The governor has vetoed 3 of my bills this year. I guess I will be the override gold medalist after today.
All in State Government
N.C. State Lottery Commission launches sports betting Web page
A new sports betting Web page launched Friday as the N.C. State Lottery Commission begins planning and work to implement North Carolina’s sports betting and horse race wagering law.
Governor Cooper Signs Two Bills, Vetoes One Bill
Governor Roy Cooper signed the following bills into law:
John Hood: Elections Bill Ignores State Constitution
RALEIGH — Republican lawmakers in North Carolina have legitimate grievances against the Democrat-controlled State Board of Elections. The latter has abused its power in overtly partisan ways in recent years, most egregiously by striking a collusive settlement with Democratic attorney Marc Elias and Democratic Attorney General Josh Stein in 2020 to change our election procedures in direct contravention of election laws enacted by the General Assembly.
Rep. Jon Hardister Passes Civilian Traffic Investigators Legislation
Yesterday the NC House passed HB 140 - Civilian Traffic Investigators - by a vote of 100 to six. Rep. Jon Hardister )R-Guilford, Majority Whip) is a lead sponsor of the bill. The legislation is now heading to Governor Roy Cooper, who is expected to sign it into law.
Seven Teachers Win Governor’s Educator Discovery Award, Governor Cooper Announces Inbox
Today, Governor Roy Cooper and the North Carolina Business Committee for Education (NCBCE) announced that seven public school teachers across the state will get $1,000 each for professional development as part of the Governor’s Educator Discovery Award.
Governor Cooper Signs Sports Wagering into Law
Governor Roy Cooper signed House Bill 347, Sports Wagering/Horse Racing Wagering, into law. The bipartisan legislation will authorize and regulate wagering on professional, college and amateur sports and on horse racing in North Carolina.
Governor Roy Cooper signs SB 291 QRIS/Star Rating System Reform into Law
Earlier this year, Representative Ashton Wheeler Clemmons filed HB 344-QRIS/Star Rating System Reform to strengthen the childcare system in North Carolina. Today, she will stand with Governor Cooper as he signs the identical Senate companion bill, SB 291, into law.
Governor Cooper Signs Four Bills into Law
Governor Roy Cooper signed four bills into law:
John Hood: Carolina Lawmakers Split on Debt Deal
North Carolina’s own Patrick McHenry, who represents our 10th District in the U.S. House of Representatives, helped negotiate the debt-ceiling compromise that President Joe Biden signed on June 3. Not surprisingly, McHenry described it as a major accomplishment.
Senate Republicans Propose New Board of Elections Composition to Foster Bipartisanship
Senate Republicans introduced Senate Bill 749, "No Partisan Advantage in Elections." The bill restructures the North Carolina State Board of Elections by splitting the appointments between the majority and minority leaders in the General Assembly. The new structure would ensure that one party does not have control of the State Board of Elections and the county boards.
Congresswoman Ross Introduces Legislation to Support Quantum Computing at Federal Agencies
Congresswoman Deborah Ross (NC-02) introduced the Leveraging Quantum Computing Act. This legislation will instruct federal agencies to identify potential uses for quantum computing, an emerging technology that can perform certain calculations faster than today’s supercomputers. For example, future quantum computers could exceed regular computers in simulating chemical interactions, potentially reducing the time required for drug development.
North Carolina to receive $521 million to fight the Opioid Crisis
Attorney General Josh Stein today announced the final approval of $17.3 billion in opioid agreements with drug makers Teva and Allergan and pharmacies CVS and Walgreens. Following successful state sign-on and subdivision sign-on periods, the defendants have committed to the deal and will start releasing funds to a national administrator later this summer.
Smokers Looking for Better Alternatives Shouldn’t Have to Burn Cash
Families across the country are feeling the effects of inflation, an increased cost on common goods, in part a byproduct of gridlock and bad policy in Washington, D.C. Thankfully, North Carolinians are fortunate to have state leaders who have enacted pro-growth, pro-business-and most importantly, pro-taxpayer policies over the last decade.
Attorney General Josh Stein Urges FCC to Strengthen Rules Against Telemarketing Robocalls and Texts
(RALEIGH) Attorney General Josh Stein today urged the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to clarify the federal rules requiring telemarketers to obtain consent between an individual consumer and one specific seller or business entity before making telemarketing robocalls and texts. Attorney General Stein joined a coalition of 28 state Attorneys General in urging for rules to better prevent nuisance calls and texts.
Governor Cooper Announces $3 Million to Help More North Carolinians Become Fully Licensed Teachers and Tackle Teacher Vacancies
Governor Roy Cooper directed $3 million in new federal funding to provide support for aspiring teachers to become fully licensed teachers in North Carolina. These funds will be used to cover the cost of licensure exams and licensure exam preparation for beginning teachers. The Governor is partnering with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) and TeachNC on the initiative.
Rep. Reives, Sheriff Roberson Highlight NC S.A.F.E. Initiative
This week, Governor Cooper announced a statewide initiative to raise awareness on the importance of safe firearm storage. NC S.A.F.E. (Secure All Firearms Effectively) is a campaign including TV, radio, social media and a website with information about safely and effectively storing guns.
Governor Cooper Urges Legislators to Invest in Public Schools and Teachers, Stop Plans to Dismantle Public Education
On May 23, Governor Roy Cooper sent a letter to all state legislators in the House and Senate urging them to make meaningful investments in North Carolina’s public schools, students and teachers and stop their plans to dismantle public education by causing public schools to lose hundreds of millions of dollars through the expansion of private school vouchers, exacerbating the state’s teacher shortage and providing no substantive funding for early childhood education and child care.
John Hood: Legislative-Appointment Bill Goes Too Far
RALEIGH — The North Carolina General Assembly seems poised to strip additional appointment powers from the governor. Senate Bill 512 would alter the composition of the state’s Board of Transportation, Environmental Management Commission, and six other entities. The House passed its version May 31. The two chambers will work out their differences in conference.
Bill Aims to Separate State Investments from ESG Politics: Treasurer Folwell Shows Support
State Treasurer Dale R. Folwell, CPA, today endorsed H750 that is being heard this afternoon in the Senate Commerce and Insurance Committee.