NC Legislative Update

by Cady Thomas

Activity Updates

Redistricting Hearings

The NC legislative and Congressional maps are in NC Superior Court this week. Before the holidays, the state Supreme Court moved the primaries from March to May in hopes of giving the Courts time to rule in advance of this year’s primary.

The NC Superior Court ruling is due no later than January 11. Their decision will be appealed to the state Supreme Court. Read more about the lawsuits here and here.

Bills and Legislation

NCGA Schedule

The NCGA is currently awaiting the court ruling on the legislative and congressional maps and will be gaveling in and out of session until a final decision is reached by the NC Supreme Court. Their next scheduled session when votes may be heard is January 10th but we have not heard of any votes on the calendar.

COVID

Numbers as of January 4, 2022:

1,742,844 total cases

19,494 deaths

3,008 currently hospitalized

29.7% percentage of positive tests each day

69% of adult population fully vaccinated

Guidelines

The CDC and NC DHHS have changed their guidelines for people who have contracted or been exposed to COVID-19. While these new guidelines have caused some controversy, they are as follows:

Vaccinated with a Booster Shot – wear a mask for 10 days.

Vaccinated without a Booster Shot or Unvaccinated – isolate for five days, get tested on the fifth day and wear a mask at all times for five additional days after testing.

Election News

Retirement

Representative Pat McElraft (R-Carteret) announced she will not seek reelection to her House seat in 2022. She has served since 2006.