On Wednesday, the North Carolina House voted to approve concurrence of H.B. 76, a bill to expand Medicaid, by a vote of 94-22.
John Hood: Let workers be more independent
Are you an employee or a contractor? This isn’t simply a matter of what you call yourself, or how you think about your relationship to those who pay you to perform services. Because formal employment is the subject of so many local, state, and federal rules, its definition is spelled out in law — and penalties for violating it can be severe.
OPINION: Medicaid expansion would hurt, not help North Carolinians
Medicaid expansion has been a topic of lively and lengthy debate in the North Carolina General Assembly for the better part of a decade. As a representative of the people, I have thoroughly reviewed the presented data, listened to the feedback provided by my constituents and concerned citizens in neighboring counties, and have come to the conclusion that ObamaCare Medicaid expansion is a bad deal for North Carolina.
Ban on COVID vaccine mandates for government employees, students passes House committee
State and local governments in North Carolina would be barred from requiring the COVID-19 vaccine for employees or students under a bill passed March 21 by the House Health Committee.
Kinsley urges federal court to kill suit targeting foster children’s mental health
The head of North Carolina’s Department of Health and Human Services is urging a federal judge to dismiss a lawsuit targeting mental health services for foster children. DHHS Secretary Kody Kinsley filed paperwork Monday supporting dismissal.
John Hood: States Should Lead on Parental Rights
A few weeks ago, three members of the North Carolina Senate — Amy Scott Galey of Alamance County, Lisa Barnes of Nash County, and Michael Lee of New Hanover County — filed a state Parents’ Bill of Rights to ensure that local schools respect parental authority to direct the education, development, and medical treatment of their children.
Governor Cooper Announces State Boards and Commissions Appointments and Nominations
Governor Roy Cooper announced North Carolina boards and commissions appointments and nominations.
Lawyers for legislature, executive branch take opposing views in latest Moore v. Harper filings
The N.C. Justice Department argues that the U.S. Supreme Court should dismiss the Moore v. Harper redistricting case. But lawyers representing state legislative leaders urge the court to keep the case and render a decision.
OPINION: Average teacher pay critics need remedial math instruction
A recent headline in a major N.C. newspaper declared “Average N.C. teacher pay is nearly $58,000, state says. But educators argue many earn less.”
New bill aims to help North Carolina workers afford housing
On Wednesday, the North Carolina Senate introduced a creative solution to address critical workforce housing shortages for North Carolinians.
OPINION: Gov Cooper should end duplicative and historically racist gun policies
One of the most discriminatory laws on North Carolina’s books is the pistol purchase permit system, which was first implemented in 1919.
New Leandro funding order could be three weeks away
The judge overseeing North Carolina’s long-running Leandro education funding lawsuit signaled Friday that he might issue a new spending order in the case within three weeks. That announcement followed more than 2 1/2 hours of courtroom debate over the amount of money to be included in that order.
Cooper allows anti-rioting and hotel safety bills to become law
Roy Cooper, a Democrat, has allowed two bills, H.B. 40, Anti-Rioting, and S.B. 53, Hotel Safety, to become law without his signature.
Bipartisan Bill Increasing Penalties for Rioting Becomes Law Without Governor's Signature
Governor Cooper let House Bill 40 become law without his signature.
Governor Cooper Lets Two Bills Become Law
Governor Roy Cooper let the following bills become law without his signature:
Childcare subsidy bill introduced by bipartisan group of lawmakers
A bipartisan groups of Republican and Democratic lawmakers recently announced in a press conference that addressing early childhood education policy would be a priority this legislative session.
NC Pension Plan has “small exposures” in collapse of CA
North Carolina’s state pension system was among the victims of the recent collapse of two large Silicon Valley, California banks, with the loss of millions in stock at both banks.
Senate passes Medicaid expansion. Here's what happens next
This week, the Senate passed House Bill 76 (H.B. 76), legislation that will expand Medicaid by a vote of 43-2. The bill now heads to the state House for concurrence, and lawmakers there are expected to vote on it next week.
OPINION: Outrageous story of the week: Government again mandates we pretend it’s an hour in the future
Every year I have hope that whatever sane adults exist in positions of power will come together to ensure we never again have to deal with government-mandated clock shifting. But every year the disappointing “spring forward” arrives, as it did this week.
EPA announces national standards for PFAS levels in North Carolina
EPA Administrator Michael Regan announced a first of its kind National Primary Drinking Water Regulation at a press conference in Wilmington on Tuesday. The regulation applies to six PFAS (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) also known as “forever chemicals” that can be found in drinking water.