Governor Roy Cooper signed five bills into a law. Read the Bills in the article.
All in Business
State tax collections spike, opening door for tax-relief measure
North Carolina has collected more than $6 billion in state taxes than was originally forecast in May 2020 by state economists. That’s the finding of a report presented to members of the Joint Full Chairs Appropriations Finance Committee by the nonpartisan Fiscal Research Division at the General Assembly and the Office of State Budget and Management.
NCDHHS announces COVID-19 screening testing program to increase K-12 school health staffing and capacity
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is launching an expanded COVID-19 screening testing program to support public, charter and private K-12 schools in protecting students and staff from the spread of COVID-19. The program will launch in fall 2021 and schools can register to participate beginning in early July.
New revenue forecast projects additional $6.5 billion surplus by 2023
Economists in the Office of State Budget and Management and the General Assembly’s Fiscal Research Division released an updated consensus revenue forecast today anticipating an additional $6.5 billion in state revenues through the next biennium.
German industrial automation company to build U.S. headquarters in Gaston County with $7.8 Million Investment
KNOLL America Inc., a supplier of conveyor and filtration systems, will create 31 new jobs in Gaston County, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest more than $7.8 million to locate a new U.S. headquarters operations and manufacturing facility in Gaston County’s Apple Creek Corporate Park.
Cooper again extends North Carolina’s mask mandate
Democrat Gov. Roy Cooper issued his first executive order of the pandemic in March 2020, at the time implementing a interminable state of emergency, a move that’s typically reserved for hurricanes and other natural disasters.
Users should pay for highways
As a fiscal conservative who thinks government is generally too large and taxes too high, I am grateful for the gas tax.
Chief justice highlights right of petition in N.C. Supreme Court ruling
The N.C. Supreme Court has thrown out a lawsuit against owners of an Orange County quarry. Chief Justice Paul Newby’s opinion in the case focuses attention on the fundamental importance of the right to petition government.
Governor Cooper announces two Judicial appointments
Today, Governor Roy Cooper announced two judicial appointments to Superior and District Courts across the state.
Senate passes sweeping tax cut package with 8 Democrats on board
The North Carolina Senate passed a Republican-led tax reform package Wednesday evening in a quick, 36-14 vote that drew eight Democrats to cross the aisle and vote in favor of the bill. House Bill 334 would raise the standard deduction from $21,500 to $25,500 for joint filers, which would take about a quarter of a million of the lowest-income North Carolinians entirely off the tax rolls. It also reduces North Carolina’s flat income tax rate for remaining taxpayers from 5.25% to 4.99%.
Governor Cooper commits to offshore wind power as North Carolina creates jobs by transitioning to a clean energy economy
Governor Roy Cooper today issued Executive Order No. 218 highlighting North Carolina’s commitment to offshore wind power as the state transitions to a clean energy economy. The Executive Order highlights the economic and environmental benefits of offshore wind and directs actions to help North Carolina secure the jobs and economic development associated with the industry’s estimated $140 billion investment over the next 15 years to develop projects from North Carolina up the Atlantic Coast.
Cutting corporate tax helps consumers
With negotiators for the North Carolina House and Senate confirming that they’ve agreed on the broad outlines of a state budget for next year, the prospect of ending the state’s 2.5% corporate income tax is one step closer to becoming reality. A phase-out is already in the Senate’s budget plan, and key House members have endorsed the idea.
North Carolina legislative chambers agree to spending amount
With the end of the state’s fiscal year just three weeks away, the N.C. House and Senate have reached a deal for the next budget. After weeks of closed negotiations, N.C. Senate and House leaders have agreed to a top-line spending number of $25.7 billion in the first year and $26.7 in the second year. That’s a spending increase of 3.45% in the first year of the biennium and 3.65% in year two.
NCDOT awarded for environmental excellence by national organization
N.C. Department of Transportation officials in Division 14 recently won a prestigious national award for their efforts in planning a highway project in Graham County known as Corridor K Improvements.
Chief Justice Newby Issues New Order Related to COVID-19
Chief Justice Paul Newby issued a new order today containing Emergency Directives related to COVID-19. The order will take effect on June 7, 2021, and is set to expire on July 4, 2021.
Governor Cooper visits Mecklenburg County vaccine clinic where summer cash card program is in effect
Today, Governor Roy Cooper visited a vaccine clinic at StarMed Healthcare in Charlotte to see more North Carolinians receive their vaccine. Mecklenburg County is one of the four counties participating in NCDHHS’ Summer Cash Cards initiative.
House votes to cut off expanded $300-a-week unemployment benefits
The state House has voted to make North Carolina the 26th state to withdraw from the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation program, which provides an extra $300-a-week in jobless benefits to the unemployed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
State library announces federal grants to local libraries
The State Library of North Carolina announces the 2021-2022 Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant awardees. This year's $4,843,343 federal allotment will be distributed on behalf of North Carolina's libraries through programs and services available under the North Carolina LSTA Five Year Plan.
Senate won’t confirm Cooper’s pick to lead environmental agency
North Carolina relies on a single pipeline for its natural gas, making it uniquely vulnerable to disruptions, shortages, and even more nefarious problems.
NFIB urges lawmakers to pass bill ending federal unemployment benefit early
NFIB State Director Gregg Thompson released the following statement today on the latest version of Senate Bill 116, legislation that addresses the state's worsening lack of job applications by ending the federal pandemic-related unemployment benefits ahead of schedule as 26 states already have done.