Tag Archives: NC

North Carolina lawmakers finalize bill that would scrap 2030 carbon reduction goal

North Carolina lawmakers finalize bill that would scrap 2030 carbon reduction goal

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina legislators have finalized a bill that would eliminate an interim greenhouse gas reduction mandate set in a landmark 2021 law. The state Senate voted Thursday to accept the House version that would repeal the requirement that electric regulators work to reduce carbon dioxide output 70% from 2005 levels by 2030. The law’s directive to meet a carbon neutrality standard by 2050 would remain in place. The bill’s Republican supporters say eliminating the interim mandate would benefit electric ratepayers and is more efficient for Duke Energy. The measure now goes to Democratic Gov. Josh Stein, who raised concerns about an earlier version of the bill.… Continue Reading

Louisiana is poised to hike its sports betting tax to help colleges pay their athletes

Louisiana is poised to hike its sports betting tax to help colleges pay their athletes

Louisiana soon could raise taxes on sports betting to help finance the athletic departments at many of its public universities. Legislation pending before Gov. Jeff Landry would make Louisiana the first state to raise taxes for college sports since a judge approved a landmark settlement allowing schools to directly pay athletes for use of their name, image and likeness. Earlier this year, Arkansas became the first state to exempt school NIL payments to athletes from state income taxes. Some sports business analysts expect more states to follow with laws aimed at giving an edge to their college athletes.… Continue Reading

North Carolina judges side with GOP lawmakers for who gets say on highway patrol commander

North Carolina judges side with GOP lawmakers for who gets say on highway patrol commander

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — A panel of North Carolina trial judges dismissed Democratic Gov. Josh Stein’s case against GOP legislative leaders over the issue of who gets to appoint and remove the State Highway Patrol commander. The Superior Court panel’s Monday decision means the case doesn’t go to trial but it can be appealed. The lawsuit focuses on part of a power-shifting law passed by the Republican-dominated legislature last year. The provision outlines that Col. Freddy Johnson would remain in his role as the State Highway Patrol commander until 2030. Former Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper originally appointed Johnson in 2021.… Continue Reading

North Carolina redistricting trial begins, with racial gerrymandering allegations the focus

North Carolina redistricting trial begins, with racial gerrymandering allegations the focus

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina congressional and legislative districts drawn by Republicans in 2023 that helped them retain majorities in Raleigh and Washington are in court. A trial began Monday in two federal lawsuits filed by voters and advocacy groups that accuse mapmakers of illegally eroding Black voting power while enacting lines that aided GOP electoral prospects. The lawsuits claim that lines are so skewed that many Black voters lack the ability to elect their preferred candidates. Republicans counter that they used no race-based data in developing the plans. The trial won’t end until next month. North Carolina has a long history of redistricting litigation and related landmark decisions.… Continue Reading

JetZero plans to build $4.7B plant in North Carolina, aims to create 14,500 jobs

JetZero plans to build $4.7B plant in North Carolina, aims to create 14,500 jobs

GREENSBORO, N.C. (AP) — A California-based company plans to build its first manufacturing plant for a next-generation passenger jet in central North Carolina. If successful, the project announced Thursday by JetZero and elected officials would create more than 14,500 jobs in a decade. Gov. Josh Stein called it the largest job commitment in North Carolina history. JetZero is developing a fixed-wing aircraft that would change the shape of passenger jetliners in the sky. The company would build the plant at Piedmont Triad International Airport in Greensboro. JetZero already has conditional jet purchase agreements with some airlines. The announcement comes with lots of economic incentives that would extend into the 2060s.… Continue Reading

Permitless concealed carry in North Carolina faces uphill battle after some GOP pushback

Permitless concealed carry in North Carolina faces uphill battle after some GOP pushback

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina legislators have given final approval to a bill allowing eligible adults to carry a concealed handgun without a permit. However, the legislation faces a handful of challenges before it can become law. A likely veto from Democratic Gov. Josh Stein is the first. Republicans also lack a supermajority in the House that allows them to override the governor’s vetoes. A few Republican House members also joined in with Democrats to vote against the bill Wednesday. If passed, North Carolina would become the 30th state in the country to allow the concealed carry of a handgun without a permit.… Continue Reading

North Carolina GOP sending immigration crackdown bills to Democratic Gov. Stein

North Carolina GOP sending immigration crackdown bills to Democratic Gov. Stein

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Republicans at the North Carolina legislature have given final approval to two pieces of immigration legislation. One would compel state agencies to participate in President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown and the other would toughen a recent law that required sheriffs to help federal agents seeking criminal defendants. A series of House and Senate votes on the measures on Tuesday means they now go to new Democratic Gov. Josh Stein, who has yet to veto a bill and since taking office has tried to build rapport with lawmakers. The GOP’s legislative maneuvers happened as National Guard troops have been deployed by Trump to Los Angeles.… Continue Reading

North Carolina governor forms council to recommend cannabis regulations

North Carolina governor forms council to recommend cannabis regulations

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein says he wants a council he’s created to recommend cannabis sales regulations to protect young people and provide a structure for an industry where products from otherwise lawful hemp are unregulated. The Democratic governor signed an executive order this week creating the panel. North Carolina is among a small number of states whose laws prohibit marijuana for both medicinal use or adult recreational use. The General Assembly would have to enact any law legalizing marijuana. Preliminary recommendations are due next March. Stein says there’s currently a “Wild West” market in which products being sold contain intoxicating levels of what’s known as THC.… Continue Reading

Amazon planning $10B investment in North Carolina for data center and AI campus

Amazon planning $10B investment in North Carolina for data center and AI campus

HAMLET, N.C. (AP) — Amazon is expanding its cloud computing infrastructure and artificial intelligence activities into a rural North Carolina county. The company said Wednesday it intends to invest $10 billion toward building a campus in Richmond County. This will bring a shot in the arm to a region where textile and apparel jobs dried up a generation ago. Amazon said its investment should create at least 500 jobs and support thousands more through construction and data center supply chain providers. Gov. Josh Stein says the investment is one of the largest in state history.… Continue Reading

Trump urges senators to get his big tax bill done by July 4th

Trump urges senators to get his big tax bill done by July 4th

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump wants his “big, beautiful” bill of tax breaks and spending cuts on his desk to be signed into law by Independence Day. And he’s pushing the slow-rolling Senate to make it happen sooner rather than later. Trump met with Senate Majority Leader John Thune at the White House earlier this week and has been dialing senators for one-on-one chats, using both the carrot and stick to encourage them to act. But it’s still a long road ahead for the bill. Senators want to make changes to protect Medicaid and ensure some tax breaks become permanent. Elon Musk called the whole bill a “disgusting abomination.”… Continue Reading

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