Gov. Roy Cooper is again pushing for a multibillion-dollar infrastructure bond, but Republican leaders caution that North Carolina’s still-unsteady economy makes it impossible to tell whether it would be prudent.
All in State Government
Chief Justice Newby allows courts to reopen across the state
Newly-sworn-in Chief Justice Paul Newby is wasting little time in getting North Carolina’s court system back up and running. In an order that went into effect Thursday, Jan. 14, Newby handed authority to local court systems to decide about reopening.
Commission recommends 40% funding increase for North Carolina DOT
Less than a year after an audit of the N.C. Department of Transportation found massive overspending, a blue-ribbon panel is recommending the department get a 40% budget hike.
Chief Justice Paul Newby presents Friend of the Court Award to Judge Wanda Bryant
Chief Justice Paul Newby presented retired Court of Appeals Judge Wanda Bryant with the “Friend of the Court Award” for her years of service to the North Carolina Court of Appeals and chair of the North Carolina Judicial Standards Commission.
County Boards of Elections begin regular voter list maintenance processes
In 2021, county boards of elections across North Carolina will conduct several important and required processes designed to keep the state’s voter rolls accurate and up to date.
Chief Justice Paul Newby issues emergency directives on COVID-19
Chief Justice Paul Newby issued an order containing emergency directives related to COVID-19. The order replaces the expired order issued on December 14, 2020, and is effective January 14, 2021.
NCDHHS Partnering with Health Systems on Large-Scale Vaccine Events
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is partnering with health systems, local health departments and community health centers across the state to host large community vaccine events for people currently eligible to be vaccinated. More than 45,000 vaccines are expected to be given through these events.
Judges Installed at the North Carolina Court of Appeals
RALEIGH — Judge Jeffery K. Carpenter, Judge April C. Wood, Judge Fred Gore, Judge Jefferson Griffin, and Judge Darren Jackson were formally installed at the North Carolina Court of Appeals today. Chief Judge Donna Stroud administered the oath of office. The swearing-in ceremony was virtual due to COVID-19 precautions. Guests, media, and the public attended the ceremony virtually via livestream.
State lawmakers gear up for busy 2021-22 session with COVID-19 in focus
COVID-19 and the ongoing fallout from the pandemic will likely dominate the 2021-22 session of the General Assembly. On tap for lawmakers is crafting a new budget for the biennium plus drawing new legislative and congressional maps for the next decade based on fresh census data.
N.C. House Committee Chairs for 2021-2022 session announced on opening day of the legislature
Committee chairs for the 2021-2022 biennium of the North Carolina House of Representatives were appointed on Opening Day of the state General Assembly.
Governor names Military and Veterans Affairs Secretary
Governor Roy Cooper has named retired Lieutenant General Walter Gaskin to lead the North Carolina Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.
Senate Leader Phil Berger's (R-Rockingham) opening day remarks as prepared are below: Thank you, ladies and gentlemen, for that warm welcome and for once again providing me with the high honor to serve as President Pro Tempore of the North Carolina Senate.
Governor mobilizes NC National Guard for deployment in Raleigh and Washington, DC
Governor Roy Cooper has mobilized approximately 550 North Carolina National Guardsmen to assist with upcoming security needs in Washington, DC and North Carolina. The Governor mobilized approximately 350 National Guard personnel for duty here in North Carolina, beginning this weekend to support state and local authorities and protect the well-being of residents, property, and the right to peacefully assemble and protest.
Governor’s briefing highlights danger of spreading false information
Gov. Roy Cooper and Dr. Mandy Cohen, state health secretary, took a decidedly political tone in a COVID-19 news conference Tuesday, Jan. 12.
Governor Cooper sworn in for second term
On Saturday, Governor Roy Cooper was sworn in for his second term as North Carolina’s Governor. Members of North Carolina’s Council of State also took the oath of office. The theme of the Inaugural ceremony was North Carolina: Strong, Resilient, Ready, and due to the ongoing pandemic, the ceremony was altered to follow COVID-19 safety protocols.
North Carolina native Josh Dobson, who was elected in November as the 18th state labor commissioner, was officially sworn into office Saturday, Jan. 2. N.C. Supreme Court Justice Phil Berger Jr. administered the oath on the front steps of the Labor Building. Commissioner Dobson today announces 11 appointments that will make up his leadership team at the state Department of Labor. As an independently elected statewide official and member of the Council of State, Commissioner Dobson has the authority to appoint individuals to key positions within the agency.
Governor Cooper announces Judicial appointments
Governor Roy Cooper on Friday announced two judicial appointments, one to the North Carolina Superior Court and one to the North Carolina District Court.
Chief Justice says North Carolina has mandate to open the courts
Quoting directly from Article 1 Section 18, constitution’s open court provision, Justice Paul Newby stated, “The courts shall be open, and that justice shall be administered without favor, denial or delay.”
Cooper extends executive order on curfews as vaccine rollout plods along
North Carolina won’t fully open anytime soon. The governor’s curfews and shutdowns will continue for three more weeks. Dr. Mandy Cohen piled on Wednesday, Jan. 6. The head of North Carolina’s Department of Health and Human Services enacted a “secretarial directive” warning people to stay home, especially those older than 65.
Air purifier installation in progress in state prisons
Nearly 4,000 air purifiers are being installed in the ductwork of 53 North Carolina prisons in an effort to combat the spread of COVID-19.