Governor Roy Cooper signed the following bills into law:
All in Politics
Kristy Bock: States now get to decide the value of a woman's life
On June 24, 2022, the Supreme Court of the United States decided the Constitution does not confer a right to an abortion which overturned rulings for Roe v. Wade and Casey v. Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania, thus returning the power to make decisions on abortion to the states. This is in response to Dobbs, State Health Officer of the Mississippi Department of Health v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization.
John Hood: Will Joe Biden Really Go Stag?
Soaring prices. Social unrest. A resurgent Russia. A military withdrawal followed by the collapse of a pro-American regime in Asia. A feckless and unpopular Democratic president.
Bell Receives N.C. League of Municipalities Community Champion Award
State Rep. John Bell was presented this week with the 2022 NC League of Municipalities Community Champions award for his legislative work benefiting North Carolina cities and towns over the past year.
John Hood: Stop punching political panic buttons
Remember when rapid automation was going to render large swaths of the workforce unemployed? Politicians and other professional worrywarts warned that robots would displace production workers, that self-driving vehicles and drones would displace truckers and delivery personnel, and the algorithms and kiosks would displace service and managerial employees.
Third time's a charm - Mayor and Council get the raise they "deserve"
The Kinston City Council passed the proposed Fiscal Year 2022-2023 budget Tuesday evening. The budget included increased salaries for the mayor and the city council and funding to increase the hourly rate of part-time city employees. This was the third year in a row the council attempted to give themselves increased salaries. Council member Robbie Swinson voted against the increased mayor and council salaries both times it came for a vote Tuesday.
Governor Roy Cooper signs three bills into law
Governor Roy Cooper signs three bills into law.
Greene County keeps property tax rate the same, gives employees at least a 5% raise
Greene County Commissioners passed the FY 2022-2023 budget. The July 1st effective budget increases spending on Emergency Services, keeps the property tax rate at $0.786 per $100 of valuation, and gives all employees at least a 5% cost of living raise.
Jones County lowers property tax rate again, down 12 cents over last 6 years
The Jones County Board of Commissioners approved the county manager’s recommendation of the 2022-2023 fiscal year budget. Changes include lowering the tax rate and county employees getting a pay raise.
Lenoir County Board of Commissioners approve budget with pay adjustment for county employees
Lenoir County Commissioners approved this coming's years budget, which keeps the property tax rate the same, and adjusts pay for county employees.
John Hood: Senate Race Is Far from Settled
Two polls taken of North Carolina voters right after the May 17 primary showed Republican Ted Budd leading Democrat Cheri Beasley in the pivotal 2022 race for U.S. Senate. They also show it’s too soon to count Beasley out.
2022 statewide Primary Results
Listed below are the 2022 Primary Election results.
Former NC Rep. and County Chairman George Graham passes
According to multiple sources, former NC House Representative and Lenoir County Chairman George Graham has passed away. Graham was born on February 16, 1949. He was 73. Graham served as a member of the NC House from 2013 through 2018 and served the citizens of Lenoir County for over 30 years on the board of commissioners.
Lenoir County Commissioners settle dispute between sheriff and county manager in armored vehicle purchase
Lenoir County Sheriff Ronnie Ingram and the Lenoir County Manager Michael James were unable to come to a consensus on how to purchase an armored vehicle for the county. Previously the county voted to approve the purchase with the understanding that the county manager and the sheriff would work together figuring out how to pay for it.
Chris Suggs: Let's talk about money
Although there hasn’t been any public discussion regarding it, once again, there is an increase in pay for the mayor and members of the council being proposed in this year’s budget. This isn’t to say that the increase isn’t justified, my concern is that once again potentially controversial items are being presented in the budget that haven’t been formally discussed. Whether it’s the more than $100 million annual operating budget for the city, or a $6.3 million allocation from the federal government, each line item deserves thorough inspection and candid conversations about how they align with our priorities — especially one that has proven time and time again to ruffle feathers.
I’ve expressed my desire with the mayor and members of the council for us to have dedicated meeting time to talk about our city budget and finances, but aside from Councilwoman Felicia Solomon, the other members of our board haven’t shared that desire.