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Cooper: Business Must Use Political Capital To Stop Tax Cuts
Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper wants North Carolina business leaders to speak up for public education funding by telling the Republican-controlled legislature to block additional income tax cuts set to take effect next year.
Cooper gave the challenge Monday at the annual Emerging Issues Forum in Raleigh. The conference is focusing on how to expand early childhood education and health care and their connection to a well-trained future workforce.
Cooper says individual and corporate tax rates have been previously reduced, and further cuts could create future budget shortfalls. He says the business community needs to use its "political capital" to ensure there's enough revenue for pre-kindergarten programs, teacher pay raises and community college and university system improvements.
NCDOT Expects North Carolina Population To Grow, Especially In Major Metros
The North Carolina Department of Transportation is expecting the state to continue to grow in the coming years. But the disparity in where that growth might occur is dramatic.
NCDOT Secretary Jim Trogdon gave a presentation to the General Assembly Monday projecting North Carolina's possible population growth trends through 2035.
A staggering two-thirds of new residents are expected to land in the Triangle or Charlotte. And if the projection is right, the Triad would take in just 10 percent.
Trogdon's projections raise significant questions as to how the state will handle the influx of people, particularly when it comes to government services like education, infrastructure and the social safety net.
His presentation also suggests several funding mechanisms will be needed to continue to meet current and future transportation needs, and that NCDOT will support the highest priority projects in both urban and rural areas.
Attorneys General In Several States Oppose Federal Tips Plan
Attorneys general in over a dozen states, including North Carolina, oppose a federal Department of Labor proposal to let employers control the tips of some hourly employees.
The attorneys general filed comments in opposition with federal officials on Monday.
Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan called the proposal that rescinds a 2011 rule "outrageous" and likened it to wage theft.
The plan applies to employees paid the federal minimum wage, which is $7.25 an hour.
Flu-Associated Deaths Reach 95 In North Carolina
The number of flu-related deaths continues to rise in North Carolina. According to the latest report from the North Carolina Division of Public Health, there have been 95 deaths since the season began in October.
The dominant strain this year is Influenza A, or H3N2. Doctors say those who are under the age of 5 and older than 65 are hardest hit by this strain.
Tammy Koonce is a Communicable Disease Nurse Consultant in Guilford County. She says that with the flu, a person can be contagious for up to two days before symptoms show up, and it's important to seek medical care early on in the illness.
To avoid spreading the virus, Koonce recommends frequent hand washing, using a face mask if you already have the virus and disinfecting one's environment.
NC Awards Paving, Bridge Contracts For Interstate 40
The North Carolina Department of Transportation has awarded two contracts for Interstate 40 construction projects.
Department division project development engineer Cole Hood tells The Asheville Citizen-Times that most of the work will be done at night and likely have minimal impact on the public.
A $10.4 million contract awarded to Tennessee firm Harrison Construction Co. involves repaving a 7-mile stretch of road in Buncombe County, starting at the Haywood County line.
An $8.7 million project to rehabilitate decks on six sets of bridges — including three over Biltmore Estate roads — is expected to run through mid-October 2019.