Triangle
Lawmakers step closer to raising maximum speed limit
June 19, 2013
(The News & Observer, Raleigh)
A bill that would let North Carolina raise its speed limit on highways to as high as 75 mph passed a House committee despite some worries that drivers will use the new rule to go upward of 85 mph on those stretches of road. The current maximum is 70 mph.
Perdue to start education-consulting firm
June 19, 2013
(The News & Observer, Raleigh)
Former Gov. Beverly Perdue will open an education-consulting business in Chapel Hill after completing her teaching fellowship at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government. She is also working on a biography.
Former Gov. Holshouser dies
June 18, 2013
(The News & Observer, Raleigh)
Former Gov. Jim Holshouser, a Republican elected in 1972, died Monday after a long illness. The 78-year-old was known for helping the GOP reclaim political relevance and for establishing the UNC system Board of Governors.
New GOP majority tries to dismantle Democratic programs
June 17, 2013
(The News & Observer, Raleigh)
With Republicans controlling the legislature and governor's office for the first time since Reconstruction, GOP leaders are eliminating or cutting many Democratic-initiated policies this session, particularly in the realm of education.
Sweepstakes companies become major campaign donors
June 17, 2013
(The Charlotte Observer)
Sweepstakes operators have contributed more than $700,000 in campaign donations to North Carolina candidates since 2010, including money to the governor and key leaders in the state House and Senate.
House budget nears final approval
June 13, 2013
(The News & Observer, Raleigh)
The state House gave an initial OK to its proposed budget Wednesday, with the most contentious debate coming over a proposed $10 million school-voucher program for low-income children that is part of the spending document. A second vote is expected Thursday.
Bill would eliminate gun permits in North Carolina
June 12, 2013
(The News & Observer, Raleigh)
A bill that passed a state Senate committee would do away with permits for gun owners, allowing North Carolina to join 30 other states that have done so. It also would allow concealed weapons on all school properties and bars.
House budget would compensate eugenics victims
June 11, 2013
(Associated Press)
The proposed state House budget would give victims of North Carolina's forced sterilization program known as eugenics $50,000 in compensation, a move that Gov. Pat McCrory supports but that did not find favor in the state Senate's proposed budget.
Clergy lead growing Moral Mondays protests
June 11, 2013
(The News & Observer, Raleigh)
Clergy across the state converged in Raleigh as part of the ongoing Moral Monday demonstrations aimed at protesting Republican policies in the General Assembly.
House close to passing tax reform bill
June 10, 2013
(Associated Press)
A state House bill that would lower personal and corporate income taxes while adding taxes to previously untouched services such as yard services is set for a final vote Monday night. The bill will then go to the state Senate, which has lobbied for even more reforms.
John Edwards seeks to revive law practice
June 6, 2013
(The News & Observer, Raleigh)
Unnamed sources told CNN that one-time presidential candidate John Edwards plans to open a Raleigh law practice this fall. He recently re-activated his law license and was a highly successful trial lawyer before his political career.
McCrory: Too many tests for public schools
June 6, 2013
(The News & Observer, Raleigh)
Gov. Pat McCrory told the State Board of Education that he believes public school students take too many tests and that he has instructed his advisers to make recommendations on improving the testing load.
Tax reform proposal passes House panel
June 6, 2013
(The News & Observer, Raleigh)
A sweeping tax reform proposal that would cut $1.5 billion from state revenues during the next five years passed a House panel in a quick vote Tuesday after several tweaks, including one to eliminate a cap on mortgage and charitable deductions, were approved. The bill would newly tax services such as auto repairs and appliance installations.
Appeal of Racial Justice Act close after House vote
June 5, 2013
(The News & Observer, Raleigh)
In a vote mostly along party lines, lawmakers in the House voted to repeal the state's landmark Racial Justice Act, which allows those sentenced to death to appeal for a life sentence using statistics to show race played a part in the sentence. It will face one more vote in the House before passage.
'Moral Mondays' heat up with more than 100 arrests
June 4, 2013
(The News & Observer, Raleigh)
Demonstrators protesting Republican policies in Raleigh have increased over six weeks, numbering at least 1,000 as part of the most recent "Moral Monday." More than 100 were arrested in the legislative building for their acts of civil disobedience.
McCrory sides with House in legislative debates
June 3, 2013
(Associated Press)
Gov. Pat McCrory has found himself more often aligning with the state House leaders on important matters than Republican leaders in the Senate.
Bill would roll back energy-efficiency standards for buildings
June 19, 2013
(The News & Observer, Raleigh)
A bill that advanced in a state Senate committee would loosen the energy-efficiency standards required for new commercial and office buildings. Supporters say the measure will lower the cost of construction, but opponents say it will result in higher energy costs going forward and make North Carolina trail behind other southeastern states.
Quintiles mostly rated favorably by analysts
June 19, 2013
(The News & Observer, Raleigh)
Thirteen analysts initiated coverage of Durham-based Quintiles -- the world's largest pharmaceutical-services company -- and mostly gave it favorable reviews, with seven rating it a "buy" and four rating it "neutral" or "hold."
Auto insurers continue to seek changes to N.C. system
June 19, 2013
(The News & Observer, Raleigh)
A coalition of auto insurers is reviving efforts that state Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin says will make it easier for them to charge North Carolina drivers higher rates.
Syngenta could get incentives for RTP expansion
June 19, 2013
(The Herald-Sun, Durham)
Durham County commissioners are considering giving Swiss biotechnology company Syngenta $375,000 in incentives that would hinge on it creating 100 jobs as part of an expansion.
