You Don’t Say

“First we expanded Medicaid, and now we must reduce medical debt to help North Carolinians and our economy thrive.”

Gov. Roy Cooper, on a proposal to eliminate medical debt for lower-income residents. (The Associated Press, 7/01/24)

Medical Debt

Gary D. Robertson, The Associated Press, 7/01/24

North Carolina state government is seeking to rid potentially billions in medical debt from low- and middle-income residents by offering a financial carrot for hospitals to take unpaid bills off the books and to implement policies supporting future patients. Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper and his health chief unveiled a plan Monday that they want federal Medicaid regulators to approve soon, It would allow roughly 100 hospitals that recently began receiving enhanced federal Medicaid reimbursement funds to get even more money.

But to qualify an acute-care, rural or university-connected hospital would have to voluntarily do away with patients’ medical debt going back to early 2014 on current Medicaid enrollees — and on non-enrollees who make below certain incomes or whose debt exceeds 5% of their annual income.

Going forward, these hospitals also would have to help low- and middle-income patients — for example, those in a family of four making no more than $93,600 — by providing deep discounts on medical bills incurred. The hospitals would have to enroll people automatically in charity care programs, agree not to sell their debt to collectors or tell credit reporting agencies about unpaid bills. Interest rates on medical debt also would be capped.

The plan has the potential to help 2 million people in the state get rid of $4 billion in debt, Cooper said, much of which hospitals are never going to recoup anyway.

“It’s clear that by providing relief for medical debt, we give North Carolinians not just peace of mind, but truly a fresh start,” state Health and Human Services Secretary Kody Kinsley said at a governor’s mansion news conference.

Other state and local governments have tapped into federal American Rescue Plan funds to help purchase and cancel residents’ debt for pennies on the dollar. Kinsley said North Carolina’s proposed initiative would be different by creating a long-term debt solution.

North Carolina legislators last year created enhanced Medicaid reimbursement payments for hospitals — called the Healthcare Access and Stabilization Program —alongside provisions that expanded Medicaid coverage in the state to working adults who couldn’t otherwise qualify for conventional Medicaid. Almost 500,000 people already have enrolled for the expanded Medicaid offered since last December. But that hasn’t done away with past debt, Cooper said.

“Large judgments remain on the books that prevent people from buying a house or getting a credit card,” Cooper said. “The weight of medical debt still casts a long shadow. So first we expanded Medicaid, and now we must reduce medical debt to help North Carolinians and our economy thrive.”

The proposal, which Kinsley said was a first of its kind, doesn’t require a new state law and won’t cost the state any additional funds. But the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services must approve the Healthcare Access and Stabilization Program changes sought last week. Kinsley said in an earlier interview that he believes regulators will be “aggressive in their approval.”

To sweeten the deal, the financial possibilities for hospitals in the debt program that agree to debt alterations appear rich. The state Department of Health and Human Services said hospitals that choose to participate would be eligible to share funds from a pot of up to $6.5 billion for next year. Those who don’t can share from $3.2 billion. The debt relief wouldn’t begin right away, with consumers benefitting in 2025 and 2026, according to state DHHS.

The effort also depends on the willingness of the state’s hospitals to participate. The North Carolina Healthcare Association — which lobbies for nonprofit and for-profit hospitals — said later Monday that the group and its members need more time to review the proposal and look forward to hearing how federal regulators respond.

“North Carolina hospitals and health systems are committed to the care and well-being of all North Carolinians, and we recognize that medical debt is a concern for many,” the association said in a news release, citing hospital efforts for “providing safe, high-quality care to all, regardless of their ability to pay.”

Republican State Treasurer Dale Folwell has questioned the commitment of the state’s largest nonprofit hospital systems to treat patients who are poor at free or reduced rates. Folwell was still backing Monday proposed legislation requiring hospitals to provide more charity care.

Representatives of patient advocacy groups at the news conference praised Cooper’s effort. The proposal gives “patients the ability to focus on what’s most important, which is their health, instead of worrying about when the debt collector is going to call again and demand payment,” Dave Almeida with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society said. A group called Undue Medical Debt that’s assisted other governments with buying medical debt and erasing it also would work on North Carolina’s effort, DHHS said. [Source]

 

DEI Guidance

Brianna Atkinson, WUNC Radio, 7/01/24

UNC System President Peter Hans has sent guidance to university chancellors as they make decisions on how to comply with a mandate from the UNC Board of Governors that targeted diversity, equity and inclusion offices.

In May, the UNC Board of Governors overwhelmingly voted to repeal its policy requiring diversity, equity and inclusion offices and positions at public universities in the state. That same vote replaced it with a new policy highlighting “institutional neutrality.”

The additional guidance from Hans — while broad — makes it clear that the Board of Governors and UNC System believe that DEI offices violate that new policy.

“One of the most visible changes to expect on campuses is the elimination of content-specific missions, duties, and titles of employing divisions and employee positions,” the guidance reads. “This prohibition reaches positions across the political, policy, and social spectrum, including, without limitation, diversity, equity, and inclusion offices and officers.”

While the guidance doesn’t instruct chancellors specifically to eliminate all DEI offices, it does require significant changes. For example, chancellors can’t just update job titles to comply with the new policy — they must also make changes to job responsibilities.

“The actual work of the University must return to advancing the academic success of students with different backgrounds, not different political causes,” the guidance reads. “Job titles and responsibilities should follow suit.”

It also prevents university administrators and campus initiatives from taking a position that weighs in on a political debate or social action. For example, the policy said a student veterans initiative would be allowed, as long as employees involved don’t “endorse” views for or against American foreign policies.

The policy also encourages chancellors to refrain from making public statements and resolutions involving contentious topics.

“If a campus chooses to speak in support of its students, the statements should focus on just that — the affected students — without delving into political, policy, or social advocacy,” reads the guidance.

According to the guidance, some academic centers will have to be “restructured” to prevent political endorsements. This includes program content, writings, postings and “other messaging.” The policy doesn’t apply to student groups.

In his letter to chancellors, Hans says that the UNC system remains committed to “welcoming and serving students of all backgrounds.”

Chancellors have to submit a report to Hans detailing what changes they’ve made to comply with the policy by Sept. 1. Any funding that comes from discontinued programs or eliminated positions will be redirected to “student success” initiatives.

According to the UNC System’s strategic plan, student success initiatives include mental health, technology proficiency and increasing the four-year graduation rate. [Source]

Passenger Rail

Richard Stradling, The News & Observer, 7/01/24

U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg will take part in a groundbreaking ceremony in North Raleigh on Monday for a bridge that will carry Durant Road over a railroad line. The bridge is part of a $1.3 billion project to provide passenger service between downtown Raleigh and Wake Forest by 2030.

It’s the first leg of what state and federal officials say will be a direct high-speed rail connection between Raleigh; Richmond, Virginia, and the Northeast.

Buttigieg came to Raleigh last fall to announce nearly $1.1 billion in federal support for the project. He’s back four months before the presidential election to tout one of the signature achievements of the Biden administration: the 2021 infrastructure law that provides $1 trillion for roads, bridges, railroads and ports across the country.

It’s the start of a national tour for Buttigieg to highlight federal infrastructure spending. He’ll be in Winston-Salem on Tuesday to see the Northern Beltway and take part in a groundbreaking for the Salem Parkway multi-use path. He’ll then return to Durham, which just received a $12 million federal grant to improve 33 intersections downtown.

Gov. Roy Cooper, who leaves office in January after two terms, will join Buttigieg in Raleigh and Winston-Salem.

The Raleigh-to-Richmond rail project will follow the existing rail corridor known as the S-line that in North Carolina is still used by a couple of slow-moving freight trains a day. The N.C. Department of Transportation will replace the tracks, build new stations and eliminate crossings at Durant and New Hope Church roads in Raleigh and Rogers Road in Wake Forest.

The Durant Road bridge will cost about $20.6 million, according to NCDOT. It will be built just north of the existing crossing, allowing the road to remain open during construction. In addition to sidewalks, the new bridge will have wider outside lanes to accommodate cyclists.

NCDOT has long sought to eliminate rail crossings in the Triangle, both to improve safety and the flow of traffic. It also eliminates the need for trains to sound their horns near homes and businesses. When this first leg of the project is done, people will be able to take Amtrak’s Piedmont trains from a new station in Wake Forest through Raleigh, Durham and Greensboro to Charlotte.

The nearly $1.1 billion for the S-line is the largest single federal grant NCDOT has ever received. NCDOT and Amtrak will provide a combined 20% match, bringing the total to more than $1.3 billion. This story was originally published July 1, 2024, 11:28 AM. [Source]

 

SHALOM Act

Will Doran, WRAL News, 7/01/24

An official definition of antisemitism is now legally binding in North Carolina, after Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper signed it into law Monday. House Bill 942, formally called the SHALOM Act after the Hebrew word for “peace,” passed the state legislature almost unanimously.

Critics on both sides of the aisle fear its new rules could impede on people’s First Amendment rights. But those concerns weren’t enough to stop the bill from gaining broad bipartisan support in the months following the Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel by Hamas. The bill passed with support from every Republican in the state legislature and nearly every Democrat.

“Defining antisemitism is important to stopping it, and this new law helps do that as antisemitic incidents are on the rise,” Cooper said. “While we protect the right to free speech, this legislation helps to make our state a more welcoming, inclusive and safe place for everyone.”

Cooper also signed House Bill 228, a technical corrections bill. [Source]

Third Parties

Kyle Ingram, The News & Observer, 7/01/24

High-ranking Republicans in Congress have requested information from the North Carolina State Board of Elections regarding its decision to deny ballot access to several third-parties.

Congressional Republicans suggest that the vote was “politically motivated and may have been done to influence the 2024 presidential election.” In a letter sent Monday, U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan, chair of the House Judiciary Committee, asked the North Carolina board to provide all documents and communications pertaining to its decision not to certify new parties led by Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Cornel West, both of whom are running independent presidential campaigns.

“The NCSBE’s decision ensures that some otherwise qualified candidates will not garner votes in the November election, which will inevitably influence the election and potentially sway the electoral results,” the letter, also signed by Rep. Bryan Steil, chair of the House Administration Committee, said.

Citing concerns about improper addresses, misleading petition-gatherers and voters who asked their signatures to be removed, the state board’s Democratic majority voted against recognizing the “Justice for All” and “We The People” parties last week.

Unless the decision is reversed, Kennedy and West will be unable to appear on North Carolina’s presidential ballot in November with their respective parties.

However, board chair Alan Hirsch emphasized that last week’s decision was not final and said board members would take a second vote in July after further investigation into the parties.

The vote came after weeks of pressure from Democrats and a group tied to President Joe Biden that is seeking to keep independent presidential challengers off the ballot across the country.

Republicans immediately criticized the decision, suggesting that the board’s Democrats sought to keep candidates off the ballot who might pull votes away from Biden.

“This is one more example of Democrats fracturing trust in America’s democratic institutions and flouting the electoral process in their increasingly desperate attempts to hold onto political power,” Republican National Committee Chair Michael Whatley said in a statement last week.

Jordan’s letter itself is not a subpoena, though the committee could issue one if board members refuse to comply. The letter requests a response from the board by July 8. [Source]

Flood Disclosures

Zachary Turner, WFAE Radio, 7/01/24

A new flood disclosure rule took effect Monday in North Carolina. It makes disclosing flood history mandatory during the home-buying process. The North Carolina Real Estate Commission now requires all home sellers to disclose information about their property’s flood histories, including answering questions about flood insurance and past disaster aid.

The Natural Resources Defense Council is one of several organizations that petitioned the commission to adopt a new flood disclosure rule.

Floods rank second in weather-related deaths in the U.S. They’re also expensive, costing nearly $700 million annually, according to research group Climate Central. Federal floodplain maps use past data to determine where flooding is likely. “But with climate change, that’s going to be a wrench thrown into the gears of that process,” said Joel Scata, an attorney with the NRDC.

In Charlotte, 2,700 residential and commercial structures are in the federal floodplain. However, more than 10 times that many properties risk flooding in the next 30 years, according to modeling by the First Street Foundation.

“A buyer can then determine, ‘Oh, maybe this isn’t the house for me,’ or, ‘I’m going to take this house, but I need to get flood insurance,’” Scata said.

For homeowners living in a floodplain, federal home buyout programs can serve as a lifeline. In Mecklenburg County, Storm Water Services administers local and federal funds to purchase and remove homes in historic floodplains. [Source]

 

Biden Ad

Gabriella Hartlaub, The News & Observer, 7/01/24

A campaign ad for President Joe Biden released Monday features clips from his rally in Raleigh last Friday. After a lackluster performance in Thursday’s debate, Biden headed to Raleigh, in a performance many said was more indicative of his campaign overall.

Clips from the Raleigh stop were used in the ad, including shots from the crowd, Biden greeting voters and quotes from his speech. During the Raleigh event, Biden directly addressed his debate performance. Two of those quotes were used in the ad. “I know how to tell the truth,” Biden says in the middle of the ad.

The new spot comes after the president received widespread criticism for his performance in the debate, with the New York Times editorial board calling for Biden to step down and allow a new candidate to take his place. In the last clip of the ad, Biden says “like millions of Americans, I know when you get knocked down, you get back up.”

This was the final line of his Raleigh speech.

The ad does use clips from Thursday’s debate — but none of them feature Biden. The main body of the ad features clips of former President Donald Trump during the debate along with fact-checks provided by the campaign. [Source]

 

Police Death

Jeff A. Chamer and Ryan Oehrli, The Charlotte Observer, 7/01/24

A Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department officer died Monday from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound near Charlotte Douglas International Airport, Charlotte-Mecklenburg police said.
Police Chief Johnny Jennings called it a “very sad” day for his department at a press conference. He stressed the importance of talking about mental health. He asked for respect for the officer’s family.

An officer was on break off Steele Creek Road when his “e-button” was hit, according to dispatch radio traffic. Police found him at the Steele Creek Presbyterian Church Cemetery, according to the radio communication. That area is about a half-mile south of the airport.

This is the second tragedy in the past few months for Charlotte law enforcement. In late April, four law enforcement officers were killed and four others injured in a mass shooting in east Charlotte. The suspect, Terry Clark Hughes Jr., also died in that shooting. An investigation into that shooting continues. [Source]

 

Federal Agencies

Coastal Review, 6/28/24

The Supreme Court, in a 6-3 decision announced Friday, overturned a 40-year precedent that allowed federal agencies to interpret vague laws as part of their regulatory powers. The ruling encompassed two cases, Relentless Inc. v. Department of Commerce, and Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo, that had been brought by commercial herring fishing companies, each represented at no charge by antiregulation legal groups.

While the cases challenging a National Marine Fisheries Service rule dealt specifically with fisheries management, a broad swath of environmental, consumer and public safety advocates were quick to condemn the ruling and its broader implications.

Chief Justice John Roberts, writing for the majority, held that “the Administrative Procedure Act requires courts to exercise their independent judgment in deciding whether an agency has acted within its statutory authority, and courts may not defer to an agency interpretation of the law simply because a statute is ambiguous.”

The Supreme Court’s ruling overturned long-standing precedent, taking decision-making out of the hands of scientists and experts at federal agencies, said the National Wildlife Federation.

“The experience and expertise of experts — scientists, biologists, toxicologists, and others — are essential to implementing our foundational wildlife, public health, and environmental laws. The Supreme Court’s decision sidelines experts at the moment we need them to help safeguard and steward our wildlife, clean air and water, public health, and the environment,” said National Wildlife Federation President and CEO Collin O’Mara.

Congressman Greg Murphy, R-N.C., spoke in favor of the decision Friday. He said that the Supreme Court “dealt a historic blow to Washington bureaucracy by striking down the Chevron deference. In doing so, our courts will now be required to defer to the intent of Congress.” [Source]

Water Pollution

Jane Winik Sartwell, Carolina Public Press, 7/01/24

This summer, residents of Southeastern North Carolina are anticipating the outcome of the expert discovery phase in the legal action against chemical manufacturer Chemours, while rural water facilities in many parts of the state await crucial guidance on how to filter out the devastatingly high levels of PFAS in their drinking water.

When President Joe Biden’s administration finalized the first federal regulation on PFAS in April, $29 million of the $1 billion invested to address the pollutants widely thought to cause cancer was sent to North Carolina.

This federal money came too little too late for those residents of Wilmington who get their water from the Cape Fear Public Utility Authority. They are already paying out-of-pocket for the 2019-2022 construction of the granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration system. “Because we’re the last straw pulling out of the lower Cape Fear River Basin, we have been the site for a lot of research to look at emerging compounds,” Ben Kearns, Cape Fear Public Utility.

In 2022, the PFAS level from water distributed by Fayetteville Public Works, which serves 214,137 people, was 445% over the federal limit set out in April, according to data from the water-testing company SimpleLab. The Cape Fear is not the only river system affected. In Lumberton, a town just southwest of Fayetteville on the Lumber River, the water exceeded the limit by 650%.

Chemours and DuPont are currently facing lawsuits from both North Carolina Attorney General and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Josh Stein, and from Cape Fear Public Utility Authority. This month marks the expert discovery phase of the water authority’s legal action against Chemours and DuPont.

“We’ve received no compensation from (Chemours and DuPont), we’ve received no taxpayer support for this project,” Cape Fear Public Utility Authority’s public information officer Cammie Bellamy told CPP. “Our ratepayers have been entirely responsible cost-wise for cleaning up this contamination.”

“We’ve actually filed a lawsuit against Chemours and DuPont in an attempt to recoup some of the costs.” 

Cape Fear Public Utility Authority ratepayers saw an 8% rate hike, or an increase of $5.40 per month, to fund the construction of the GAC system at Sweeney Water Treatment Plant, which cost $46 million, “in 2018 dollars,” Kearns specified. [Source]

 

Davis Event

Kesha Williams, The (Elizabeth City) Daily Advance, 6/30/24

U.S. Rep. Don Davis sidestepped questions about President Joe Biden’s performance in Thursday’s presidential debate with presumptive Republican nominee former President Donald Trump after a town hall in Hertford on Friday. Saying he was attending the town hall “in an official capacity to focus on the issues relevant to constituents’ concerns,” Davis declined to discuss Biden’s debate performance which included the president speaking in a raspy and halting voice, at times giving meandering answers, and several times seeming to lose his train of thought.

According to published reports, Biden’s uneven performance during the debate has prompted fresh concerns among Democrats about his age, ability to compete in November’s election against Trump, and serve another four years if elected.

Davis, who is facing a challenge from Republican Laurie Buckhout in a new First Congressional District drawn by GOP lawmakers to be more Republican-friendly, said he’s focused on issues back home. “I believe what’s most important back home is they just want to know that we’re fighting for them,” he told The Associated Press in a statement.

Davis instead highlighted his work on several national and international issues during the hour-long town hall at the Perquimans County Courthouse Thursday attended by elected Democratic officials from Winfall, Hertford, Perquimans County and Elizabeth City. He told the audience “we are doing our homework” on issues like continuing military support for Ukraine against Russian aggression, defending democracy around the world, and securing the southern border.

Davis also discussed several issues of concern to the local Democrats in attendance, including development of the riverfront in Hertford. He also said he’s aware of Hertford officials’ ongoing desire for infrastructure improvements and affordable housing options. [Source]

 

Rip Currents

Catherine Kozak, Coastal Review, 7/10/24

Not unlike getting a vehicle tune-up before a risky cross-country trip, emergency responders and weather officials are reinforcing the messaging about ocean safety as hundreds of thousands of beach lovers head to the coast for the July Fourth holiday.

“In the Carolinas, rip currents are our biggest killer,” said Erik Heden, warning coordination meteorologist with the National Weather Service’s Newport/Morehead City office. Heden was speaking Thursday at the 2024 Eastern Carolinas Beach Hazards and Rip Currents Integrated Warning Team event held at Jennette’s Pier.

In addition to representatives from the National Weather Service, the team included input from local emergency and public safety officials and ocean rescue personnel, as well as government communication representatives to discuss current and future beach safety issues.

Since 2000, there have been 184 victims of rip current drownings in the Carolinas, 49% of whom were out-of-state residents, Heden said. Of them, 86% were male, most of them aged 41 to 50. Female victims were mostly between 31 and 40 years old. “That’s four times the number of deaths from tornados, floods and wind combined,” Heden said.
The data didn’t include those who were caught in rips but their deaths were attributed to an associated cause such as a heart attack, he added. About 100 fatalities annually in the U.S. are estimated from rip currents, and as much as 80% of all ocean rescues are rip current-related.

But fortunately, there has been a lot of progress made in preventing the loss of life from rips, mostly by educating the public of the hazard, and by providing better tools to avoid the risk.

Awareness can not only prevent drowning, it can also mean not having to be saved by lifeguards. Recently, numerous news outlets reported that more than 150 beachgoers in New Hanover and Carteret counties and more than 80 at Carolina Beach alone were rescued from rip currents, which are channels of water typically formed at breaks in sand bars and that flow away from the beach. People can sign up for alerts on beach conditions and daily rip current risks at North Carolina beaches from the National Weather Service. Dare County also offers a service that provides alerts from Dare County lifeguards about local beaches.

Heden said that he looks forward to continued progress in beach safety through advancement in communication and predictive modeling tools, including cutting-edge technology. “I’m intrigued by the virtual reality stuff,” he said. “It would be interesting to incorporate that.” [Source]

 

Crop Conditions

Will Michaels, WUNC Radio, 7/01/24

A persistent drought across the state could have lasting impacts on North Carolina crops. The North Carolina Drought Management Advisory Council reports that 99 counties are in some level of drought. Last month was one of the driest Junes on record. The state Climate Office reports Chapel Hill got half an inch of rain during the entire month, well below the average of nearly four inches.

The lack of rainfall has wiped out many farmers’ field corn crops and is stunting the growth of grasses that farmers use for hay. Both are products farmers feed their livestock.

Shawn Harding, president of the North Carolina Farm Bureau, said that could lead to a feed shortage in the winter and continue increasing the price of meat.

“If anybody has gone out and tried to buy a steak recently, you know beef is pretty high,” Harding said. “That’s because we have a shortage of cattle in the United States, so we’re hopeful that our beef farmers in North Carolina won’t have to sell their cows because they don’t have anything to feed them.”

Much of the state finally got rain early Monday morning, but temperatures are expected to approach 100 again by the end of the week.

“Luckily, we have some great farmers who are great businessmen and diversify their operation,” Harding said. “I think the rain we’re getting this week should help some of the later crops: the cotton, the soybeans.” 

Harding said the North Carolina Farm Bureau is helping some farmers file crop insurance claims to help cover lost income from failed field corn crops. [Source]

 

Transportation Bond

Chloe Collins, The Gaston Gazette, 7/01/24

A bond referendum is making its way to the ballot in Belmont this November. A recent study of Belmont performed by Gannett Fleming Inc. identified 12 transportation improvements that could be made in the city, which could cost around $25 million in total. Though Michael Holder, a representative with Gannett Fleming said at a May City Council workshop that the designs are only conceptual, and the $25 million estimates are on the extremely high end of the possible cost.

The potential projects include:

• A two-lane connector road between South Point, Belmont Middle School, and the Del Webb community.  
• Improvements to the intersection at Keener Boulevard and Catawba Street including additional lanes and right-of-way changes.
• Sidewalk and pedestrian crossing improvements as well as added turn lanes on South Central Avenue.
• Pedestrian safety improvements on Park Street, Hawley Avenue, and Wilkinson Boulevard. 
• Pedestrian improvements on Perfection Avenue at Pebble Creek.
• Multi-use pathway and sidewalk along Nixon Road.
• Widening of South Point Road from RL Stowe Road to Rivermist Drive. 
• Bike lanes and sidewalks on Woodlawn Street. 
• Intersection and pedestrian improvements at the intersection of Central Avenue and Main Street.
• Intersection improvements including bike lanes at the intersection of Park Street and Hawley Avenue. 
• Sidewalks on Armstrong Ford Road.
• A connector between Belmont and Mount Holly including four lanes of traffic and a multi-use path.

The city’s current schedule for the process of putting the referendum on the November ballot includes introducing the bond order at a July meeting followed by a public hearing regarding the referendum in August. [Source]

Retiring

David Ford, WFDD Radio, 7/01/24

Winston-Salem City Attorney Angela Carmon has announced her retirement after 36 years. She was the first African American woman to hold the position.

The Winston-Salem native graduated from Howard University and went on to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she received her Doctor of Law degree. She later worked with the National Labor Relations Board.

Carmon began her career with the city of Winston-Salem in 1988 as assistant city attorney and was appointed chief legal counsel two decades later. During her tenure, she oversaw more than 100 complex legal transactions involving real estate, economic and downtown development agreements and more.

In a press release, Carmon said she’s proud of the relationships she’s built with members of the North Carolina General Assembly over the years, working with them to secure legislation for the city.

Last year, Carmon became the city of Winston-Salem’s highest-paid employee. Last week, she was recognized as one of this year’s Black Business Ink’s Power 100 honorees.

Carmon says she looks forward to more time for travel and family. [Source]

Disaster Declaration

News Release, 7/01/24

Monday, Gov. Roy Cooper signed a Type I state disaster declaration for the City of Marion in McDowell County following damages from a severe rain event that led to flash flooding on May 18, 2024. This declaration will make state disaster assistance available in the form of public assistance grants to the eligible local governments located within the emergency area.

“This declaration will help the City of Marion as the people and local government work to rebuild, recover and prepare for future storms,” said Cooper.

The Governor’s Order authorizes state-funded disaster assistance in the form of grants for roads and bridges and emergency protective measures. This disaster declaration expires sixty days after issuance. Local and state emergency management officials conducted joint preliminary damage assessments and determined that the City of Marion had incurred more than $10,000 in disaster-related damages from flooding, which exceeded one percent of its annual operating budget. Marion would not qualify for federal assistance based on the assessment.

 

Monument Picketers

The (Elizabeth City) Daily Advance, 6/30/24

The town of Edenton, citing concerns about traffic, noise and a strain on police resources, is imposing new picketing rules on both the group pushing to remove the Confederate monument from near the town’s waterfront and groups seeking to keep it where it is.

An email from monument opponents Move the Monument shared with The Daily Advance on Thursday details five new restrictions Edenton Town Manager Corey Gooden has imposed on both monument supporters and opponents in the 500 block of South Broad Street, which includes the plaza where the monument is located. Failing to abide by the restrictions could result in the Edenton police chief not only revoking the offending group’s current picketing permit but denial of any future permit applications, Gooden said in a June 25th memorandum attached to the Move the Monument Group’s email.

Gooden says in the memo that while town officials respect citizens’ constitutional right to assemble and express their views, “it is nevertheless the Town’s duty to place reasonable restrictions on the exercise of such rights on public property to avoid any adverse effect on health, safety and welfare of the general public, including the Town’s citizens, businesses, and visitors.”

Citing “recent concerns about the negative effect” of the weekly protests and counter-protests near the Confederate monument, Gooden said he was exercising his authority under town ordinances to impose five new restrictions on any future picketing permits issued to those “expressing views” on the monument in the 500 block of South Broad Street. He said those concerns included, but were not limited to, “excessive diversion” of the town’s police resources to responding to the protests; picketers’ interference with both vehicular and pedestrian traffic in the 500 block of South Broad Street; and their “inappropriate or disorderly conduct, abusive and threatening language, and/or creation of a public nuisance.”

Under the new restrictions Gooden is imposing, persons participating in monument picketing activities must stay in the area designated by their permit. They also can’t “occupy or interfere” with any vehicle traffic or pedestrians.

Picketers’ signage also can’t contain words and images that are “profane, indecent, abusive, and/or inflammatory in nature,” the memo states. Gooden’s directive doesn’t include specific examples of what qualifies as profane, indecent, abusive or inflammatory. [Source]

 

NCCU Chancellor

WTVD News, 7/01/24

NC Central University formally introduced its new chancellor Dr. Karrie Dixon during a ceremony on Monday. The community welcomed the newest eagle to campus with a performance by the Sound Machine Drumline, cheerleaders and much more. The goal is to make Dr. Dixon’s first day a memorable one.

“We want to make sure we are doing our part, our responsibility to make sure those experiences happen along (the students’) journey,” Dixon said. It’s a similar message to the one Dr. Dixon shared in June when she was first announced as NCCU’s 13th chancellor. Students’ success is her priority, she said, and she is ready to work with the community and alumni.

“This university is a jewel in the UNC system,” Dixon said. “NCCU may not be the largest HBCU in North Carolina, but it will certainly be the best HBCU.” [Source]

 

Truist Repurchases

Richard Craver, Winston-Salem Journal, 7/01/24

The Federal Reserve has signed off on the nation’s 31 national and super-regional banks increasing quarterly dividends and authorizing larger share-purchase programs. As a result, the board of directors for Bank of America, PNC Financial Services Group and Wells Fargo & Co. all announced plans on Friday to increase their quarterly dividend.

The stress-test scenarios are created annually by the Fed, along with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. and the U.S. Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. Typically, banks disclose dividend and share-repurchase plans within days of gaining permission. Bank of America plans a 2-cent dividend increase to 26 cents per share, while PNC has a 5-cent hike to $1.60 and Wells Fargo a 5-cent gain to 40 cents.

The Federal Reserve’s Board of Governors released the results on Thursday of its annual stress tests, as required by the Dodd-Frank Act. The tests determine whether those banks have enough capital to weather a significant economic downturn and maintain a normal customer lending capability.

The tests also evaluate the resilience of large banks by estimating their capital levels, losses, revenue and expenses under hypothetical scenarios over nine future quarters.

Michael Barr, the Fed’s vice chairman for supervision, said “large banks have shown they have sufficient capital to withstand a highly stressful scenario and meet the minimum capital ratios. While the severity of this year’s stress test is similar to last year’s, the test resulted in higher losses because bank balance sheets are somewhat riskier and expenses are higher.”

The Federal Reserve estimated the combined losses of the 31 banks in the stress test would be $685 billion which included $175 million in credit-card losses, $142 billion in losses from commercial and industrial loans and $80 billion from commercial real estate loans.

Truist has not conducted a major share repurchase initiative since the fourth quarter of 2021. However, chairman and chief executive Bill Rogers told analysts in April that the projected $10.1 billion gained through after-tax cash proceeds from selling the final 80% of Truist Insurance Holdings would position the bank to resume share repurchases.

On Friday, Rogers said in a statement that Truist’s stress test results “again demonstrate the benefits of our diverse business mix and prudent and disciplined risk management culture.” [Source]

 

Novant Lay Offs

Kevin Ellis, Business NC, 6/27/24

Novant Health will lay off 81 information technology workers in Winston-Salem as part of changes announced last year with the Charlotte-based company. The layoffs are expected to be permanent and occur on Aug. 25, according to a notice filed with the state Department of Commerce. Novant Health announced in 2023 that it would outsource some of its IT work.

Some of its digital work is being shifted to Deloitte Digital, according to a statement released by Novant Health. Other Novant IT workers were laid off earlier due to the changes. “Fewer than 300 team members, or less than 0.8% of the nearly 40,000 positions across our health system, are impacted by this change,” according to the statement. “Interested team members may have the opportunity to join our external partners or transition to roles within Novant Health.”

For those not taking new roles, Novant will be “extending resources to ease the transition,” according to the statement. [Source]

Legislative Sessions, Studies and Meetings

LB: LEGISLATIVE BUILDING. LOB: LEGISLATIVE OFFICE BUILDING

Tuesday, July 9

• 9:00 A.M.
  • House Select Committee on Oversight and Reform, Auditorium

Wednesday, July 10, 2024

• Noon, House and Senate Convene

HOUSE & SENATE: Reconvening allowed under provisions of SB 916, if no sine die adjournment previously adopted.

• Monday, July 29 to Thursday Aug. 1
• Monday, Sept. 9 to Wednesday, Sept. 11
• Wednesday, Oct. 9
• Tuesday, Nov. 19 to Friday Nov. 22
• Wednesday, Dec. 11 to Friday Dec. 13

N.C. Government Meetings and Hearings

BOLD ITEMS ARE NEW LISTINGS

Tuesday, July 9

• 11 a.m. | Economic Investment Committee  – Regular Meeting, 301 N. Wilmington St. Raleigh.
• 1:20 p.m. | The North Carolina Local Government Commission  -July Meeting, 3200 Atlantic Ave. Raleigh.

Wednesday, July 10

• 9 a.m. | North Carolina Board of Transportation Meeting, 1 S Wilmington St. Raleigh.
• 9 a.m. | The North Carolina Environmental Management Commission Committee Meetings, 512 N. Salisbury St. Raleigh. Meeting link: https://ncgov.webex.com/ncgov/j.php?MTID=mdc902ed9963ce35e5de9e85e27277716 
• 1:30 p.m. | Public Hearing for the Proposed 2025 North Carolina State Medical Facilities Plan, Event website: https://info.ncdhhs.gov/dhsr/mfp/meetings.html

Thursday, July 11

• 9 a.m. | NC State Board of Education Meeting (Virtual Meeting) Event website: https://www.dpi.nc.gov/about-dpi/state-board-education/meeting-information
• 9 a.m. | The North Carolina Environmental Management Commission Meeting, 512 N. Salisbury St. Raleigh. Meeting link: https://ncgov.webex.com/ncgov/j.php?MTID=m32a66bf7f3f1a86a8618d061a6831212 
• 11 a.m. | Governor’s Crime Commission  – Criminal Justice Improvement Committee Meeting, 1201 Front St. Raleigh.

Monday, July 15

• 1:30 p.m. | NC Dept. of Agriculture  – 3RD QUARTER BOARD OF AGRICULTURE MEETING, 4400 Reedy Creek Road, Raleigh.

Tuesday, July 16

• 10:30 a.m. | North Carolina Spiritous Liquor Advisory Council  – 3rd Quarter Meeting, 2 West Edenton St, Raleigh.

Wednesday, July 17

• 9 a.m. | The North Carolina Real Estate Commission Meeting, 1313 Navaho Drive, Raleigh.

Thursday, July 18

• 8 a.m. | North Carolina Medical Board Meeting – July 2024 Meeting, 3127 Smoketree Court, Raleigh.
• 9:30 a.m. | North Carolina Turnpike Authority meets, 1 S. Wilmington St, Raleigh.

Thursday, Aug. 1

• 6 p.m. | The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Air Quality Public Hearing on Moriah Energy Center Draft Air Quality Permit, Vance-Granville Community College, 200 Community College Road, Henderson.

UNC Board of Governors

23 S. WEST STREET, SUITE 1800, RALEIGH

Wednesday, July 24

• T.B.A. | The UNC Board of Governors, UNC System Office.

Thursday, July 25

• T.B.A. | The UNC Board of Governors, UNC System Office.

N.C. Utilities Commission Hearing Schedule

DOBBS BUILDING, 430 NORTH SALISBURY STREET, RALEIGH

Monday, July 8

• 7 p.m. | Public Witness Hearing – Joint Application of Public Service Company of North Carolina, Inc. and Enbridge Parrot Holdings, LLC to Engage in a Business Combination Transaction | G-5 Sub 667

Wednesday, July 10

• 6:30 p.m. | Remote Public Witness Hearing – Dominion Energy North Carolina 2023 IRP | E-100 Sub 192

Thursday, July 11

• 10 a.m. | Expert Witness Hearing – Application for General Rate Increase for HH Water, LLC | W-1318 Sub 1

Monday, July 22

• 2 p.m. | Expert Witness Hearing – Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC and Duke Energy Progress, LLC 2023 Biennial CPIRP | E-100 Sub 190
• 2 p.m. | Expert Public Witness Hearing – Joint Application of DEP and NCEMC for CPCN to Construct a 1360MW Electric Generating Facility in Person County, NC | E-2 Sub 1318, EC-67 Sub 55
• 2 p.m. | Expert Witness Hearing – Application for CPCN for 850 MW Natural Gas-Fired Combustion Turbine Electric Generating Facility Located at 8320 NC Highway 150 E, Terrell, NC 28682 in Catawba County | E-7 Sub 1297

Other Meetings and Events of Interest

BOLD ITEMS ARE NEW LISTINGS

Tueday, July 2

• 11 a.m. | Gov. Roy Cooper to join United States Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg at Salem Parkway Multi-Use Path Groundbreaking Ceremony, Truist Stadium, 951 Ballpark Way, Winston-Salem.
• 3 p.m. | Gov. Roy Cooper to join United States Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg for walking tour highlighting areas impacted by RAISE Grant federal funding, Antioch Baptist Church, 1415 Holloway St. Durham.

Thursday, July 4

• 11:30 a.m. | Fourth of July celebration at the North Carolina State Capitol, East grounds of the State Capitol, Raleigh.