While the all-important $19.7 billion state budget labored its way through the General Assembly en route to Gov. Bev Perdue’s historic June 12 veto (the first time a North Carolina governor has ever rejected a budget), legislators also pushed a number of other bills along the Statehouse corridors toward the June 9 crossover deadline (after […]
Tag: ncmatters
Showing 169-189 of 224 results
Thanks, or no thanks: Giving women the “right to know”
The controversial abortion-control bill that passed the N.C. House last week is expected to be approved by the Senate. Fresh on the heels of her history-making veto of the state budget bill, will Gov. Bev Perdue veto the abortion bill as well?
NCmatters: Drawing lessons
Whatever the outcome of the N.C. General Assembly’s 2011 redistricting, the process has already attracted both national and state-level scrutiny. An across-the-aisle coalition has formed North Carolinians for Redistricting Reform, a nonprofit that aims to take redistricting away from state legislators in favor of an independent body to ensure an open, public-driven process. As Executive […]
Looking past the state budget: Sunshine and livermush
While the all-important, $19.7 billion state budget labored its way to final passage in the House and Senate last week, the N.C. General Assembly still pushed a number of bills along the corridors of the Statehouse toward the June 9 crossover deadline. Some lost their earlier patina; others made light of the serious business at hand.
Now you see it — now you don’t: Legislation could dissolve municipal ETJs *UPDATED*
Asheville and other N.C. cities surrounded by countywide zoning would see their extraterritorial jurisdiction eliminated by legislation being considered on Thursday, June 2, in the Statehouse. And in counties without such zoning, ETJ residents could vote in some municipal elections — or run for office. In other business, the proposed Sunshine Amendment will also receive an unexpected second vote in committee. *UPDATED*
Drawing lessons: State redistricting under full scrutiny
Whatever the tenor or outcome of the N.C. General Assembly’s 2011 redistricting plan — originally due to be released June 1 for a final round of public scrutiny — its process has attracted both national attention and reform-minded state scrutiny.
Rep. Moffitt defends Asheville water system bill, says critics mistaken
State Rep. Tim Moffitt tells Xpress that a bill studying the possible transfer of Asheville’s water system will involve local input, and asserts critics are mistaken in declaring he intends to seize the system without compensation. The bill initially called for taking the water system and giving it to the Metropolitan Sewerage District, but was revised yesterday.
Bill for seizure of Asheville’s water system drastically revised, now calls for study
A controversial bill proposed by state Rep. Tim Moffitt that would originally have seized Asheville’s water system and transferred it to the Metropolitan Sewerage District has been drastically revised. The current version of the bill calls for studying the efficiency of moving the water systems of large cities to a MSD.
Western N.C. reps seldom, if ever, act in unison
WNC representatives saw movement on a number of House bills carrying their names last week, but partisanship remains the general rule of sponsorship.
Reading, writing and ‘rithmetic: Will N.C. go to the back of the class?
It’s 279 pages long; it appropriates $19.3 billion for the 2011-2012 N.C. general fund; and among other program and policy changes, its cuts to public education just may send North Carolina to the back of the class.
Under the radar: Significant state changes obscured by redistricting and budget battles
A number of individual bills with wide-ranging effects are slated for committee hearings this week, flying under much of the news radar.
Rep. Moffitt proposes legislation seizing Asheville water system ***Updated 4:15 p.m. Thursday***
Republican state Rep. Tim Moffitt has filed legislation that would seize Asheville’s water system, turning control over to the Metropolitan Sewerage District. Asheville City Council member Bill Russell, who also sits on the MSD board, said Moffitt didn’t inform either body before proposing the legislation.
Wellness: The COPA debate
Sen. Jim Davis isn’t out to make Mission Health System close its doors, he told Xpress in a recent interview. “I wouldn’t do anything knowingly to harm Mission. It’s critical to Western North Carolina,” said the Republican state senator, acknowledging the company’s position as a major health-service provider and a major employer in the region. […]
House passes changes to Buncombe commissioner elections
The state House of Representatives passed Republican Rep. Tim Moffitt‘s bill to expand the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners from five to seven members and mandate district representation in place of the current at-large elections. The bill would institute this change without a local referendum.
Tallyho! Riding herd on the legislative record
While budget and redistricting plans for the state are boiling in the Legislature, the back burners are currently full of legislation that has been neither enacted nor discarded this session. As a result, the rules were changed last week to stretch the crossover deadline.
Legislators hear from public at redistricting meeting
About 50 people packed two small rooms at UNCA for an April 30 public hearing on redistricting.
Photo by Jonathan Welch
Playing the numbers
With the 2010 census numbers now in hand, the state Legislature has begun redrawing the lines for N.C. House and Senate, as well as congressional districts. May 15 is the target date for producing new district maps; public hearings are now being held around the state, with a visit to Western North Carolina slated for […]
Backtracking on rails: a legislative reversal
Long planned-for investments in public transit for the state that eventually could have facilitated passenger-train service to Asheville are hitting major obstacles in the Legislature.
Multiple choice
The Joint Committee on Regulatory Reform, established by North Carolina legislators this year, is on the road. Its mission: Scrutinize “burdensome state rules and regulations on behalf of the private sector.” The 18-member team wants to hear from business and farm owners around the state concerning “outdated rules and regulations that should be eliminated.” The […]
Playing the numbers — the state redistricting game
There are 9.5 million people, 13 U.S. Congress members, 50 state senators, and 120 state representatives to account for as the N.C. Legislature begins to carve new lines on the face of the state.
The Beat: HATCH-ing a plan
A look at what’s been making headlines.