NC Capitol Wrap

Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper and Republican legislative leaders congratulated themselves after reaching a deal to reopen North Carolina public schools during the pandemic. The mood wasn't so bipartisan in the General Assembly during debates on guns bills and the latest effort to force sheriffs to cooperate with federal immigration agents.

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Gov. Roy Cooper and Republican legislative leaders reached a compromise to have all public schools statewide offer in-person instruction at least part time within a few weeks. Meanwhile, House Republicans filed a bill to rein in the governor's authority to issue far-reaching emergency shutdown orders, such as the one that kept schools closed for months. And it wouldn't be a week at the legislature without some debate over guns.

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The General Assembly passed a $1.7 billion pandemic relief package in four days, the State Board of Education adopted new guidelines urging school districts to get students back into classrooms, and lawmakers want to name a new agriculture sciences building after longtime Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler.

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The Senate failed once in trying to override the governor's veto of a school reopening bill, so they're trying again. Lawmakers are quickly moving a $1.7 billion pandemic relief package through the General Assembly. And state prison officials misspoke when they told lawmakers that only nonviolent inmates would get out early as part of a legal settlement to improve prison conditions during the pandemic.

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The effort to reopen schools now amid the coronavirus pandemic could be derailed, while the push for summer school to help students catch up after months of online classes is advancing. Also, state elections officials say delays in getting census data needed to redraw voting districts makes it impossible for dozens of cities across North Carolina to hold their scheduled elections this fall.

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Lawmakers have passed legislation requiring schools to reopen during the pandemic and are proposing an extended summer school to help students who have fallen behind during months of online classes. Elsewhere, the legislature has gutted its nonpartisan Program Evaluation Division, and the state Department of Health and Human Services was blistered in a state audit over not checking whether Medicaid providers were qualified to treat patients.

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Legislation that would require school districts to provide in-person classes during the pandemic to any student wants them is close to passage. Meanwhile, Gov. Roy Cooper is moving teachers up on the priority list for coronavirus vaccinations. And the state's financial position isn't as dire as many predicted last year.

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Legislation started moving this week, including pandemic relief and a push to reopen more schools. Gov. Cooper also pitched bonuses for teachers, many of whom are irritated that they are being asked to return to classes of students without first being vaccinated against coronavirus.

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The 2021 legislative session opened with the pandemic and the U.S. Capitol riot on everyone's minds. Legislative leaders say coronavirus vaccine distribution and doling out federal pandemic relief money will be among the first orders of business.

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Elections boards across North Carolina held their canvasses to certify their vote totals, and as updates were sent to the state, the leader in the race for North Carolina Supreme Court changed several times. Also, House Minority Leader Darren Jackson says he won't be in charge of the Democratic caucus in 2021.

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