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2016 Elections
THE TIMES-NEWS: Intriguing races: North Carolina’s primary primer
The North Carolina primary ballot is usually long in any presidential year because there are also always nominee elections for governor and other Councilof State positions, and for Congress and the Legislature. U.S. Senate nominations and a $2 billion bond question also sit on this year’s ballot.
CITIZEN-TIMES: North Carolina $2B bond question approaching quickly
The last time North Carolina lawmakers put a bond question on the ballot, voters agreed overwhelmingly in November 2000 to borrow a record $3.1 billion foruniversity and community college projects.
WRAL: Familiar names file for statewide, federal offices
Unlike in one-third of legislative race, most high-profile incumbents running in statewide races, such as U.S. Sen. Richard Burr, won’t get a free rideduring next year’s March 15 primary or November general election.
WRAL: One-third of state legislative seats will be uncontested in 2016
Roughly a third of those who signed up to run for state House or state Senate were all but guaranteed a win in 2016.
NEWS & RECORD: North Carolina elections officials notifying voters who have no valid IDs
State election leaders sent letters last week to 825 registered voters in North Carolina, warning that they “may not possess an acceptable form of photoID” for voting next year.
NCGA DOCUMENT: 2016 Senate Primary Election Data
NCGA DOCUMENT: 2016 House Primary Election Data
Education
NEWS & OBSERVER: Tom Ross era ends for UNC’s 17 campuses
Tom Ross’ arm had to be twisted to leave Davidson, the small, private liberal arts college where he was an undergraduate and, decades later, president.
WNCN: What is next for Common Core in North Carolina?
A week ago, the Academics Standards Review Commission did away with major revisions to Common Core it had been tasked to make, leading to questions of whathappens next.
Energy & Environment
CHARLOTTE OBSERVER: Five major energy, environmental issues North Carolina faces in 2016
Legislators may also make a key decision on energy policy, and a federal agency on the fate of one of the world’s rarest animals.
NEWS & OBSERVER: North Carolina uses unique tactic against new EPA power rule
Already among the two-dozen states suing to overturn new power plant emission rules, North Carolina is picking a separate fight with the EnvironmentalProtection Agency by adopting a plan for compliance the agency is likely to reject.
NEWS & OBSERVER: NC grants protect land, water, historic sites
Environmentalists have complained about a steady erosion of funding for long-established protections in recent years, first due to a sour economy and thenbecause of an anti-regulatory climate in the legislature.
Health Care
NEWS & OBSERVER: Report shows successes, challenges in N.C. health rankings
A state-by-state look at the nation’s health shows North Carolina improved its ranking this year, rising to 31st from 37th, with the state scoring amongthe best in the nation in childhood immunizations.
WINSTON-SALEM JOURNAL: Triad hospital systems study Medicaid reform compromise
Most of North Carolina’s largest health care systems are collaborating on a potential Medicaid-only prepaid health plan that would be owned and led byproviders.
NEWS & RECORD: North Carolina to reimburse EMS in Guilford, Rockingham, Forsyth and 9 other counties for transportation of mental-health patients
First-responders in Guilford County now can bill the state directly for transporting mental-health patients directly to psychiatric facilities rather thantaking them to hospital emergency departments.
New Laws & Regulations
WINSTON-SALEM JOURNAL: Cities, counties face new standard for corporate tax breaks
The 2016 budget season for states, cities and counties will feature a new requirement — accounting for lost revenue related to corporate tax breaks foreconomic development projects.
NEWS & OBSERVER: New abortion, ‘ag-gag’ laws take effect Friday in North Carolina
The new year will ring in new controversial laws passed by the state legislature in 2015, covering topics such as voter ID, abortion and undercoverworkplace investigations.
CITIZEN-TIMES: Changes to N.C. law for child care investigations take effect
The state will have sole responsibility for investigating child maltreatment in licensed day cares and family child care homes under changes in state lawthat take effect Friday.
WRAL: Food stamps work rule to begin again in 23 counties
Food stamp recipients in North Carolina’s largest counties who remain out of a job in the new year may see their benefits end as a result of federal rulechanges.
Transportation
WINSTON-SALEM JOURNAL: More tough choices ahead on N. C. transportation funds
DMV fees are going up on average 30 percent next month. The gasoline tax is now higher than if the previous formula had remained in place. And an annual$200 million-plus transfer in highway funds to support other government operations has ended.
CITIZEN-TIMES: Asheville area cyclists oppose new DOT rules
Proposed state bicycle rules that cycling advocates say are dangerous and will cause more collisions with cars have drawn widespread public comment,including condemnation from Asheville area bike riders and one state legislator who in a social media post called some of the proposals “asinine.”
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Franklin Freeman
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Bo Heath
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John Merritt
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JohnnyTillett
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Kerri Burke
Vice President
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JillianTotman
Assistant Vice President
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Sarah Wolfe
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