Receive the morning news briefs delivered to your email inbox every morning. Click here to sign-up.
Efforts Discouraging 'Sanctuary' Policies OK'd By Committees
House and Senate Republicans keep trying to discourage North Carolina's local governments and public university system from holding or carrying out "sanctuary" policies toward immigration.
Legislative committees backed separate measures Tuesday related to cities, counties or University of North Carolina campuses that fail to comply with federal immigration law or prevent their police from collecting immigration status information about suspects and others.
A Senate bill would direct the state to withhold tax dollars designated for local governments found by the Attorney General's Office to have such policies.
The recommended House bill would create the right for anyone to sue a local government where they live if they believe it's not complying with state immigration laws.
NC GOP Leaders Rush To Get Elections Law Upheld
North Carolina Republican legislative leaders have rushed to the courthouse to try to block expected efforts by Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper to get a new elections administration law thrown out as unconstitutional.
Lawyers for House Speaker Tim Moore and Senate leader Phil Berger filed motions with two state courts Tuesday asking that previous rulings of a three-judge panel be vacated. The judicial panel had determined a law approved just before Cooper took office that merged state ethics and election boards was illegal.
So the General Assembly reworked that law in new legislation that Cooper vetoed last week, but Republican lawmakers voted Tuesday to override that veto, prompting the court filings less than an hour later. Lawmakers say the new measure addresses concerns the judges raised. Cooper disagrees, saying the new law is just a repackaged version of the old unconstitutional law.
Phase-In On NC Class-Size Mandate Approved By Senate
Republican legislation has cleared the Senate that would ease required class-size mandates this fall in North Carolina's public schools in early grades.
The chamber voted overwhelmingly Tuesday for what GOP lawmakers described as a compromise allowing a two-year phase-in period for lower average class-size requirements in districts as well as single class-size maximums for kindergarten through third grade.
District leaders have worried about meeting lower class sizes because some state dollars allocated for traditional classroom teachers have been used to hire those leading "supplemental" classes. The legislation would allay concerns they might be forced to eliminate instructors for art, music and physical education.
Jobs Incentives In Poorer NC Counties Focus Of Bill
A key North Carolina state senator wants to change how the state's primary economic incentives tool is used and promoted so that more benefits go to companies that promise to create jobs in the state's poorer regions.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Brown of Jacksonville is an author of a bill approved Tuesday by the Senate Finance Committee that addresses the Job Development Investment Grant. Critics of the grants say too many of them go to companies agreeing to expand in the wealthiest Piedmont counties.
Railroad Tracks Wrong Place For Prom Pics And Selfies
Transportation officials and railroad companies are sounding a warning: active railroad tracks are a bad backdrop for prom pictures or selfies.
North Carolina's transportation and public school agencies this month are urging high school yearbook staff advisers to reject student photos taken on or near railroad tracks.
With the season for graduations and prom portraits under way, state officials emphasize that railroad selfies can be as dangerous as stopping for a snap in the middle of an interstate or airport runway.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
300x250 Ad
300x250 Ad