Thursday Wrap: Forward march
Despite opposition from the House, the McCrory administration and health care providers, the Senate is pressing forward with plans for Medicaid reform that would shift the health insurance program for the poor and disabled to a new state agency and would put insurers in charge of controlling costs.
The bill is expected to receive at least its first floor vote on Monday after clearing the Senate Rules Committee on Thursday.
A bill that would cap local sales tax rates at 2.5 percent also will be on Monday's Senate calendar after getting pulled from floor debate Thursday. The bill, which rolled out of the Finance Committee on Wednesday would force counties seeking a local-option tax to choose either educational or transportation needs for the extra revenue – but not both.
Legislative staffers suggested the either/or language in the bill was a mistake that needed to be fixed, which is what prompted the delay.
Outside of the Legislative Building, animal rights advocates filed a lawsuit seeking to void recent legislation that exempts Clay County from state wildlife regulations long enough to allow Brasstown to hold its annual New Year's Eve Possum Drop. The lawsuit claims the loophole is unconstitutional and unnecessary.
