Republicans keep their control over N.C. General Assembly
Despite projected Democratic gains in the North Carolina legislature, Republicans held onto their majority, picking up four seats in the N.C. House.
N.C. GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Orange County Arts Commission distributing CARES funding to local art organizations
The N.C. General Assembly designated $9.4 million to provide direct aid to arts councils and organizations as part of its federal CARES Act spending plan. The grants aim to reimburse the expenses occurred by arts organization during the pandemic.
Governor’s budget recommendations only partly implemented in new COVID-19 relief bill
Though the General Assembly and the governor's office reached an agreement on a new coronavirus relief bill, the battle for a state budget rages on.
Ex-offenders led the fight to make getting second chances easier—and they won
Advocates reflect on the North Carolina General Assembly passing the Second Chance Act, which makes it easier for people with non-violent felonies to get their records expunged.
Here's what issues matter most to N.C. House candidates Meyer and Insko
The November election is coming up, so The Daily Tar Heel is breaking down every state and local office on the ballot from governor to county commissioner. Here we broke down who the candidates are for N.C. House District 50 and 56.
CHCCS suspends driver's education instruction; OCS launches virtual program
Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools' online driver's education program was canceled Aug. 19, while Orange County Schools restarted a virtual program Sept. 14.
N.C. General Assembly prepares COVID-19 plans as return to session approaches
The North Carolina General Assembly goes back into session on Sept. 2, which would be the first time either the House or Senate have convened since July 11. But the House Select Committee on COVID-19 has restarted meetings to discuss the legislature’s approach to the newest wave of coronavirus-related issues.
State and community leaders hold listening session to discuss criminal justice reform
The North Carolina Task Force for Racial Equity in Criminal Justice has recommended a ban on chokeholds, a mandate to intervene and report excessive uses of force and that judges consider a defendant's ability to pay before implementing a fine or fee.
Board of Governors committee discusses COVID-19 aid funding for UNC System schools
The Board of Governors' Committee on Budget and Finance met Tuesday to discuss funding allocations of the 2020 COVID-19 Recovery Act and the UNC System Debt Capacity Study for the 2019 fiscal year. The N.C. General Assembly appropriated $44.4 million to the UNC System in April.
NC Policy Collaboratory receives $29 million from state for COVID-19 research
The North Carolina Policy Collaboratory received $29 million as part of a $1.5 billion coronavirus relief package signed by Governor Cooper earlier this week. UNC-Chapel Hill was one of five North Carolina universities to receive funding for COVID-19 research.
Here are the key takeaways from the state's COVID-19 relief legislation
The COVID-19 relief package Governor Roy Cooper signed into law Monday includes appropriations for UNC Medical Center and for the University to conduct COVID-19 treatment research. Orange County representatives highlighted the importance of the bill's allocation of funds for schools, food banks and rural communities.
State legislators cope with the challenges presented by COVID-19
As with many other things, COVID-19 has disrupted the ability for lawmakers to convene to discuss and debate upcoming bills and other proceedings. While many hope to return to in-person gatherings, for the time being they proceed with remote calls and meetings.
N.C. House works on COVID-19 legislation, but are they moving fast enough?
N.C. House Speaker Tim Moore (R-Cleveland) has convened a select committee to begin forming the state’s response to the coronavirus pandemic. However, some lawmakers and experts have raised concerns that the General Assembly might not be able to act soon enough on some of the state’s most pressing needs.
N.C. lawmakers are seeking federal testing waivers as the state faces coronavirus effects
The U.S. Department of Education recently announced that states would be able to bypass federal standardized testing requirements for the 2019-2020 school year due to complications imposed by the COVID-19 outbreak.
Environmental departments in N.C. face cuts amidst state budget uncertainty
N.C. environmental departments have lost funding and staff as pollution complaints continue to rise.
School districts work for equitable remote education amid coronavirus closings
With the closing of all public schools until March 30, students in CHCCS and OCS face a new struggle: remote learning.
Battle to overturn 2016 limitations on governor’s power moves to N.C. Supreme Court
In Dec. 2016, a month before Roy Cooper took office, two laws were passed by Republicans that limited the governor's powers. By the end, the number of positions that worked directly for the governor was cut from 1,500 to 300, meaning those appointed to these positions by former Republican Gov. Pat McCrory would remain. Now, a group of plaintiffs led by advocacy group Common Cause N.C. has appealed to the N.C. Supreme Court to overturn those laws. But some experts say this claim is a long shot and would require a landmark ruling.
State budget impasse continues to burden local schools
CHCCS Board of Education Member Rani Dasi said she was wary that a state budget would even be approved for the next fiscal year. She said while the budget impasse continues, government institutions continue to operate by the previous budget’s stipulations.
Candidates, community members discuss raising the minimum wage at Raleigh rally
Raising Wages NC held a rally at First Baptist Church in Raleigh on Friday to advocate for a $15 minimum wage. The group said the rally was intended to make governor, General Assembly and labor commissioner candidates say their stance before the upcoming elections later this year.
Local town officials share views on candidates for the Presidential primary
“I want to see who has the best chance of winning North Carolina because along with wanting us to have a strong Democratic presidential candidate, I want a candidate that will help us win the North Carolina House and Senate."
