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Follow the Money: Lawmakers and lobbyists place their bets

In the final days of state budget negotiations, there was a pressurized hush around the legislative complex as lawmakers feuded over the sudden addition of legalizing four casinos to the nearly $30 billion state budget. The issue was pulled from the budget, but it promises to resurface. In our Follow the Money series, we look at the behind-the-scenes lobbying and spending.

Donna King
News

Appeals Court wrestles with city-county funding fight over 911 service

A three-judge panel of the state Court of Appeals will have to decide whether Roanoke Rapids must pay any money to Halifax County for the operations of a countywide 911 center. The city-county dispute generated nearly an hour of oral arguments Wednesday at the state’s second-highest court.

CJ Staff
News

State budget could end two court battles over disability benefits

North Carolina’s new state budget could end two ongoing court fights over disability benefit payments. Lawyers from the state Department of Justice have asked the state’s highest court to take notice of the budget law as justices consider the cases.

CJ Staff
News

NC legislature adds to growing list of overridden Cooper vetoes: elections, energy, and regulatory reform

On Tuesday, the North Carolina General Assembly overrode five bills that had been vetoed by Governor Roy Cooper. Since the legislature held its first override vote in March, there have been a total of 19 veto overrides this year.

Alex Baltzegar

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Leandro plaintiffs ask state’s highest court to steer clear of latest dispute

Plaintiffs in North Carolina’s long-running Leandro education funding lawsuit have asked the state Supreme Court to reject the latest petition from state legislative leaders. Top lawmakers are asking the court to take another look at Leandro.

CJ Staff
News

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...

Zach Rounceville
News

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...

Alex Baltzegar
News

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.

Alex Baltzegar