House budget released. See PENC specific highlights here
The House has taken this week off from voting sessions on the floor as they took up so many bills during last week’s sessions, and they await the Senate’s unveiling of their budget.
Given that this year was the House’s turn to start the budget process, the Senate’s version of the budget is being developed now. We expect the final budget after conference negotiations to look different than either the House or Senate version and folks are optimistic about final budget approval by the end of June.
Republicans have veto-proof supermajorities in both the House and Senate following the party change of Representative Tricia Cotha from Mecklenburg County recently. A lifelong Democrat hailing from a family deeply rooted in the Democratic Party, Rep. Cotham changed her party affiliation to Republican. She is not the first Democrat to make such a shift in the last few years, however this has been the most controversial.
A bill outlining changes to NCORR’s prioritization of homes had a special hearing in a committee where NCORR administration were in attendance has been heard: SB 438: NCORR Administrative Modifications
The General Assembly, Governor, and the state as a whole is very disappointed in the pace and the ineffectiveness of NCORR in getting people back in their homes following the Hurricane Matthew and Florence disasters.
Gov. Cooper created NCORR in 2018 to manage $778 Million in federal disaster relief funds, and funds must be spent for homes affected by Matthew by 2025 and Florence by 2026.
Legislators revealed that only 1,118 projects have been completed with 3,608 remaining.
This bill outlines stricter guidelines for contractors bidding on these projects, as well as a prioritization system for NCORR in order to get projects done more swiftly and to help low-income and elderly people affected.
Thursday, May 4th, signaled the crossover deadline where bills had to pass their originating chamber in order to remain eligible for the remainder of session (including the 2024 short session).
Two weeks ago, the NC Supreme Court overturned its prior decision that state courts should be involved in the drawing of election maps. This comes after the 2022 elections saw a new 5-2 Republican majority on the NC Supreme Court.
The United States Supreme Court has asked that new briefs in the “independent state legislature” case be submitted by May 11th.
Gov. Cooper’s Boards and Commissions Nominations and Appointments
State Board of Education:
John M. Blackburn–7th Education District representative
Linda Cooper-Suggs–3rd Education District representative
NC Utilities Commission:
ToNola D. Brown-Bland (Burlington)–reappointed as member at large, served since 2009
Daniel G. Clodfelter (Charlotte)–reappointed as member at large, served since 2017
Charlotte A. Mitchell (Raleigh)–reappointed as member at large, served since 2018
Acupuncture Licensing Board:
Patricia Ann Bernarding (Burnsville)–as a public member
Governor’s Crime Commission:
The Honorable Sherri W. Elliott of Newton as a Chief District Court Judge
Board of Elections:
T. Jefferson Carmon III of Raleigh, nominated by the Chair of the North Carolina Democratic Party. Carmon has served on the Board since 2019.
Stacy Clyde Eggers IV of Boone, nominated by the Chair of the North Carolina Republican Party. Eggers has served on the Board since 2020.
Alan S. Hirsch of Chapel Hill, nominated by the Chair of the North Carolina Democratic Party.
Kevin Neil Lewis of Rocky Mount, nominated by the Chair of the North Carolina Republican Party.
Siobhan Millen of Raleigh, nominated by the Chair of the North Carolina Democratic Party.
NC Historical Commission:
Dr. Susanna Michele Lee of Durham as a professor of history.
NC Human Relations Commission:
Sonia M. Barnes of Garner as the representative of the 13th Congressional District.
NC Human Trafficking Commission:
Dr. Corinna Lynn Myers of Mathews as a health care professional.
NC Museum of Art Board of Trustees:
Tammy Coley of Charlotte as the 14th Congressional District representative.
NCWorks Commission:
Cameron D. McDonald of Charlotte as a business representative within the energy industry.
Roanoke Island Historical Association Board of Directors:
Frank Daniels IV of Southern Pines as a member at-large.
NC State Social Services Commission:
Rebecca E. Andrews of Wake Forest as the 2nd Congressional District Representative.
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