NC Legislative Update

By Cady Thomas

Activity Updates

Legislative Session Schedule

The NCGA wrapped up its general business on November 29 but they will not be gone for long. They will hold no-vote legislative sessions until December 10th. On that day they are expected to take up bill vetoes from the governor and be ready to address any court rulings on redistricting. Once that work is completed, they will adjourn until December 30. Starting in January, the NCGA is planning to come to Raleigh once every 3 weeks for as long as needed.

This session is the second longest legislative session since 1965.

Bills and Legislation

NC State Budget

Signed by Governor Cooper the week before Thanksgiving, the state has a full budget for the first time in 3 years. Included in the budget were tax changes, spending measures, and a few policy changes. Here are some highlights:

Taxes

  • Corporate and personal income tax cuts;

  • Reductions in the franchise taxes on businesses;

  • Increase in the standard deduction for individuals;

  • Allowance of tax deductions for businesses that received PPP loans; and

  • Transfer the receipts of short-term car rental taxes to the Highway Fund, providing an additional $70-80 million/year.

Spending Measures

  • $4,000,000 to start the Be Pro Be Proud Program in NC;

  • $1 billion for broadband expansion;

  • $10 million to build trails through NC;

  • Funding for workforce development;

  • Over $600 million for bridge construction and preservation;

  • Over $170 million for pavement preservation; and

  • More than $1.1 billion for contract resurfacing.

Policy

  • Allows NCDOT to sell Build NC Bonds if their cash balance is below $2 billion in the first 3 months of the year;

  • Creates a study commission to consider Medicaid expansion; and

  • Requires the governor to have Council of State approval to declare a state of emergency which is more than 30 days in length.

COVID

Numbers as of November 30:

  • 1,534,005 total cases

  • 18,4740 deaths

  • 1,131 currently hospitalized

  • 9.4% percentage of positive tests each day

  • 68% of adult population fully vaccinated

Cohen Leaving NCDHHS 

Dr. Mandy Cohen, Secretary of the NC Department of Health and Human Services for the last 5 years and the face of NC’s fight with COVID is resigning at the end of the year.  Kody Kinsley, the current deputy chief secretary will replace her.

Other Important Items

NC General Assembly Retirements Announced

This week both Rep. Brian Turner and Rep. Susan Fisher announced they would not seek re-election in 2022. Rep. Turner will complete his current term but Rep. Fisher will resign her position December 31, 2021. The local democratic county parties will elect her replacement for the remainder of the term.

Redistricting

There are 3 lawsuits pending on the new district maps but the leaders of the NCGA received their first win this week when a Wake County judge refused to delay the March 8, 2022 primary. Read More