North Carolina lawmakers got back to business this week and addressed a League priority in the process in what was a two-day session that sent two bills to the governor to sign, finalized appointments to various public offices, and
adjourned “sine die” – meaning no more session days scheduled this year. That could change, however. More on that in a minute. The biggest item before lawmakers this week was the
Coronavirus Relief Act 3.0, which budgeted the rest of the state’s before-then-unspent pandemic relief money from the federal government, about $1 billion. Its most news-making attributes included the programming of $335 stimulus checks that will go to households with parents who have children ages 17 or younger, a way of helping them with costs of remote learning.
On that note, legislators in the bill addressed a League priority for the session, for which we’d like to thank them – making it easier for remote learning programs to start in areas where schools are meeting virtually. The Relief Act created a grant program worth nearly $20 million for qualifying programs (such as a parks and rec department or a local YMCA). It also allowed these types of remote learning programs via providers who register with the state’s Department of Health and Human Services and follow the same process as other licensed child care facilities.
Elsewhere in the bill, legislators granted development interests an extension of local development approvals and permits – now, any development approval valid from now until 30 day after the rescission of the executive order that declared the pandemic emergency will remain valid for an additional four months beyond its normal expiration date.
Gov. Roy Cooper
had yet to sign the new Coronavirus Relief Act as of this writing. One of the big arguments that played out in the legislature this week was whether to approve Medicaid expansion in the bill, which the governor wanted. A
spokesperson for Governor Cooper on Thursday said the administration was pleased with areas of spending in the bill but it “should have expanded Medicaid to give 600,000 working people health care and done more for struggling small businesses and unemployed people….” The statement closed by saying the governor “will continue to review the bill.”
While lawmakers adjourned “sine die,” ordinarily meaning they’re done for the year, they could return if the governor calls the them or if two-thirds of them agree to call themselves back. One scenario would be if Congress approves more money for states to allocate. This week, national news reports focused on
U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin urging Congress to fire the negotiations back up, with apparently less opposition from the administration to the apportionment of more money for state and local governments.
