It’s been a slower week in the world of North Carolina politics, and next week isn’t looking much busier. In a way, that is news. Here’s why.
—Bryan Anderson
🧑⚖️ Roll Call
- No updates on the budget, but some new candidate filings
- Stein tries to secure FEMA funding for Helene relief
- In Huntersville, a showdown over trans rights
- Around the State: A town vs. county spat, Dem voter registration lags
Still No Budget
North Carolina lawmakers were slated to return to Raleigh next week. But in a sign the stalled budget talks are going nowhere fast, neither chamber is planning to come back for votes, according to House and Senate leadership.
This means it’ll be at least another month before we see any deal on a two-year spending plan.
Lawmakers haven’t passed a comprehensive budget since September 2023. The latest impasse has held up teacher pay raises and left concerns about forthcoming federal cuts to Medicaid unresolved.
After next week, there will be only seven days for possible votes in the House and Senate this year: September 22-25, October 21, November 18, and December 16.
On the Trail
We have some fresh 2026 candidate filings:
- Administrative Law Judge Michael Byrne, a Republican, will run for the Court of Appeals next year.
- Orrick Quick, a High Point pastor, is challenging former Gov. Roy Cooper in the U.S. Senate Democratic primary. He submitted his candidacy paperwork earlier this month.
- Democratic state Rep. Rodney Pierce of Halifax County is seeking reelection. He narrowly defeated Rep. Michael Wray in a primary last year.
Thanks for reading The Caucus, a politics newsletter anchored by Bryan Anderson. Reach us with tips or ideas at politics@theassemblync.com.
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Hurricane Season
Parts of the North Carolina coast were put under a mandatory evacuation order this week in response to Hurricane Erin. The Outer Banks saw flooding on Wednesday and Thursday.
“Folks on the coast need to take care,” Gov. Josh Stein advised residents during a news conference.
Meanwhile, he continues to push for a swifter release of federal funds to address fallout from last year’s Hurricane Helene.
“The federal government has not met the moment,” Stein said of the Helene response. “We’re going to continue to make our case to our congressional delegation and to the administration to urge them to support Western North Carolina to the degree that is necessary.”
Stein said support from federal agencies, including FEMA, the Army Corps of Engineers, Department of Transportation, and Small Business Administration, has covered about 8 percent of $60 billion in estimated damages.
But in positive news, Stein said FEMA this week committed to release about $85 million in previously approved Helene reimbursements.
“We still have $100 million in other projects that are due for reimbursement,” Stein said. “It creates real financial strain, especially for local governments. … We will continue to work with our federal partners to make sure that the reimbursements are processed as quickly as possible.”
— Bryan Anderson
Democrats’ Dilemma on Trans Issues
In 2023, Amanda Dumas, the parent of a transgender child, was elected to the town board of Huntersville, a Mecklenburg County community of nearly 70,000. She was one of seven Democrats who swept the board and mayor’s office in the nominally nonpartisan election.
This February, she proposed a nondiscrimination ordinance that would protect residents against discrimination in employment and housing on the basis of gender identity and expression, as well as race, religion, disability, and other factors.
The measure now appears all but dead.
“Our board is divided on this,” said Mayor Christy Clark, who supported the measure. “My goal is to make sure everyone feels safe and welcome in the town of Huntersville. And this would help.”
— Jim Morrill
Around the State
ShotSpotter Renewal Looms: Earlier this year, we published a story about ShotSpotter, a tool meant to prevent gun violence that critics say is inaccurate. In Fayetteville, the software was linked to an incident that resulted in the death of a man in custody of the police. Now, the deadline for renewal in Fayetteville is approaching, and activists are protesting the contract (CityView).
Wilmington vs. New Hanover: A committee meant to bridge community divides on the coast has become the subject of strife between local government officials. While the city council affirmed its support for the Community Relations Advisory Committee, which was created with the county government to address discrimination in 2016, the county commissioners voted to withdraw from the group (NC Newsline).
‘The Death Cycle of the Democratic Party’: Unaffiliated voters are the largest bloc in North Carolina, overtaking Democrats in 2022. A new report from The New York Times shows that Democratic voter registration is lagging across the nation, and specifically in North Carolina, where Republicans have shrunk the lead Democrats had by 95 percent. (NYT).
Upcoming Birthdays: Rep. Ray Jeffers on Monday, Aug. 25.
Let us know what’s on your radar at politics@theassemblync.com.