RALEIGH, N.C. (WPTF) – Lawmakers in Raleigh are rolling out a bill that could affect what students can read in school. The bill will require the removal of books from public schools that contain material that is “harmful to minors” including material that “depicts or describes sexual activity.” State Rep. Neal Jackson (R-Moore, Randolph) says the bill is about protecting children from accessing inappropriate material based on their age.… Continue Reading
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Another $500 million would be spent toward Hurricane Helene recovery efforts in North Carolina in legislation approved unanimously by the state House. The measure would add to the funds the Republican-controlled General Assembly already approved in late 2024 and help with home and road repairs. The $500 million is less than half the amount that Democratic Gov. Josh Stein has requested. The bill next goes to the Senate, where GOP members have their own spending ideas. House Republicans offered a successful amendment Tuesday to address some Democratic concerns. State officials say Helene caused a record nearly $60 billion in damages and recovery needs.… Continue Reading
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina General Assembly elections have been finalized and confirm that Republicans have lost their veto-proof control of the legislature after nearly two years. Election officials issued on Monday certificates to the winners in three close legislative races from November. The defeat of state Rep. Frank Sossamon to Democrat Bryan Cohn means Republicans are one seat shy of holding a veto-proof majority at the legislature. Now the veto stamp of new Democratic Gov. Josh Stein could be more effective in blocking GOP measures that he opposes. Opening day of the next two-year General Assembly session is Wednesday.… Continue Reading
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Democrats in North Carolina were celebrating big wins in the swing state after the November election, including victories for governor and other top statewide offices. But the political high didn’t last long. Republican lawmakers are stripping away these newly elected officials’ powers through a series of wide-ranging changes while anticipating they’ll lose their veto-proof majority next year. Critics say the moves were rushed through without any chance for public comment or analysis and undermine the will of the voters. But they have few options for undoing them, with Republicans controlling the legislature and having a majority on the state supreme court.… Continue Reading
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper and Gov.-elect Josh Stein have challenged a portion of a law just enacted by the Republican-dominated General Assembly that erodes Stein’s powers and those of other top Democrats elected last month. The lawsuit filed Thursday in state court focuses on a provision that would prevent Stein from picking his own commander of the State Highway Patrol. More court challenges are likely because the bill enacted Wednesday with a veto override seeks to weaken Stein and others elsewhere. Later this month, Cooper leaves office after eight years. Republican lawmakers didn’t immediately respond to the lawsuit.… Continue Reading
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — A groundbreaking figure in North Carolina politics will no longer serve as leader of state Senate Democrats. Sen. Dan Blue of Wake County first joined the General Assembly in 1981 and was elected the state’s first Black House speaker in 1991. Blue has been the Senate minority leader for over a decade. But on Monday the Senate Democratic Caucus elected Sen. Sydney Batch as the minority leader for the next two-year session. A caucus news release said Blue announced his desire to decline another term as leader before the caucus election. The House Democratic Caucus reelected Rep. Robert Reives as minority leader on Monday.… Continue Reading
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina legislative Republicans are closing in on enacting a measure that would erode powers of the incoming governor and other statewide Democratic officials who got elected last month. The GOP-dominated state Senate voted successfully on Monday to override Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper’s veto of a bill. The bill would in part weaken Gov.-elect Josh Stein. It would transfer the governor’s authority to make State Board of Elections appointments to the next state auditor — a Republican. The bill now returns to the House, where another successful override vote next week would make it law. Litigation is possible, however.… Continue Reading
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper has vetoed Republican-backed legislation that weakens the powers of several Democrats slated to hold statewide offices next year. Republicans will try to override the veto next month, but it’s unclear whether they’ll have enough votes to do so. The bill would move appointments to the State Board of Elections from the Democratic governor’s office to the now-Republican state auditor. It also erodes the powers of the attorney general, superintendent of public education and the lieutenant governor. The bill also contains some relief provisions for areas impacted by Hurricane Helene but most of that money can’t be spent until the General Assembly reconvenes.… Continue Reading
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina Republicans have advanced legislation that would weaken the powers of the incoming governor, attorney general and schools superintendent. All those are Democrats who were elected two weeks ago. The final measure was made public Tuesday shortly before the GOP-controlled House started debate during a lame-duck General Assembly session. Republicans are likely to lose their veto-proof majority beginning in January following electoral losses in the House. So this could be the best chance to move partisan changes as Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper leaves office. The bill would prevent Gov.-elect Josh Stein from choosing State Board of Elections members starting next summer and give that authority to the Republican state auditor.… Continue Reading
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina Senate Republicans have left their leadership team mostly intact for the next two years. That includes choosing Sen. Phil Berger again to hold the chamber’s most powerful position. The Senate Republican Caucus met Wednesday and agreed to nominate Berger to an eighth two-year term as Senate leader when the next two-year term convenes in early January. His election as Senate president pro tempore is a virtual lock as the GOP will hold at least 30 of the chamber’s 50 seats. The caucus also again picked Sens. Ralph Hise and Paul Newton of Cabarrus County for other positions.… Continue Reading