NC Politics in the News

August 10, 2015

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Bond Proposals

NEWS & OBSERVER: NC House shifts proposed bond vote to 2016 primary
The N.C. House voted Thursday to move a proposed $2.85 billion bond referendum from November to the presidential primary. A final 76-29 vote sent theentire proposal to the Senate.

WRAL: Bond proposals by McCrory, NC House at a glance
A glance at proposed distribution of the proceeds of the $2.86 billion proposed debt package given tentative approval Wednesday by the North CarolinaHouse, with comparisons to the “Connect NC” package offered by Gov. Pat McCrory that would propose nearly the same amount.

Energy & Environment

NEWS & RECORD: Will North Carolina continue making progress on air quality?
The cold shoulder that officials in Raleigh gave the federal Clean Power Plan last week put a spotlight on air quality, something most people take forgranted unless they have allergies or a respiratory disease.

Health Care

WINSTON-SALEM JOURNAL: Senate Medicaid reform contains compromise, but insists on cabinet-level department
The state Senate unveiled its latest Medicaid reform initiative Thursday, compromising with the House on a bigger role for provider-led entities, but stillinsisting on creating a cabinet-level N.C. Medicaid Department.

CITIZEN-TIMES: NC Medicaid says it had $131M in available end-of-year cash
North Carolina’s Medicaid agency said Tuesday that it had good financial news at the close of the second consecutive fiscal year, again registering apositive cash balance.

WINSTON-SALEM JOURNAL: Local hospitals penalized by Medicare
For the fourth consecutive year, N.C. Baptist Hospital will receive the largest Medicare reimbursement penalty among North Carolina’s urban hospitals forthe number of its patients readmitted within 30 days of discharge.

ABC 11: Blue Cross of NC seeks 35 percent rate hike on Affordable Care plans
Changes are on the way for thousands of Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina customers in 2016.

New Laws

JONES & BLOUNT: McCrory signs 26 bills into law
Gov. Pat McCrory signed 26 bills into law Thursday, most of them non-controversial.

Personnel Changes

WRAL: Governor appoints acting transportation chief permanently
The acting secretary of the North Carolina Department of Transportation was named to the permanent spot atop the agency on Thursday, a week after theformer head suddenly resigned.

WASHINGTON TIMES: NC health agency chief leaving job; Brajer is next secretary
North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory’s health and human services secretary, who led the department to improved financial footing but was criticized by lawmakersfor backlogged computer projects and pricey contractors, is leaving her job.

Public Safety

WRAL: Senate OKs terror claims, armed Guard members
The state Senate on Tuesday approved measures allowing civil claims against a terrorist or accessory and allowing some National Guard members to carryconcealed weapons at recruiting centers and offices.

State Budget & Taxes

FAYETTEVILLE OBSERVER: Budget delay has ripple effect across North Carolina
The inability of North Carolina’s legislature and governor to decide how to spend more than $21 billion of taxpayer money is creating problems throughoutNorth Carolina.

WRAL: Balanced budget amendment gets initial push in NC
North Carolina could become the fifth state to call for an unprecedented national convention of states to draft a constitutional amendment that wouldrequire the federal government to maintain a balanced budget.

WSOC: NC senators propose state sales tax compromise
North Carolina Senate leaders are suggesting a new compromise to distribute sales tax throughout the state.

WRAL: NC Senate moves to lock in tax cuts
Republicans in the North Carolina Senate are hoping to write their lower-tax, small-government philosophy into the state constitution.

Transportation

CHARLOTTE OBSERVER: Key vote pending on toll lane construction plan
Opponents of toll lanes on Interstate 77, as well as on other highways, have turned their attention to an Aug. 19 vote of a regional transportationplanning group, which must endorse a 10-year construction plan for the toll projects to move forward.


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