What we’re watching: These bills from NC lawmakers could go the distance
by Sarah Michels, Carolina Public Press February 21, 2025
Less than a month into the 2025 legislative session, lawmakers have filed nearly 300 bills. Before the filing deadline next month, there will likely be another couple hundred bills presented.
Not all will survive the grueling legislative process, particularly considering North Carolina’s divided government.
After the 2024 election barred GOP legislators from a supermajority by one seat, Democratic Gov. Josh Stein may be able to deny many Republicans’ wishes with his veto pen.
Several bills will probably attract more attention than others.
Current law bars North Carolinians fromcarryingconcealed deadly weapons, including handguns, without a permit outside of one’s property. House Bill 5 removes that restriction for adults 18 and older.
It also abolishes firearms from the statutory list of deadly weapons — a list that includes daggers and stun guns.
The bill loosens some additional concealed-carry restrictions. If passed, state residents could carry a concealed weaponat a public event where admission is charged and at parades and funeral processions. Elected officials would be allowed to have a concealed firearm while performing official duties if they have a permit.
Anyone who carries a hidden weapon must have their ID with them and present it to law enforcement if approached.
Those convicted or charged with certain crimes, dishonorably discharged from the military, ruled by a court to be mentally ill or addicted to a controlled substance are not allowed to have a concealed firearm without a permit under this proposed legislation.
Senate Bill 50 is a twin bill in the other chamber, which suggests a higher priority level for this legislation.
Other gun-related bills this session:
House Bill 38, also known as the Second Amendment Financial Privacy Act, bans gun dealers from creating a record of people in the state who own firearms.
House Bill 9 bans local governments from regulating firearm use on private property as long as it is “conducted with reasonable care.”
House Bill 28 creates a new crime to be treated as a separate offense under the law: possessing a firearm or weapon of mass destruction while attempting or committing a felony.
Helene on the horizon
As Helene recovery continues, the legislature begins work on its next funding package.
Thus far, lawmakers have passed three relief packages that collectively dedicate $1.1 billion to the recovery effort, though not all of the funds have been specifically allocated.
As it stands, the fourth package draws $275 million from the State Emergency Response and Disaster Relief Fund.
The latest Helene relief package from the General Assembly would withdraw $275 million from a state emergency fund. Colby Rabon / Carolina Public Press
While the bill is continually being amended, some of the current allocations include:
$140 million for home reconstruction and repair
$75 million for farmers to resume production and protect against future flood damage
$100 million for repair of private roads and bridges
$55 million for small business infrastructure grants
$20 million to local governments for outstanding debris removal
$10 million to supplement rental assistance payments
$5 million for targeted media campaigns to get tourists back in Western North Carolina
The bill is set to be heard on the House floor as early as Tuesday.
‘Breathtaking legislation’
Last year, Republican legislators told future Democratic Attorney General Jeff Jackson he couldn’t make an argument in court that would invalidate any law passed by the General Assembly.
Now, with House Bill 72 and Senate Bill 58, they’re extending that limitation to presidential executive orders.
One of the most common actions of attorneys general is joining their counterparts in other states in opposition to presidential actions like executive orders.
Some North Carolina Republicans would end the practice as the second Trump administration settles into power.
Democratic state Sen. Graig Meyer, who represents Caswell, Orange and Person counties, said he’s been very critical of the bill, which he called “breathtaking legislation.”
“If you don’t want your attorney general to be able to sue the federal government over things that may be unconstitutional … then you actually want a king,” he said. “But even in just blunt political terms, it’s a very short-sighted bill. Because what if, in four years from now, we’re in the reverse situation, and they have a Republican attorney general and a Democratic president?”
Hold the phone
Lawmakers have had it with technology in classrooms.
Or, at least, that’s what they appear to be saying with bills in the House and Senate requiring school boards to create cellphone or wireless communication-free educational environments.
Enter House Bill 87, which aims to eliminate or severely restrict student access to cellphonesduring class.
Senate Bill 55 goes a step further, including tablet computers, laptops, paging devices, two-way radios and gaming devices as banned technologies.
Election bills in abundance
Coming off an intense election cycle, lawmakers are looking to make a few changes.
House Bill 31 would establish Election Day as a North Carolina holiday for general statewide elections.
House Bill 66 would reduce the number of early voting days in North Carolina. Current law requires early voting to begin 20 days before the election. The proposed bill would allow for nine days.
Several local bills align odd-year municipal elections with even-year state and federal elections. Others extend mayoral terms from two to four years.
Finally, House Bill 85 would ban staffers found to not have exercised “due care and diligence” from future election work.
SUMMARY: Former Mayor Charles Meeker and Wake County Housing Authority Chair Yolanda Taylor discussed Raleigh’s rapid growth and housing affordability at a Livable Raleigh event. Meeker emphasized the need for reasonable growth, more density, and increased housing of all types to address shortages. Taylor highlighted how Raleigh’s development, including luxury housing near NC State, reflects rapid change. Attendees stressed balanced development and adherence to Raleigh’s comprehensive plan to manage growth responsibly. They also committed to advocating for state laws supporting affordable housing and pushing for new housing projects along key corridors. The ongoing debate over growth and affordability clearly remains urgent and complex.
www.thecentersquare.com – By David Beasley | The Center Square contributor – (The Center Square – ) 2025-09-07 07:36:00
The Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC), established in 1987, significantly aids affordable housing development in North Carolina. Administered by the NC Housing Finance Agency, it supports $1.47 billion in apartment construction, creates nearly 22,000 jobs, and generates $95.3 million in tax revenue annually. The program allocates federal tax credits based on state population, with North Carolina receiving about $34 million yearly. Developers sell these credits to large corporations, reducing borrowing costs and keeping rents affordable. Despite rising construction costs and demand, the program enjoys bipartisan support, recently receiving a 12% funding increase, though demand still exceeds available resources.
(The Center Square) – A little known federal tax credit that existed since Ronald Reagan was president has a long way toward creating more affordable housing in North Carolina, the state director told The Center Square.
The Low-Income Housing Tax Credit will help developers build $1.47 billion in affordable apartments in North Carolina this year and 21,960 jobs and produce $95.3 million in state and local tax revenue, said Scott Farmer, executive director of the NC Housing Finance Agency, which administers the program launched in 1987.
“What it effectively did was create a state-by-state allocation of federal tax credits to create, effectively, equity, for a public private partnership to develop apartments and also rehabilitate existing apartments,” Farmer said.
Once approved for the tax credits, the developers can then sell them on the private market, at a reduced price, such as 80 cents on the dollar.
“They are generally purchased by large corporate entities that have large tax obligations,” Farmer said.
The money from the sale of the tax credits lowers the amount the developer has to borrow for apartment construction.
“That’s how you keep the rents down,” Farmer said. “Your bank debt is much smaller so that you keep your rents affordable. It’s the truest form of a public-private partnership because you have the state agency, the federal government and these private investors that are all participating as well as the developers.”
Allocations of the tax credit is based on a state’s population. North Carolina’s allocation is around $34 million a year.
“There is a long waiting list,” for the tax credits, Farmer said. “The problem with this program is that we don’t have enough resources to go around.”
While other federal programs have been on the chopping block this year, Congress approved a 12% increase in the Low-Incoming Housing Tax Credit program, Farmer said.
“It was one of the few things that was increased and shows the bipartisan support for this program,” the director said.
Construction costs, labor and rents have all been going up over the last five years, Farmer noted.
“Without these types of programs, it would be difficult if not impossible to make these kinds of properties available for families and seniors,” he said.
Note: The following A.I. based commentary is not part of the original article, reproduced above, but is offered in the hopes that it will promote greater media literacy and critical thinking, by making any potential bias more visible to the reader –Staff Editor.
Political Bias Rating: Centrist
The article primarily reports on the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program and its impact on affordable housing in North Carolina without promoting a particular ideological viewpoint. It presents factual information, quotes from an official involved in the program, and mentions bipartisan support, indicating a neutral tone. The language is straightforward and descriptive, focusing on the mechanics and benefits of the program rather than advocating for or against any political ideology. Thus, it adheres to neutral, factual reporting by describing the ideological positions and actions of policymakers without contributing a discernible bias itself.
SUMMARY: The Powerball jackpot surged to an estimated $1.8 billion for Saturday’s drawing, marking the second largest lottery jackpot in history. Winning numbers were 6, 12, 23, 62, 44, with a Powerball of 17. Many hopeful players, including reporter Kirsten Clark, purchased tickets, eager to try their luck. At Andy Hugo’s in Raleigh, a stream of customers bought tickets, drawn by the chance to win big for just $2. The lump sum cash option is estimated at $826.4 million. Experts remind winners to consult financial planners due to the jackpot’s 1 in 292 million odds.
The numbers were drawn, and many were hoping to win the life-changing jackpot.
