Across the country on Tuesday, November 5, Americans cast their ballots in one of the most closely contested elections in recent history. In the Old North State, voters came out in droves beginning with the early voting...more
During the 2023 Long Session, the General Assembly enacted a two-year budget to carry the state through June 30, 2025. While that budget remains in place, it is standard practice for the General Assembly to enact a budget...more
As attorneys and professionals, Ward and Smith's government relations team watches with keen interest those who are elected, or might be elected, to the legislative, executive, and judicial branches in North Carolina state...more
While much of the media attention was surrounding the override of Governor Cooper's veto of Senate Bill 20 last week, on Thursday, North Carolina Senate members gave final approval to the chamber's version of the 2023...more
North Carolina's House lawmakers recently unveiled their proposed two-year spending plan for the state, well ahead of the traditional schedule.
The proposed nearly $30 billion budget would set a new record high for state...more
NC Republicans Capture Key Judicial Races, Earn a Supermajority in NC Senate but Ultimately Fall Short on a House Supermajority -
When North Carolinians awoke the morning after Election Day, Republicans had won meaningful...more
After wrapping up one of the longest sessions in the North Carolina General Assembly's history, lawmakers return this week for the first day of the 2022 Short Session.
Historically, the Short Session operates on a...more
The Long Session certainly lived up to its name, spanning 199 legislative days and marking the first time in state history that a Regular Session was adjourned in a different year than it was convened. The General Assembly is...more
After months of wrangling over policy and money, Governor Roy Cooper (D) and the General Assembly’s Republican leadership have agreed to implement North Carolina's first budget since 2018.
On November 15, Republican...more
On Monday, October 15, the North Carolina General Assembly voted during a Special Session to approve Senate Bill 3, which appropriated an unprecedented $794 million in state funds for Hurricane Florence relief.
Roughly...more
The 2018 Short Session of the North Carolina General Assembly adjourned in late June and can boast something that many Short Sessions cannot: that it was genuinely short.
What else made it memorable? An unusual...more
Brief History of Special Sessions -
In odd numbered years, after the North Carolina General Assembly adjourns its Long Session, the body typically abstains from lawmaking through the commencement of the Short Session the...more
10/23/2017
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In the early morning hours of June 30th, the North Carolina General Assembly adjourned its 2017 Long Session after a lengthy night of debate, negotiation, and casting votes. This year's adjournment date marks the second...more