Weekly Recap: Breaking down the flurry of activity at the Capitol
A number of bills saw movement at the legislature this past week. Here are a few key highlights.
It’s been an active week in politics, so we are back with a weekly recap. Here’s what you need to know…
🤫 Public Records
Democrats unveiled a constitutional amendment this past week, calling on GOP lawmakers to let voters decide for themselves whether they should be able to access public records and public meetings.
The move comes in response to budget provisions lawmakers enacted last year to give members of the General Assembly the unilateral ability to decide what, if any, communications of theirs to release, withhold, delete or even sell.
As expected, the bill will not move forward this session.
“I don’t think the bill will be heard this session,” House Speaker Tim Moore told reporters on Wednesday. “Maybe they can get it heard next year.”
On Thursday, Senate leader Phil Berger said Democratic Sen. Graig Meyer asked if he’d sign onto the effort, but declined to do so because he doesn’t generally sponsor bills.
Berger added he doesn’t see a need to revisit the budget provisions.
“I have not seen a difference in how we respond to records requests because we view what was in the budget bill as a codification of the actual practice,” Berger said.
In the Senate, 75% of Democrats and 50% of Republicans have provided at least some documents responsive to public records requests made by me, the Raleigh News & Observer or a combination of the two. In the House, 56% of Democrats and 1% of Republicans have turned over records.
😷 Republicans reach compromise on masking bill, with a kicker
On Thursday, Republican leaders reached an agreement on a bill seeking to crack down on violent protesters who use face masks to conceal their identity.
Changes the Senate made to the bill eliminated an exemption for those who use masks for personal health reasons. The House rejected the Senate’s proposed tweaks.
In the end, the two sides settled on language exempting people who wear medical or surgical grade masks during protests “for the purpose of preventing the spread of contagious disease.”
Critics argue the new language is confusing, as it could be seen as distinguishing between people who wear a mask because they are already sick and people who wear one because they don’t want to get sick.
The Senate approved the bill on Thursday, and the House expects to vote on it on Tuesday.
But the measure also comes with an unrelated provision aimed at giving Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson more fundraising resources ahead of a contentious gubernatorial contest.
Republicans say the change levels the playing field between Robinson and his Democratic opponent, Attorney General Josh Stein. Democrats argue the bill opens the floodgates for dark money interests to give limitless sums to interfere in an election.
Senate Democrats walked off the chamber floor on Thursday to protest the elections provisions added to the bill without sufficient notice.
🏈 In-state rivalries
Moore said his chamber won’t hold additional votes on a measure to require UNC-Chapel Hill and N.C. State to commit to holding more sporting events against in-state opponents.
The bill cleared a House committee earlier in the week without debate. If enacted, it would have compelled UNC-Chapel Hill and N.C. State to play each other at least once a year in football and men’s and women’s basketball starting in the 2025-2026 school year.
The bill would’ve also required UNC and N.C. State to play East Carolina University, Appalachian State University or UNC-Charlotte at least once every year in those same sports.
“It’s had the hearing it will have,” said Moore, a UNC-Chapel Hill alum. “It had a committee hearing. I told them they could hear it in committee, but it won’t come to the floor. Everybody knows Carolina’s going to win all those games anyways.”
🌿 Medical marijuana bill is dead for the year
Moore made his strongest comments yet on the fate of a bill the Senate approved last year to legalize marijuana for North Carolinians suffering from qualifying medical conditions. In summary, legalization won’t happen this year.
“I personally support the medical use of cannabis,” Moore told reporters on Wednesday. “I think with the right supervision, it’s fine. But I will tell you in no uncertain terms: There are not the votes in this caucus right now to vote for this bill. There’s not more than a majority of Republicans who will vote for this bill if it comes to the floor.”
The following day, I sought clarification, asking Moore if he feels emboldened to take up bills he supports that lack majority support within his caucus, given he has no more legislative elections to run and is on track to join Congress next year.
Moore insisted he wouldn’t bring any bill to the floor if it didn’t have the support of 37 House Republicans, even if it were a bill that he personally supported and would have the votes to pass if he brought it to the floor with help from Democrats crossing party lines.
“In a partisan body, if you’re going to have a governing, working majority, you should always have a majority of your caucus in support of something before you send it to the floor,” Moore said.
Berger voiced his frustration, saying Moore has been inconsistent in his messaging.
“The rule seems to ebb and flow as to what the requirement is over there,” Berger said.
🐦 5 essential reads
A Town’s Entire Staff Resigned. What Happens Now? (Ren Larson // The Assembly)
NC lawmakers push new campaign finance rules. Critics call it political 'money laundering' (Will Doran // WRAL)
Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson speaks at event sponsored by anti-birth control group (Colin Campbell // WUNC)
More presidential candidates could be on North Carolina ballot with signature drives (Gary Robertson // Associated Press)
Judge strikes down NC restrictions on abortion pills. What it means for access (Luciana Perez Uribe Guinassi // Raleigh News & Observer)
🐦 Tweet of the Week
Wherein the former campaign manager of Republican Superintendent of Public Instruction candidate Michele Morrow and Democrats are in agreement on something.
Thank you
I know it’s been a while since there’s been a weekly recap. And there’s two main reasons behind that: 1. There hasn’t been as much activity in the legislature; and 2. I have an in-depth story I’m hard at work on. When I have more to share, you’ll be the first to know!
I shall return to your feed as news develops.