NC Politics in the News - July 2020 #1

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Environment

THE HILL: Energy companies cancel Atlantic Coast Pipeline
The two energy companies behind plans to build a natural gas pipeline spanning from West Virginia to North Carolina announced Sunday that the project was canceled, citing ongoing legal battles over the pipeline's construction.

CARTERET COUNTY NEWS-TIMES: North Carolina completes coastal resilience plan
State officials in early June completed a plan to improve resilience to severe weather and other climate stressors coastal communities have long experienced. The N.C. Office of Recovery and Resiliency, along with the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality, submitted the N.C. Climate Risk Assessment and Resilience Plan to Gov. Roy Cooper’s office June 2. According to the plan’s executive summary, storms are becoming “stronger and more intense,” taking a toll on human life, health and the state’s economy.


Economic Development

NORTH CAROLINA HEALTH NEWS: Centene CEO outlines plans for massive Charlotte campus; commits to 3,200 jobs in initial phase
Get ready to start hearing the name “Centene” a lot more around Charlotte.

In the biggest economic-development deal in state history, the CEO of health-insurance giant Centene said Wednesday that it will build an East Coast regional headquarters and technology hub on an 80-acre site in the University City area — a massive project that he said could eventually employ more than 6,000 workers. Average salaries: more than $100,000 a year.

CHARLOTTE BUSINESS JOURNAL: Duke Energy gives $200K to Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina for Covid-19 recovery
The Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina says the Duke Energy Foundation has awarded it $200,000 to help the state recover from the Covid-19 pandemic's economic impact. “Duke Energy’s investment in our work couldn’t be more timely, more needed, or more appreciated,” says Chris Chung, chief executive officer of the partnership.


Education

THE NEWS & OBSERVER: Cooper delays NC school reopening decision while poll shows public divided over plans
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper said Wednesday a decision on school reopening will come in “the next couple of weeks,” while a new poll shows the public is divided on how to reopen schools this fall amid the coronavirus pandemic. None of the options of returning to school full time, keeping students at home for online instruction or using a mix of both options drew majority support in the Elon University poll done in partnership with The News & Observer, Charlotte Observer and Herald-Sun.

NORTH STATE JOURNAL: Homeschool requests overload state government website
Wednesday evening, the website for the N.C Department of Administration’s Notice of Intent to Establish a Home School was not available due to volume.

The website around 9:20 p.m. read, “The system is not currently available due to an overwhelming submission of Notices of Intent (NOI). It will be back online as soon as possible. We apologize for any inconvenience as we work to process NOIs as quickly as possible.”


Health

THE NEWS & OBSERVER: Coronavirus live updates: Here's what to know in North Carolina on July 6
At least 72,983 people have tested positive for the coronavirus in North Carolina, and 1,396 have died, according to state health officials. The N.C. Department of Health and Human Services on Sunday reported 1,329 new COVID-19 cases. There were 949 people hospitalized in the state with COVID-19 as of Sunday, marking the fifth consecutive day hospitalizations were above 900.


Government

THE NEWS & OBSERVER: NC Gov. Cooper vetoes bills to reopen gyms, amusement parks and more
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper vetoed three more reopening bills on Thursday that the legislature passed to lift coronavirus-related restrictions faster than the governor’s executive orders. The vetoed bills would have reopened gyms, fitness centers, skating rinks, bowling alleys, amusement parks and entertainment venues.

THE CHARLOTTE WEEKLY: Cooper signs second coronavirus relief package in North Carolina
Local governments, schools, hospitals and North Carolina state agencies will receive a second round of coronavirus relief. Gov. Roy Cooper has signed a bill that allocates $150 million to support local governments and includes $100 million for state agencies from federal funds provided through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, according to N.C. Rep. Donny Lambeth, R-Forsyth, senior chairman of the House Appropriations Committee.


Politics

FOX 46: New North Carolina laws go into effect on July 1
As we start a new month and fiscal year, there are several new laws across North Carolina. North Carolina lawmakers passed more than 30 bills that became effective July 1, 2020.

THE NEW YORK TIMES: How the Republican Convention Related Money Woes in Two Cities
The abrupt uprooting of the Republican National Convention from Charlotte to Jacksonville has created a tangled financial predicament for party officials as they effectively try to pay for two big events instead of one. 


Transportation

PORT CITY DAILY: Still hovering near cash floor, NCDOT behind on major projects
The North Carolina Department of Transportation’s (NCDOT) money problems are still sticking around, with the department still hovering below its state-mandated cash floor. While funds are below the cash floor, NCDOT can’t legally award any new projects.

DISCLAIMER: Because of the generality of this update, the information provided herein may not be applicable in all situations and should not be acted upon without specific legal advice based on particular situations.

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