The North Carolina General Assembly formally opened the 2021 – 2022 Session on Wednesday, January 14, 2021.  Senator Phil Berger (R-Rockingham) and Speaker Tim Moore (R-Cleveland) will continue to lead the two legislative chambers.

Lawmakers will return to Jones Street on Wednesday, January 27, 2021.

Issue Insights

State and Legislative Issues

Appointments

• North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Secretary Michael Regan has been nominated by the Biden administration to lead the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
• Lieutenant General Walter Gaskin, United States Marine Corps (Ret.), has replaced Secretary Larry Hall at the North Carolina Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.
• Former Chief Deputy Secretary D. Reid Wilson has replaced Secretary Susi Hamilton at the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

Council of State

The Council of State met for the first time this year on Tuesday, January 12, 2021.  Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson, Department of Public Instruction Superintendent Catherine Truitt, and Labor Commissioner Josh Dobson were the new members.

Opening Day

The North Carolina General Assembly started its 2021 session with nearly everyone in masks.  Lawmakers began their work quietly and with ceremony. (Raleigh News & Observer)

North Carolina’s legislature officially begins Wednesday, Jan. 13 for its 2021-22 biennium session, and, as is the case after any major election year, many new faces are present representing districts across the state. (North State Journal)

COVID-19

North Carolina will make COVID-19 vaccines available to anyone age 65 and older and all health care workers, regardless of whether they are exposed to coronavirus patients, the state announced Thursday. (Raleigh News & Observer)

The North Carolina Supreme Court

In his first week as chief justice, Paul Newby’s administration has replaced top officials in North Carolina’s court system and is moving forward with reopening courts that have been closed in response to the pandemic. (Raleigh News & Observer)

Local Issues – Charlotte

Charlotte City Council Priorities

Charlotte City Council met for a two-day strategy session this week to set city priorities for the new year. Council and staff discussed a wide spectrum of policy items and spent a considerable amount of time considering transportation and transit investment, specifically the Charlotte MOVES Task Force recommendation.

Autonomous Vehicles, Flying Taxis and…Buses? Balancing Present and Future Needs (UNCC Urban Institute)