KTS Strategies brings years of experience providing clients in a diverse range of industries with comprehensive policy and advocacy advice before federal, state, and local agencies. In North Carolina, we advise local municipalities, corporate transportation entities, nonprofit organizations, statewide associations, government vendors, and Fortune 500 companies before the North Carolina General Assembly and executive branch.
Below is an update on the activity at the NC General Assembly this week. Please feel free to contact a member of the team with any questions or visit ktsstrategies.com to learn more about our services.
Legislative Schedule and Budget Update
Following a flurry of votes last Wednesday, this week was quiet at the General Assembly. No votes or committee meetings were held by either chamber. A state budget has yet to be finalized and legislative leadership continues to negotiate. Senior House Appropriations Chair, Donny Lambeth (R-Forsyth), is one of the leaders responsible for writing the budget. He was quoted this week saying the current plan is to have a budget vote on the week of September 11th. There will not be substantive legislative activity over the next couple of weeks and we may not see any more votes or committee work until after Labor Day.
Casino Proposal
On Monday, Rockingham County Commissioners unanimously voted to approve a rezoning request that opens a 192-acre lot along U.S. 220 for potential development of a casino and entertainment district in the county. State law currently allows casinos to be built in North Carolina only on tribal lands. The General Assembly would have to change the law to authorize this development. One of the items currently being discussed in budget negotiations is whether to allow more casinos to be built in the state. As reported by WRAL, one proposal would authorize four new casinos to be built in Rockingham, Nash, and Anson counties, with one allocated to the Lumbee Tribe in eastern North Carolina. Senate President Pro Tempore, Phil Berger (R-Rockingham), and other legislative leaders have said the state should consider authorizing more casinos, but several members have expressed opposition for expanding gambling in the state. It is unclear at this point if the casino proposal will gain enough support to become law.
