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Governance
On Wednesday a group of Democratic lawmakers announced a proposed amendment to the NC Constitution guaranteeing the right of access to public records and meetings--including state legislators' emails. The Democratic legislators announced HB 1075 and SB 911 in reaction to a provision Republicans included in last year’s state budget that limits access to legislative records. The proposed amendment is not likely to make it to the ballot, given majority Republican opposition.
Voting Rights
On Tuesday the NC State Board of Elections voted on early voting plans for 11 counties whose local boards could not reach unanimous decisions. The Board voted along party lines in most cases, with the three Democrats on the Board winning out over the Board’s two Republicans in multiple disputes about Sunday voting and early voting site selection. A bill passed by the NCGA last year would change the composition of the NCSBE so that it is evenly split between Democrats and Republicans, likely leading to gridlock in situations like these.
On Wednesday the NC House Election Law and Campaign Finance Reform Committee approved a ballot measure to add an amendment to the NC Constitution reaffirming that non-citizens are barred from voting in North Carolina elections. Because the NC Constitution already prohibits non-citizens from voting in elections, the amendment would just amount to a minor change in language. Democrats criticized the measure as a ploy to get Republicans to turn out to the polls by pushing misinformation about non-citizens voting.
On Thursday Senate Republicans introduced and passed a surprise campaign finance proposal that would introduce a large loophole in NC’s campaign finance regulations. The proposal, attached to a controversial bill dealing with protests and public mask wearing (HB 237), would allow corporations and unions to funnel unlimited donations to politicians through 527 organizations (a type of federal political fundraising committee). According to campaign finance watchdog Bob Hall, the change would provide wealthy individuals with new ways to give large amounts of money to support a North Carolina candidate without their names being identified with the donation. All Democratic Senators walked out of the chamber when the bill was brought to a vote, criticizing the legislation as anti-democratic and an attempt to buy the governor’s mansion in North Carolina.
Reproductive Rights
On Monday U.S. District Judge Catherine Eagles struck down some of North Carolina’s restrictions on abortion medication that had been challenged by Hillsborough OB-GYN Dr. Amy Bryant, saying that these restrictions interfere with the federal government’s ability to regulate drugs. Eagles ruled that health care providers other than doctors may prescribe mifepristone, that patients may take the medication at home, and that they are not required to complete three doctor’s visits. She let stand requirements for patients to have an in-person exam, ultrasound, blood testing and a 72-hour consultation before their abortion, on the grounds that they advance standards of care.
Education Policy
On Wednesday the NC House unanimously passed a bill that would allow Wake County’s leadership academies (early college high schools) to more quickly find a new university partner, after they terminated their relationship with St. Augustine’s University. HB 900 would allow the schools to find a new partner without going through a competitive process, but the schools still plan to send students to Wake Tech Community College this fall.
On Wednesday the NC Senate Education and Higher Education Committee approved a bill that would allow high school students suspended for fewer than 10 days to appeal their suspensions in the same way that those suspended for more than 10 days are currently able to do. HB 207 received bipartisan support.
Environmental Policy
After federal court hearing, use of toxic algaecide at Lake Mattamuskeet on hold: Poisonous to birds, the algaecide would be used in a bird sanctuary - Lisa Sorg, NC Newsline
Economic Policy
On Wednesday the NC Senate Transportation Committee approved a bill that would allow the DMV to issue digital driver’s licenses. HB 199 would also remove the requirement that NC drivers update their license plates every seven years and would change several rules about temporary registration plates. The bill is under consideration while the DMV is experiencing a significant backlog of driver’s license applications, as addressed in a hearing the following day
Homebuilders would have an easier time bulldozing archeological sites, under new NC proposal: Cedar Point Developers LLC wants to build more beach houses in the coastal town of Cedar Point. Partners behind the company gave at least $7,500 to Sen. Michael Lazzara, an Onslow Republican backing the legislation. - Will Doran, WRAL
Justice
On Wednesday the NC House voted 71-33 to pass a bill that would automatically move juveniles charged with violent crimes to adult court. HB 834 would roll back Raise the Age legislation passed in 2019 that specified 16-17 year olds should be tried in juvenile court. The bill now goes to Governor Cooper.
This week Republican legislators agreed to a compromise in a bill about public mask-wearing. While the NC Senate provoked outrage over its version of the bill that would have eliminated any medical exemption for public mask-wearing, the compromise version of HB 237 would include language to allow people to wear "a medical or surgical grade mask for the purpose of preventing the spread of contagious disease." However, according to an ACLU spokesperson, the bill would still allow police officers to stop anyone wearing a mask for no reason. The measure passed the Senate 28-0 while Democrats were out of the chamber protesting the surprise campaign finance proposal tacked on to the anti-masking bill.
A push to keep NC autopsy reports secret ends — for now: Republican senators have dropped immediate plans to prevent the public and family members from seeing autopsy reports that are connected to criminal cases. – Lynn Bonner, NC Newsline
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