Laura Leslie

Raleigh

Capitol Bureau Chief at WRAL-TV (Raleigh, NC)

Host at TheWrap@NCCapitol

Articles

Federal cuts could sap services for NC as state lawmakers also look to trim

1 week ago | wral.com | Laura Leslie |Josie Zimmer |Mark Bergin

Critics of the Republican-penned federal budget bill that passed the U.S. House last week say proposed cuts to federal spending could mean deep cuts to safety-net programs that help some of North Carolina’s most vulnerable citizens. They could also leave a significant hole in the state budget, which state budget analysts expect to soon be in the red. Federal funds, mainly through block grants, account for a sizable chunk of the state’s spending on social services, education and disaster recovery.
North Carolina budget gets tighter in latest economic forecast

1 week ago | wral.com | Laura Leslie |Josie Zimmer

This is a picture of the North Carolina flag, although it's a bit tattered. As North Carolina legislative leaders begin to negotiate a spending plan for the next two years, they’ll have a little less money to work with than expected. Economic forecasters who work in state government have revised their budget projections downward for the next two years. Forecasters at the legislature and the Office of State Budget and Management come to what’s known as a consensus revenue forecast every year.
NC’s clean energy boom threatened by possible federal tax credit repeal

1 week ago | wral.com | Mark Bergin |Laura Leslie |Josie Zimmer

North Carolina is among the top states in the country for clean energy technology, from solar panels and battery plants to electric vehicles and public chargers. But changes at the federal level could slow down that boom. The 2022 Inflation Reduction Act funneled hundreds of millions of dollars to North Carolina’s clean energy sector, providing tax credits for businesses and consumers that invested in it, as well as funding for infrastructure like EV charging stations.
NC tax cut debate could be major sticking point for state budget talks

1 week ago | wral.com | Laura Leslie |Josie Zimmer

As North Carolina House and Senate lawmakers negotiate a final budget deal, tax policy is likely to be a major sticking point between the two chambers. House and Senate Republicans have already agreed to cut the state income taxes in tax year 2026 by a quarter percent, from 4.25% to 3.99%. The Senate budget proposes an even bigger tax cut in 2027, lowering the rate another half-point to 3.49%.
State lawmakers question Helene relief leaders about political donations, alleging cronyism

2 weeks ago | wral.com | Laura Leslie

Republican North Carolina lawmakers questioned the leaders of Gov. Josh Stein’s Hurricane Helene recovery program Thursday about their rationale for awarding a key contract and the timing of political donations by one of Stein’s chief recovery advisors. The Governor’s Recovery Office for Western North Carolina, or GROW NC, has been managing recovery efforts for the September storm, the biggest natural disaster in state history.
Hundreds of millions for NC children's hospital caught in budget battle

2 weeks ago | wral.com | Jack Hagel |Laura Leslie

A plan to build North Carolina’s first standalone children’s hospital is emerging as a possible sticking point in state budget negotiations, with the House and Senate proposing vastly different sums for the multibillion-dollar project. NC Children’s, to be built through a partnership between UNC Health Care and Duke Health, stands to create thousands of jobs in the Triangle and improve pediatric health statewide.
K-3 classes could get larger in Wake County under House budget proposal

3 weeks ago | wral.com | Laura Leslie

A provision in the North Carolina House education budget released Thursday would relax class size caps for kindergarten through 3rd grade in rapidly growing districts, giving additional flexibility to high-performing schools in those districts. The change would apply to the Wake County Public School System, which lobbied for the provision as part of the school board's legislative agenda. Under current law, average class sizes for kindergarten are capped at 18 students.
Slow rollout of NC House budget reveals cuts, partisan priorities

3 weeks ago | wral.com | Will Doran |Laura Leslie

State lawmakers in the North Carolina House plan to spend the next several days unveiling and debating pieces of their new budget proposal, which will ultimately show how they plan to spend more than $30 billion on running state government. The work began Thursday with Republican leaders rolling out pieces of the budget, largely related to funding for specific programs and agencies. Details on tax cuts, as well as raises for teachers and other state employees, weren't made public yet.
NC senators advance bill that would ban retail sale of raw milk

3 weeks ago | wral.com | Laura Leslie

The North Carolina Senate could vote as soon as tomorrow on a bill that would outlaw the retail sale of raw milk. It’s a debate that’s pitting agriculture and health leaders against passionate raw milk advocates. For a long time in North Carolina, it’s been illegal to sell raw milk for human consumption. But a loophole in the law allows it to be sold as what’s called pet milk. Farming leaders said the risk of bird flu makes this the time to close that loophole.
Two-year break for driver's license renewals headed for NC House floor

3 weeks ago | wral.com | Laura Leslie

Starting Monday, many will see fee increases at North Carolina's Division of Motor Vehicles locations across the state. North Carolinians who need to renew their driver's license in the near future could get a two-year break if a bill moving through the state house this week becomes law. House Bill 821 passed the House Rules committee Tuesday afternoon. That's usually the last stop for bills before a vote on the House floor.