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Economic Development
BUSINESS NORTH CAROLINA: Kelly King-led effort seeks $50M in state funding to launch innovation effort
North Carolina lawmakers and Gov. Roy Cooper have proposed that the state give $50 million to a business-led nonprofit that wants to set up regional hubs to promote the commercialization of university research and know-how. The money would go to NCInnovation Inc., which contends that the state’s tech-transfer efforts are falling behind and need a refresh. “RTP isn’t the end,” its pitch book says, referring to the world-famous business park in Durham and Wake counties. “It’s just the beginning.”
Education
THE CAROLINA JOURNAL: NC Senate education leaders move to boost Opportunity Scholarships
Senate Republicans have proposed an ambitious expansion of the Opportunity Scholarship Program, opening the private school scholarships to all North Carolina families in a tiered system based on household income. Senate Bill 406, Choose Your School, Choose Your Future, is sponsored by three the Senate Education Committee chairs — Sens. Michael Lee, R-New Hanover, Lisa Barnes, R-Nash, and Amy Galey, R-Alamance.
Government
WINSTON-SALEM JOURNAL: Proposed NC House budget puts non-financial focus on education, public health
Ever since Republican legislative leaders tied Medicaid expansion funding to the 2023-24 state budget, there has been fretting among expansion advocates about what controversial non-financial language may be inserted into the bill. The proposed House appropriations bill, disclosed for the first time at the committee level Thursday, appears to contain primarily Republican education and public-health policy priorities. The Senate budget proposal has not been disclosed publicly.
THE CAROLINA JOURNAL: House budget item could influence upcoming NC court elections
One provision in the N.C. House’s 415-page budget plan could play a role in upcoming elections for the state’s two highest courts. “No justice or judge of the appellate division of the General Court of Justice may continue in office beyond the last day of the month in which the justice or judge attains 76 years of age,” according to the provision on page 272 of House Bill 259.
Healthcare
ABC11: ‘Urgency is now.’ Nurses walk to NC legislature, ask lawmakers to do more, renew push for ‘SAVE ACT’
On Tuesday, the North Carolina Nurses Association held their annual Day at the Legislature to advocate for some of the recent issues that have plagued the nursing industry. The 800 attendees began at the Raleigh Convention Center, before walking up Salisbury Street to the Halifax Mall to hear from legislators, and then hold meetings with their representatives. The event hasn’t been held in person since 2019 due to the pandemic, which also brought major disruptions to the industry nationwide.
Politics
WUNC: This week in NC politics: Lawmakers override handgun permit requirement bill
This week, lawmakers voted to override Gov. Roy Cooper’s veto of a bill that repeals the state’s handgun permit requirement. Proponents of the bill say the permit is an outdated infringement on the second amendment, while opponents counter that the new law eliminates a common sense safeguard that keeps away guns from dangerous individuals. The override vote happened with a group of schoolchildren in attendance — a painfully ironic reminder of the latest school shooting that took place in Nashville this week. This override is the first of a Cooper veto since December 2018.
SPECTRUM NEWS 1: Bill would force N.C. sheriffs to help immigration authorities: 5 things to know
A bill to require North Carolina sheriffs to cooperate with immigration officials passed the state House this week. The Senate could take it up as soon as next week. The Republican-controlled General Assembly passed a similar bill last year, but Gov. Roy Cooper vetoed the legislation. But the GOP strengthened the party’s majority in the legislature with the last election, giving them a better chance at overriding the governor’s veto this session.
Transportation
SPECTRUM NEWS 1: N.C. DMV starts new license policy for some immigrants
North Carolina’s Division of Motor Vehicles will now issue full-term driver’s licenses to more immigrants with permanent or indefinite residential status in the country after a ruling that implements a new policy. State Transportation Secretary Eric Boyette ruled last week on a petition filed in December by advocacy groups on behalf of three non-U.S. citizens who had been issued limited-term licenses by the DMV despite such status types.