News
Election bill clears House Rules but faces GOP concerns, bipartisan pushback
Election law changes bill cleared House Rules 14-9 after protest, GOP dissent, and concerns from lawmakers whose votes could matter in a veto fight.
News
NC House passes Jaleeyah’s Law targeting gang-related crime
The NC House passed Jaleeyah’s Law, a bill increasing penalties and prosecutor resources for gang-related crimes after a Goldsboro teen’s killing.
News
NC lawmakers propose $50 million affordable housing loan fund
Bipartisan legislation would create a revolving loan fund to help nonprofit developers cover infrastructure costs for affordable housing projects.
News
House committee OKs recovery commission and fall legislative return dates
After a month-long summer recess, the North Carolina General Assembly briefly reconvened Monday afternoon. The House Rules Committee considered several bills regarding disaster recovery funds, environmental waste management, student use of wireless communication devices, General Assembly appointments, and an adjournment resolution.
News
Stein cannabis council to back age 21 THC rule, adult reform
The council’s formation marks the start of the Stein administration’s effort to legalize marijuana for adults in North Carolina, while also tightening restrictions and closing loopholes that allow access for minors. Some North Carolinians view this move positively, while others remain skeptical.
News
NC House votes to ban China, Russia from buying farmland near military bases
In a 111-0 vote, the House approved the NC Farmland and Military Protection Act. House Bill 133 bans foreign enemies from buying NC farmland amid reports of growing foreign investments.
News
New bill calls for transparency in executive branch regulatory process
The REINS Act creates a formal process for individuals to challenge proposed rules. It also requires legislative approval for any permanent regulation that's expected to have an economic impact of $1 million or more within a 12-month period.
News
Lawmakers push to ban China from buying up NC land
Republicans in the North Carolina General Assembly want to prohibit hostile foreign governments, like China and Russia, from buying agricultural land and property surrounding military installations. The NC Farmland and Military Protection Act was filed this week by Reps. Jennifer Balkcom, R-Henderson, Neal Jackson,R-Moore, Jeff Zenger, R-Forsyth, and John Bell, R-Wayne. The legislation aims to...
News
Disaster Recovery Act of 2025 to allocate additional $500 million for Helene relief
“As we know, this is a major issue that our state faces, and helping the people of Western North Carolina recover is the top priority of both chambers, and I think the entire state of North Carolina is on board with that,” said Rep. John Bell, R-Wayne.
Opinion
Blue Cross bill makes good sense
How often do the majority and minority leaders of any legislative chamber in America agree on a significant policy change? You can probably count those occasions on your fingers without putting down your coffee cup. But one such example is unfolding right now in our state capital. Rep. John Bell (R-Wayne) and Rep. Robert Reives...
Opinion
How long will we allow a dictator to rule?
Having learned the lessons of tyranny under British rule, our state forefathers and their successors intentionally made our governor one of the weakest in the nation.
Opinion
New campaign against ABC reform rests on recycled arguments
Please, send this one back. It tastes bitter. Opponents of measures that would relax North Carolina’s arcane — punitive, even — ABC laws are running out of new arguments, which are becoming more pervasive, more hard-edged. The clock, they know, is ticking. These alcohol opponents are quick to cite studies relating alcohol to traffic fatalities,...
