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ECONOMY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
CITIZEN-TIMES: Economic incentives bill to again test NC urban-rural divide
Division between urban and rural interests isn’t new to the General Assembly. But the fissure is getting a new look from Republicans now in charge of state government as North Carolina’s economic recovery continues.
NEWS & OBSERVER: NC Senators Look to Modify McCrory’s Jobs Incentive Plan
Republican state senators voiced concerns this week about a jobs incentive program that Gov. Pat McCrory wants to see significantly expanded within weeks.
EDUCATION
WRAL: Supreme Court weighs NC school voucher program
Under the program, families can apply for annual grants of $4,200 per child per year to help defray the cost of tuition to a non-public school. State lawmakers set aside $10.8 million for the program.
ELECTIONS
WUNC: NC Legislature Debating Presidential Primary Position for NC In 2016
Some Republicans are calling on leaders at the General Assembly to again change when the state will hold its presidential primary. State GOP Chairman Claude Pope wants the primary moved to March 1st.
ENERGY
WRAL: Gas Drilling Permitting Could Begin in March
Those hoping to drill for natural gas in North Carolina have less than three weeks before they can begin the permit application process, despite what opponents and even some backers describe as lingering questions with regard to the state’s regulations.
GAY MARRIAGE
WNCN: N.C. Senate committee passes bill allowing magistrates to opt out of marrying couples
The North Carolina State Senate voted 32-16 to exempt magistrates from wedding duties last Wednesday, rekindling the debate on gay marriage.
GENERAL ASSEMBLY
WRAL: NC Capitol Monday Night Sessions Return
Both the state House and the Senate will meet at 7 p.m. for the first Monday night business sessions of the year. The House will be handling a bill that provides funds for the Coal Ash Management Commission; the state Senate will be voting on a package of technical tax law changes.
HEALTHCARE
CHARLOTTE OBSERVER: Fate of 500,000 in NC Hangs on ACA Court Case
The court is scheduled to hear arguments Wednesday in King v. Burwell. The plaintiffs argue that four words in the complex law preclude the federal government from setting up the health insurance exchange that almost 560,000 in North Carolina and 210,000 in South Carolina used to buy policies this year. Roughly 90 percent got federal aid. A ruling won’t come until late spring or early summer. But it could rock the Carolinas if the subsidies are cut off.
IN THE COURTS
TRIAD BUSINESS JOURNAL: Supreme Court Rules Against N.C. Dental Board in Tooth-Whitening Case
The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday ruled that the North Carolina dental board overstepped its bounds by directing non-dentists to stop offering tooth-whitening services, which have become more prevalent and profitable in recent years
NEWS & OBSERVER: Wake Judge Allows Case on Voter ID Law to Proceed to Trial
A Wake County Judge has refused to dismiss a challenge to North Carolina’s voter ID law, saying in a ruling issued Friday that most of the claims in the lawsuit are strong enough to take to trial.
Please contact the Raleigh McGuireWoods Consulting team if you have any questions or comments:
Harry Kaplan, Senior Vice President
hkaplan@mwcllc.com
Jeff Barnhart, Senior Vice President
jbarnhart@mwcllc.com
Franklin Freeman, Senior Vice President
ffreeman@mwcllc.com
Bo Heath, Senior Vice President
dbheath@mwcllc.com
John Merritt, Senior Vice President
jmerritt@mwcllc.com
Johnny Tillett, Senior Vice President
jtillett@mwcllc.com
Kerri Burke, Vice President
kburke@mwcllc.com
Jillian Totman, Assistant Vice President
jtotman@mwcllc.com
Sarah Wolfe, Assistant Vice President
swolfe@mwcllc.com
Phillip Barefoot, Research Assistant
pbarefoot@mwcllc.com