Today@NCCapitol (May 25): Coal ash, HBCUs front and center

The state House is expected to take up a coal ash bill that is a subject of a rift between lawmakers and Gov. Pat McCrory. The Senate Education Committee takes up a bill that would cut tuition at HCBUs.

Posted 10:00 a.m. May 25, 2016 — Updated 11:15 a.m. May 25, 2016

Mark Binker

and

Laura Leslie

RALEIGH, N.C. — Good morning and welcome to Today@NCCapitol for Wednesday, May 25. Here's what's going on at the state legislature:

COAL ASH: The state House rolled out a bill making changes to the Coal Ash Management Act, drawing an immediate veto threat from Gov. Pat McCrory.

The measure, which would reinstate the Coal Ash Management Commission that McCrory disbanded earlier this year, is scheduled for an 8:30 a.m. hearing in the House Appropriations Committee. It is then expected to go to the House floor later in the day.

SENATE FLOOR (9:30 a.m.): The state Senate takes up Senate Bill 575, which is meant to help straighten out the long-running argument over the North Carolina-South Carolina border. WRAL.com will carry this meeting live online.

HOUSE FLOOR (2 p.m.): The state House is expected to take up the coal ash bill. It is also scheduled to take up a bill observing Memorial Day.

THE GOVERNOR (11:40 a.m.): Gov. Pat McCrory speaks to the North Carolina Business Committee for Education annual meeting.

COMMITTEES: The General Assembly posts a full committee calendar online. Here's some of the action we're keeping an eye on:

SENATE EDUCATION (11 a.m.): The Senate Education Committee takes up Senate Bill 873, a bill that would reduce tuition at five University of North Carolina institutions to $500 per semester. That proposal is controversial because advocates see it as potentially harming HCBUs. WRAL.com will carry this meeting live online.

SENATE BUDGET (2 p.m.): The Senate budget committee is scheduled to review the spending plan passed by the state House last week.

HOUSE EDUCATION (2:45 p.m.): The House Education Committee is scheduled to take up House Bill 1080, which would create achievement school districts.Those districts would take over low-performing public schools and turn over their operations to a charter school company.

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