RALEIGH – House Democratic Leader Robert Reives outlined a governing agenda Tuesday that emphasizes affordability, a more open budget process and bipartisan work when Democrats take control of the chamber in January.
Reives spoke during a news conference at the Legislative Building, his first since Democrats won a House majority. He has secured majority support among House Democrats to become speaker, although the full chamber will not elect its next speaker until lawmakers are sworn in.
He said House committees should develop legislation in public and include rank-and-file members, rather than leaving major decisions to a small group of leaders. He also called for a more predictable part-time schedule so people who are not wealthy, retired or business owners can serve.
On the state budget, Reives said he wants the spending plan to receive a full hearing and floor debate with amendments. He also said policy provisions unrelated to spending should stay out of the budget.
Reives identified several areas where the new majority could act. He said Democrats want to limit private-school vouchers for wealthy families and add oversight to the Opportunity Scholarship program. He also said marijuana decriminalization has been under discussion and described medical marijuana for veterans as a possible area of bipartisan agreement.
On data centers, Reives said local governments should be able to decide whether to allow the projects. He also said Democrats are likely to introduce legislation seeking a durable form of independent redistricting.
Reives did not promise that a specific bill would pass. He said the Democratic caucus had not yet met to settle its legislative program and stressed that cooperation with Republicans would be necessary. “Compromise is not capitulation. Compromise is the job,” he said.
That cooperation could determine how much of the agenda advances. Republicans are positioned to retain a narrow state Senate majority, while the House will have a Democratic majority and Democratic Gov. Josh Stein will remain in office.
The news conference turns last week’s leadership announcement into a broader governing roadmap, but the proposals still must be translated into bills, receive committee and floor votes and, in most cases, clear both chambers before reaching the governor.
Sources
- North Carolina General Assembly: Nov. 10 Reives news conference video and event record
- NC Newsline: Reives signals bipartisan approach after House shift
- WRAL: Reives discusses marijuana, vouchers, redistricting and data centers
Photo Credit: Official 2023 portrait of Robert T. Reives II by the State of North Carolina, via Wikimedia Commons. Public domain under the North Carolina General Assembly member-photo release; cropped and resized. The NCPN logo is a separate brand mark.
Editor’s Note: This article was drafted with the assistance of artificial intelligence and was reviewed and fact-checked by a member of the NC Political News editorial team before publication.