New downtown Raleigh state buildings proposed
Lawmakers want to dramatically reshape the state government complex with $300 million in construction funding – the first major change in decades.
Month: June 2022
Budget includes chip manufacturer incentives
The pending state budget released Tuesday includes a $112.5 million appropriation for an economic development project in Chatham County that would involve at least $4.8 billion in investment and 1,800 new jobs.
New savings fund, but no tax cuts, in budget bill
One of the bigger surprises in Tuesday’s budget announcement was what was missing. Despite a $4 billion revenue surplus, legislators decided not to include additional tax cuts or a revenue – even though they’d suggested publicly for weeks that it was under consideration.
Budget to be released Tuesday night
If you’re eager to read the budget bill, get ready to spend this evening repeatedly hitting refresh on the legislature’s website.
Constitutional amendment would elect State Board of Education
North Carolina hasn’t had any new constitutional amendments on the ballot since 2018, when voters got to decide on six different changes. House Republicans want to put another one before voters this November, and the bill to make it happen gets its first committee hearing today.
Hospitals’ Medicaid change up in the air
One other key policy item in limbo this week is whether the state will participate in a new federal Medicaid program that would increase reimbursements to hospitals.
New rural grants to jumpstart small-town projects
The state’s infusion of American Rescue Plan money is starting to trickle down to individual projects, and the result is that small towns across the state are able to tackle some big projects they might not otherwise afford.
What’s next for sports betting bill?
After a surprising, narrow defeat on the House floor Wednesday, the future of sports betting looked murky Thursday. And the bill’s chief proponent in the House, Rep. Jason Saine, R-Lincoln, said he’s not yet sure of the next steps for the measure.
Are budget negotiations ‘breaking down’?
In a sign that budget talks may be faltering, legislative leaders raised the possibility Thursday that session could wrap up next week without a new spending plan.
Hemp legalization could be in trouble
The N.C. House chopped hemp legalization out of the Senate’s farm bill Wednesday, a move that rankled the bill’s sponsor, Sen. Brent Jackson, R-Sampson.
House offers alternative approach to Medicaid expansion
First the Senate changed its position on Medicaid expansion. This week, it’s the House’s turn. But the odds for it becoming law are still shakier than the odds of sports betting getting passed.
State controller nominee faces Leandro questions
The position of state controller doesn’t get much attention, but as the Senate began the confirmation process for Gov. Roy Cooper’s nominee, Nels Roseland, Sen. Kathy Harrington made the case that “of all the positions that come before this body for confirmation, this position may be the most important.”
Moore blasts Cancer Society’s Medicaid ads
House Republicans aren’t happy about a series of American Cancer Society ads blaming them for blocking Medicaid expansion.
Follow The Money: Judicial primary PAC
One way for political campaign organizations to obscure their finances is to wait until after Election Day to file final disclosure reports. So even though the information is less relevant weeks later, I like to go back and answer questions that went unanswered during my election coverage.
Are unaffiliated voters really independent?
There’s a lot of talk about the rise of unaffiliated voters, who now outnumber registered Democrats and Republicans, according to State Board of Elections registration statistics. Are many of these people true swing voters – persuadable folks who aren’t loyal to one of the two major political parties?