State employees are criticizing plans to make their health insurance more expensive, saying options officials are considering will hurt hiring and recruitment efforts and tarnish a benefit of working for the state.
All in State Government
Governor Stein Announces 30-Day FEMA Extension for Individual Assistance
FEMA granted Governor Josh Stein’s request for a 30-day extension for disaster survivors to apply for FEMA’s individual assistance (IA) program. The new deadline is April 7, 2025. Governor Stein released the following statement on the extension:
NC House Huddle: Latest newsletter from the NC House
On Wednesday, House Speaker Destin Hall introduced House Bill 318, the Criminal Illegal Alien Enforcement Act, to strengthen law enforcement’s cooperation with ICE in handling criminal illegal immigrants.
Governor Stein Announces Superior and District Court Appointments
Governor Josh Stein announced the following judicial appointments:
North Carolina Senate Unanimously Approves Fourth Hurricane Helene Relief Package
Raleigh, N.C. – The North Carolina Senate unanimously passed the fourth round of Hurricane Helene relief legislation, bringing the total amount of funding for relief and recovery efforts to more than $1.4 billion.
Speaker Hall Leads Charge to Ensure North Carolina Cooperates With ICE
Raleigh, NC – North Carolina House Speaker Destin Hall introduced House Bill 318 to strengthen law enforcement’s partnership with U.S. Immigration and Custody Enforcement (ICE) in addressing illegal aliens charged with serious crimes in our state.
After brief delay, NC House lawmakers advance bill allowing state crypto investments
A North Carolina House committee gave the green light to a bill allowing the state to invest in cryptocurrency funds on Wednesday, after some lawmakers previously expressed concerns and skepticism with the proposal.
NC Senate approves cell phone ban for K-12 public school students
The North Carolina Senate passed a bipartisan bill 41-1 Tuesday requiring public schools to restrict student use “wireless communication devices” during instructional time.
Governor Stein Urges Congress to Protect North Carolinians’ Health Care and Oppose Cuts to Medicaid Funding
Governor Josh Stein sent a letter to Congressional leaders urging them to change course on proposed federal cuts to the Medicaid program and laying out what’s at stake in North Carolina.
John Hood: Realism Needed for Sound State Budget
RALEIGH — What does it mean to be a conservative? “I’ve always believed that conservatism is the politics of reality,” wrote National Review founder William F. Buckley, “and that reality ultimately asserts itself in a reasonably free society.” Former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher put it succinctly: “The facts of life are conservative.”
NC Senate passes bill to extend illegal immigration policies to state law enforcement agencies
Raleigh, N.C. – The North Carolina Senate passed Senate Bill 153, the “North Carolina Border Protection Act,” which seeks to ensure state law enforcement agencies cooperate with federal immigration laws and that residents are protected from harmful Sanctuary City policies. No Democrats voted for the bill.
NC House Democrats speak out about federal cuts, impact on North Carolina
North Carolina House Democrats have been outspoken about the impacts of the slash-and-burn style cutting from the Federal Government in recent weeks. North Carolinians are understandably upset by this and the current and future effects this approach will have on communities across our state.
Sen. Berger Files Bill Prohibiting 'DEI' in North Carolina’s K-12 Public Schools
Senate Leader Phil Berger (R-Rockingham), along with Sens. Michael Lee (R-New Hanover) and Brad Overcash (R-Gaston), filed Senate Bill 227, “Eliminating ‘DEI’ in Public Education,” to prohibit promoting discriminatory policies and practices in public schools.
Governor Stein Declares March as Women’s History Month
Governor Josh Stein declared March as Women’s History Month, celebrating this year’s national theme, “Moving Forward Together! Women Educating and Inspiring Generations.” Many women across North Carolina, from elected officials to teachers, musicians and scientists, are continuing to open pathways for future generations of North Carolinians.
John Hood: Voters Deserve Information on Fiscal Crisis
Every citizen who meets the basic requirements — adulthood, residency, and the completion of sentence after a felony conviction — can cast a ballot in North Carolina. There’s no test of civic knowledge required to exercise the civil right to vote, nor should there be.
Justice Riggs Defends Voters in NC Court of Appeals Against Griffin’s Election Challenge
In a filing with the North Carolina Court of Appeals, Justice Allison Riggs continued to stand up for voters. Her counsel filed her brief arguing that state law protects the more than 65,000 voters that Jefferson Griffin is seeking to disenfranchise, including active duty military serving overseas.
NC House Huddle: Updates from the NC House
On Tuesday, the House unanimously approved HB 47, the “Disaster Recovery Act of 2025 - Part I,” allocating $500 million in additional Helene relief to Western NC. The bill provides critical funding to help survivors rebuild their homes, farms, businesses, and roads
Budd, Scott, Kelly Introduce Strategic Ports Reporting Act
Washington, D.C. — Senators Ted Budd (R-NC), Rick Scott (R-FL), and Mark Kelly (D-AZ) introduced the Strategic Ports Reporting Act, which requires the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense to monitor efforts by the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to build, buy, or own strategic ports around the world.
NC Senate committee advances bill blocking Jeff Jackson’s power to challenge presidential orders
A North Carolina Senate committee voted Wednesday to advance a bill removing Attorney General Jeff Jackson’s ability to challenge federal executive orders.
Op-Ed: Medicare Advantage is a prime example of “government efficiency,” yet some are trying to kill it
For many of us in the business community, it has been a welcome change to see commonsense business principles being applied to our bloated and dysfunctional federal government. Every day, we see news articles detailing examples of waste, fraud, and abuse being uncovered.