These, and many more, democratic bills that aim to improve and protect the lives of North Carolinians, moved nowhere this session. Of the 1,800 bills filed by legislators from both parties in both chambers this year, only a select few bills from democrats had their time in front of legislators.
Stein called the legislation a “threat to democracy,” suing to block both sections of the bill. Both suits are pending in state courts, but in the meantime, the North Carolina State Board of Elections is under new Republican leadership.
As in Congress, the push for Medicaid work requirements in NC is seen as a way for Republican leaders to consolidate support within their party—even if it risks cutting off coverage for thousands of residents.
Republicans in the state Senate have unanimously passed SB 50, “Freedom to Carry NC.” SB 50 is now in the House, where it has not yet been heard by a committee. However, the House has its own version of the bill: HB 5, “NC Constitutional Carry Act”. Despite public opposition, Republicans are standing behind the bills, a move that Representative Phil Rubin (D-Wake) says spells trouble for democracy in the state.
Leaders of the minority party have expressed broader frustration with the budget process, saying they’ve been granted almost no input. And they remain skeptical about Republicans’ confidence to finish negotiations by the end of June.
At the press conference — organized by the Coalition Against Right-Wing Extremism (CARE) — speakers underscored what the proposed changes could mean for North Carolina, where about 650,000 residents gained coverage through Medicaid expansion passed by the state legislature in 2023.
Although the lengthy court battle is over, many experts and voting rights experts have warned that the Griffin case has potentially set a precedent that will impact future elections.
Democratic AG Jeff Jackson has joined over 20 other states in suing over the dismissal of congressionally approved grants that aid in western North Carolina’s recovery from Hurricane Helene.
The Marist Institute for Public Opinion, said the fact that independents are “not at all in his corner right now is something that may ultimately serve as a wake-up call” to some members of Congress who will have to face voters in the midterm elections.
The resolution, backed by all present Democrats and three Republicans — Rand Paul (Ky.), Susan Collins (Maine), and Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) — failed in a 49-49 tie vote in the GOP-controlled Senate. It sought to end the national emergency Trump declared to justify his broad tariff regime. Despite his past support for narrower efforts to rein in Trump’s tariff authority, Tillis declined to join this latest push.