North Carolina Legislators returned to Raleigh last week for their “short session” with a focus on revising the State budget bill passed last year. There was not much formal action in the two days the legislators returned to Raleigh, but lots of work continues behind the scene on the budget. 

Teachers 

Thousands of teachers marched down Fayetteville Street to the General Assembly on Wednesday for the "March for Students and Rally for Respect." They advocated for increased funding for salaries and spending on students, among other education-related requests. 

Apple Project

Rumors circulated this week that Apple is interested in opening a new campus in the Research Triangle area. Legislative leaders are proposing modifications to the Job Development Investment Grant program to make companies investing at least $1 billion and creating at least 3,000 new jobs eligible for this incentive. Senator Phil Berger and Speaker Tim Moore said that the proposal is not targeting a particular company. 

School Psychologist (H933)

On recommendation from the House Select Committee on School Safety, the House passed a bill this week that will allow the State Board of Education to issue school psychologist licenses to anyone who holds the Nationally Certified School Psychologist credential from the National Association of School Psychologists.