On Wednesday, Sen. Thom Tillis announced $5.2 million in infrastructure grant funds to North Carolina from the US Department of Transportation. The announcement comes as the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) launches an effort to re-evaluate future funding options for the state’s infrastructure system, and get public feedback.
As the N.C. House passed its new election maps Tuesday, Nov. 2, the Senate followed suit Wednesday, Nov. 3, passing new maps with a vote along party lines, 26-19. Sen. Ralph Hise, R-McDowell, one of three co-chairs of the Senate Redistricting Committee, said lawmakers didn’t use racial or election data as part of the criteria...
In addition to choosing representatives, and deciding six statewide constitutional amendments Tuesday, Nov. 6, North Carolina voters approved more than $1.8 billion in local bonds for K-12 and community college projects, parks and open spaces, low-income housing, and street improvements. Voters also weighed in on sales tax increases, alcoholic beverage sales, and local government reforms....
RALEIGH — Redrawn House District 45 now occupies the bulk of Cumberland County that encircles, but does not include, Fayetteville. It is the former turf of five-term incumbent Democrat Rick Glazier, who was double-bunked by redistricting into House District 44. Now it's a swing district with an open seat.
FAYETTEVILLE — It is a race between a Republican candidate who describes himself as a “working class man” and a Democratic candidate who says his parents taught him to “tote your own water.” Incumbent Sen. Wesley Meredith is considered vulnerable, but Democratic challenger George Tatum faces questions, too.
RALEIGH — John Szoka recognizes that education is often thought of as a campaign platform for Democrats, but he and Diane Wheatley, his Republican opponent for North Carolina’s open House District 45 seat, both have layered the public schooling dynamic into their May 8 primary race.
RALEIGH — Republicans are rallying to recapture the General Assembly for the first time since the 19th century, putting Democrats on the defensive statewide. Contests in a handful of traditionally uncompetitive districts have tightened this year, leading to opportunities for the GOP.
RALEIGH — The air turned foul in a General Assembly committee meeting Tuesday when representatives of various industries in assailed the state Department of the Environment and Natural Resources. One DENR official told the Joint Select Committee on Small Business and Economic Development that North Carolina’s environmental laws sometimes are stricter than federal laws, and other times they are less stringent. But Republican Rep. Connie Wilson of Charlotte said she was concerned about DENR’s excessive regulations that thwart economic development in the state. And Democratic Sen. A. B. Swindell of Nashville expressed outrage at DENR’s intransigence.
Public universities in North Carolina this year received $120 million from the federal government in "overhead receipts." That money is intended to help pay the universities' administrative and institutional costs in conducting research for federal projects. It is also coming under legislative scrutiny in this tight budgetary era, as lawmakers question how the universities use that money and whether it duplicates any state funding efforts.
