As we head into yet another week of the North Carolina General Assembly’s short session, one might think we’re close to putting a budget together.
But alas, here we are in May as many states plan to vote on their next fiscal year budget, and we remain the only state in the US without one from Fiscal Year 2026.
Sure, NC Republicans made a big show of their “framework” on Tuesday, but as I write this on Sunday night, there’s no reason to believe we’ll see any action on it this week.
Watch this video from Carolina Forward and/or read this piece from Cardinal & Pine’s Michael McElroy to learn more about why we shouldn’t be rooting for them to push this proposed framework through anyway.
That said, we must move forward with or without a spending plan. This week, a North Carolina lawmaker is lobbying for a slate of health care bills that could put us in a better place.
Here’s what to know about that, plus two more things happening this week in NC, including a resurgence for the Carolina Beach boardwalk.
Lawmakers push for more thorough health care
Shortly after the legislature finally made a deal to extend delayed Medicaid funding in April, a group of Democrats got proactive by filing a slate of bills that could expand health care for a number of vulnerable populations in our state.
NC Rep. Maria Cervania, a Democrat from Wake County who works in healthcare, is pushing for four bills that were all filed in the first week of May.
“Health care is not a luxury. It is a basic and fundamental necessity.”
The bills are intended to stabilize Medicaid funding to protect against funding threats like those that occurred earlier this spring, when Republicans refused to fund a Medicaid shortfall until the last minute.
They also provide funding for behavioral health services, elderly care, maternal services, and cancer care.
“If we align and consolidate our negotiating leverage, we can negotiate down the cost of healthcare in the millions and get better value for our people,” said Cervania, a primary sponsor of affordability-centered House Bill 1175, during an earlier press conference about the bills. “Health care is not a luxury. It is a basic and fundamental necessity.”
We’ll keep you updated on this legislation.
Gears & Guitars gets serious with cycling in Winston-Salem
With the Coca-Cola 600 set to take place in Concord on Memorial Day weekend, a different type of racing will define the coming weekend in the Triad with the Winston-Salem Cycling Classic.
Billed as one of the country’s most prestigious cycling events, Gears & Guitars features different types of bike races over two days with live music to complement.
Friday night begins with the Streets of Fire Criterium race on a new, six‑turn course in downtown followed by live music performances in Merschel Park. Saturday brings the big races, including 7-, 15-, 42-, and 69-mile courses.
And for the non-cyclists, enjoy performances from Ears to the Ground, High School Reunion, Gods of Grunge, and Saint Motel at Bailey Park from noon to 9 p.m. on Saturday.
After flooding, Carolina Beach boardwalk rebounds
Two weeks before Hurricane Helene devastated western North Carolina in 2024, an unnamed storm swept through the Carolina Beach area and flooded the boardwalk there, doing untold damage to many businesses there.
That’s why this weekend’s Boardwalk Blast kickoff is a symbol of resilience for the communities of Carolina Beach, Kure Beach and Fort Fisher, together one of my personal favorite vacation spots.
I know it’s cliche but you need to try Britt’s Donut Shop.
This weekend’s kickoff features Beatlesque, a tribute to The Beatles, at the Gazebo Stage at 6:30 p.m. with fireworks starting at 9 p.m.
There are plenty of bars, restaurants, ice cream shops and other retail stops to help fill your time in the lead-up, not to mention the beach. I can think of no better time to visit CB.
