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Education
NEWS & OBSERVER: No quick move to ease class-size mandate,lawmakers say
State Senators said Tuesday there would not be a quick “class size fix,”despite calls from school districts and parent teacher organizations.
Voters could be asked to borrow $1.9 billion for statewide schoolconstruction needs next year under a proposal presented Tuesday by groupsrepresenting county commissioners and school boards.
WRAL-NEWS: Study aims to end school calendar wars
Despite criticism from a coastal lawmaker, a proposal to study the effecton student performance of moving up the start date of the school year in 20North Carolina counties is moving forward in the House.
WRAL-NEWS: Teaching Fellows revival moves forward with broad support
House Bill 339 might be the easiest bill Rep. Craig Horn, R-Union, ever haspushed in the state House.
Energy & the Environment
ELIZABETH CITY DAILY ADVANCE: Cook back limits on wind projects
Months after calling for the Amazon Wind Farm US East to be shut down overits proximity to a military radar facility, Sen. Bill Cook, R-Beaufort, issponsoring legislation imposing new regulations on wind farms.
KINSTON FREE PRESS: Bill would rollback NC renewable energy standards
A bill introduced by a pair of eastern North Carolina representatives wouldcurb the amount of the state’s energy portfolio that must come fromrenewable sources by 2021.
HB 2
CHARLOTTE OBSERVER: HB 2 off the books as Gov. Roy Cooper signscompromise into law
The General Assembly on Thursday approved a compromise bill that repealsHouse Bill 2 but restricts anti-discrimination ordinances in cities andcounties.
Health Care
WILMINGTON STAR NEWS: Attorney general visits Wilmington to discussopioids
Wilmington is ground zero for the nationwide opioid epidemic, but as aresult, the Port City is ahead of other areas in combating it, N.C.Attorney General Josh Stein said Monday during a panel discussion withcommunity leaders at city hall.
WITN-NEWS: Bill designed to decrease opioid abuse approved by HouseHealth Committee
A comprehensive bipartisan measure designed to decrease opioid abuse andoverdoses has been changed but still has cleared a House panel
Leadership Changes
ASHEVILLE CITIZEN TIMES: Cooper’s health agency choice clears 1 st hurdle easily
Despite her links to the Affordable Care Act and Gov. Roy Cooper’s push toexpand the state’s Medicaid program, Dr. Mandy Cohen was unanimouslyrecommended Wednesday for confirmation as secretary of the North CarolinaDepartment of Health and Human Services.
WINSTON-SALEM JOURNAL: NC Senate elects six members to UNC board ofgovernors
The N.C. Senate in Raleigh elected six members Wednesday to the UNC boardof governors, which manages the 17 schools within the UNC system.
DURHAM HERALD SUN: Durham judge Marcia Morey to step off bench intostate House
Durham County Democrats voted to appoint Chief District Judge Marcia Moreyto the N.C. House District 30 seat Thursday night.
Regulatory Reform
ASHEBORO COURIER TRIBUNE: Here’s why NC craft brewers could expandunder a new House bill
Craft breweries in Charlotte and across North Carolina say they couldexpand under a bill introduced Monday by a bipartisan group of lawmakers.
WRAL-NEWS: House Oks guns during church services at religious schools
The state House voted 82-34 Monday night in favor of legislation allowingconcealed weapons at schools that are used for religious services aftertweaking it to exempt public schools.
Taxes & Revenue
WNCT-NEWS: Bill beefing up North Carolina reserve rules clears Senate
It appears North Carolina legislators will soon send to Gov. Roy Cooper amore meticulous savings method to prepare for that next big stategovernment fiscal emergency.
NEWS & OBSERVER: Income tax cuts clear NC Senate committee overDemocrats’ objections
Major corporate and personal income tax cuts are moving forward in the N.C.Senate, although some Democrats are opposing them because they worry thestate will lose billions of dollars in needed revenue.
FAYETTEVILLE OBSERVER: NC House approves property tax break fordisabled veterans
Fully disabled veterans in North Carolina would get a larger exemption fromproperty taxes under legislation the state House unanimously approvedWednesday.
NEWS & OBSERVER: Legislation would end impact fees on developmentin NC
As new residents continue to pour into the Triangle, cities and towns herehave come to rely on fees levied on developers to help pay for roads,utilities and other public services that their growing communities need.