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NC Republicans Satisfied With Map Ruling; Another Suit Soon
North Carolina Republicans are satisfied and election advocacy groups are disappointed by a key U.S. Supreme Court ruling in a case from their state that says federal courts aren't the proper venue to consider partisan gerrymandering claims.
The 5-4 decision Thursday reversed a lower court ruling that voided state congressional districts due to partisan gerrymandering.
The majority opinion means district lines drawn by the GOP-controlled General Assembly in 2016 for North Carolina's 13 congressional seats remain in place for the 2020 elections.
GOP state Rep. David Lewis helped draw the map. He called the decision a "complete vindication" of the redistricting process.
Common Cause was among the map's challengers. State executive director Bob Phillips says he's hopeful a separate partisan gerrymandering lawsuit in state court will be successful.
Budget Proposal Gets Final Legislative OK; Veto Likely Next
The Republican-led General Assembly is sending its North Carolina government budget agreement to Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper, who is likely to veto it.
The House and Senate gave their final approval on Thursday to a two-year spending plan in separate votes. It received preliminary approval Wednesday following debate in each chamber.
The measure was mostly hammered out by GOP leaders. Cooper and Democratic allies are unhappy that it doesn't expand Medicaid and it reduces corporate taxes further.
Ride-Sharing Rule Changes Promoting Safety OK'd By NC House
New rules for drivers of ride-sharing companies like Uber and Lyft operating in North Carolina have cleared the state House.
The bill approved unanimously on Thursday is considered a safety measure following the March death of a university student in South Carolina who police there say got into the car of an Uber driver impersonator.
The measure now heading to the Senate requires drivers this fall to display license tag numbers at the front of their vehicles. By next year, they'll have to have to display their company's logo so it can be clearly seen day and night.
North Carolina Votes For Personal Finance Classes In Schools
Despite some objections from educators, a bill requiring North Carolina schools to offer a full-credit economics and personal finance class cleared the final hurdle in the state's General Assembly.
The House voted 73-38 on Thursday to approve the bill, sending the measure to Gov. Roy Cooper's desk for his signature.
Currently, high school students must take a full-credit civics and economics course, which splits class time between the two subjects. Students must also take two U.S. history classes to graduate.
North Carolina Police Chief Arrested On Assault Charge
A North Carolina police chief has been arrested by state law enforcement agents on an assault charge.
The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation says in a news release that its agents arrested Biscoe Police Chief Michael Brent Tedder on Thursday on a charge of assault on a female.
According to a news release, the charge stems from an investigation that the SBI began in May at the request of Montgomery County District Attorney T. Lynn Clodfelter
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