PineCone Bluegrass Show
    6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
  • Listen Live

  • Join The Q Crew

  • TikTok

  • X

  • Instagram

  • Facebook

  • Mobile Apps

  • Home
  • Shows
    • Your Q Morning Crew
      • What You Missed
      • QDR Hometown Hero
    • Abby Leigh
      • Fursdays
    • Mad Dawg
    • Steve Maher
    • PineCone Bluegrass Show
    • QDR Homegrown Country
    • Country Countdown USA
  • Contests
    • View All Contests
    • Contest Rules
  • Features
    • Advice
    • Coupons
    • Crossword Puzzle
    • Daily Comic Strips
    • Fursdays
    • Gold Star Teacher of the Month
    • Horoscopes
    • Interviews
      • Exclusive Live Performances
    • News, Sports and Weather
    • Pet Adoption
    • QDR Hometown Hero
    • Live and Kickin’ Fridays
    • Recipes
    • Slideshows
    • Sudoku
  • Events
    • Station Events and Concerts
    • Community Events
    • Submit Your Community Event
    • Photos
  • Connect
    • Contact/Directions
    • 94.7 QDR App
    • Join The Q Crew
    • Advertise
    • Social Media
      • Facebook
      • Twitter
      • Instagram
      • YouTube
      • TikTok
  • search

Tag Archives: NC General Assembly

North Carolina Gov. Stein signs stopgap budget bill and vetoes opt-in bill helping school choice

North Carolina Gov. Stein signs stopgap budget bill and vetoes opt-in bill helping school choice

By GARY D. ROBERTSON Associated Press

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein signed into law on Wednesday a stopgap spending measure while lawmakers remain in a state budget impasse. But he vetoed legislation that would direct state participation in a yet-implemented federal tax credit program to boost school-choice options, suggesting state Republicans acted hastily.

The Democratic governor had already said this week he would sign the “mini-budget” that the GOP-controlled General Assembly sent him last week. But he called it a poor substitution for a full two-year budget that House and Senate negotiators were unable to finalize before the new fiscal year began July 1.

Instead, Stein said, the spending plan fails to provide substantive pay raises or the full amount needed to cover increased Medicaid expenses. Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai said the additional $600 million provided annually for Medicaid is hundreds of millions short and unless addressed would require reducing optional services, provider rates or both.

“This Band-Aid budget fails to invest in our teachers and students, fails to keep families safe, fails to value hardworking state employees, and fails to fully fund health care,” Stein said in a news release. “Despite these serious reservations, I am signing this bill into law because it keeps the lights on.”

The new law does cover anticipated enrollment changes for K-12 schools and community colleges, as well as for experience-based pay raises already in state law for teachers. There is also over $800 million for state construction projects and funds for state employee retirement and health care. It also creates a new agency for State Auditor Dave Boliek, who is tasked by year’s end to recommend which state offices and positions should be eliminated.

Some Republican budget-writers have said that Medicaid spending could be adjusted later during the fiscal year.

Stein’s veto seeks to block a decision by North Carolina legislative leaders to join the tax-credit program contained in President Donald Trump’s tax and spending bill that he signed into law last month.

The program provides starting in 2027 a one-to-one credit equal to up to $1,700 for those who donate to certain “scholarship granting organizations,” with those distributing K-12 private-school scholarships among them.

The federal law said each state must opt in to the program, and North Carolina Republicans who have already greatly expanded state-funded scholarships wanted North Carolina to be the first to do so.

Stein’s veto message aligned with arguments by Democratic state legislators who voted against the state measure last week that the program shifts federal funding away from helping public schools and helps wealthy people who can already afford private school for their children.

“Congress and the Administration should strengthen our public schools, not hollow them out,” Stein wrote.

By opting in, North Carolina-based scholarship organizations would benefit while costing state government no revenues.

The tax credit program is also designed to benefit organizations that provide aid for services for students who attend public schools. Stein said he would opt in to the program for the state once the federal government issued sound written guidance on program rules because he sees opportunities to “benefit North Carolina’s public school kids.” So, he added, the bill on his desk is “unnecessary.”

The vetoed bill now returns to the General Assembly, where override votes could happen as early as Aug. 26. Republicans are but one House seat shy of a veto-proof majority, and last week lawmakers were able to gain the Democratic support needed to override eight of Stein’s 14 earlier vetoes. Two House Democrats voted for the tax credit bill.

Republican Senate leader Phil Berger said Wednesday that with the veto Stein is “attempting to usurp the General Assembly’s authority to set tax policy” and anticipated a veto override “to ensure North Carolina can participate in President Trump’s signature school choice initiative.”

Stein also signed Wednesday legislation creating an expedited removal process for homeowners and landlords to remove people unauthorized to live on their property. He had previously vetoed another bill containing the language because a provision involving pet shop animal sales was added. But the legislature sent him a new measure last week with the pet shop item absent.

North Carolina Gov. Stein signs stopgap budget bill and vetoes opt-in bill helping school choice

North Carolina Gov. Stein signs stopgap budget bill and vetoes opt-in bill helping school choice

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein has signed a stopgap spending measure as lawmakers remain stuck in a budget impasse. But he also vetoed a bill Wednesday that would otherwise sign off on state involvement in a federal tax credit program to boost school-choice options. Stein criticized the spending plan for not providing enough pay raises or covering increased Medicaid expenses. The new law includes funds for state construction projects and employee benefits. The tax-credit program bill approved by Republicans seeks to opt in to the financial benefits within President Donald Trump’s new law for donations to K-12 scholarship organizations.… Continue Reading

North Carolina governor vetoes another set of bills, including one on guns in private schools

North Carolina governor vetoes another set of bills, including one on guns in private schools

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Democratic Gov. Josh Stein has cleared his desk of the last of the legislation passed to him from the North Carolina General Assembly this legislative session. The governor vetoed three of the bills Wednesday. One of the vetoed bills would allow certain people to carry firearms on private school property with permission from certain school administrators. Stein says the bill would make children less safe. Republican proponents say the bill would help private schools in rural areas. The two other vetoes deal with nonprofit donor information and removing unauthorized people from residential property. Possible veto override attempts could occur starting later this month.… Continue Reading

North Carolina redistricting trial begins, with racial gerrymandering allegations the focus

North Carolina redistricting trial begins, with racial gerrymandering allegations the focus

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina congressional and legislative districts drawn by Republicans in 2023 that helped them retain majorities in Raleigh and Washington are in court. A trial began Monday in two federal lawsuits filed by voters and advocacy groups that accuse mapmakers of illegally eroding Black voting power while enacting lines that aided GOP electoral prospects. The lawsuits claim that lines are so skewed that many Black voters lack the ability to elect their preferred candidates. Republicans counter that they used no race-based data in developing the plans. The trial won’t end until next month. North Carolina has a long history of redistricting litigation and related landmark decisions.… Continue Reading

Permitless concealed carry in North Carolina faces uphill battle after some GOP pushback

Permitless concealed carry in North Carolina faces uphill battle after some GOP pushback

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina legislators have given final approval to a bill allowing eligible adults to carry a concealed handgun without a permit. However, the legislation faces a handful of challenges before it can become law. A likely veto from Democratic Gov. Josh Stein is the first. Republicans also lack a supermajority in the House that allows them to override the governor’s vetoes. A few Republican House members also joined in with Democrats to vote against the bill Wednesday. If passed, North Carolina would become the 30th state in the country to allow the concealed carry of a handgun without a permit.… Continue Reading

North Carolina Republicans already seek to tighten up 2024 immigration enforcement law

North Carolina Republicans already seek to tighten up 2024 immigration enforcement law

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina Republicans managed just last fall to enact their long-sought policy ordering local sheriffs to cooperate with federal agents seeking to locate and deport certain jail inmates. Some GOP members already want it tightened further. The GOP-controlled state House approved a measure Tuesday that would subject people accused of more categories of crimes to inquiries about their immigration status. The bill also would make clear that jail officials must contact federal immigration agents if they’re holding someone. Vetoes by then-Gov. Roy Cooper meant Republicans took five years to pass the initial law. The proposed upgrade comes as President Donald Trump pushes an immigration enforcement crackdown nationally.… Continue Reading

North Carolina judges weigh GOP law shifting election board control away from Democratic governor

North Carolina judges weigh GOP law shifting election board control away from Democratic governor

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina trial judges will soon rule if legislative Republicans’ latest method to attempt to wrest control of the State Board of Elections from a Democratic governor is lawful. A three-judge panel listened to arguments Monday in a lawsuit filed by Gov. Josh Stein against GOP lawmakers. A law approved last year and taking effect soon would give board appointments to the state auditor. Republican Dave Boliek is now the auditor. The legislature has sought to erode or eliminate a governor’s authority to appoint the board for nearly a decade. At least four laws have been blocked and a constitutional amendment was defeated. Any ruling will assuredly be appealed.… Continue Reading

Proposed bill could remove thousands of books from NC public schools

Proposed bill could remove thousands of books from NC public schools

RALEIGH, N.C. (WPTF) – Lawmakers in Raleigh are rolling out a bill that could affect what students can read in school. The bill will require the removal of books from public schools that contain material that is “harmful to minors” including material that “depicts or describes sexual activity.” State Rep. Neal Jackson (R-Moore, Randolph) says the bill is about protecting children from accessing inappropriate material based on their age.… Continue Reading

Another $500M for Hurricane Helene relief in North Carolina passes key hurdle

Another $500M for Hurricane Helene relief in North Carolina passes key hurdle

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Another $500 million would be spent toward Hurricane Helene recovery efforts in North Carolina in legislation approved unanimously by the state House. The measure would add to the funds the Republican-controlled General Assembly already approved in late 2024 and help with home and road repairs. The $500 million is less than half the amount that Democratic Gov. Josh Stein has requested. The bill next goes to the Senate, where GOP members have their own spending ideas. House Republicans offered a successful amendment Tuesday to address some Democratic concerns. State officials say Helene caused a record nearly $60 billion in damages and recovery needs.… Continue Reading

Recent News

Enter to Win the QDR Homegrown Country Music Series VIP Experience @ Mosaic at Chatham Park

WINS-Day: Hop on flight 94-7 to see Eric Church in NYC!

Fursday: Meet Sherbert from APS of Durham!

Hometown Hero of the Week: Ryan Wood, August 27th, 2025

Labor Day Throwback Throwdown Weekend

Find zen in your garden with zinnias

Fursday: Meet Munchkin from Saving Grace!

Hometown Hero of the Week: Kevin Spivey Sr., August 20th, 2025

‘Naked lady’ spider lilies bring surprise blooms

Taylor Time with Abby Leigh

  • La Ley 101.1FM

Copyright © 2025 WQDR-FM. All Rights Reserved.

View Full Site

  • Advertise
  • Contest Rules
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • Employment Opportunities
  • Public Inspection File
  • FCC Applications
  • EEO
Powered By SoCast