“One bill is a wide-ranging regulatory reform bill that would speed up environmental permits for projects like the Mountain Valley natural gas pipeline. Another provision would change the regulations around hog waste lagoons, a move that opponents say could prevent state agencies from considering civil rights issues when they issue permits.”
Read More“In 2021, Governor Roy Cooper, also a Democrat, proposed a budget that would have allocated $1.7 billion to fund a two-year remedial action plan for North Carolina schools, but the funding fell short. Since late 2021, Lee has again been pushing for the state to fund the Leandro plan, but the Republican-controlled legislature is reluctant to appropriate money on the basis of a court order, which they consider a constitutional overreach, as the legislature is endowed with the power of the purse, not the judicial system.”
Read More“Despite his historic opposition to school choice, Governor Roy Cooper recently issued a proclamation naming the week of January 24-29, 2022 as “School Choice Week.” However, Cooper has not taken any further policy action to confirm a sudden switch in position to supporting school choice, nor has he spoken about his rationale for issuing a proclamation designed to increase the visibility of school choice.”
Read More“After three years without a comprehensive state budget and months of negotiations between the two parties in the legislature and the governor, North Carolina finally has a budget for fiscal years 2021-2023.”
Read More“The increased use of vetoes seems to indicate that the Governor will only accept bills that enjoy strong bipartisan support. So, with a lack of a veto-proof majority in the legislature, the Republicans are forced to play by these rules even if they believe the Attorney General does not.”
Read More“North Carolina remains without an updated state budget this year, as legislators have not yet decided on a new state budget for the fiscal year. Negotiations between the governor, the House, and the Senate are set to start this week, at the beginning of October.”
Read More“Cooper’s claim that the bill [regarding protests] is an attempt to deter people from exercising their constitutional rights is highlighted by the timing of the bill’s introduction during a wave of protests in which many of the participants were African-American, alongside the fact that Republicans have passed legislation considered discriminatory against African-Americans before.”
Read More“In examining the bills, the impact of input by pro-law enforcement organizations like the North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association (NCSA) is evident. For example, while HB 436 mandates mental health awareness training for officers, it requires only two hours of training every three years – hardly a step up from the previous requirements, and a win for the NCSA in maintaining the status quo.”
Read More“The fractious national debate about COVID-19 has perhaps been most divisive on issues related to schools and education. In North Carolina, however, this debate was surprisingly tame.”
Read More“Beginning on March 14th, 2021, North Carolinians seeking unemployment benefits will have to provide proof that they are actively pursuing employment opportunities to qualify. Governor Roy Cooper laid down an executive order detailing the changes which negate a previously issued executive order from March of 2020. Typically, in a non-COVID time, the requirements for unemployment stipulate that one must be actively searching for a job before receiving any state issued benefits. However, Governor Cooper struck down the requirement due to the increased unemployment during the pandemic. Now, that period is closing, and within the new executive order, Governor Cooper promotes the usage of NCworks.gov to promote job opportunities and employment training.”
Read More“Ultimately, the reopening of schools will likely be left to the local school systems as it seems unlikely Cooper will sign the bill currently in the General Assembly unless he and Republicans can come to an agreement on flexibility. Furthermore, schools will be less inclined to reopen as long as teachers are not being vaccinated. Governor Cooper has a tough decision to make, but he faces significant and conflicting pressure from massive constituencies: parents, students, and teachers.”
Read More“Businesses have been the most outspoken about the new restrictions with many claiming it is going to be harder to conduct business with the new restriction. The restrictions as a whole are especially difficult for small businesses during the holiday season.”
Read More“Cooper’s inconsistency has brought criticism from his opponent Dan Forest (R). Forest has capitalized on Cooper’s indecisiveness and has led the campaign to open the state. Forest has publicly criticized Cooper and sued him because he believes Cooper has exceeded his power and is being too slow.”
Read MoreLook to the states for examples of leadership in the Trump era.
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