Dan Blue Coverage

Editorial: 2022 NC budget could have been worse. Should have been better

Thursday, July 14, 2022 -- The best that can be said of the state legislature's $27.9 billion state budget is that it could have been worse. That is unfortunate, because it could have been - and needs to be -- better. It should have expanded Medicaid. It should have fully-funded the Leandro Comprehensive Remedial Plan so every child would, as our state Constitution promises, have access to a quality education. That's for starters.

As NC Democrats push for $200 gas tax refund for drivers, GOP lawmakers point to broader relief

North Carolina Senate Democrats continued their push Thursday for a $200 gas tax rebate to help families struggling with higher gas prices. But the chamber's top Republican wants something "a little more broad-based and longer-lasting."

Laura Leslie, WRAL capitol bureau chief

GARY PEARCE: Does Apple bring seeds of hope?

Tuesday, May 11, 2021 -- Since 2010, we've been locked in partisan, ideological warfare. Progressives feared the North Carolina legislature was making us another South Carolina or Mississippi. Maybe the Apple announcement - and the work behind it - will usher in new spirit of bipartisanship and progress. Surely, that spirit will be tested soon. There's redistricting, voter ID and the budget.

Vaccinations get bipartisan push in NC

Gov. Roy Cooper has joined with Republican and Democratic legislative leaders to launch a public-service ad urging North Carolinians to get vaccinated against coronavirus.

Matthew Burns, WRAL.com senior producer/politics editor

Editorial: Voters should pick representatives, not the other way around

Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2020 -- It is a startling contrast. It is clear evidence that when politicians get to pick their voters -- gerrymandering is the all too familiar word for it -- they win big. They represent their own agenda - not that of North Carolina residents.

Editorial: Time's now for Berger to deliver on Medicaid special session

Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2020 -- Senate GOP Leader Phil Berger heaped praise on his legislation for teacher pay and derisions on Democrats who opposed it. Berger's incomplete portrayal of the issue sought, falsely, to portray his opponents as against increasing teacher pay. The reality is that the governor vetoed the legislation is because he wants teachers to get a LARGER pay raise and local school systems to get MORE money for school construction. Cooper and the Democrats refuse to settle for the "scraps" that Berger tosses. They are demanding better.

NCAE calls for deal on teacher raises

The North Carolina Association of Educators calls on lawmakers and Gov. Roy Cooper to reach a deal on teacher raises, which remain in limbo with the stalled state budget.

Senate leader predicts: No new state budget next year either

The state budget standoff that has delayed teacher raises, building projects around the state and a tax cut for businesses will likely continue into the next fiscal year, the Senate's top Republican predicted Tuesday.

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

LESLIE BONEY: Dreams of a polite Christmas

Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2019 -- As we go into a contentious election year, what can we do to recover from our addiction to infliction of verbal harm? The first step to recovery is admitting we have a problem. Then we need to believe something can be done.

Editorial: Berger's criticism reflects more on his behavior than actions of his targets

Friday, Oct. 4, 2019 -- N.C. Senate leader Phil Berger's focus on the governor is just silly. A Senate Democrat that votes to override the governor's budget veto has a lot more to worry about than Roy Cooper. The line to run for that seat will be a mile long -- whether prompted by political party leaders or generated by grassroots reaction.

Democratic leader disputes allegation of budget veto threats

Senate Minority Leader Dan Blue said he doubts Gov. Roy Cooper would threaten any Senate Democrats who would consider voting to override his budget veto.

Complaint filed over Wake lawmaker's Duke Energy bill, his law firm's pipeline work

Sen. Dan Blue's family law firm does work for the Atlantic Coast Pipeline.

Travis Fain, WRAL statehouse reporter

Speakers at hearing urge Congress to restore Voting Rights Act

A congressional subcommittee held a hearing on voting rights in Halifax County Thursday. The invited witnesses all spoke in favor of restoring the U.S. Voting Rights Act.

Dave Hendrickson, WRAL enterprise editor

Big employers push back on Duke Energy rate bill

Google, Walmart and big industrial energy users unite against a proposal written by Duke Energy.

Travis Fain, WRAL statehouse reporter

Democratic senators want 'recess' for charter school growth

A pair of Wake County senators say North Carolina continues to approve new charter schools with little oversight into how they're using tax dollars and whether they're actually serving students and the local community.

Matthew Burns, WRAL.com senior producer/politics editor

Senator wants temporary halt to new charter schools

Sen. Dan Blue, D-Wake, calls for a moratorium on new charter schools in North Carolina for closer monitoring of existing charters' performance.

Cooper, Troxler meet with farmers in Raleigh

Gov. Roy Cooper, Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler and other state officials address farmers on Bicentennial Plaza in downtown Raleigh.

Democrats roll out NC Medicaid expansion plan

House and Senate Democrats outline their proposal for North Carolna to expand its Medicaid program to more low-income adults.

DMV pitches headquarters move from Raleigh to Rocky Mount

Sen. Dan Blue, D-Wake, tries to put the kibosh on the deal, which still must be approved by statewide elected officials.

Travis Fain, WRAL statehouse reporter

Editorial: Legislators; abandon partisan bullying and focus on state's urgent needs

Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2019 -- It is a new year and a new day at the General Assembly. The hyper-partisan atmosphere, fueled by a veto-proof majority has dissipated. We hope now that a gubernatorial veto carries some clout, legislators will think and act more cooperatively and less ideologically. Legislators need to address the needs of ALL North Carolinians - not just narrow and favored special interests or powerful partisan patrons.

Democrats say HB2 repeal, education funding, Medicaid expansion are top priorities

Democrats in the House and the Senate are in the minority, but they still hope to convince their GOP colleagues to take on education funding and a repeal of House Bill 2.

Mark Binker and Laura Leslie

NC sorting out how to end Confederate flag tags

Gov. Pat McCrory wants to halt new North Carolina license plates bearing the Confederate battle flag, but he and legislative leaders differ on who has the authority to make that happen.

Leyla Santiago and Laura Leslie

GOP leaders want to tackle job creation; Democrats push ethics reforms

Democrats say they want to tackle ethics reform in response to stories involving Gov. Pat McCrory. Republicans outlined a broad array of issues, saying they don't have specific proposals yet.

Mark Binker

Pomp fills first day of legislative session

Despite icy weather that temporarily delayed the opening of the 2015 legislative session, members of the North Carolina General Assembly took their oaths of office on Wednesday and elected their leaders.

Matthew Burns, Laura Leslie and Mark Binker

Local sales tax cap comes back

House and Senate leaders have agreed on a retooled bid to limit urban counties' ability to raise sales taxes. That could leave Wake County voters with a tough decision this fall.

Laura Leslie