. Cotham bashed Democrats at a news conference Wednesday morning where Republicans welcomed her to the GOP. Cotham said Democrats had […]
Bill to allow low-performing virtual charters to continue gets favorable hearing
Senate Democrats on Tuesday opposed a bill that would allow the state’s two virtual charter schools to continue to operate despite a record of poor academic performance dating to 2015, the year both schools opened. The North Carolina Virtual Academy and the North Carolina Cyber Academy have earned “D” state performance grades each year of operation. […]
NC House set to give final approval to its budget proposal today
The state House gave preliminary approval to its $29.8 billion budget Wednesday afternoon with a 78-37 vote. The budget won support from nine Democrats. The House budget includes average teacher raises of about 10% over two years. Most state employees would receive 7.5% raises over two years. The budget is a “fiscally responsible, well thought-out […]
Rep. Tricia Cotham’s party switch gives the House GOP a veto-proof majority
Rep. Tricia Cotham formally announced she is switching parties to become a Republican, giving the GOP a veto-proof majority in the state House. Cotham bashed Democrats at a news conference Wednesday morning where Republicans welcomed her to the GOP. Cotham said Democrats had bullied her, shunned her, tried to tell her what to do, and […]
Efforts underway to sharply reduce NC’s legal threshold for intoxicated driving.
“This is not to tell individuals they don’t have a right to drink alcohol.” Rep. Mike Clampitt (R-Swain Co.) told reporters Thursday that House Bill 148 (Driving/Reduce Legal BAC Level) would lower the legal limit for driving from a blood alcohol content of .08 to .05 and was intended to prevent people from thinking they […]
NC House proposed budget has tax cuts, employee raises, and is stuffed with policy changes
GOP agenda items for schools, COVID, elections, judicial retirement are included in omnibus proposal -- Medicaid expansion could be impacted The budget state House Republicans presented this week would increase teacher salaries an average of 10% over two years and give state employees 7.5% raises over the two-year budget cycle.
NC legislature loosens gun laws as governor’s veto is overridden
Updated at 1:30 p.m. with House vote details and additional statements. Updated at 2:55 p.m. with Rep. Tricia Cotham statement. Two days after a mass shooting at a Tennessee school, the North Carolina legislature loosened state gun laws by lifting the requirement for local sheriffs to approve pistol purchases as lawmakers completed the override of […]
‘This bill is your legacy’: A divided NC House votes big on sports gambling (w/video)
In a 66-45 vote, members of the North Carolina House approved legislation Tuesday to legalize sports wagering in North Carolina. House Bill 347 opens the door to electronic betting on college sports and professional sports with 10 to 12 licensed operators accepting bets. Rep. Jason Saine (R-Lincoln) the bill’s primary sponsor said the legislation has […]
Watch: Governor Roy Cooper sign Medicaid expansion bill (video)
Republican and Democratic leaders were all smiles Monday at Raleigh’s Executive Mansion for a signing ceremony of House Bill 76, Access to Healthcare Options. The legislation will expand Medicaid to hundreds of thousands of uninsured North Carolinians, once the state budget is finalized. “Medicaid expansion is a once-in-a-generation investment that will strengthen our mental health […]