John Hood: North Carolina Needs More Savings

RALEIGH — With the federal government running massive deficits, inflation still running ahead of the Federal Reserve’s 2% annual target, the administration’s mercurial trade policies generating significant uncertainty, and both business investment and consumer confidence trending in the wrong direction, now would be a good time for states and localities to reexamine their fiscal risk.

CATS Special Report Reveals Armed Security Decreased 40%, “Inclusion” Requirement for Security Contracts

RALEIGH, N.C. — The North Carolina Office of the State Auditor (OSA) has released a Preliminary Special Report on the security contracts for the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS). The report, conducted in response to the murder of Iryna Zarutska on one of the CATS’s train cars, examined the security contract history of the CATS, the fluctuations in security personnel for the CATS, and how solicitation for security contracts was guided by a “Charlotte Business Inclusion” requirement.

Leader Reives Statement on Failure to Fund Medicaid Rebase

“House and Senate Republican Leadership continues to fail North Carolinians, 1 in 4 of whom rely on Medicaid coverage,” House Democratic Leader Robert Reives said. “Our state needs real leadership and decisive action from the General Assembly to ensure that coverage doesn’t lapse for thousands of families across the state. Lives are hanging in the balance -- political gamesmanship cannot continue to get in the way of health care for North Carolinians.”

NC House Passes Iryna’s Law to Crack Down on Violent Offenders and Protect Public Safety

Raleigh, NC — Today, the North Carolina House of Representatives passed House Bill 307, “Iryna’s Law,” with a bipartisan, veto-proof majority. Named in memory of Iryna Zarutska—who was tragically murdered in Charlotte last month by a repeat violent offender released pretrial despite severe mental health issues—the legislation takes direct aim at soft-on-crime policies and ensures stronger protections for victims and communities. The bill now heads to the Governor's desk for his consideration.