NC Politics in the News

June 12, 2017

Pardon Our Dust

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Agriculture & Natural Resources

WRAL-NEWS: NC fishing fight moves inland

The long-running battle between commercial and recreational fishermen movedTuesday to Raleigh, where both sides and lawmakers parried with their polesand nets over a proposal to put more regulations on commercial fishingalong the North Carolina coast.

WRAL TECH WIRE: Solar changes bill breeze through NC House

A proposal to rewrite the state’s renewable energy laws breezed through theHouse Wednesday with strong support and little debate — an unusualdevelopment in a chamber more often known for attempts to limit the solarindustry.

GREENSBORO NEWS & RECORD: Cooper: North Carolina will continue tosupport climate pact

Gov. Roy Cooper has become the ninth U.S. governor to join in support ofthe global Paris Agreement that aims to reduce pollution.

Budget Negotiations

CHARLOTTE OBSERVER: 7 budget items that the NC House and Senate(mostly) agree on

House and Senate leaders started budget negotiations this week, and onelawmaker reported a 15-hour day of talks Tuesday as the two chambers seek adeal in a matter of weeks.

Education

ASHEVILLE CITIZEN TIMES: Can WNC colleges compete with $500 tuition?

The plan to lower tuition at three of North Carolina’s public universitiesshould save families money, but it could have unintended consequences forsome of the state’s small, private colleges.

Elections & Legislative Districts

WRAL-NEWS: Ruling leaves no one on merged NC elections, ethics board

A new panel with no members is supervising North Carolina’s elections,ethics, lobbying and other duties.

CHARLOTTE OBSERVER: Should all even-year primaries be held in March? NCHouse votes yes

Even-year primary elections would be held in early March starting in 2020under a bill that passed the N.C. House Tuesday.

NEWS & OBSERVER: US Supreme Court affirms NC legislative districtsas racial gerrymanders

The Supreme Court on Monday rejected a request from state lawmakers toreview a lower court’s ruling that struck down the 2011 state legislativedistricts, but sent the case back for reconsideration of whether electionsshould be held in 2017 as ordered by the lower court.

ASHEVILLE CITIZEN TIMES: NC GOP refuses Cooper’s session demand

North Carolina Republican legislative leaders refused Thursday to hold aspecial redistricting session demanded by Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper,calling his decree faulty and unconstitutional.

NEWS & OBSERVER: Federal court leaves open possibility for specialelections in NC this year

The three federal judges who could decide whether North Carolina will havespecial elections this year in state legislative races issued notice Fridaythat they plan to act quickly.

NEWS & OBSERVER: US Supreme Court affirms NC legislative districtsas racial gerrymanders

The Supreme Court on Monday rejected a request from state lawmakers toreview a lower court’s ruling that struck down the 2011 state legislativedistricts, but sent the case back for reconsideration of whether electionsshould be held in 2017 as ordered by the lower court.

Governor’s Cabinet

NEWS & OBSERVER: IT chief heads toward confirmation

The governor’s final Cabinet nominee breezed through a Senate committee onWednesday on his way toward confirmation.

WRAL-NEWS: Confirmation resumes as Cooper revenue chief OK’s by panel

The North Carolina Senate is scrutinizing the members of Gov. Roy Cooper’sCabinet who have yet to be confirmed.

Justice & Public Safety

WCNC-NEWS: NC House approves bill to carry concealed handguns withoutpermit

The North Carolina House of Representatives on Thursday passed a bill thatwould allow state residents to carry concealed handguns without a permit.It now goes to the state Senate.

CHARLOTTE OBSERVER: Lawmakers decry ‘shocking’ prison corruptionuncovered by the Observer

Calling the findings of a Charlotte Observer investigation “shocking” and”intolerable,” North Carolina lawmakers this week said the state mustescalate its battle against prison corruption.

Regulatory Reform

NEWS & OBSERVER: NC Senate moves to make newspaper carriers companyemployees

Newspapers would have to treat carriers like employees rather thanindependent contractors under a bill the Senate approved Monday.

WITN-NEWS: Bill upholding “casino nights” clears House

Legislation spelling out when and where nonprofit groups can operatecasino-style games for charity in North Carolina has cleared one GeneralAssembly chamber.