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Economy
NEWS & OBSERVER: Legislators want to require themselves to put money in savings
Legislative leaders want to make sure budget writers set aside savings every year for the state’s rainy-day fund.
ASHEVILLE CITIZEN TIMES: North Carolina budget surplus now predicted about $550M
North Carolina government revenues are projected to exceed expectations by more than a half-billion dollars this fiscal year, state economists announced Thursday.
Education
A proposal to create a town-sponsored charter school campus in the Town of Matthews could introduce a new twist into Mecklenburg County’s booming school choice scene.
WINSTON-SALEM JOURNAL: Bill to reduce number of members on UNC Board of Governors passes House
A bill to reduce the number of members of the UNC Board of Governors elected each regular session by the General Assembly has been passed by the N.C. House of Representatives.
WRAL-NEWS: House ignores plea for diversity, OKs slimmed-down UNC board
The state House voted overwhelmingly Wednesday to reduce the size of the University of North Carolina system Board of Governors after beating back an effort to include a line ensuring diversity on the smaller board into the legislation.
The state reposted a job opening Thursday to allow more people to apply to be superintendent of North Carolina’s newest school system, known as the Achievement School District, which will take control of some the state’s lowest-performing schools.
Elections
GREENSBORO NEWS & RECORD: Bill would move Greensboro council races to even-numbered years
State lawmakers filed a new bill Wednesday that would again change the timing of Greensboro City Council elections.
Energy
WRAL-NEWS: Full-go for NC wind farm that politicians claimed is threat
North Carolina’s first large-scale wind farm is fully operational despite efforts by some of the state’s most powerful politicians to shut down the $400 million project as a possible national security threat.
HB 2
NEWS & OBSERVER: New HB 2 repeal plan from Democrats would add nondiscrimination protections
Legislative Democrats unveiled a proposal Thursday that would repeal House Bill 2 while also adding statewide nondiscrimination protections for a variety of groups.
Health Care
NEWS & OBSERVER: Surgeons don’t want optometrists laser-cutting eyes
The state’s optometrists want to perform some kinds of eye surgeries.
Insurance
WWAY-NEWS: NC car insurance companies want to raise rates by 14%
Insurance companies are seeking approval for their plans to raise auto insurance costs for North Carolina motorists by an average of nearly 14 percent this year.
In the Courts
GREENSBORO NEWS & RECORD: Greensboro redistricting trial ends with no defense, no ruling
U.S. District Judge Catherine Eagles said Tuesday that Greensboro residents could be weeks away from a ruling on whether state legislators used race and unequal population sizes when redistricting the City Council in a way that likely would give Republicans an advantage.
WRAL-NEWS: Court puts temporary block on cabinet confirmations
A three-judge Superior Court panel appears to have delayed state Senate confirmation hearings on Gov. Roy Cooper’s cabinet pending further hearings on whether a new law giving the General Assembly a say in those appointments is constitutional.
BLUE RIDGE NOW: NC appeals court temporarily reinstates new elections law
A North Carolina appeals court has temporarily reinstated a state law that stripped the governor of his oversight of elections.
WSOC-CHARLOTTE: NC Court of Appeals hears arguments to stop I-77 widening projects
Construction continues on Interstate 77 but there’s still an incredible amount of backlash.
Justice & Public Safety
NEWS & OBSERVER: Lawmakers want to allow handgun concealed carry without permit
Ten North Carolina Republican legislators want handgun owners to be able to carry their weapons concealed without a permit.
Leadership Changes
WRAL-NEWS: Despite court order, NC senators meet for confirmation hearing, but nominee doesn’t show
espite a court order instructing lawmakers not to enforce a new law subjecting Gov. Roy Cooper’s cabinet nominees to confirmation hearings, members of the Senate Commerce Committee took their seats at 11 a.m. Wednesday and appeared prepared to examine former state Rep.
Regulatory Reform
WRAL-NEWS: Distribution law caps NC brewers’ ability to grow
Some North Carolina craft breweries have been asking for relief from the state’s requirement that once they get big enough they have no choice but to hire an outside distribution company.
State & Local Government
WRAL-NEWS: Republican lawmakers want convention of states to propose constitutional amendments
Republicans lawmakers are trying to win support for a bill to call a convention of the states to amend the U.S. Constitution.
CHARLOTTE OBSERVER: North Carolina legislators want to pay themselves more
A bipartisan group of North Carolina state legislators want to pay themselves an extra $60 a day while in session. The changes they proposed in a bill filed Wednesday could cost the state as much as several million dollars more in some years.
Transportation
WRAL-NEWS: Drivers could be fined if Fido’s behind the wheel
One state lawmaker wants drivers to focus on braking rather than barking when they’re behind the wheel.