Under the Dome Podcast: Legislature goes home, what bills made it over the finish line
Start your week in North Carolina politics with our latest Under the Dome podcast, for the week of July 1, 2024. Kyle Ingram here, this week’s podcast host and politics reporter for The News & Observer. On this episode, I’m joined by my politics team colleagues Luciana Perez Uribe Guinassi and Avi Bajpai.
After a chaotic final two weeks, the House and Senate adjourned their short session on Thursday after passing a flurry of bills.
What they didn’t pass, however, was a budget. Unlike the federal government, North Carolina doesn’t risk a government shutdown if no budget is passed — but it did represent a significant breakdown in negotiations between House and Senate Republicans.
The lack of a budget agreement also killed Republicans’ plans to expand the Opportunity Scholarship program, which provides vouchers to families who want to send their children to private school.
We also discuss a variety of constitutional amendments proposed by House and Senate leaders — only one of which got final approval and will appear on the ballot in November for voters to decide on.
Headliner of the Week
After the break, we discuss the legislature’s overrides of several vetoes from Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper, including a controversial bill dealing with face masks and campaign finance.
We also discuss efforts to legalize medical marijuana in North Carolina, which had the support of several powerful Republicans but nonetheless failed to make it across the finish line this session.
Plus, find out more about the N&O’s exclusive reporting which found that a flag associated with Jan. 6 was flown outside a home owned by North Carolina Supreme Court Chief Justice Paul Newby’s wife.
Stay tuned to the end for our picks for Headliner of the Week, which range from President Joe Biden’s visit to third party presidential candidates to a mercifully punctual end to the legislative session.
Listen to our latest episode below and catch up on previous episodes. You can also listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Audible, iHeart, Pandora, Amazon Music and Stitcher.
