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NC Gov-elect Stein gives update on transition team
Democrat Governor-elect Josh Stein has added names to his transition team and gave an update on its progression on Thursday.
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Tillis, Budd lead push for federal disaster relief funds
Sens. Thom Tillis and Ted Budd are leading a push by federal lawmakers to pass an appropriations package to support those affected by the impact of Helene. This follows a visit by the senators and other federal lawmakers on Tuesday, touring the destruction of Hurricane Helene.
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Do vouchers = a Porsche? NC Senate Dems try to slam the brakes on Opportunity Scholarship funding
All 72,000 applicants for Opportunity Scholarships this year are one step closer to securing awards after the North Carolina Senate passed a funding boost for the program on Thursday. The proposed committee substitute (PCS) for House Bill 828 passed by a party line 28-15 vote after more than an hour of contentious debate. Yesterday, the...
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Budd and Tillis joins Senate delegation urging Schumer to keep Senate in session
keep the U.S. Senate in session until all 12 appropriations bills have been debated and passed by the Senate.
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Tillis legislation protecting high school hunting and archery now heads to Biden
Legislation introduced by North Carolina Republican Sen. Thom Tillis that would preserve and protect funding for longtime high school programs and activities like archery and hunting safety passed Wednesday unanimously in the Senate, passed Tuesday in the House and now heads to President Biden's desk.
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Hise ekes out win over Ballard in Senate District 47 primary
State Sen. Ralph Hise of Mitchell County secured reelection in Senate District 47 after narrowly snagging a victory over fellow incumbent state Sen. Deanna Ballard of Boone. Hise secured 50.65% of the vote compared to Ballard’s 49.35%. The primary was one of the most closely watched in the state because of its unusual matchup —...
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Legislative roundup, week of June 8-12, 2020
Each week of the General Assembly’s short session, CJ staff will look back at several important bills lawmakers handled. Elections: An election bill awaits Gov. Roy Cooper’s signature. House Bill 1169, Bipartisan Elections Act of 2020, sends money to the N.C. State Board of Elections for COVID-19 expenses, and includes temporary reforms to absentee and vote-by-mail...
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N.C. Senate moves forward with COVID-19 relief bill
Editor’s note: This story was updated to include amendments adopted, the floor vote, and a new spending total. The N.C. Senate on Wednesday evening passed by a 48-0 vote a $1.3-billion bill distributing money for COVID-19 relief statewide. Senate Bill 704, introduced late Tuesday, April 28, includes dozens of emergency relief items — all appropriating money...
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Two education-related mini-budgets move through Senate
Senate Republicans introduced Wednesday, Oct. 23, a pair of mini-budget bills that would raise pay for K-12 educators and university employees. The move continues the GOP’s strategy of introducing mini-budgets to get around Gov. Roy Cooper’s budget veto. Senate leader Phil Berger, R-Rockingham, said the Senate will pass these piecemeal spending plans until Oct. 31,...
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Mini-budgets advance through the General Assembly
Lawmakers spent Tuesday, Oct. 8, advancing four mini-budget plans as the budget veto stalemate drags on into another month. Gov. Roy Cooper vetoed the $24 billion budget June 28. The N.C. House overrode the veto, but the Senate has yet to try. In lieu of a full budget, Republican lawmakers have pushed forward mini-budgets to...
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N.C. lawmakers introduce four new mini-budgets
The General Assembly is continuing its push to pass mini-budgets as the stalemate over Gov. Roy Cooper’s veto of the General Fund budget continues into another month. Cooper vetoed the $24 billion budget bill June 28, primarily because the budget plan lacked provision to expand Medicaid. House Republicans have so far been unable to garner...
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General Assembly approves Senate’s version of stopgap bill
An appropriations bill approved by the General Assembly ensures federal money can flow into certain programs as the stalemate over the budget continues. N.C. House lawmakers on Wednesday, July 24, voted unanimously to concur with the Senate on House Bill 961, Ensuring Authorization of Federal Funds. The bill heads to Gov. Roy Cooper for his...
