Posts Tagged ‘Carolina News Journal’
State tax collections spike, opening door for tax-relief measure
by Dallas Woodhouse, Carolina Journal News Service RALEIGH — North Carolina has collected more than $6 billion in state taxes than was originally forecast in May 2020 by state economists. That’s the finding of a report presented to members of the Joint Full Chairs Appropriations Finance Committee by the nonpartisan Fiscal Research Division at the General Assembly…
Read MoreSenate passes sweeping tax cut package with 8 Democrats on board
by John Trump, Carolina Journal News Service RALEIGH — The North Carolina Senate passed a Republican-led tax reform package Wednesday evening in a quick, 36-14 vote that drew eight Democrats to cross the aisle and vote in favor of the bill. House Bill 334 would raise the standard deduction from $21,500 to $25,500 for joint filers, which…
Read MoreNorth Carolina legislative chambers agree to spending amount
By John Trump Carolina Journal News Service RALEIGH — With the end of the state’s fiscal year just three weeks away, the N.C. House and Senate have reached a deal for the next budget. After weeks of closed negotiations, N.C. Senate and House leaders have agreed to a top-line spending number of $25.7 billion in the first…
Read MoreSenate won’t confirm Cooper’s pick to lead environmental agency
by John Trump, Carolina Journal News Service RALEIGH — North Carolina relies on a single pipeline for its natural gas, making it uniquely vulnerable to disruptions, shortages, and even more nefarious problems. “North Carolina’s future, not to mention lights, heat, and air conditioning in millions of homes, is at risk because of the state’s full reliance on…
Read MoreEnergy leaders, experts say N.C. too reliant on Colonial, Transco pipelines
by David Bass, Carolina Journal News Service RALEIGH — North Carolina remains vulnerable to fuel shortages because it’s too reliant on a pair of pipelines for gas and energy, industry leaders and experts told lawmakers. The point is made even more crucial because of a recent rise in both the number and sophistication of cyberattacks, such as…
Read MoreBill that helps N.C. distillers clears House, heads to Senate
by John Trump, Carolina Journal News Service RALEIGH — A bill advancing decades’ long work to reform the state’s liquor monopoly passed in the N.C. House and heads now to the Senate. House Bill 890 is an all-encompassing measure that, basically, helps distillers to succeed in a crowded, growing, and competitive industry. It also works to level…
Read MoreABC omnibus bill moves forward, but it’s far from complete
by John Trump, Carolina Journal News Service RALEIGH — A House committee discussion over an omnibus alcohol bill amounted to yet another debate involving people wanting to free regulations on spirituous liquor and those wanting to tighten the state’s stranglehold. House Bill 890, after an hour-long discussion Monday, May 10, moved out of the House Alcoholic Beverage…
Read MoreBills loosening, expanding alcohol rules advance in N.C. House
by John Trump, Carolina Journal News Service RALEIGH — The N.C. House committee on Alcoholic Beverage Control moved several bills Wednesday, May 5, including measures to expand growler sizes, to allow alcohol service on charter buses, and to set up “social districts.” House Bill 781, Bring Business Back to Downtown, generated much discussion before moving to the…
Read MoreLegislation would ease health care red tape, boost access to care
by Johnny Kampis, Carolina Journal News Service RALEIGH — Legislation introduced in this session of the General Assembly seeks to reduce restrictions created by certificate of need laws, which critics say reduce access to health care and increase costs. Bills in the General Assembly have been filed with the intention of doing everything from making minor changes…
Read MoreCollusive settlements bill moves through N.C. Senate
by David Bass, Carolina Journal News Service RALEIGH — The N.C. Senate passed a bill along party lines on Tuesday, April 27, that would require the state attorney general’s office to get sign-off from the legislature before reaching a settlement on a lawsuit in which the General Assembly is a party. Senate Bill 360 is meant to…
Read More