NC General Assembly

Senate Budget Proposes Scrapping Publicly Financed Judicial Elections

Jessica Jones — Thu, 23 May 2013 11:00:13 +0000

In 2002, North Carolina was the first state in the country to establish a system of full public financing for its high court judges. The law was enacted after huge sums of money began flooding into court elections across the country.

Moral Mondays: Modern Day Civil Disobedience In The State Capitol

Nicole Campbell and Frank Stasio — Wed, 22 May 2013 17:53:38 +0000

If you've gone to the legislature these past four Mondays, you likely encountered a group of demonstrators singing, chanting, holding hands and raising signs. And a lot of them are getting arrested. Since April 29th, 153 people have been arrested at what the NAACP and other organizers are calling "Moral Mondays."

A group of community members and scholars joined host Frank Stasio on WUNC's The State of Things to talk about the recent arrests, as well as the theory and history behind civil disobedience on a global scale.

House Lawmakers Pass Toll Roads Bill

Jessica Jones — Tue, 21 May 2013 21:07:17 +0000

Lawmakers in the House have approved a bill that would allow the Department of Transportation to add new toll lanes to interstate highways, but only if some of the old lanes are kept toll-free.

The new toll lanes would essentially be express lanes, with less congestion and higher speed limits. Republican representative John Faircloth says North Carolina's roads are desperately in need of funding. Faircloth says he agrees with Representative Jeff Collins, who is the bill's sponsor.

State Senate Budget Plan Ups Medicaid Spending, Moves SBI

Jessica Jones — Mon, 20 May 2013 21:46:57 +0000

Lawmakers in the State Senate have presented a $20.6 billion budget proposal. It would spend slightly less than Governor McCrory’s plan and offers no raises for state employees. The plan would also increase state Medicaid spending by about $300 million and make big changes to the State Bureau of Investigation.

Republican budget writer Senator Pete Brunstetter told reporters earlier today that he knows this is a tough budget plan. He says its purpose is to make sure the state lives within its means.

Lawmakers Meet Drop-Dead Legislative Deadline

Alex Granados and Frank Stasio — Fri, 17 May 2013 15:53:12 +0000

The deadline for Crossover hit the North Carolina General Assembly yesterday, striking some bills dead for the session. The self-imposed deadline requires that legislation pass at least one chamber to stay under consideration.

A variety of legislation was pushed through this week, including measures that would reform the grievance process for fired state workers, allow health insurers in health exchanges to refuse coverage for abortion and a law that would ban the Muslim Sharia law in North Carolina.

State Lawmakers Gear Up For Budget Process, Tax Reform

Jessica Jones — Fri, 17 May 2013 09:00:00 +0000

Lawmakers have wrapped up crossover week, where bills that don't require tax changes or spending must make it through one chamber or expire. Now they're set to focus on their biggest task- negotiating the state budget. Senate leaders plan to release their budget plan Sunday night.

Anti-Tax Advocate Visits Legislature

Jessica Jones — Thu, 16 May 2013 20:37:50 +0000

The anti-tax advocate, Grover Norquist, visited state legislators today to praise their efforts to lower personal and corporate income taxes.

Bill Seeking To Ban Sharia Law Passes State House

Jessica Jones — Thu, 16 May 2013 11:31:31 +0000

House lawmakers have passed a measure that attempts to ban the application of Islamic Sharia law in North Carolina.

House Bill 695 would prohibit North Carolina courts from applying part or all of any foreign laws that could lead to violations of constitutional rights in domestic and child custody cases. Across the country, some social conservatives have expressed fears about Islamic laws being cited in American courtrooms.

House Tentatively Passes Abortion Bill

Jessica Jones — Thu, 16 May 2013 11:29:25 +0000

State lawmakers in the House have passed a bill that would prohibit some health plans from offering abortion coverage.

Senate Bill Would Abolish Regional Economic Development Commissions

Jessica Jones — Tue, 14 May 2013 10:07:29 +0000

A bill that would abolish regional economic development commissions has tentatively passed the state Senate.

The measure would dissolve all seven of the state's commissions. The Department of Commerce would then send at least one employee to work in one of eight newly created economic zones.