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DOT-funded center at A&T takes flight

The N.C. Department of Transportation is funding the launch of a new center at N.C. A&T State University to work on what the agency is calling “innovative aviation technologies.” DOT is providing $2 million to seed the project, which also will involve NC State and Elizabeth City State University. Officials...

By Ray Gronberg

December 16, 2024

Cooper, Stein sue over SHP appointment

To no one’s great surprise, Gov. Roy Cooper and Gov.-elect Josh Stein have sued legislative leaders over Senate Bill 382 and its treatment of the executive branch. But the complaint’s twist is its focus on the proposed elevation of the State Highway Patrol to a cabinet-level agency — and language in...

By Ray Gronberg

December 16, 2024

Disaster funds

From early on, the Cooper administration has been urging the General Assembly to get resources — i.e. money — out the door quickly to better the odds that western North Carolina would bounce back strongly from Hurricane Helene. That’s advice legislative leaders haven’t adopted in full, but Cooper’s budget director...

By Ray Gronberg

December 16, 2024

House finishes override of SB 382 veto

It took most of the day, but House Republicans finally mustered the votes to complete the override of Gov. Roy Cooper’s veto of Senate Bill 382. The final margin was 72-46, a party line vote that saw Rep. Mark Pless, R-Haywood, and two other mountain-county Republicans who dissented when the...

By Ray Gronberg

December 12, 2024

Helene’s price rises

State Budget Director Kristin Walker had some sobering words of caution on Wednesday for legislators who are trying to figure out the best strategy for getting Western North Carolina back on its feet. Briefing the House Select Committee on Helene Recovery, she said the Office of State Budget and Management...

By Ray Gronberg

December 12, 2024

Two charged in Martin County pay dispute

A Martin County commissioner and a former Martin County manager both face criminal charges accusing them of willful failure to discharge their duties. Grand jury indictments filed on Dec. 3 lodge the charges against Commissioner Ronnie Smith and former County Manager U. James Bennett. Court documents indicate both men went...

By Ray Gronberg

December 12, 2024

Tillis, Budd speak out for Taiwan tax action

North Carolina U.S. Sens. Thom Tillis and Ted Budd have joined 27 of their colleagues in urging Senate action on a bill that among other things would make it easier for Taiwan’s residents and companies to invest in the U.S. The bill, H.R. 7024, includes provisions that would ease the...

By Ray Gronberg

December 12, 2024

Hall’s new client

Rep. Destin Hall, R-Caldwell, has a new gig. And no, we’re not talking here about his impending accession to House speaker. On Dec. 2, Burke County Commissioners voted 3-2 to hire Hall and his law firm, Wilson, Lackey, Rohr & Hall, as county attorney. He replaces former County Attorney James...

By Ray Gronberg

December 12, 2024

Pless on SB 382

On to more serious matters. I caught up with Rep. Mark Pless, R-Haywood, one of the GOP mountain-county dissenters from last month’s House vote on Senate Bill 382. He reiterated that he’s going to wait until the last minute to decide whether or not he’ll vote to override Gov. Roy...

By Ray Gronberg

December 12, 2024

Burke County hires incoming House Speaker Hall as its attorney

By Ray Gronberg

December 10, 2024

Biden OKs 90% federal reimbursement for some Helene recovery work

President Joe Biden has agreed the federal government will cover 90% of the cost of public assistance, hazard mitigation, and “other needs assistance” for North Carolina’s recovery from Hurricane Helene. That’s in lieu of the 75% federal reimbursement already approved and Gov. Roy Cooper said is more typical. The added...

By Ray Gronberg

December 9, 2024

The override, pending

Obviously, the suspense this week is all about whether House Republicans will be able to muster the necessary three-fifths majority of those present and voting on Wednesday to override Gov. Roy Cooper’s veto of Senate Bill 382. This is the measure — styled as the “Disaster Recovery Act of 2024,...

By Ray Gronberg

December 9, 2024

Tribal dispute

A state legislator isn’t happy that Gov.-elect Josh Stein put the chief of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians at the head of one of his transition committees. The complaint about the appointment of Eastern Band Chief Mitchell Hicks comes from state Rep. Jarrod Lowery, R-Robeson, a Lumbee Indian and...

By Ray Gronberg

December 9, 2024

Two more incentive deals for Wake, Duplin

Thursday was another big day on the business-recruiting front, with state officials announcing a pair of new deals. The larger one would bring 370 more jobs to the Holly Springs area in Wake County, via an expansion of biotech giant Amgen’s incentivized construction of a factory off U.S. 1. That...

By Ray Gronberg

December 6, 2024

Chamber cheering for SB382 insurance change

The NC Chamber is rooting for the House to finish the override of Gov. Roy Cooper’s veto of Senate Bill 382 so it can become law, but not because it claims a dog in any fight over things like judicial appointments or the oversight of the State Highway Patrol. Rather,...

By Ray Gronberg

December 6, 2024