Things were hopping on Jones Street this week with bills aimed at everything from minimum wage to sex. A recent State Ethics Commission opinion declared that sex between a legislator and lobbyist isn’t a conflict of interest because it has no value, and legislators filed a bill the week, apparently to clarify the point. The […]
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The North Carolina State Bar has filed a complaint against Resident Superior Court Judge Jerry Tillett related to his actions taken against the Kill Devil Hills police chief and several other individuals, including the late Frank Parrish, who at the time of the events in 2011 and 2012, was the District Attorney for the First […]
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The General Assembly recessed early on Thursday, March 12, to allow members time to get their ACC tournament fix but not before introducing 156 new bills this week. Thus far, the legislature has filed 525 bills including several proposed amendments to the North Carolina Constitution. House Bill 180 is part of the growing list of […]
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March stormed into the General Assembly, and at least one bill left locals cold. Senate Bill 160 first surfaced at the end of February when it was sent in draft form to the Dare County Board of Commissioners for review. Sen. Bill Cook is one of the primary sponsors of what has since become a […]
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Dare County Manager Bobby Outten recently received a call asking if there was available county property where a feral cat colony could be moved because a Hatteras Island restaurant wanted it removed from its property. “I explained that we don’t have property that could be used for that,” said Outten. “And I don’t know how […]
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Snow, sleet, rain and freezing temperatures reduced work time in the General Assembly this week, but there was still some action on existing bills and more were filed. Little legislative action drew more attention than the Senate’s passage of Senate Bill 2, introduced by Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger. The bill, if made into […]
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Record-setting weather kept most legislators at home a couple of days during this week’s session, but the lone senator who showed up for work decided to take advantage of being a majority of one. The Charlotte Observer reports that after Sen. Jeff Jackson’s scheduled appointment fell through, he decided to put his time and situation […]
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The word in Raleigh this week appeared to be “Time is not of the essence.” A substantial number of bills filed were local in focus and have little interest in other areas. Other bills were filed, but few went beyond first reading and assignment to committees. One bill — on the gas tax — left […]
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To understand the legislative process in Raleigh, it’s helpful to watch the television program “Gold Rush.” Each season, the reality show participants start with picking their ground, then digging and delivering dirt to the trammel where it is watered down and shook hard so that the gold settles in the mats where it is retrieved. […]
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The North Carolina General Assembly convened on Jan. 14 to begin its current session and to choose the leadership in both the House and Senate chambers. Phil Berger (R-District 26) will remain the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, and Tim Moore (R- District 111) is now Speaker of the House, replacing former Speaker Thom […]
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