On Tuesday, May 2nd, members of the Republican Majority in the North Carolina House and Senate announced plans to flagrantly disregard the democratic process and ram an unpopular abortion ban through the legislature in just 48 hours.
Governor Roy Cooper held a roundtable discussion about women’s reproductive health and the dangerous impacts that Senate Bill 20, the abortion ban passed by the legislature, would have on reproductive freedom in the state.
Governor Roy Cooper announced that the North Carolina tourism economy reached its highest level ever with travelers spending more than $33.3 billion on trips to and within the state. The previous record of $29.22 billion was set in pre-pandemic 2019.
Governor Roy Cooper announced nominations to boards and commissions.
Governor Roy Cooper declined to sign one bill into law:
Gov. Roy Cooper has appointed state Capitol Police Chief R.E. “Chip” Hawley to serve as the director of the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation. Hawley will fill the vacancy left when Director Robert Schurmeier’s term ends on June 30, 2023.
Governor Roy Cooper urged state legislators to make major investments in public education following a report from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction that showed students across the state experienced significant learning recovery in nearly every subject during the 2021-22 school year. These results come following over $5 billion in federal investments sent to North Carolina’s public schools to address the pandemic’s impact.
Last week, Governor Roy Cooper traveled to western North Carolina and met with local leaders and community members in Canton affected by the closure of the town’s century-old paper mill by Illinois packaging conglomerate Pactiv Evergreen.
Senate Leader Phil Berger (R-Rockingham) and Senate Finance Committee co-chairmen Sens. Bill Rabon (R-Brunswick) and Paul Newton (R-Cabarrus) filed legislation to further reduce North Carolina’s personal income tax rate.
Governor Roy Cooper toured Lollipop Child Development Center in Charlotte to highlight recommended budget investments that will support children, families and businesses.
On Wednesday, North Carolina House leaders unveiled their proposed state budget. Governor Cooper will be under pressure to sign the final version because Medicaid expansion, a bill he signed last week, is tied to passing a budget.
North Carolina will get $500,000 to help more low-income households afford monthly high-speed internet service, Governor Roy Cooper announced.
