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Directive Focused On Jury Duty, Non-Citizens Given Final OK
Lawmakers in the General Assembly have approved legislation requiring North Carolina courts to send information about people disqualified from jury duty because they aren't U.S. citizens to election officials to remove them from voter rolls.
Republicans backing the measure approved on Wednesday by the House and Senate say it would stop non-citizens from trying to vote. It also creates a process so registered voters can appeal their voter-roll removal, such as due to inaccurate information.
But Democrats complain the directive could mean registered voters are removed for errors they know nothing about. The bill now heads to Gov. Roy Cooper's desk.
NC Republicans Offer Educator Pay Carrots For Veto Override
North Carolina Republican legislators are offering new carrots for Democrats to join them in overriding Gov. Roy Cooper's state budget veto through even higher raises for educators and staff.
House Speaker Tim Moore and Senate leader Phil Berger announced on Wednesday a bill would emerge for Thursday votes that would increase average teacher pay 3.9% through mid-2021 — the same as in the vetoed budget. But raises would reach 4.4% should that two-year budget separately become law over Cooper's objections.
The House already overrode the budget veto, but Senate Republicans need at least one Democrat joining them to complete the override.
North Carolina House Advances $257M Hurricane Aid Bill
North Carolina legislators are aiming to locate more funds to help with the recovery from recent hurricanes, with an emphasis on lessening damages in future storms.
The full House voted unanimously Wednesday night for a bill that would allocate $257 million from state coffers for disaster recovery. Nearly $110 million would pay state government's portion for matching federal funds to respond to hurricanes like Matthew, Florence and Dorian.
Lowe's Joining Home Depot In Cutting Concerning Chemical
Home improvement retailer Lowe's is phasing out carpets and rugs that contain a group of potentially harmful industrial chemicals that have been turning up in drinking water and some foods.
Lowe's spokeswoman Sarah Lively said Wednesday that the Mooresville, North Carolina-based chain started the transition a year ago. She didn't answer other questions.
Lowe's competitor Home Depot announced last month that it would phase out carpets and rugs containing PFAS chemicals by the end of this year.
PFAS chemicals are used in firefighting foam, nonstick pots and pans, water-repellent clothing and many other household and personal items
Freedom Park To Honor African Americans Closer To Reality
A 48-foot-tall gleaming abstract sculpture that's lit from within will be the centerpiece of a new park honoring the contributions of African Americans to North Carolina that's been in the planning stages for about a decade.
A state commission approved the new design proposal for Freedom Park on Wednesday. The park will be located on a one-acre site between the state legislature and the Governor's Mansion in Raleigh.
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