The Second Chance Act Criminal Record, Sentence Changes Among New NC Laws By Associated Press • Dec 1, 2020 houstondwiphotos / Flickr - Creative Commons - https://flic.kr/p/nQGa3o New laws began Tuesday in North Carolina that are designed to help more people convicted of lower-level crimes and nonviolent drug trafficking get records cleared or punishments eased. Lawmakers Push To Loosen Mandatory Minimums Amid Budget Stalemate By Grant Holub-Moorman & Anita Rao • Oct 25, 2019 SEAN HOBSON / FLICKR CREATIVE COMMONS Exhausted by the longest legislative session since 2001, state lawmakers are pushing through piecemeal spending measures as the full budget sits in the senate. Governor Cooper signed off on raises for most state employees, but public school teachers as well as staff at state universities and community colleges are still waiting.