NC Capitol Wrap

<p>The final days of the North Carolina state legislature's session before a long summer break saw shrimpers kill a proposal that would've set back many of their businesses, as state lawmakers also failed to deliver on other high-profile debates including a new state budget. But they approved $500 million in Hurricane Helene relief and, looking ahead to the 2026 primary elections in March, plenty of bills focused on culture-war topics ranging from DEI to guns, immigration, transgender issues and public school library lists. Next on their agenda? The wide-ranging elections overhaul GOP leaders just unveiled.</p>

<p><span data-teams="true">JetZero's massive job announcement was the only political kumbaya moment of the week. NC lawmakers spent hours wrangling over immigration bills and gun rights. In the meantime, state House and Senate leaders don't seem to be getting any closer to a budget deal, potentially leaving Hurricane Helene relief hanging during an upcoming break.&nbsp;</span></p>

<p>North Carolina Republican Party chairman Jason Simmons faces a challenge for his job at this weekend's GOP convention, where U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis could also be targeted by party activists. Democrats are canvassing rural North Carolina ahead of the 2026 Senate race against Tillis, but they're also dealing with silence from Roy Cooper on his intentions. Meanwhile in the state legislature, lawmakers are rushing to pass bills on energy policy, immigration, foster care, guns, towing, power grabs targeting Gov. Josh Stein and other hot-button issues ahead of a likely break in July, as tensions simmer over budget disagreements.</p>

<p>State House and Senate leaders have failed to agree on the details of a $500 million Hurricane Helene relief bill, delaying the bill's passage by weeks. Democratic Gov. Josh Stein says he wants to work with GOP lawmakers, and President Donald Trump, on Helene but needs faster action and more funding. State Senate leader Phil Berger said the legislature may have a deal soon, but Stein said in several speeches this week the wait has been too long. Meanwhile, death threats against politicians have been on the rise in North Carolina. And NC Capitol Bureau Chief Laura Leslie breaks news about asbestos concerns inside the state legislative building.</p>

<p>Helene relief aid and a bill to invest the NC Pension Plan in Bitcoin and other cyrptocurrencies are moving forward in the legislature. So are bills to ban DEI in public schools or to crack down on students using cell phones during class time. But other education worries could be on the horizon: The state's biggest school district is implementing a hiring freeze, citing in part the efforts by President Donald Trump to eliminate the federal Department of Education, which gives North Carolina over a billion dollars every year.</p>