Phil Berger Coverage

DRAUGHON DRAWS: What they say. Where they stand.

Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023 -- Capitol Broadcasting Company's editorial cartoonist.

Editorial: Respect law, not partisanship, must be state Supreme Court majority's guide

Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023 -- If the current N.C. high court, regardless of those justices who end up considering the latest Leandro appeal, respect the State Constitution and the rights of children; if they respect the doctrine of stare decisis, they will continue to require the implementation of the remedial plan to assure a sound basic education everywhere in the state. North Carolina will be better for it.

Editorial: What they say and where they stand

Friday, Dec. 1, 2023 -- Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson's statements don't seek to unite North Carolinians to a common good and purpose. They don't represent a philosophy of someone seeking to build a better state.

Cooper v. Berger resumes: Appointments to state boards

A hearing resumed Wednesday afternoon after a recess. Republican lawmakers passed bills this year reworking key state boards and stripping the governor's office of some of his appointment powers. Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper sued lawmakers over that legislation. He's asking the court to block implementation of the laws while their constitutionality is argued.

Cooper v. Berger: Appointments to state boards

Republican lawmakers passed bills this year reworking key state boards and stripping the governor's office of some of his appointment powers. Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper sued lawmakers over that legislation. He's asking the court to block implementation of the laws while their constitutionality is argued.

GOP lawmakers reject Cooper vetoes, enacting new laws for election oversight, looser environmental protections

From big changes in election laws to loosening environmental regulations, GOP state lawmakers voted Tuesday to override five vetoes by Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper.

Laura Leslie, Will Doran and Travis Fain, WRAL News

What comes next after federal judge blocks portions of NC abortion law

A judge blocked two provisions of North Carolina's new abortion laws. WRAL state government reporter Will Doran details what comes next.

Editorial: Morals and fair play take a back seat to expediency in the legislature

Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023 -- It is no exaggeration to say the seven justices of the N.C. Supreme Court will determine if the General Assembly is the devil's playground or a temple of democracy.

Editorial: N.C. budget bill wasn't about money. Power grabs, attacks on citizen rights and more equal BIG problems

Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023 -- The 2023 "budget bill" is far less about state spending than it is a legislative garbage truck - a vehicle for scores of non-spending legislation the leadership wants hidden from their constituents so there's no discussion, debates or full disclosure.

DRAUGHON DRAWS: No 'treasure' from these two in this scene

Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023 -- Capitol Broadcasting Company's editorial cartoonist.

Editorial: Legislator's letter to constituents reveals demands for obedience and conformity

Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023 -- As Senate leader Phil Berger and House Speaker Tim Moore seek discipline in their party caucuses they are discovering the once rigid and frigid conformity they relied upon from the Republican rank-and-file is cracked and melted.

Frayed nerves, flaring tempers: Republican fight over casinos, budget shows limits of party unity

Despite legislative supermajorities in both chambers, House and Senate Republicans can't agree on the final details of a budget proposal, fraying nerves and exposing tensions between House Speaker Tim Moore and Senate leader Phil Berger.

Brian Murphy, WRAL

Editorial: Failure to pass N.C. budget is real emergency. Gov. Cooper should act, declare one

Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023 -- The legislature should pass a budget now that properly funds the state's needs. We won't hold our breath. That is why the governor needs to act now. This is an emergency.

Editorial: Legislators avert their gaze when confronted with failure to expand Medicaid

Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023 -- Anthony Brooks, DeAnna Brandon and the thousands like them can't get the life-saving healthcare they need. Their lives are hanging by a thread without a safety net. Expand Medicaid now.

DRAUGHON DRAWS: A big bet? Or betting big to balance the state budget

Monday, Sept. 11, 2023 -- Capitol Broadcasting Company's editorial cartoonist.

The Wrap: Casino debate delays budget with Medicaid hanging in the balance

The week in North Carolina politics from WRAL's NC Capitol team

Delayed budget leaves man without Medicaid, in need of life-saving surgery

For months now, North Carolina leaders have played down the effects of delaying Medicaid expansion. Anthony Brooks came to Raleigh hoping to talk to them on Thursday. This is literally a life-or-death situation for Brooks.

Man can't get life-saving surgery due to NC lawmakers delaying Medicaid expansion

For months now, state leaders have played down the effects of delaying Medicaid expansion. But for one man who came to Raleigh hoping to talk to them Thursday, the delay is literally a life-or-death situation.

Laura Leslie, WRAL Capitol Bureau Chief

Editorial: State's high court must uphold the law not partisanship

Monday, Aug. 28, 2023 -- Courts have the authority - the duty - to review the acts of the legislative and executive branches of government to determine their constitutionality. The justices of North Carolina's Supreme Court need to live up to that fundamental responsibility. Further, they should do it in a transparent manner assuring North Carolinians it is the law and constitution that comprises the foundation for their decisions.

Will NC's new transgender laws repel businesses? GOP leaders don't see HB2 repeat

Republican legislative leaders don't believe the business community will react to new laws governing transgender people the same way they did in 2016.

Laura Leslie, WRAL Capitol Bureau Chief

NC lawmakers back this week for overrides, but not budget

After a month-long hiatus, North Carolina state lawmakers are heading back to Raleigh this week. Even though a budget deal remains elusive, they're expected to take up veto override votes.

Laura Leslie, WRAL capitol bureau chief

Editorial: Activate Medicaid expansion now. Lives really are 'hanging in the balance'

Thursday, Aug. 10, 2023 -- Last March, Gov. Roy Cooper, with state legislative leaders beaming beside him, signed the bill expanding Medicaid with the expectation that it would become effective no later than early July. It now seems possible that Medicaid expansion might not happen, if at all, before December. This is an unacceptable delay and the legislature can easily act quickly to take care of it.

Closer look at the cost of delay in Medicaid expansion

State Health Secretary Kody Kinsley is urging lawmakers to finish the budget to avoid a "tragic" delay in expanding Medicaid. If they can't, he says, they should change the law to allow expansion even without a deal.

'Lives are hanging in the balance': NC health secretary pushes for Medicaid expansion -- with or without budget deal

State Health Secretary Kody Kinsley is urging lawmakers to finish the budget to avoid a "tragic" delay in expanding Medicaid. If they can't, he says, they should change the law to allow expansion even without a deal.

Laura Leslie, WRAL capitol bureau chief

DRAUGHON DRAWS: N.C. Budget security blanket

Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2023 -- Capitol Broadcasting Company's editorial cartoonist.