The Senate released Tuesday its $24 billion, two-year spending plan, with big differences from the House and Cooper budgets that include environmental programs and DEQ funding.
Legislature
Brown to Revive Bill Limiting Wind Energy
Sen. Harry Brown says he plans to bring back legislation that stalled earlier this session that would make nearly the entire N.C. coast off limits to wind energy development.
Mix of Environmental Bills Survive Crossover
Both the House and Senate are set this week to consider bills that advanced before last week’s crossover deadline, including a number of controversial environmental measures.
House Budget Funds Recovery, Resilience
The House’s version of the state budget includes new spending on disaster relief and recovery and resiliency plans, but DEQ funding to address emerging contaminants comes up short.
Senate Mulls Fisheries, Shellfish Overhauls
Bills advanced Wednesday by Sen. Norm Sanderson would create a new shellfish leasing program and extensive changes to the state’s marine fisheries oversight
Legislators Advance PFAS, Environmental Bills
State lawmakers have recently filed numerous environmental policy bills, including proposed new regulation of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances.
Legislative Action On GenX, PFAS Still On Hold
Although GenX remains in the Cape Fear region’s drinking water supply, the legislature has taken a nearly yearlong pause in addressing the problem.
Legislators Preview New Shellfish Bill
Rep. Pat McElraft and Sen. Norm Sanderson told attendees at the annual Oyster Summit in Raleigh they plan to introduce legislation that addresses conflicts related to the state’s shellfish leasing program.
Local Taxes Could Fund Storm Repairs, Inlets
Legislators included new ways to raise cash for coastal towns’ storm-related expenses and infrastructure needs, such as local-option sales taxes, in a spate of bills filed in recent days.
Reckoning with Climate Change Ahead
In the wake of Hurricane Florence, the North Carolina General Assembly has given more attention to climate change, though some legislators remain skeptical.
Session Ahead: Oysters, Storm Damage, PFAS
Reports on shellfish mariculture initiatives, hurricane relief and GenX appear early on the agenda as the N.C. General Assembly ramps up its 2019 session.
2018 Dominated by GenX, Florence, Election
The past year brought Hurricane Florence, one of the state’s worst natural disasters, record turnout for the election, and continued efforts to manage GenX contamination.
Bill Would Ax Water, Park Trust Fund Boards
The state Senate Thursday advanced a bill that would eliminate the oversight boards for the Clean Water Management Trust Fund, the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund and four other boards.
Legislators Set to Review Storm-Relief Needs
State lawmakers are expected to consider another storm-relief spending package, including infrastructure and agriculture assistance, when they convene again after Thanksgiving.
Bill Directs $400 Million to Florence Recovery
State legislators approved Senate Bill 3 in a unanimous vote, but environmental advocates and some lawmakers say the measure falls far short of what’s needed.
On Ballot this Fall, an Historic Power Struggle
Five former N.C. governors urged voters to reject the constitutional amendments the legislature has approved for the ballot in November’s election, as the Southern Environmental Law Center and the NAACP launch a court challenge.