In last week’s column, I discussed a sweeping elections bill that Republicans had hoped to pass before the week was up, critically harming the voting rights of citizens across the state if they had been able to do so.
It did not come to pass, however, as lawmakers turned their focus to a slate of veto override votes. House Bill 958 did pass through committee last week—without some of its more reprehensible language, as reported here by NC Newsline.
All members of the public were made to leave Wednesday’s committee meeting thanks to outbursts from patriotic protesters, and while lawmakers are expected to vote on the legislation this week, it won’t be as harmful thanks to those who stood and fought against it.
Now let’s see what fresh hell (and/or wholesome Fourth of July celebration) awaits us this week.
North Carolina lawmakers to hit (another) budget deadline
Wednesday marks the start of a new fiscal year in North Carolina, but what’s a fiscal year to a state that refuses to pass a budget?
Tuesday is technically the deadline for the North Carolina General Assembly to approve a budget, but since it has been operating without one in place since the start of the last fiscal year on July 1, 2025, we’re not likely to see one this week, either.
It’s more likely that our state will operate under continuation, or in this case, continue under continuation. That means the state will spend exactly what was allocated for any given service or need in the previously approved budget—passed more than 1,000 days ago.
NC Gov. Josh Stein says another continuation will only serve to negatively impact pay for teachers and state employees, underfund Medicaid, delay needed maintenance within state agencies, slow services, stall hiring, postpone modernization efforts, and delay payments to vendors, as reported by WLOS.
So if none of that sounds important then take your time, legislators. Everything costs the same as it did in 2023, anyway, right? Right…?
Bill said to criminalize homelessness nears approval
The NC Senate has approved a bill that would require local governments to crack down on homeless camps at the behest of residents while making homeless shelters drug-free zones, measures that some advocates say will further criminalize homelessness, reported NC Newsline.
If passed, the bill would require local governments to assign approved space for a regulated homeless encampment whenever local shelters fill up. The local government would be responsible for providing restrooms, water access, and public safety personnel at said site, which cannot operate for longer than a year, though the bill would not actually fund any of that.
After having set up said camps, local government officials would then be subject to civil liability if they failed to address any outdoor camping outside of that authorized space within 15 days that the activity was reported by a resident.
Following a 26-16 vote along party lines in the NC Senate on June 24, House Bill 437 is expected to see a final vote in the House this week.
Southport celebrates America250 with weeklong festival
Most of you know that America is marking its 250th birthday this year, but did you know that Southport has hosted a birthday party for more than 220 of those?
The official North Carolina Fourth of July Festival already kicked off over the weekend, but it only gets bigger and better by the day from here. The fest features a boat parade down the Cape Fear River, military exhibits, a pro wrestling match, a naturalization ceremony, and, as you know if you’ve been to Southport, no shortage of shopping opportunities and great food options.
On Wednesday, head next door to Oak Island for the annual Beach Day, with everything from volleyball and sandcastle contests to karaoke and a dog costume contest. Catch fireworks at Oak Island on Wednesday or Southport on Saturday.
