Legislative defendants are asking the N.C. Supreme Court to avoid jumping into a legal fight over new election maps. In a pair of new court filings, legislative leaders also ask the high court to avoid removing one justice from hearing the case. “Petitioners here seek to establish the troubling — and, indeed, anti-democratic — proposition...
After much debate, public scrutiny, and controversy, the General Assembly passed redistricting maps for the N.C. House and Senate, and U.S. Congress. The Senate on Thursday, Nov. 4, voted 25-21 for the House map. The House voted 65-49 to approve the map for the Senate, and also 65-49 for the congressional map, which includes a...
A new study commissioned by the N.C. Cable Telecommunications Association warns that red tape regarding utility pole access could cost the state $3.5 billion in consumer value due to the resulting delays in broadband deployment. After examining broadband expansion programs underway in North Carolina, the report found that if changes aren’t made to address unreasonable...
Budgets passed with bipartisan support in both chambers of the General Assembly fund a number of provisions in the ongoing Leandro school funding legal case, but critics still contend the money falls short of the mark. The House version of the budget, passed Aug. 12, contains more than 40 provisions specifically to address Leandro mandates,...
Mask wars have once again erupted in Buncombe County after the school board voted during a specially called meeting last week, without public comment, to require all students and staff to wear masks while inside, regardless of vaccination status. The unanimous 7-0 vote came days before Buncombe County public school classrooms will open Monday, Aug...
A bill pending in the N.C. Senate would tear down burdensome regulations for 24 months for companies offering new financial or insurance products that use emerging technology, allowing them to test out cutting-edge products or services. Senate Bill 470 would establish a “regulatory sandbox” similar to one created in Arizona in 2018. The measure would...
With the end of the state’s fiscal year just three weeks away, the N.C. House and Senate have reached a deal for the next budget. After weeks of closed negotiations, N.C. Senate and House leaders have agreed to a top-line spending number of $25.7 billion in the first year and $26.7 in the second year....
The House has passed a bill that would prohibit the exclusive teaching of Critical Race Theory in North Carolina public school classrooms. The 66-48 vote on May 12 followed a scorched-earth debate in which Democrats called the measure anti-American and hateful, while Republicans countered that it was focused on ensuring equity in schools. House Bill...
A new lawsuit filed Friday, May 7, in Carteret County would end Gov. Roy Cooper’s ability to issue executive orders linked to the COVID-19 pandemic. The suit contends that Cooper has lost his authority to issue COVID-related orders because no state of emergency exists today. Raleigh-based attorney Chuck Kitchen filed the suit on behalf of...
The N.C. Senate will consider the House’s Academic Transparency, House Bill 755, which would require that school systems post all curriculum and lesson plans so that parents and taxpayers can see what is being taught in the state’s public schools. The measure passed the House Wednesday, May 5, 66-50, along party lines. “The standard course...
North Carolina now consistently ranks among the best states in which to do business.
