VOLUME 8 ISSUE 5
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WWW.NSJONLINE.COM
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 29, 2023
the
BRIEF this week
Biden visits Wolfspeed in effort to boost economic policies Durham President Joe Biden visited semiconductor manufacturer Wolfspeed to spotlight the impact legislation passed earlier in his administration is having on the U.S. economy and contrast his vision with that of Republicans as they square off on budget priorities. Biden’s visit follows the Durham-based company’s announcement last September to build a $5 billion manufacturing facility in Chatham County that is expected to create 1,800 new jobs. The White House says Biden while in North Carolina will highlight that his legislative efforts have spurred $435 billion in private-sector manufacturing commitments since he took office.
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North Carolina Republican Senate leader Phil Berger, left, and Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper shake hands at a ceremony celebrating Medicaid expansion Monday, March 27, 2023, at the Executive Mansion in Raleigh
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Ignoring warnings, Republicans pass Medicaid expansion
U.S. renewable electricity surpassed coal in 2022 Washington, D.C. Electricity generated from renewables surpassed coal in the United States for the first time in 2022, the U.S. Energy Information Administration announced Monday. Renewables also surpassed nuclear generation in 2022 after first doing so last year. Growth in wind and solar significantly drove the increase in renewable energy and contributed 14% of the electricity produced domestically in 2022. California produced 26% of the national utility-scale solar electricity followed by Texas with 16% and North Carolina with 8%. The EIA report found the country remains reliant on fossil fuels. Coal-fired generation was 20% of the total electric sector in 2022, a decline from 23% in 2021. Natural gas was the largest source of electricity in the U.S. in 2022, generating 39% last year compared to 37% in 2021. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Agreement signed to protect eastern NC land Raleigh State officials have signed an agreement with Weyerhaeuser that protects more than 1,600 acres of environmentally rich land across eastern North Carolina. The largest private landowner in North Carolina, Weyerhaeuser has agreed to voluntarily set aside eight tracts of land in North Carolina’s Coastal Plain for the conservation of rare species and highquality natural communities, such as Tidal Swamps and Bottomland Hardwood Forests. “Natural Heritage Registry agreements are voluntary, developed between landowners and the state to manage and protect properties with rare plants, animals or other outstanding natural elements,” said NCDNCR secretary Reid Wilson. “This agreement will help protect several rare and endangered plants and animals in the Coastal Plain.” The eight sites to be added to the registry are located in Pender, Sampson, Beaufort, Brunswick, Bertie and Hyde Counties. NSJ STAFF
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Republicans, which began in 2022, completes a long-sought goal of Democrats and hospital leaders. While legislative leaders’ supRALEIGH — North Carolina Republicans made it official last port made the deal fait accompli, Thursday, passing a massive Med- fiscal conservatives still sounded icaid expansion bill that will add alarms before passage. One of the leading groups opas many as 600,000 able-bodied posing the efforts was North Carolinians to the Foundation for federal health care Government Accountrolls. ability, which warned The final passage “For years, state leaders that 39 of the bill, HB 76, was other states have tried celebrated by Repubthe fiscally — and failed — to keep licans, Democrats and conservative costs associated with hospital leaders, as billions in federal funds legislature has expansion reined in. “Every state that has will now be used to covstuck to sound expanded Medicaid er nearly 4 in 10 citizens economic has seen a huge influx in the state. At a ceremony Mon- principles. Their of able-bodied adults crowding their proday at the Executive assertions grams,” the FGA notMansion, Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper that expansion ed. “In all these states, total enrollment far basked in the glow of will end if exceeded what expanrealizing one of his top sion advocates estimatpriorities since becomit becomes ed. What would make ing governor. The scene fiscally North Carolina any diffeatured dozens of leguntenable is a ferent?” islators, doctors and The group gave two stagecraft touting the pipe dream.” examples. In Virginia, measure. initial projections for “Medicaid expansion JLF President expansion enrollment is a once-in-a-generwere 300,000 people. ation investment that Donald Bryson Enrollment sits at more will strengthen our than 730,000 people, mental health system, boost our rural hospitals, support crowding out budget resources for working families and so much essential services such as roads, more,” said Cooper. “This is a his- law enforcement and schools, actoric step toward a healthier North cording to research. In addition, a Carolina that will bring people the ballot initiative in Idaho expandopportunity of better health and a ed the program, which quickly better life.” The swift turnaround of state See MEDICAID, page A2 By Matt Mercer North State Journal
Folwell announces gubernatorial bid, Robinson announcement scheduled for April NC’s first black lieutenant governor picks symbolic venue for announcement By A.P. Dillon North State Journal RALEIGH — N.C. State Treasurer Dale Folwell will run for governor in 2024, he announced while speaking at the Forsyth County GOP Convention in Clemmons on March 25. “I chose this event out of respect for those whose shoulders have carried me in my political career,” said Folwell. “The root word of governor is to govern, and I am uniquely qualified to be the CEO of the largest business in North Carolina.” Folwell also said his campaign motto will be, “The best governor money can’t buy.” Some believe Folwell can win,
such as Brent Woodcox, the senior policy counsel to Senate Leader Phil Berger (R-Eden). “If @DaleFolwell were to be the Republican nominee for Governor in 2024, he would essentially be the definition of ‘generic Republican.’ And you know what happens to generic Republicans in statewide races in NC? They win,” tweeted Woodcox. Others, such as Sen. Danny Britt (R-Robeson), expressed concern the state would lose a good treasurer in a race that will be a “stomp down.” “100$ side bet there is not a soul that can beat Lt. Governor (Mark) Robinson in a primary. We will lose what has been a fiscally strong Treasurer who will be nothing more than a speed bump in the primary. It will be a See ELECTION, page A3
Bill would bar purchase of NC farmland, land near military bases by certain foreign governments By A.P. Dillon North State Journal RALEIGH — N.C. House Majority Leader Rep. John Bell (R-Wayne) announced the filing of a bill to protect North Carolina farmland and land near military installations from being purchased by “adversarial” foreign entities. “Allowing foreign adversaries to purchase farmland is a legitimate concern in rural North Carolina and poses a serious risk to our national and food security,” Bell said in a press release. “By putting a halt to these land grabs, this bill will protect our state’s most precious natural resources while further safeguarding our military installations. It is critical that we act now to mitigate this unnecessary threat to our state and nation.” House Bill 462, the N.C. Farmland and Military Protection Act, would prohibit China, Russia, Iran and other foreign adversaries and state-controlled entities from purchasing agricultural land in
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North Carolina. The bill also includes property surrounding military installations. Primary sponsors of the bill include Speaker Tim Moore (R-Kings Mountain), and Reps.
Jeff Zenger (R-Forsyth) and Jennifer Balkcom (R-Henderson). According to the bill, “no adversarial foreign government shall See LAND, page A2