Politics & Government

A sweeping reform of the tax code in North Carolina is poised to move to the Senate. The plan would reduce personal and corporate income tax while expanding the reach of sales tax.

House legislators have passed a tax reform plan in a committee hearing that would establish a flat personal income tax.

House Bill 998 is one of three competing proposals to reform North Carolina's tax code. Republican representative David Lewis is the bill's main sponsor.

Lawmakers in the state House have given final approval to a bill that would repeal the Racial Justice Act.

It's a law that gives death row inmates the chance to appeal their sentences if they can prove racial bias was a factor in their cases.

House lawmakers have tentatively passed a bill that would repeal the Racial Justice Act, a landmark law that allows death row prisoners to appeal their sentences on the basis of racial bias.

Republican Representative Sarah Stevens told her colleagues that there should be better ways to eliminate racism from juries and trials.

County commissioners and city council members across the state turn their attention to their local budgets this week. 

Many local governments are avoiding increases on property taxes as they craft their budgets for the next fiscal year.  But they're also expecting less direct funding from the state and increasing some fees for services like solid waste or animal control.