UPCOMING EVENTS

Jan. 14, 2025

NC Chamber Economic Forecast Forum

Jan. 29, 2025

AENC Legislative Reception

LEGISLATIVE NEWS

VETO OF HOUSE BILL 10 OVERRIDDEN

On Wednesday, the North Carolina Senate voted to override Governor Roy Cooper's veto of House Bill 10 by a vote of 30-19, one day after the House did the same by a vote of 72-44. The bill provides increased funding for private school vouchers. The $463.5 million expansion of vouchers will clear a waitlist of 54,000 students, in addition to the 37,000 students already benefiting from the program. The program offers checks of up to $7,500 for families to attend a private school.

Another provision of the bill will require Sheriffs to collaborate more with immigration officials, holding individuals requested by ICE who are in the U. S. illegally, even after they post bail. The law also mandates law enforcement to investigate the immigration status of detainees for felonies and serious misdemeanors, like assault or violation of protective orders. Some sheriffs, such as those in Wake, Durham, and Orange counties, have argued the new law is unconstitutional as they believe detaining individuals who have made bail is unfair.

Read more by WRAL News

SENATE BILL 382 PASSES QUICKLY; ON ITS WAY TO THE GOVERNOR

In less than 24 hours on Wednesday, the North Carolina General Assembly passed legislation to provide disaster relief for western North Carolina. In its 132 pages, Senate Bill 382 allocates $227 million for disaster relief for western North Carolina counties devastated by Hurricane Helene, but it also makes changes to the governor’s powers and state government functions. Some of those changes are:

• stripping the governor of direct authority over the State Board of Elections and transferring election oversight to the state auditor, newly elected Dave Boliek, a Republican;
• removing powers from the state superintendent of public instruction, who will no longer be able to appeal charter school decisions;
• reducing the power of the attorney general-elect Jeff Jackson from intervening for utility customers at the Utilities Commission; and
• eliminating the state Energy Policy Council and the Task Force for Safer Schools as well as two Democrat judgeships, replacing them with Republican-appointed judges.

The bill passed the House 63-46 and the Senate 30-19. The bill has been sent to Governor Roy Cooper, and he has until Nov. 30 to sign it, veto it, or let it pass without his signature. The General Assembly may plan to override a potential Cooper veto when it returns on Dec. 2. The General Assembly is set to adjourn sine die on Dec. 13.

Read more by The Carolina Journal
Read more by WRAL News

2025 LEGISLATIVE BRANCH NOMINATIONS

On Tuesday, the Republican caucus of the North Carolina House of Representatives unanimously confirmed Representative Destin Hall (R-Caldwell) to serve as the Speaker of the House for the upcoming biennium. Hall, who is 37, is set to become one of North Carolina's most influential lawmakers. He will succeed Tim Moore, the longest-serving House Speaker, who held the position for five terms before his election to Congress this month.

Representative John Bell (R-Wayne) will assume the position of Rules Chair, a highly influential role within the House. As Rules Chair, Bell will assist in deciding which bills are presented and will oversee the management of legislative sessions.

Representative Brenden Jones (R-Robeson) has been appointed Majority Leader, tasked with directing the legislative strategy of the majority party. Representative Karl Gillespie (R-Graham) has been re-elected as House Whip, responsible for gathering support for crucial legislation. Representative Steve Tyson (R-Craven) has been appointed as the deputy majority leader, while Mitchell Setzer has been designated as speaker pro tem, assuming the responsibilities of the Speaker as needed.

Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger (R-Rockingham), who has led the chamber since 2010, will be nominated for an eighth two-year term in January. Berger has held the post longer than anyone except the late Senator Marc Basnight.

Senator Paul Newton (R-Cabarrus) was reelected Senate majority leader, while Senator Ralph Hise (R-Mitchell) will return as deputy president pro tempore. Senator Carl Ford, (R-Rowan) was reelected caucus liaison.

Senators Amy Galey (R-Alamance) and Todd Johnson (R-Union) will take over as majority whips. The current GOP whip in the chamber is Senator Tom McInnis (R-Moore).

Formal elections take place in January when the chambers are seated, but Republicans, with majorities in both the Senate and House, have virtually secured their nominations already.

Read more by The Carolina Journal
Read more by Axios
Read more by The Center Square

REBUILD NC DIRECTOR OUSTED

Laura Hogshead, who was the director of ReBuild NC, an agency that mishandled millions of dollars in hurricane recovery spending, is no longer working at the agency. Pryor Gibson, a senior adviser to Governor Roy Cooper, is now leading the agency on an interim basis.

Hogshead admitted that the agency had a $221 million shortfall in Hurricane Matthew and Florence recovery programs, causing delays in payments to contractors and stipends for displaced homeowners living in temporary housing. ReBuild NC had received almost a billion dollars from the federal government for hurricane recovery efforts, but mismanagement led to various problems with the programs.

Many issues arose, including improper workmanship, missed construction deadlines, and delays in payments, which resulted in a housing crisis for hurricane survivors. State lawmakers expressed concerns about entrusting ReBuild NC with managing the recovery from Hurricane Helene in western North Carolina given their history of mismanagement.

Governor Cooper has requested $25.57 billion in federal aid to assist in the recovery process from Hurricane Helene. Legislative hearings and investigations have been ongoing to address the problems at ReBuild NC.

Read more by NC Newsline