NCPOL

In an exclusive sit-down interview with WUNC's Rusty Jacobs, Gov. Roy Cooper discusses the 2022 mid-term election, North Carolina politics and more.

After initially denying the Green Party's official recognition, the state elections board has now reversed its decision.

The change comes following an appeals court ruling. The State Board of Elections said the expanded scope of who can register and vote begins Wednesday. A law meant to prevent felons from having voting rights restored while they are on probation, parole or post-release supervision is before the state Supreme Court.

A notable number of North Carolina public school teachers are leaving. In Durham one in five educators is departing, and other local districts are experiencing higher than usual turnover. On this episode of The Politics Podcast several teachers discuss their reasons for leaving the classroom, while others explain why they have stayed.

Beasley's campaign had $4.8 million in her campaign coffers beginning July, while Budd — a current congressman — had $1.8 million. Campaign finance reports covering May, June and a few days in April were due Friday.

On Monday, Governor Roy Cooper signed a nearly $28 billion state budget into law. On this episode of The Politics Podcast, WUNC reporter Liz Schlemmer offers some analysis on the K-12 public education portion of the budget.

Republican nominee Ted Budd’s campaign didn’t immediately release fundraising numbers for the three months ending June 30, but the latest federal Election Commission reports for Beasley and Budd are due Friday.

This week in North Carolina politics, Governor Roy Cooper signed an executive order related to abortion issues. Meanwhile, he did not yet act on the state budget, which the Legislature sent him a week ago. In our Friday review, Rob Schofield and Clark Riemer discuss those stories, America’s latest mass shooting, and the future of the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Volunteers, staff, and prospective candidates worked to secure thousands of signatures so that the Green Party would have a spot on the 2022 North Carolina ballot. However, a couple of hundred of signatures were deemed fraudulent. And last week the state Board of Elections voted not to certify the party. On this episode of The Politics Podcast, Green Party member Matthew Hoh discusses how this happened and the challenges of a political system dominated by two parties.

This week in state politics, legislators debate a spending plan that sets aside billions, provides raises, and seeks to weather an inflation storm. Meanwhile at the U.S. Supreme Court, four justices agreed to hear a challenge related to the independence – and unchecked power – of state legislatures. In our Friday review, Donna King of the conservative Carolina Journal and Rob Schofield from the progressive NC Policy Watch review.