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Today @NCCapitol: Chief Justice asks for money as House considers magistrates bill

Chief Justice Mark Martin will tell lawmakers he needs $30 million to start fixing what ails the state courts. In committee action, a controversial bill dealing with magistrates is due to be heard in a House committee.

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By
Mark Binker
RALEIGH, N.C. — Good morning and welcome to Today @NCCapitol for Wednesday, March 4. Here's what's going on at the legislature and around state government.
Mr. Justice Speaks: The House and the Senate will meet in a joint session at 4 p.m. to hear from Supreme Court Chief Justice Mark Martin about the state of the judiciary. Martin says he will ask lawmakers for a $30 million boost to court funding, something lawmakers say will be a first step in addressing what ails the courts. WRAL.com plans to carry the speech live online.
House Floor: The state House is scheduled to meet at 2 p.m. and debate both a change to the state's gas tax and new economic development measure. WRAL.com plans to carry this meeting live online.
Senate Floor: The state Senate has no bills on Wednesday's 2 p.m. floor calendar.
The Committee's We're Watching: The House Judiciary committees are where the action is Wednesday at 12:30 p.m. Judiciary I Committee will take up the controversial measure that allows magistrates to opt out of performing wedding ceremonies if they have a strong religious objection. The measure arises out the debate over same-sex weddings, which are now legal in North Carolina.

Meanwhile, the House Judiciary III Committee will take up a measure that would keep the names of lottery winners confidential unless the winner gives permission to release it. Could this mean the end of giant check presentations?

The Governor: Gov. Pat McCrory is scheduled to speak to the NC Chamber of Commerce annual meeting in Cary this afternoon before attending the Chief Justice's State of the Judiciary speech.
Advocates: The Humane Society and campaign finance reform advocates will be holding lobby days at the legislative building on Wednesday. WRAL.com plans to carry the campaign finance reform lobby day live online at 11 a.m.

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