The House and Senate reached a compromise on the budget this week and both chambers moved to pass the conference report. Governor Cooper held a “veto ceremony” this afternoon where he expressed his concerns with the budget. The legislature will now attempt to override the veto, but that depends on Republicans convincing enough Democrats to break ranks and vote with them. During his veto message, Governor Cooper noted that he will be sending a compromise budget to the legislature.

Both chambers continued the sprint towards the end of session, with many bills being dusted off and moved through committee. Lawmakers are anticipated to take a brief recess over the Fourth of July holiday, and then return to work on wrapping up session for the year. Budget negotiations with the Governor could force session to drag on for months if a deal cannot be reached.

Budget Compromise

The General Assembly passed a $24 billion budget this week, only to have it vetoed by Governor Cooper, who cites that spending priorities are not in line with what he views as best for the State. Teachers would get an on average 2% raise in both years of the budget, and state employees would receive a 2.5% raise in both years as well. Retirees would receive a onetime .5% cost of living adjustment.

Medicaid expansion was not included in the budget, which has been the top priority for Governor Cooper this year. Governor Cooper has also been critical of proposed cuts to the corporate tax rate, which were included in the budget.

The budget sets up a funding mechanism for school construction that will allocate $4.4 billion over the next ten years for the purpose. This is at odds with the Governor’s request for a public school construction bond.

The budget also contains a provision that was in the Senate budget which would move the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to Granville County.

Several Democrats joined the Republicans in both the House and Senate on the vote to approve the budget, with the Senate voting with the majorities needed to override a veto. The House would need to pick up several more Democrats to override a veto, but House Minority Leader, Representative Darren Jackson, has stated that the Democratic Caucus will remain united and not vote to override the veto.

WRAL: https://www.wral.com/state-budget-sent-to-governor-but-veto-expected/18478201/

Budget Conference Report: https://webservices.ncleg.net/ViewBillDocument/2019/5051/0/H966-PCCS30485-LRXR-3

Budget Money Report: https://webservices.ncleg.net/ViewBillDocument/2019/5051/2/H966-BD-NBC-5888

Supreme Court Rules on Partisan Gerrymandering Case

In a 5-4 decision, the United States Supreme Court ruled this week that North Carolina’s congressional maps are legal, striking down a challenge claiming that excessively partisan maps are unconstitutional. North Carolina drew maps several years ago that led to a 10-3 Republican majority for their congressional delegation. In the majority’s ruling, Chief Justice Roberts acknowledged the undemocratic principles of partisan gerrymandering, but concluded that the issue should be decided by Congress or state legislatures. The plaintiffs are now hoping that a similar case in state court will have a different outcome.

WRAL: https://www.wral.com/partisan-mapmaking-in-nc-withstands-supreme-court-challenge-in-far-reaching-gerrymandering-case/18455244/

Sanctuary City Legislation

The House passed a bill to allow citizens to file lawsuits against cities or counties that have what proponents of the bill call “sanctuary cities”. Bill sponsors claim that they intend for this legislation to prevent localities from having relaxed polices on illegal immigrants. Protestors were out in force to advocate for immigrants and claim that the bill is not needed. Under the bill, plaintiffs will be allowed injunctive relief as well as attorney's fees.

2019 Session Laws

The following 67 bills have become law this session:

1. SB 7: Bipartisan Ethics Appointments
2. SB 75: Restore Ct. of Appeals Membership
3. SB 77: Ag Disaster Fund/Certain Counties
4. SB 214: Ensure Orderly 2019 Elections
5. SB 12: Fill Certain Vacancies/Alexander & Burke Co.
6. SB 56: Revenue Laws Technical Changes
7. SB 4: Extend Terms of 2 Members/Coastal Carolina CC
8. SB 272: Zoning for University Facilities-Durham
9. SB 6: Dare County/CC Construction Funds
10. SB 162: Loan Origination/Late Payment Charge Changes
11. HB 263: Fill Vacancies/Modify 2018 Appointments
12. SB 63: City of Kannapolis/Annexation
13. HB 130: Allow Game Nights
14. SB 505: Rural Job Retention Act
15. SB 605: Highway Storm Recovery Act
16. HB 1014: 2020 Census VTD Verification Program
17. SB 310: Electric Co-Op Rural Broadband Services
18. HB 363: Craft Beer Distribution & Modernization Act
19. HB 233: State Auditor/Local Finance Officer Amends
20. HB 532: DNCR Add New Trails & Various Changes
21. HB 388: Immunizing Pharmacists
22. HB 646: ID Approval/Flex Muni One-Stop
23. HB 70: Delay NC HealthConnex for Certain Providers
24. HB 9: Bessemer City Charter Amendment
25. HB 201: Randolph Co. Register of Deeds Tax Cert
26. SB 252: Dental Bill of Rights
27. SB 138: Even-Yr Municipal Elections/Town of Black Mtn.
28. SB 139: Even-Yr. Municipal Elections/Town of Montreat
29. HB 336: Extend Suspension of Spencer Mountain
30. SB 235: Franklin/Nash Municipalities/Unfit Dwellings
31. SB 30 Stanly CC/Contracting Date Extension
32. SB 381: Reconstitute/Clarify Boards and Commissions
33. HB 301: CIP Revisions/Juvenile Code
34. HB 179: Mini-Truck Classification
35. HB 131: Repeal Map Act
36. HB 82: Railroad Crossings/On-Track Equipment
37. SB 648: Support Shellfish Aquaculture
38. SB 448: Amend Appt For Compact on Education/Military
39. SB 255: State Board Construction Contract Claim
40. SB 151: Break or Enter Pharmacy/Increase Penalty
41. HB 617: Allow Repeat Referral to Teen Court
42. HB 578: Modify Legitimations Provisions
43. HB 548: Modify Physical Therapy Definition
44. HB 383: Topsail Beach Charter/Board Vacancies
45. HB 1016: UNC Boards of Trustees Appointments
46. HB 1017: Special Master Wake House Plan
47. HB 415: Photos of Juveniles/Show-Ups
48. SB 148: Public Records/Release of LEO Recordings
49. SB 11: ABC Regulation and Reform
50. SB 466: EDPNC Modifications
51. HB 57: Create Term for Public Schs. & Codify NCVPS
52. HB 389: ABC/Univ Athletic Facility
53. HB 531: Tenants at Foreclosure Act Restored
54. HB 658: Allow Donations of Unexpired Drugs
55. HB 664: myFutureNC/Postsecondary Attainment Goal
56. HB 432: Water/Sewer to Contiguous Dwelling Units
57. HB 219: NAIC Accreditation Amendments.-AB
58. SB 80: China Grove Satellite Annexation
59. SB 242: Recreational Land Fee Changes
60. SB 227: TP3/Principal Fellows Consolidation
61. SB 84: Walkertown Zoning Authorizations
62. SB 262: Union/Prohibit Certain Hunting Acts
63. SB 674: Surry Co./Mt. Airy/Elkin City/Bd. Ed Partisan
64. HB 15: Lexington/Dissolve Utilities Commission
65. HB 240: Albemarle/City Labor for Business Ctr
66. HB 299: Henderson Cty/Build Community College Bldgs
67. HB 6: Burlington Airport/Lease/Contract Authority