www.youtube.com – ABC11 – 2025-02-21 21:16:11

SUMMARY: Hurricane Helen devastated Western North Carolina five months ago, causing over 100 deaths and $60 billion in damage. Recovery efforts continue under Governor Josh Stein, who recently requested $19 billion in federal aid, including funds for economic relief, housing repairs, infrastructure restoration, and disaster prevention. Local groups like the Appalachian Rebuild Project are actively addressing needs. The funds would support businesses, workers, and communities still reeling from the hurricane’s impact. Concerns about future funding cuts and the area’s historical neglect add urgency to the recovery. Stein’s request follows an earlier appeal for $1.1 billion in state funding.

Gov. Josh Stein is seeking $19 billion in federal funding toward Hurricane Helene recovery. Following a meeting with North Carolina’s US Sens. Thom Tillis and Ted Budd, his office announced the request, providing a 48-page breakdown of how the money would be spent.

https://abc11.com/post/hurricane-helene-nc-gov-stein-requests-19-billion-federal-funding-relief/15942971/
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www.youtube.com – ABC11 – 2025-02-21 08:54:05

SUMMARY: Elon Musk appeared at a conservative conference outside Washington, brandishing a chainsaw to symbolize his efforts to reduce the size of the federal government. He touted his role in government efficiency, particularly with cuts at the IRS, which has laid off 6,000 workers. Although officials claim tax return processing is unaffected, concerns about delays remain. Musk proposed a $5,000 taxpayer dividend funded by the cuts and claimed support from President Biden. He also faced accusations of ties to Russia, amid tensions over Ukraine and Trump’s strained relations with President Zelensky. Musk dismissed these claims and continued advocating for budget cuts.

Billionaire Elon Musk appeared at a conservative gathering outside Washington waving a chainsaw in the air, showing openness to auditing the Federal Reserve and accusing Democrats of “treason.”

More: https://abc11.com/post/elon-musk-waves-chainsaw-charms-conservatives-talking-trumps-cost-cutting-efforts/15941280/
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carolinapublicpress.org – Sarah Michels – 2025-02-21 08:00:00

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. 

Here are a few whose progress Carolina Public Press is tracking. 

Gun bills hit their target audience

Expanding Second Amendment rights has emerged as an early theme of the 2025 General Assembly. 

Chief among several gun-related bills is House Bill 5, the North Carolina Constitutional Carry Act. 

Current law bars North Carolinians from carrying concealed 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 weapon at 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. 

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 cellphones during 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.

This article first appeared on Carolina Public Press and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.

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