Some Republican members of the N.C. Council of State used a meeting Tuesday, Aug. 3, to underscore the challenges employers face in finding workers because, at least in part, of generous unemployment benefit payments from the federal government.
All tagged nc house
House passes interstate agreement for licensing mental health counselors
The N.C. House unanimously passed a bill Monday to allow mental health counselors to work across state lines. Aimed at increasing public access to professional counseling services, House Bill 791, Licensed Counselors Interstate Compact, would enter North Carolina into an agreement with member states allowing a counselor’s license from one state to be accepted in the others.
House honors late former representative Melanie Goodwin
Today, the North Carolina House of Representatives convened in honor of the late former Representative Melanie Goodwin.
House Freedom Caucus stymied in voting machine probe
Karen Brinson Bell, executive director of the N.C. State Board of Elections, is blocking attempts by the N.C. House Freedom Caucus to inspect voting machines for possible irregularities.
Lawmakers honor Gastonia native Thomas Sowell on 91st birthday
Legislators in both the N.C. House and Senate took a short break from pressing business today to mark the 91st birthday of Thomas Sowell. The Gastonia native has injected important economic concepts into high-profile national public policy debates for decades.
Alcohol-related bills moving through General Assembly
Several bills to help N.C. distillers and to loosen alcohol regulation in the state are moving through the General Assembly. Some have progressed to the floor, of both or one of the bodies, while others are mired in committee.
Senate passes public-disclosure bill, which now returns to House
A bill to provide more transparency to the public regarding performance and disciplinary records of government employees moved one step closer to becoming law Monday evening as House Bill 64, Government Transparency Act of 2021, passed its third reading in the N.C. Senate. If enacted as law, the new requirements would apply to state employees and workers in local school districts, counties, cities, and colleges and universities.
Cooper again extends North Carolina’s mask mandate
Democrat Gov. Roy Cooper issued his first executive order of the pandemic in March 2020, at the time implementing a interminable state of emergency, a move that’s typically reserved for hurricanes and other natural disasters.
Cutting corporate tax helps consumers
With negotiators for the North Carolina House and Senate confirming that they’ve agreed on the broad outlines of a state budget for next year, the prospect of ending the state’s 2.5% corporate income tax is one step closer to becoming reality. A phase-out is already in the Senate’s budget plan, and key House members have endorsed the idea.
North Carolina legislative chambers agree to spending amount
With the end of the state’s fiscal year just three weeks away, the N.C. House and Senate have reached a deal for the next budget. After weeks of closed negotiations, N.C. Senate and House leaders have agreed to a top-line spending number of $25.7 billion in the first year and $26.7 in the second year. That’s a spending increase of 3.45% in the first year of the biennium and 3.65% in year two.
Democrats propose plan to fund Leandro without Republican backing
A bill sponsored by Democrats in the N.C. House would pump billions of additional dollars into public education over the next few years toward meeting the requirements of a new remedial agreement in the ongoing Leandro lawsuit.
Bill that helps N.C. distillers clears House, heads to Senate
A bill advancing decades’ long work to reform the state’s liquor monopoly passed in the N.C. House and heads now to the Senate.
House urges Congress to ‘Keep Nine’ members of U.S. Supreme Court
The state House wants Congress to reject proposals for packing the U.S. Supreme Court. The House voted 68-44 Thursday to support a federal “Keep Nine” amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
House won’t move the “Save Women’s Sport Act”
The N.C. House is not planning to move the Save Women’s Sports Act (H358) this session, according to North Carolina House Speaker Tim Moore. In an interview with the Associated Press, Moore said that votes are not needed at this point. The bill would apply to college, middle, and high school sports and would require that sports be designated co-ed or specifically for males or females.
N.C. House backs bill to end twice-a-year time changes
The N.C. House has approved a measure that could pave the way for ending the state’s twice-a-year ritual of setting clocks forward and back.
NC House expands small business tax relief bill to help unemployed workers impacted by COVID-19
Today, the NC House voted 112-1 to pass House Bill 334 – Temporarily Align PPP Treatment to Federal Treatment, which will provide tax relief for small businesses and individuals impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
NC House approves “No Veteran Left Behind Act”
Today, the state House unanimously approved the No Veteran Left Behind Act (HB 370), which seeks to help law enforcement better serve veterans who are dealing with mental health and substance abuse emergencies. A group of severely wounded veterans attended the House session and were honored by the lawmakers on the floor during the bill's consideration.
House committee set to debate bill fully reopening bars, restaurants
A House Judiciary committee is scheduled Tuesday, April 13, to take up a bill that would fully reopen bars and restaurants, as long as they follow specific safety guidelines.
NC House votes to strengthen bipartisan check on Governor's unilateral emergency authority
The state House voted today to approve the Emergency Powers Accountability Act (HB 264) to strengthen and clarify the intent of the law regarding the Governor’s executive powers during an emergency.
House approves amendment to restrict eminent domain amendment
A supermajority of the N.C. House has approved a proposed constitutional amendment to strengthen private property rights against eminent domain land takings. The proposed amendment, House Bill 271, would hit the ballot in 2022. The bill passed the House, 101-17, Thursday, March 25.