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House, Senate Adjourn, Plan To Return In May
The North Carolina General Assembly is officially on hiatus for the next three months, as long as the courts or a veto by Gov. Roy Cooper doesn't force them back.
The House and Senate adjourned Tuesday with both chambers approving a resolution they won't return to Raleigh for votes again until May 16.
Lawmakers left behind on Cooper's desk one bill — a wide-ranging proposal that creates a solution for school districts and new class-size limits next fall. But it also includes items involving the state elections and ethics board and a proposed natural gas pipeline many Democrats aren't happy about.
Lawmakers Pass Bill Addressing Class Size
State lawmakers have approved a measure to give North Carolina public school districts more time and resources to comply with smaller class size mandates for younger grades.
The House passed the bill with overwhelmingly bipartisan support. The Senate already approved the compromise measure last week. It phases in class size caps for grades kindergarten through third grade over a four-year period. The bill also locates money for music, art, and physical education teachers.
House Bill 90 has been hotly debated because it contains other provisions unrelated to class sizes. Those include changes to the combined state elections and ethics board, and diverting money received from an agreement Gov. Cooper's office reached with builders of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline to schools.
The measure now heads to Cooper's desk. He could make it law or veto it.
North Carolina Lawmakers To Study School District Break-Ups
North Carolina lawmakers are set to study the idea of breaking up some school districts.
The News & Observer reports a newly formed joint legislative study committee is scheduled to report by May 1 on whether to recommend passing legislation to divide previously merged districts.
Primary sponsors of the bill to create the committee are Republican Reps. Bill Brawley and John Bradford of Mecklenburg County and Rep. Chris Malone of Wake County, also a Republican.
Supporters of the bill say the state should look at what's the most effective size for school districts while opponents say it could lead to resegregation of schools.
Cooper Unveils North Carolina Workforce Development Plans
Gov. Roy Cooper says upgrading North Carolina's workforce is a priority for his administration, so he's laying out how he wants to make citizens ready for jobs today and prepared for future industries.
Cooper laid out his "NC Job Ready" initiative Tuesday while speaking at a career and technical education high school in Raleigh.
Some of his workforce priorities overlap with his public education efforts to raise the graduation rate and increase the number of residents with post-secondary education or credentials. He wants easier access for training in high-demand fields, better internet and expanded workplace and employer-led learning opportunities.
McCrory, Other Republicans Bearing Down On $58M Pipeline Fund
Former Gov. Pat McCrory and other North Carolina Republicans want more answers about an agreement between Democratic successor Roy Cooper and Atlantic Coast Pipeline builders over a $58 million fund.
McCrory has criticized the mitigation fund negotiated between utilities creating the pipeline and Cooper's office. Cooper's administration says the agreement was reached separately from the water permit state regulators issued recently and payments are voluntary.
McCrory wants an ethics investigation of Cooper, telling The News & Observer on Tuesday the fund at a minimum gives the impression of payments for the permit.
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