NC Legislative Update

By Cady Thomas

Activity Updates

Speaker Visits Ukraine

NC House Speaker Tim Moore spent spring break in Ukraine.

Bills and Legislation

Crossover

All the bill filing deadlines have passed at the NC General Assembly and this Thursday, May 4, is the crossover deadline. This is the date by which bills must be passed by their body of origin to remain eligible for the biennium. The only bills that do not have to meet this deadline are bills including taxes, fees, or appropriations. This will be a busy week in Raleigh!

 

COVID

Numbers

Numbers as of February 22, 2023:

  • 3,496,830 total cases

  • 28,973 deaths

  • 289 people – 7 day average of those hospitalized (Continues to fall)

  • 74% of adult population fully vaccinated, 63% of total population fully vaccinated

COVID Boosters

The NC Department of Health and Human Services has approved additional booster shots for older adults and those at high risk for severe illness from COVID.

 

Election News

GOP Primary for Governor

Last week, Lt. Governor Mark Robinson announced he is running for Governor in 2024. He will challenge current NC Treasurer Dale Folwell who announced earlier. It is also expected that former U.S. Congressman Mark Walker will announce his run as well.

 

Attorney General Race

  • Tim Dunn, a Democrat lawyer from Fayetteville, is running.

  • Tom Murry, a Republican from Cary and former House member, is running.

 

Lieutenant Governor’s Race

  • Democrat Primary

    • Former Spring Lake Mayor Chris Rey

    • Former State Senator Ben Clark from Hoke County is considering a run.

    • Current State Senator Rachel Hunt of Charlotte

    • Delmonte Crawford of Raleigh

    • Former House Member Raymond E. Smith, Jr. of Goldsboro.

  • Republican Primary

    • Hal Weatherman

    • Former Greensboro City Councilman Jim Kee

    • Allen Mashburn

    • Peter Boykin of Mebane

 

Treasurer’s Race

  • Current House Member John Bradford of Mecklenburg County will run in the Republican primary.

  • Current House Member Wesley Harris of Mecklenburg County will run in the Democrat primary.

Labor Commissioner’s Race

  • Charlotte Mayor Pro Tem Braxton Winson announced he will seek the Democrat nomination.

  • Current House Members Ben Moss of Richmond County and Jon Hardister of Guilford County have announced they are seeking the Republican nomination.

 

Other Important Items

NC Supreme Court Rulings

Last week, the NC Supreme Court overturned three rulings by the previous Court that affect voting – map lines, voter ID, and allowing felons to vote.