/>iUPCOMING EVENTS
October 18
October 28
Thinkers Lunch: Politics Palooza!
LEGISLATIVE NEWS
LAWMAKERS PASS DISASTER RELIEF LEGISLATION
State legislators convened on Wednesday to approve a $273 million disaster relief package for the destruction caused by Hurricane Helene in western North Carolina, marking one of the worst natural disasters in state history. House Bill 149 received unanimous support in both the House and Senate, and Governor Roy Cooper signed the bill into law on Thursday. The majority of the funds will serve as matching funds to qualify for FEMA federal disaster programs. The federal government will provide full reimbursement for six months post-disaster. An additional $16 million will support back pay for nutrition staff in schools affected by the storm. The bill also allows impacted schools to adjust calendars and implement remote teaching. Lawmakers increased resources and flexibility for western counties to conduct elections, providing $5 million to the State Board of Elections and permitting changes to early voting and polling places in 25 counties (originally 13 counties were included in the resolution). North Carolina has $4.75 billion in general savings. Lawmakers intend to convene for an additional legislative session on Oct. 24 and again in November to discuss additional relief needs.
WRAL News (Doran) 10/10/24
NC Newsline (Bacharier) 10/9/24
The Center Square (Apel) 10/9/24
NC BOARD OF ELECTIONS ALTERS VOTING RULES IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA
Western North Carolina counties impacted by Hurricane Helene will have flexibility in their voting plans following a vote by the North Carolina State Board of Elections. A resolution passed unanimously allows affected counties to change early voting and Election Day polling sites, appoint poll workers with increased discretion, and offer more options for receiving and returning absentee ballots. The provisions of this resolution were adopted by the General Assembly with the passage of House Bill 149 on Wednesday. Areas with a lack of poll workers can bring staff from elsewhere in the state or reassign workers. All 14 county election board offices closed after the hurricane have reopened, although many officials in the western counties still face challenges due to the storm. Despite this, early voting is set to begin on Oct.17 as planned.
Associated Press (Seminera) 10/8/24
Daily Caller (Baldwin) 10/7/24
GOVERNOR VETOES HOUSE BILL 10
On Sept. 11, House Bill 10 was passed by the General Assembly. The bill is a complex measure that amends the proposed budget, mandates sheriffs' cooperation with ICE, and fully funds Opportunity Scholarships. However, Governor Roy Cooper vetoed the bill on September 20. It is expected that the General Assembly will override the veto using their supermajority, and a veto override vote on House Bill 10 has been scheduled for October 24. If passed into law, the bill would require Sheriffs to cooperate with ICE and address various budget items, including funding for education, scholarships, Medicaid, water projects, broadband access, rental assistance, and more. The General Assembly is currently focused on upcoming elections, Hurricane Helene disaster recovery and disaster relief funding.
