The Great Divide

Causey loses role as fire marshal under new budget

NC Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey will no longer have a dual role as the state’s fire marshal come Jan. 1.

New NC budget prohibits local governments from setting minimum wages

The recently passed NC state budget contains a provision that would not allow local governments and municipalities to establish minimum wage and other employment-related requirements for private employers. The text, referred to as the “Wage and Hour Act” in N.C. General Statute § 95-25.1, resurfaces a discussion about the balance of power between the General...

Legislature passes $30 billion budget, Cooper will let become law

On Friday, both chambers of the state legislature sent House Bill 259, the state budget, to Gov. Roy Cooper’s desk for his signature. Shortly after the Senate passed the budget, Cooper said he would let the bill become law without his signature, citing the importance of Medicaid expansion. “Make no mistake, overall, this is a...

The 2023 North Carolina state budget: Here’s what you need to know

Focusing on tax cuts and development projects in the more than $30 billion budget, Tuesday evening the leaders announced that the Senate will vote on the conference report at 2:00 PM Thursday with final votes at 9:30 AM Friday. The House is planning to hold budget votes on the floor on Wednesday and Thursday. Their agreement does not contain legalization for casinos or video lottery terminals.