NC Politics in the News

May 20, 2019

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Your weekly North Carolina political news report.

Agriculture

WRAL: After hard year, state farmers showcase local goods at Got to Be NC Festival
North Carolina’s agriculture and agribusiness industries are worth $92 billion, but in the past few years, hurricanes like Florence and Michael have taken a toll on many of the state’s farmers.


Economic Development

PR NEWSWIRE: Honda Aircraft Company to Expand its Production Operations in Greensboro, NC
Honda Aircraft Company today announced plans to expand its global headquarters in Greensboro, NC by investing an additional $15.5 million in a new 82,000-square-foot facility on its 133+ acre campus in Greensboro.  This will bring the company’s total capital investment in its North Carolina facilities to more than $245 million.


Environment

TRIANGLE BUSINESS JOURNAL: Environmentalists try to halt plans for an Outer Banks toll bridge via lawsuit
Environmental groups have again filed suit against the North Carolina Department of Transportation over plans for an Outer Banks bridge. This time, the suit surrounds the Mid-Currituck Bridge, which received a federal go-ahead in March.


Healthcare

NORTH CAROLINA HEALTH NEWS: Treasurer moves forward with health care pricing plan despite uncertainty
This week, state treasurer Dale Folwell released the details of the contracts he wants North Carolina’s health care providers to sign if they want to participate in the health plan covering state employees, retirees and their families.

WUNC 91.5: NCGA Lawmakers Seek To Pare Down Healthcare Facility Regulations
For the past 40 years, healthcare service providers wanting to open new facilities have had to get a Certificate of Need from the state Department of Health and Human Services. The regulations, known as CON laws, cover 12 different types of medical services, making North Carolina’s laws some of the most restrictive in the nation.


Elections

THE CHARLOTTE OBSERVER: Republican Dan Bishop wins NC District 9 GOP primary to face Democrat Dan McCready
State Sen. Dan Bishop easily won Tuesday’s 9th District Republican primary, three months after state officials took the unprecedented step of throwing out a 2018 election marred by fraud allegations.

THE NEWS & OBSERVER: Moderate NC Republican representative won’t seek re-election
Advocates for the environment, redistricting reform and privatization of alcohol sales will soon lose a major Republican voice. NC Rep. Chuck McGrady, a Republican who has represented Henderson County since 2010, announced Monday that he won’t try to retain his seat representing District 117 next year.


Transportation

US NEWS: Free Passenger-Only Ferry at Outer Banks Sailing
Long-awaited passenger-only ferry service between two popular North Carolina Outer Banks destinations is finally sailing. The Department of Transportation says runs between Hatteras and Ocracoke villages begin Monday with two free preview days. It costs $1 per person starting Wednesday. Currently space will be first-come, first-serve.