Jessica Jones

House Lawmakers Pass Toll Roads Bill

Jessica Jones — Tue, 21 May 2013 21:07:17 +0000

Lawmakers in the House have approved a bill that would allow the Department of Transportation to add new toll lanes to interstate highways, but only if some of the old lanes are kept toll-free.

The new toll lanes would essentially be express lanes, with less congestion and higher speed limits. Republican representative John Faircloth says North Carolina's roads are desperately in need of funding. Faircloth says he agrees with Representative Jeff Collins, who is the bill's sponsor.

State Senate Budget Plan Ups Medicaid Spending, Moves SBI

Jessica Jones — Mon, 20 May 2013 21:46:57 +0000

Lawmakers in the State Senate have presented a $20.6 billion budget proposal. It would spend slightly less than Governor McCrory’s plan and offers no raises for state employees. The plan would also increase state Medicaid spending by about $300 million and make big changes to the State Bureau of Investigation.

Republican budget writer Senator Pete Brunstetter told reporters earlier today that he knows this is a tough budget plan. He says its purpose is to make sure the state lives within its means.

State Lawmakers Gear Up For Budget Process, Tax Reform

Jessica Jones — Fri, 17 May 2013 09:00:00 +0000

Lawmakers have wrapped up crossover week, where bills that don't require tax changes or spending must make it through one chamber or expire. Now they're set to focus on their biggest task- negotiating the state budget. Senate leaders plan to release their budget plan Sunday night.

Anti-Tax Advocate Visits Legislature

Jessica Jones — Thu, 16 May 2013 20:37:50 +0000

The anti-tax advocate, Grover Norquist, visited state legislators today to praise their efforts to lower personal and corporate income taxes.

Bill Seeking To Ban Sharia Law Passes State House

Jessica Jones — Thu, 16 May 2013 11:31:31 +0000

House lawmakers have passed a measure that attempts to ban the application of Islamic Sharia law in North Carolina.

House Bill 695 would prohibit North Carolina courts from applying part or all of any foreign laws that could lead to violations of constitutional rights in domestic and child custody cases. Across the country, some social conservatives have expressed fears about Islamic laws being cited in American courtrooms.

House Tentatively Passes Abortion Bill

Jessica Jones — Thu, 16 May 2013 11:29:25 +0000

State lawmakers in the House have passed a bill that would prohibit some health plans from offering abortion coverage.

Senate Bill Would Abolish Regional Economic Development Commissions

Jessica Jones — Tue, 14 May 2013 10:07:29 +0000

A bill that would abolish regional economic development commissions has tentatively passed the state Senate.

The measure would dissolve all seven of the state's commissions. The Department of Commerce would then send at least one employee to work in one of eight newly created economic zones.

State Senate Passes Bill To Require Clearer Hospital Billing

Jessica Jones — Thu, 09 May 2013 21:30:31 +0000

Senate lawmakers have passed a bill that would allow patients to compare prices for medical procedures.
Senate Bill 473 would require hospitals to make the cost of common inpatient and outpatient procedures public.

Puppy Mill Bill Passes State House

Jessica Jones — Thu, 09 May 2013 21:01:10 +0000

The State House has passed a bill that would require basic standards of care for commercial dog-breeding operations.

The "puppy mill bill," as it's known, would apply to facilities with more than ten breeding females. Breeders would have to provide food and water, exercise, appropriate housing, vet care, and humane euthanasia if needed.

Senate Committee Approves Abortion Teaching Bill

Jessica Jones — Wed, 08 May 2013 21:19:58 +0000

A bill that would make public educators teach students that abortions can cause preterm births is headed to the state Senate floor.

It’s one of a raft of measures introduced this session aimed at restricting and reducing the number of abortions. Senate Bill 132 would require health instructors teaching students in the seventh grade and older to include information about what the bill calls “preventable causes of preterm birth, including induced abortion.”