Henry "Mickey" Michaux Jr. Coverage

Durham's Michaux, longest-serving legislator, to retire
Rep. Mickey Michaux, D-Durham, the longest-tenured member of the General Assembly, announced Thursday that he plans to retire.

Civil rights concerns doom proposed 'economic terrorism' offense
A bill crafted in the wake of riots in Charlotte last fall that would have made "economic terrorism" a felony crime was killed off in a House committee on Tuesday amid concerns over protecting people's right to protest.

Smaller UNC board plan nears legislative passage
A proposal to cut the system of the University of North Carolina system Board of Governors is one vote away from becoming the first legislation to head to Gov. Roy Cooper for his signature or a veto.

House ignores plea for diversity, OKs slimmed-down UNC board
The state House voted overwhelmingly Wednesday to reduce the size of the University of North Carolina system Board of Governors after beating back an effort to include a line ensuring diversity on the smaller board into the legislation.

State lawmakers celebrate Voting Rights Act anniversary
Black state lawmakers and allies gathered at the legislature Thursday to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act.

Opponents plan legal challenge to voting changes
As the Senate takes up a raft of changes to North Carolina election laws on Wednesday, opponents said attorneys are already reviewing the proposal for a planned legal challenge.

Lawmakers back controversial Durham development
The state House tentatively approved a measure that would force Durham to extend water and sewer lines to the 751 South development.

Senate finishes work on its budget plan
Senators voted a second time Thursday to approve a $20.6 billion budget. The measure now goes to the House, where Republicans will craft their own spending measure. A final draft of the budget is due by June 30.

Literacy test amendment on its way?
House lawmakers gave tentative approval to ask voters to amend the constitution in 2014 to remove a relic of the state's racially divided past.

House approves Pre-K changes, beer sales
A proposal to cut in half the number of children eligible for the state's free pre-kindergarten program won House approval Tuesday. Meanwhile, the House also gave final approval to a bill allowing in-stand beer sales at professional sporting events.

House approves voter ID
Presenting photo identification before being able to vote in North Carolina moved a step closer to reality Wednesday when the House approved a Republican-backed proposal.

Voter ID proposal advances in House
Despite impassioned pleas from Democratic lawmakers and a raft of attempts to weaken it, legislation that would require voters to present photo identification at the polls was approved Wednesday by the House Elections Committee on Wednesday.

Black lawmakers vow to fight voting changes
The N.C. Legislative Black Caucus says black voters are the target of Republican proposals to cut early voting days, ban Sunday voting and prohibit same-day registration and straight-ticket voting.

Concealed handgun permit bill passes House
A measure that exempts concealed handgun permits from the state's public records law cleared the House Tuesday. It now goes to the Senate.

UNC system could lose campuses
Lawmakers are considering the possibility of eliminating one or two campuses in the University of North Carolina system, a top Senate budget-writer said Thursday.

House committee considers lottery ad changes
North Carolina's lottery could keep "education" in its official name but would face restrictions on advertising and more disclosure requirements under a bill heard Wednesday by a House committee.

House plans go-slow approach for voter ID bill
Republican House leaders said Tuesday that legislation requiring voters to present photo identification before casting a ballot will undergo weeks of deliberation and review before being filed in late March.

House OKs tougher penalties for meth production
The House voted overwhelmingly Wednesday to enact stiffer penalties for people who cook up batches of methamphetamine.

Preventing Medicaid expansion passes key House vote
The state House gave tentative approval Wednesday to legislation blocking the expansion of Medicaid and the development of an online health insurance exchange under the federal Affordable Care Act.