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Senate Close To Unveiling North Carolina Budget Proposal
The North Carolina Senate is close to rolling out its state government budget proposal for the next two years.
Senate Republicans hoped to unveil highlights Tuesday afternoon, with a schedule to pass the budget bill through the chamber by Friday. It's unclear if senators will insert any initiatives Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper proposed in his budget.
The approved Senate plan will go to the House, which will pass its own budget.
Otherwise tough decisions have been eased partly by a projected $580 million surplus, which means additional cash to save, spend or cut taxes.
Ralph Lauren To Cut 107 Jobs In The Triad
Amid a cost-saving effort that includes laying off 8 percent of staff and closing 50 stores nationwide, Ralph Lauren Corp. will cut 107 jobs at three North Carolina facilities.
The Winston-Salem Journal reports that a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act notice posted on the N.C. Commerce Department's website Monday says the layoffs will take place at offices in Kernersville, Greensboro and High Point.
The notice says cuts will affect a variety of roles, including analysts, fulfillment center specialists, supervisory IT roles and technicians.
The last day for cut employees will be July 15.
Forsyth County Water And Sewer Rates To Rise
Property owners in Forsyth County will soon be paying more for water and sewer services.
The Winston Salem-Journal reports the City-County Utilities Commission approved a 4 percent increase in water rates and a 6 percent increase in sewer rates effective October 1st. There will also be a $1.63 per month increase in the monthly base charge for water and sewer service for residential water meters.
In all, the average household will see a roughly $5 a month increase.
North Carolina Police Force Installs New Use-Of-Force Policy
A North Carolina police department is implementing a new use-of-force policy that focuses on de-escalation and resolution.
The Asheville Citizen-Times reports the Asheville Police Department installed the policy after officers completed training in de-escalation techniques. The draft policy completed last November holds city officers to a higher standard than the North Carolina statute.
The draft policy says that while North Carolina law stipulates officers have the right to use force in achieving lawful objectives, Asheville police officers are subject to a more restrictive policy.
Replicas Of 2 Columbus Ships To Dock At North Carolina Port
Replicas of two of Christopher Columbus' ships are scheduled to dock at a North Carolina port this week.
The Nina, an exact replica of the original ship, and Pinta, which is about 15 feet longer than the original, are scheduled to dock at the Port City Marina on Wednesday and remain in port through May 20.
Capt. Stephen Sanger of the Columbus Foundation said the ships will be available for onboard tours starting Thursday.
Sanger said the company did not make a Santa Maria replica because it needs twice as much draft--4 feet —as the smaller ships.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.