2020 session Coverage

NC lawmaker with COVID recovers; no other legislative cases known

Sen. Danny Britt, R-Robeson, appears to have had a mild case of the coronavirus.

Travis Fain, WRAL statehouse reporter

New senator picked to fill unexpired term in Randolph, Guilford counties

Bank vice president Dave Craven replaces Jerry Tillman in the NC Senate.

Travis Fain, WRAL statehouse reporter

Last-minute bill would refund fees closed bars paid for alcohol permits

Without the measure, bars that can't open would still owe the state money for their permits.

Travis Fain, WRAL statehouse reporter

Cooper vetoes controversial death records language, wider bill

Facing a midnight deadline and despite signs of a legislative fix, Gov. Roy Cooper vetoed a bill that had protesters camping out in front of the governor's mansion.

Travis Fain, WRAL statehouse reporter

Lawmakers fail to increase unemployment benefits, extend exemption to law barring masks

State lawmakers adjourned early Friday after a marathon session without increasing the maximum weekly unemployment benefit or extending an exemption to state law prohibiting people from wearing masks in public.

Legislative notebook: Wake senator leaves session to get coronavirus test

A rundown of the late action as the General Assembly tries to wrap up this session.

Travis Fain, WRAL statehouse reporter

Lawmakers unlikely to boost unemployment benefits for NC's jobless before they leave town

The Senate backed an increase, but the House didn't, and then the issue just faded.

Travis Fain, WRAL statehouse reporter

Former lawmaker would get raise through late addition in policy bill

Lawmakers have tried for two years to boost former Rep. Justin Burr's salary at the Outdoor Heritage Advisory Council.

Travis Fain, WRAL statehouse reporter

Republicans try again to rein in governor's emergency powers

The House voted Thursday to pare back the governor's powers in a statewide emergency.

Travis Fain, WRAL statehouse reporter

Bill looks to crack down on sweepstakes parlors - or favor one manufacturer's machine

As the legislative session comes to a close, North Carolina's long-running debate over sweepstakes laws re-emerges.

Travis Fain, statehouse reporter

New $200 million grant program proposed for businesses, local governments

The measure passed the Senate unanimously Friday and heads to the House.

Travis Fain, WRAL statehouse reporter

After painful testimony, lawmakers consider upping sentences for death by motor vehicle

A bill would increase sentences for people with DWI convictions who drive on a revoked license and kill someone. Right now, it's 75 days.

Travis Fain, WRAL statehouse reporter

Senate moves to fund long-discussed African-American monuments in downtown Raleigh

Funding for the monument, left in question after last year's budget veto, was reintroduced and may pass soon.

Travis Fain, WRAL statehouse reporter

Bill to give some NC felons second chance at life without a criminal record nears passage

State lawmakers will take a final vote next week on legislation that could change the lives of tens of thousands of people.

Laura Leslie, WRAL Capitol Bureau chief

Will protests lead to policy changes?

The urgency visible from protesters demanding police accountability reforms may not translate to momentum for for policy changes, at least at the state level in North Carolina. WRAL's Travis Fain reports that the state General Assembly is not likely to take up policing or social justice issues in the coming weeks.

Republicans promise bill to allow full RNC

Bill seeks to circumvent the governor, but it's likely he will veto, mooting the effort.

Travis Fain, WRAL statehouse reporter and Laura Leslie, WRAL Capitol Bureau chief

Scant momentum at NCGA for police reforms, but promises to listen

The N.C. House will form a commission and the governor is expected to take executive action, but ......

Travis Fain, WRAL statehouse reporter

Farm bill, with hemp sections cut after months, clears NC House

Legislature punts on smokable hemp fight to pass scaled down agriculture measure.

Travis Fain, WRAL statehouse reporter

Bill to waive road tests for young drivers passes NC House

The DMV suspended road tests over COVID-19, leaving young drivers who need them to get a license on hold.

Travis Fain, WRAL statehouse reporter

Forced DHHS move to Granville County dropped from Senate budget language

Other budget priorities emerge as the Senate rolls out bills. House Speaker Tim Moore calls for a multibillion-dollar bond package.

Travis Fain, WRAL statehouse reporter

Proposed tax changes help some businesses, hurt others

House lawmakers are expected to vote next week on tax law changes that include good and not-so-good news for business owners working to navigate the coronavirus pandemic.

Senate leader discusses legislative session

Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger outlines the priorities for the legislative session as lawmakers return to Raleigh.

Berger: Expect Legislative Building to open, more COVID funding to wait

The General Assembly comes back into session next week as Republicans tick up pressure on Gov. Roy Cooper to reopen.

Travis Fain, WRAL statehouse reporter

Lawmakers approve state coronavirus plan, which now heads to governor

WRAL's Laura Leslie reports on the passage of a $1.6 billion coronavirus plan that now awaits the signature of Gov. Roy Cooper for it to go into action.

Legislature reaches deal on $1.6 billion pandemic relief package

No mixed drinks to go, questions remain on elections policy, transportation projects, but the state's first relief bills are done and on their way to the governor's desk for what's expected to be rapid approval.

Travis Fain, WRAL statehouse reporter, & Laura Leslie, WRAL Capitol Bureau chief