I started writing my column for North Carolina newspapers in 1986. From the start, I resolved to focus primarily on state and local issues. Newspapers were already chock-full of opinions about national politics and international affairs. As a then-college student, I didn’t think my views on these topics would be distinctive enough to interest editors...
On Thursday, the North Carolina House gave final passage to H.B. 76, a bill to expand Medicaid, by a vote of 87-24. On Wednesday, the day prior, the vote was 95-21. The bill now officially goes to Gov. Roy Cooper’s desk for his signature.
Democrat Gov. Roy Cooper unveiled what he called his “First in Opportunity” budget at a press conference Wednesday, proposing to spend $32.95 billion in the first year of the biennium and $34.23 billion in the second year. The budget keeps $7 billion in reserve and doesn’t raise taxes, but halts some planned tax cuts.
Leaders in the North Carolina House and Senate announced an agreement on Wednesday, March 8, on a budget amount for the 2023-2024 fiscal year.
In a press conference Thursday, Senate Leader Phil Berger and House Speaker Tim Moore announced that an agreement has been reached between the chambers to expand the federal Medicaid entitlement program in North Carolina.
North Carolina revenue forecasts have surpassed $33 billion annually, and the state will have roughly $3.25 billion in excess for Fiscal Year 2022-23, or 10.7% more than had been previously budgeted.
In Tuesday night’s State of The Union speech, President Joe Biden focused his comments on a theme to “finish the job,” proposing new taxpayer-paid benefits, focusing on the more than 20,000 projects related to the infrastructure bill, and highlighting climate policy in the Inflation Reduction Act.
After November's midterm elections, Republicans in the Senate have a supermajority, and in the House, Republicans are one vote shy of a supermajority. The partisan make up means that a careful attendance numbers game will likely play a prominent role in this session.
On Wednesday, Jan. 11, the North Carolina General Assembly will hold opening ceremonies to kick off the 2023 legislative session. "I know issues including voter ID, parental rights in schools, and tax cuts are on the minds of our members. I look forward to the work that lies ahead of us,” said Sen. Leader Phil Berger, R-Rockingham.
During this November’s midterm elections, five counties will vote on a referendum to raise their county’s sales tax by a quarter of a percent. Many other counties are proposing bond referendums to fund various projects within their counties.
North Carolina ranks 5th in the nation for conservative policy outcomes in 2021, according to a review due out in November, and the shift can be a factor in drawing new residents.
