In an apparent attempt to answer concerns about a controversial home loan, Democrat J.D. Wooten may have raised questions about where he lived when he filed documents to run in state Senate District 24. Wooten, a Greensboro lawyer, is one of six Democratic candidates in “Republican-leaning” Senate districts the left-wing 501(c)4 group Education Now is...
Gov. Roy Cooper has vetoed a bill opening gyms and bars. Cooper waited until the legislature adjourned for the weekend before acting on the measure, which strikes yet another blow against businesses struggling to survive amid a pandemic and ongoing protests over the killing of George Floyd. Cooper, a Democrat, has now twice vetoed a...
I’ve about had it. Enough, already, with the mandates and decrees enacted to protect us from COVID-19. From each other. The inconsistent and obtuse data. The pedantic lecturing. Enough. I’m tired, and I’m not alone. I’m sure of that, evidenced by the myriad lawsuits and outright defiance. I’m tired of the moral platitudes. The lack...
Just off North Carolina’s Highway 55 sits a tiny biker bar near the line of Wake and Harnett counties. As you’re passing by, you’ll see a sign out front. “Big Daddy’s Roadhouse,” it reads up top. In large, block lettering, a message is spelled out below for all to see. “And yes — your bar...
A bill reopening gyms and bars and expanding seating in restaurants has cleared the General Assembly. Again. The N.C. House on Wednesday, June 10, voted, 69-50, to send a rewritten House Bill 594 to Gov. Roy Cooper, who vetoed an earlier version of the legislation because he worries lawmakers are trying to usurp his power....
The N.C. Senate plans to vote Tuesday, June 9, on legislation that would reopen gyms, bars, and expand in-person dining at restaurants. Sen. Rick Gunn, R-Alamance, tweaked existing and vetoed legislation so that Gov. Roy Cooper would sign it. Cooper on Friday vetoed H.B. 536, which would have reopened private bars and clubs, as well...
Each week, staff at Carolina Journal looks back at the week in N.C. politics and chooses several interesting, relevant stories you may have missed. Here’s this week’s review: Bond proposal: House Speaker Tim Moore, R-Cleveland, wants a $3.1-billion bond for education and transportation needs. Reps. Jeffrey Elmore, R-Wilkes; Michael Wray, D-Northampton; and John Torbett, R-Gaston,...
Editor’s note: This story was updated Friday, May 29, to include current numbers on COVID-19 deaths, as reported the NCDHHS. A bill to reopen private bars and clubs, as well as expanding outdoor seating in restaurants and brewpubs, is awaiting a decision from the governor. He’ll probably veto the measure, which also applies to breweries,...
The N.C. Senate Committee on Commerce and Insurance on Tuesday, May 26, approved duplicate amendments to a pair of bills revising state alcohol laws as they apply to outdoor seating in restaurants. The two bills, which do similar things but apply to different businesses, would effectively expand outdoor seating for restaurants, which are struggling because...
N.C. Sen. Rick Gunn, R-Alamance, and the N.C. Association of ABC Boards want to allow bars and restaurants to sell alcohol back to N.C. Alcoholic Beverage Commission stores. The resolution, unanimously passed by the board association Wednesday, April 1, supports local ABC policies permitting local boards to “allow any bottles that have been purchased since...
Each week, staff at Carolina Journal looks back at the week in N.C. politics and chooses what we think are some interesting, relevant stories you may have missed. Here’s a week in review: Confederate poll: The latest Elon University poll found 65% of North Carolinians think Confederate monuments should stay on public property, such as...
