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VOLUME 2 ISSUE 27
WWW.NSJONLINE.COM |
WEDNESDAY, JULY 5, 2017
Inside MLB All-Stars game starters revealed Sports
MADELINE GRAY | NORTH STATE JOURNAL
An American flag and the North Carolina state flag wave in the breeze outside of the General Assembly building on June 30, following the final day of the long session.
the Wednesday
NEWS BRIEFING
House cracks down on illegal immigrants with bills supported by Trump Washington, D.C. Bills backed by President Donald Trump to crack down on illegal immigrants passed the U.S. House of Representatives last week and now face Senate scrutiny. The House voted 228-195 to pass the “No Sanctuary for Criminals Act” to withhold some federal grants to so-called “sanctuary city” jurisdictions that do not comply with certain federal immigration laws. By a vote of 257-167, the chamber passed “Kate’s Law” to increase penalties for illegal immigrants who return to the U.S.
U.S. soy acres hit record high; wheat plantings lowest ever Washington, D.C. Farmers in N.C. have 81 percent of their soybean crop planted, up from the five-year average of 73 percent. The increase in N.C. comes as the USDA reports that farmers seeded a record amount of soybeans across the country this spring. All-wheat plantings fell to a record low of 45.657 million acres, with ample global stocks and weak export prospects pushing U.S. farmers away from that crop.
Hardin, 86, dies after battle with ALS Chapel Hill Chancellor Emeritus Paul Hardin III, 86, who led UNC Chapel Hill from 1988-1995, died after a battle with ALS. Hardin is survived by his wife of 63 years, three children, nine grandchildren and one greatgrandchild. The university will ring the South Building bell seven times at the service, to honor him as the seventh chancellor.
NORTH
STATE
JOURNaL ELEVATE THE CONVERSATION
House committee votes to investigate NC Secretary of State By Jeff Moore North State Journal RALEIGH — The N.C. House Rules Committee voted along party lines last week to form a Select Committee of 15 House members for the purposes of investigating N.C. Secretary of State Elaine Marshall for possible impeachable offenses related to the commissioning of illegal aliens as notaries. Rep. Chris Millis (R-Pender) presented the resolution to the committee after months of gathering and presenting evidence that Marshall’s commissioning policies were in conflict with state and federal law. “There is clear and convincing evidence of this wrongful action by the secretary,” said Millis Wednesday. “The evidence shows that Secretary Marshall has ignored the rule of law, usurped legislative authority, and engaged in conduct that can only undermine the public trust in government and cast doubt on the fraud deterrent role of the ministerial office of a notary public.” “It is also clear that the actions of the secretary have been completely masked from the public view,” Millis continued. “State law, the notary act, and the secretary’s own application to become a notary public, outline the correct process for noncitizens who have permanent status to rightfully become a notary by presenting the proper documentation of a green card (Form I-551, a Permanent Resident Card). But what has for years, been hidden from the public the See MARSHALL, page A3
Business
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By Mollie Young North State Journal RALEIGH — After a flurry of activity that began with a veto override, lawmakers adjourned their regular legislative session a little after 2 a.m. on Friday morning just ahead of the Independence Day holiday and a looming court order on redistricting. While most of the legislation that moved quickly through committees and floor votes Wednes-
EAMON QUEENEY | NORTH STATE JOURNAL
Secretary of State Elaine Marshall, right, listens during the Council of State’s first meeting with Gov. Roy Cooper at the helm, on Feb. 7.
day and Thursday was introduced and discussed over the course of the six-month session, major tweaks and compromises popped up in the final stretch. “Thanks to the hard work of the Republican-led General Assembly, North Carolina families can have confidence that they live in one of the best states to build a high quality of life — one with sound financial footing, low taxes and record savings that prepare us for emergencies,” said N.C. House Speaker Tim Moore (R-Cleveland) in a press release sent on Friday afternoon. “I appreciate See ADJOURNMENT, page A3
MADELINE GRAY | NORTH STATE JOURNAL
Rodney Lucas, of Wake Forest, vacuums a hearing room at the General Assembly building on June 30. Lucas has worked at the General Assembly for 33 years.
WOTUS
EPA and Army Corps seek to rescind clean water rule By Donna King North State Journal
Gov. Roy Cooper signs “Brunch Bill” allowing Sunday morning alcohol
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Lawmakers adjourn for the regular session at 2 a.m., plan to reconvene in August
The resolution, sponsored by Rep. Chris Millis (R-Pender), would form a House Select Committee of 15 members to conduct an investigation on Marshall
INSIDE
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Dust settles at West Jones Street, with scores of legislation sent to Cooper’s desk
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Army Corps of Engineers released a proposal Tuesday to repeal the 2015 Clean Water Rule, the latest move by the Trump administration to unwind aggressive environmental regulations put in place under former President Barack Obama. The agencies are working to rescind the Waters of the United States rule and reinstate the language of the rule before it was changed in 2015 by the Obama administration.
The rule updated the federal Clean Water Act to define what waterways — including smaller streams, rivers and other bodies — can be regulated by the federal government, stirring anger by the agriculture and energy industries, which said it gave regulators too much authority. “We are taking significant action to return power to the states and provide regulatory certainty to our nation’s farmers and businesses,” EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt said. In February, President Donald Trump said during the signing of See WOTUS, page A2