With Gov. Roy Cooper now in his second term and the legislature convening Wednesday, budget and pandemic response agreements remain on the to-do list from last year.
Legislature
Election to Reshape Coastal Delegation
Retirements, redistricting and possible shifts in voter preferences all stand to shift the balance of power in the legislature come Nov. 3.
Cooper Lays Out Spending Plan; GOP Pans It
Gov. Roy Cooper announced this week a state spending proposal, including plans for the state’s unspent coronavirus relief, which Senate budget writers were quick to dismiss.
Lean Times Ahead for Parks, Conservation
The pandemic has increased funding pressures on the state’s already strained Department of Natural and Cultural Resources and trust funds for clean water projects and parks.
Analysis: DEQ Braces for Budget Cuts
With staggering revenue shortfalls from the pandemic and the yearslong budget stalemate, slashed funding for state environmental programs and project delays are inevitable.
Coastal Provisions Amid End-Of-Session Bills
Along with coronavirus response measures, the North Carolina General Assembly passed bills with numerous environmental and coastal provisions before adjourning last week.
Bills Offer Options for PFAS Regulation
Democrats in the N.C. House have introduced a trio of bills they say are intended to demonstrate the range of steps the state could take in regulating per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances.
Plenty Of Obstacles On Path to State Budget
Uncertainty over federal coronavirus relief and the state’s financial challenges loom large as the legislature resumes its 2020 short session next week with plans to take up another round of pandemic response measures.
New Bills Address Reforms, Virus Response
Recently filed bills in the North Carolina General Assembly include measures to carry out planned changes at state ports and the Department of Environmental Quality, along with COVID-19 relief.
COVID-19, Economy Top Legislators’ Agenda
State lawmakers return Tuesday for what is expected to be a brief session to focus on response to the coronavirus and its ongoing damage to the state’s economy, including in tourism-dependent communities.
Legislative Error Wipes Out Bond Program
An apparent error in a bill that became law in 2019 revoked local government authority for a special type of bond financing that’s been used for beach renourishment projects and other types of municipal projects.
U.S. Senate OKs Aid, Legislature Opens Talks
As a federal COVID-19 aid package gained Senate approval in Washington, N.C. legislators began discussions Wednesday on bills needed to address economic effects of the coronavirus, including impacts on coastal businesses.
Coastal Incumbents Survive Challenges
According to the unofficial results from the N.C. Board of Elections for Super Tuesday, state House incumbents representing coastal districts have withstood challenges from within their respective parties.
New Coastal Districts In Focus As Filing Ends
Voters in the March 3 primaries will see on the ballot changes from the court-ordered redrawing of North Carolina districts and several challenges in the House.
Budget Fights Increase Pressure on DEQ
Amid the impasse between the governor and legislative leaders, a number of Department of Environmental Quality initiatives and long-sought environmental priorities remain on hold.
Trust Funds Shortchanged in Budget Impasse
The deadlock over the state budget between the Democratic governor and Republicans in the General Assembly leaves $15 million out of reach for parks and recreation, clean water trust funds.
