Harry Warren Coverage

Lawmakers back calendar flexibility for schools

House members said Thursday that they want out of the school calendar debate, voting overwhelmingly in favor of two bills designed to give school districts more flexibility in when they start and end classes each year.

Matthew Burns and Cullen Browder

Lawmaker's push for four-year terms derailed

A House committee on Tuesday defeated a bill that proposed a constitutional amendment calling for four-year terms and term limits for members of the General Assembly.

Matthew Burns

Study aims to end school calendar wars

Despite criticism from a coastal lawmaker, a proposal to study the effect on student performance of moving up the start date of the school year in 20 North Carolina counties is moving forward in the House.

Matthew Burns

Idea of driving permits for illegal immigrants divides House committee

Legislation that would grant driving permits to North Carolina residents who are in the United States illegally bogged down in a House committee Tuesday morning.

Matthew Burns

NC House panel OKs driving permits for illegal immigrants

Despite outcry from illegal immigration watchdogs, a House committee on Wednesday easily approved legislation that would grant driving permits to North Carolina residents who are in the U.S. illegally.

Matthew Burns

Lawmakers primed for veto override votes

House lawmakers say they will vote late Tuesday on both bills rejected by Gov. Pat McCrory. Timing for Senate votes is still uncertain, however lawmakers say they are likely to pass both bills over the governor's objections.

Mark Binker

Immigration proposal softened in House committee

Legislation that would provide North Carolina driver's licenses to people in the U.S. illegally while also authorizing detainment measures similar to those used in Arizona passed its first test in the General Assembly on Wednesday.

Bruce Mildwurf

Wednesday wrap: Wild day at legislature

A wild day at the General Assembly included bills on sweepstakes games, the death penalty, charter schools and renewable energy, along with discussion of voter ID and religion.

Proposal would allow state religion in North Carolina

A resolution filed by Republican House lawmakers would allow the state to establish religion, defying the First Amendment of the U.S. Bill of Rights.

Laura Leslie

Public campaign matching funds scrapped by House panel

The House Elections Committee voted Wednesday to eliminate public matching funds for state political campaigns.

Matthew Burns

House gives tentative OK to unemployment cuts

The House voted 78-41 Monday to give tentative approval to House Bill 4, which cuts the maximum weekly unemployment benefit from $535 to $350 and replaces 26 weeks of state-paid benefits with a sliding cap of 12 to 20 weeks, based on the health of North Carolina's economy.

Efforts to change unemployment overhaul fail in House

House Democrats came up short Monday night in several efforts to soften legislation that would slash jobless benefits as part of an overhaul of the state unemployment system.

Matthew Burns and Laura Leslie

GOP muscles jobless benefits cuts to House floor

The Republican majority of the House Finance Committee beat back efforts Thursday morning to soften legislation slashing jobless benefits as part of an overhaul of the state unemployment system.

Matthew Burns and Laura Leslie