COVID Restrictions Eased
Gov. Roy Cooper announced Tuesday he will be easing some COVID-19 restrictions in NC as virus cases continue to trend downward and more people get vaccinated. The new Executive Order includes increasing the size of gatherings and capacity limits in retail stores, restaurants, sports arenas, pools and movie theaters. The state has created three categories of occupancy restrictions: 50% capacity, 75% capacity and 100%. Establishments have been placed in categories depending on the level of risk they present in spreading the coronavirus. The mask mandate remains in place. View Article.

Film and Entertainment Grants
A new bipartisan bill filed in the North Carolina legislature would be a multi-million-dollar boost to the state’s film industry. As proposed, the bill would add $34 million per year through 2023 to the North Carolina Film and Entertainment Grant. Co-sponsored by Sen. Michael Lee (Rep) and Sen. Paul Lowe (Dem), SB268 would more than double the current annual grant allocation. View Article.

Pricing Transparency
State Treasurer Dale Folwell (R-NC) is making another attempt to figure out how much the State Health Plan is being billed for hospital services. On Wednesday, Folwell spoke to a House legislative committee in support of HB169, a new transparency bill that would force the State Health Plan’s insurance provider — Blue Cross Blue Shield — to provide the Treasurer’s Office with more details on claims paid and bring a new advantage to the SHP as it negotiates rates. View Article.