Colin Campbell

1 week ago | wunc.org | Colin Campbell |Mary Helen Moore |Cole del Charco

On the North Carolina News Roundup... The Trump administration is joining the battle over voter registrations in NC. State House and Senate leaders will soon begin budget negotiations, and one of the many disagreements involves ferry tolls. Also on the coast, famed chef Vivian Howard opened a new restaurant in Duck. And the state has new rules for fishing flounder. Guest host Colin Campbell talks with a panel of journalists about those stories and more, on Due South.

2 weeks ago | wunc.org | Colin Campbell

Amid all the culture wars and controversies at North Carolina’s legislature, some legislation features Republicans and Democrats quietly working together. There are plenty of examples of bills developed by lawmakers from both parties working together, ultimately leading to unanimous votes with no debate. Rep. Laura Budd, D-Mecklenburg, is one of the few Democrats who's sponsored bills that passed the House this year.

2 weeks ago | wunc.org | Colin Campbell

Republican lawmakers want to eliminate vacant jobs across state government this year. But some existing state employees would lose their jobs under the House and Senate budget bills. One of the positions cut in the Senate budget is the role of chief scientist at the Office of State Budget and Management. David Yokum has served as the chief scientist since 2022. He says he learned his job was in jeopardy when the budget bill was made public. "I was surprised," he told WUNC.

2 weeks ago | wunc.org | Colin Campbell

The state Senate voted unanimously Thursday to create a new board of directors to manage the state's pension and other investments. Currently, the state treasurer decides how to invest the retirement fund for state employees. But new State Treasurer Brad Briner wants to shift that power to a group of experts, who would also make decisions about other state government funds. Senate leader Phil Berger says the change could improve how much the pension fund brings in to pay state retirees.

2 weeks ago | wunc.org | Colin Campbell

The N.C. House voted 93-20 — with support from some Democrats — on Wednesday to approve a budget that delays income tax cuts while providing modest raises for state workers and increasing starting teacher pay. A final vote set for Thursday will be followed by negotiations between the House and Senate. The Senate’s budget features smaller raises and would keep scheduled tax cuts in place.