First Governor Beverly Perdue vetoed SB532 that would have made changes at the Employment Security Commission (ESC) and put it under the director of the Secretary of Commerce. Perdue received a letter and an email from the U.S. Department of Labor outlining concerns over the bill. The email said the new law would raise rates [...]
Federal Courts Take Up Obamacare Suits
The US Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit heard a suit filed by the Thomas More Law Center challenging Obamacare today. So far, the consensus by the oral arguments is that opponents of the federal intrusive law, Obamacare, should be cautiously optimistic. The court first considered Obama’s motion to dismiss the suit on the [...]
“Choose Life” Special Plate Moves Forward
The House Finance Committee passed a bill (HB289) which would authorize several new special license plates, including one reading “Choose Life.” That’s the one, sponsored by Representative Mitch Gillepsie (R-McDowell), that sparked a long debate. The “Choose Life” plate would cost $25, with $15 going to a fund that would in turn distribute money to [...]
State Senate Approves Budget, House is Next
The Senate passed a $19.7 billion compromise budget by a vote of 31-19. Democratic amendments went down by the same county. Those amendments included restoring funding for the Gaston County Parkway, restricting the Health and Human Services Secretary from cutting Medicaid programs, restoring funding for Planned Parenthood and restoring sentencing services. Republicans offered a couple. [...]
Governor and Lawmakers Find Compromise on State Health Plan
Senate leaders substituted language in an old House bill (HB578) with another version of changes to the State Health Plan. The House approved the changes and the bill was sent by special messenger to Governor Perdue. Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger (R-Rockingham) says he and other leaders met with Governor Perdue and she agreed to [...]
