North Carolina
North Carolina’s May 17 primary will help determine the state legislature’s future
This yr’s election will decide the steadiness of energy in Congress. But it surely’ll even have impacts throughout the political spectrum, together with on the state stage in North Carolina. It’s an election yr for the Normal Meeting. Whereas Election Day isn’t till November, the Could 17 major offers voters an opportunity to slender down the candidates.
What precisely is the North Carolina Normal Meeting?
The North Carolina Normal Meeting is principally the state’s model of Congress. There are two chambers, the state Home and the state Senate, and their members are answerable for writing North Carolina’s legal guidelines and allocating cash for the state finances — issues like pay raises for state staff and funding for transportation tasks. The Normal Meeting additionally has the facility to attract political maps — together with those that form districts they run in — each 10 years.
As soon as the 2 chambers work out a invoice, they ship it to the governor for a signature. The governor can veto laws. The Normal Meeting can override the governor’s veto, however it wants a three-fifths majority in every chamber to tug that off.
Not like executive-level elected positions in North Carolina (governor, legal professional normal, superintendent and so forth), that are determined by all voters within the state, Normal Meeting members are picked by voters in particular districts.
What’s the major?
Once you go to vote in November, your selections are sort of restricted — one Republican candidate for a place, one Democrat, one Libertarian and so forth. Nicely, these are the candidates who had been chosen by voters throughout the primaries to characterize their events. The thought of a major is that when a number of folks wish to run for his or her occasion’s nomination for a selected job, the one who’s hottest with voters within the major advances to the final election. Consider it just like the screening spherical of a job interview. Primaries are likely to get much less consideration than normal elections as a result of they’re not that last job interview, so to talk.
However in districts that closely favor one political occasion, the one that wins the first might be extra prone to win the final election by default. If you need a superb instance, look to North Carolina’s mountains. Election forecasters anticipate a Republican to win the eleventh U.S. Home District there in November, which is why there’s loads of focus proper now on the Republican major — with controversial incumbent Rep. Madison Cawthorn dealing with a number of challengers from his personal occasion. There are even some usually Democratic voters who’re voting within the GOP major in an try to decrease Cawthorn’s probabilities of successful.
Who can vote within the major?
Any registered voter in North Carolina can vote within the Could 17 major. However once more, the principles are a bit completely different from these of a normal election, in which you’ll vote for any candidate. However the primaries are partisan — aka occasion particular. Which means registered Democrats can solely vote within the Democratic major and registered Republicans can solely vote within the Republican major.
Unaffiliated voters, however, can vote in both major — however they’ve to select one and keep it up. In different phrases, they will’t vote in each.
Who’s within the North Carolina state Home major within the Charlotte space?
Right here’s a fast rundown of which candidates for the North Carolina Home will probably be within the Could 17 major. (Observe: Candidates that will probably be on the poll in November however don’t have major challengers aren’t included on this listing.)
Mecklenburg County
Gaston County
Iredell County
Catawba County
- District 89 (Republican): Benjamin Devine, Kelli Weaver Moore, Mitchell Smith Setzer
Cabarrus County
Rowan County
- District 83 (Republican): Kevin Crutchfield, Grayson Haff, Brad Jenkins
Union County
- District 55 (Republican): Brandon Smith, Mark Brody
Anson County
- District 55 (Republican): Brandon Smith, Mark Brody
Who’s within the North Carolina state Senate major within the Charlotte space?
Right here’s a fast rundown of which candidates for the North Carolina Senate will probably be within the Could 17 major. (Observe: Candidates that will probably be on the poll in November however don’t have major challengers aren’t included on this listing.)
Mecklenburg County
Iredell County
- District 37 (Republican): Tom Fyler, Vickie Sawyer
Which North Carolina Normal Meeting districts am I in?
You may kind your deal with in these interactive maps supplied by the state:
How can I vote?
You may vote in particular person in two methods for the first. First, you possibly can vote on election day, Could 17, at your precinct. It’s vital to know that you simply should have registered to vote by April 22 to vote in particular person on election day for the first.
In the event you miss that registration deadline otherwise you’d reasonably not take care of the traces on election day however nonetheless want the in-person technique, you possibly can vote early. Early voting begins on April 28 and runs by Could 14. There are two key issues to know: 1, you possibly can vote at any one-stop early voting website in your county, and a couple of, you possibly can register to vote on website — even if you happen to miss that April 22 registration deadline.
You can too vote by mail. Right here’s some info from the state about how to do this.
What are the vital dates?
April 22 is the voter-registration deadline for the first if you happen to plan to vote in particular person on election day or by mail.
April 28 is when early, in-person voting begins.
Could 10 is the deadline for requesting an absentee poll if you wish to vote by mail within the major.
Could 14 is the final day of early, in-person voting. In the event you didn’t already register to vote within the major, that is your final probability — however you possibly can solely do it on website whereas voting early.
Could 17 is election day. It’s additionally the final day for absentee ballots to be submitted.
With more than 2,000 miles of rivers and the most whitewater rivers in the southeastern U.S., North Carolina is a paddler’s paradise. From mellow riffles and Class I rapids to more challenging runs, North Carolina’s whitewater scene has something for all experience levels. But one river has earned a reputation among experienced paddlers as a bucket list whitewater experience.
Known for its steep and technical rapids, the Cheoah River offers tantalizing Class III to V rapids that give even the most experienced paddlers a thrill. There’s just one catch …
Cheoah River History
Like many rivers across the country, the Cheoah River is controlled by a dam. For more than 70 years, the 9-mile section of the Cheoah River between the Santeelah Dam and Lake Calderwood at the convergence of the Little Tennessee River was dewatered, which means the once-powerful river was reduced to an average flow of 250 CFS.
Thankfully, after years of lobbying, American Whitewater and its local partners were able to negotiate for scheduled releases. Since 2005, the river has returned to its former glory at least 18 times annually for recreation and ecological purposes. That means you can have a chance to experience the iconic rapids on the Cheoah River — if you time it right.
Paddling a Scheduled Release on the Cheoah River
During scheduled water releases, approximately 1,000 CFS of water flow through the Santeelah Dam. The result is 14 Class III+ to Class V rapids in a 9-mile stretch, with additional smaller rapids mixed in. Most releases are planned for weekends in the spring through fall. To plan a trip to paddle the Cheoah River, check the Graham County Travel website for details on the annual release schedule.
Of course, release schedules are subject to change based on weather conditions and other factors, so double-check closer to your target release date to confirm everything is happening as planned. Advance permits aren’t required, but the U.S. Forest Service requires each individual to purchase a day pass — available from local vendors at the put-in — to access the river during high-flow events.
Guided Experiences on the Cheoah River
Think you’re up for the challenge, but apprehensive about setting out on your own? Opt for a guided paddle with a local outfitter. These expert guides bring a deep understanding of whitewater paddling and knowledge specific to the Cheoah River to all their trips so they can help intermediate and advanced paddlers take on challenging rapids safely.
Check out trips with outfitters like Nantahala Outdoor Center or Endless River Adventures to see if a guided paddle is the right move for you.
Beginner-Friendly Alternatives
While the Cheoah River is suitable for experienced paddlers, there are still plenty of ways for beginners to enjoy the area. Camp on the shores of Lake Santeelah, just upriver from the whitewater put-in, at Cheoah Point Campground. This beachfront recreation area offers first-come, first-served campsites for tents and RVs.
Enjoy easy access to the 2,800-acre lake, which is open for boating, fishing, jet skiing, and swimming. Or use the lake as a launchpad for exploring hiking trails in the area. Don’t miss a chance to grab a bite at the Historic Tapoco Lodge. Situated on the bank of the Cheoah River, the lodge offers prime views of the whitewater action.
If you’re keen on whitewater but aren’t ready to tackle the Cheoah, head to the U.S. National Whitewater Center in Charlotte. Home to the world’s largest manmade whitewater river, the center is well-equipped to help novice paddlers explore the sport and allow more experienced paddlers to take their skills to the next level — all in a controlled environment.
Explore North Carolina Responsibly
Let’s work together to keep North Carolina a paradise for paddling and other on-the-water activities for future generations. Learn how with Leave No Trace tips from Outdoor NC. Then, join the movement to protect North Carolina’s cherished outdoor spaces.
This post was sponsored by Visit North Carolina.
As North Carolina legislative leaders begin to negotiate a spending plan for the next two years, they’ll have a little less money to work with than expected.
Economic forecasters who work in state government have revised their budget projections downward for the next two years.
Forecasters at the legislature and the Office of State Budget and Management come to what’s known as a consensus revenue forecast every year. Then they revise it after the April 15 tax deadline.
The forecasters tend to take a conservative approach, so revised budget projections often provide good news for the state in the form of more revenue coming in than initially anticipated.
But that wasn’t the case this year.
The budget forecast released in February projected the state would collect $544 million more in taxes than expected this fiscal year, but after tax season. Now they expect collections total to be about $364 million. The state’s budget is about $32.6 billion. Forecasters say business tax collections are down slightly because rising costs are cutting into taxable revenues.
The forecast for surplus tax collection in the 2025-26 fiscal year has also been revised downward slightly by $217.6 million or 0.6%. And the forecast for 2026-27 is down a bit more, by $222.4 million or 0.7%
The Office of State Budget and Management ascribed the revision in part to “a weakening outlook for wage and profit growth.”
“Recent business surveys show fewer businesses expect to raise workers’ wages, with many expressing renewed focus on cutting costs to support profitability amid higher prices for imports,” OSBM said in a statement.
Forecasters also predicted slower growth in sales taxes due to lagging wage growth, tariffs and heightened economic uncertainty.
Larger-than-expected tax collections in years past have helped North Carolina build a rainy-day fund — which in turn has helped the state quickly react to unexpected events such as Hurricane Helene, the September storm that caused about $60 billion in damage and left more than 100 North Carolinians dead.
Democratic Gov. Josh Stein seized the news of the budget revision to call on Republican state lawmakers to drop their plans for future tax cuts. His budget proposal called for freezing taxes at their current levels.
“This news comes in the midst of an uncertain economy and federal budget pressures that may put funding for critical resources including Medicaid and SNAP in jeopardy,” Stein said. “It also comes as we find ourselves on the hook for even more Hurricane Helene recovery expenses.”
“We need to balance our books, not bury our heads in the sand,” he concluded.
Demi Dowdy, a spokeswoman for Republican North Carolina House Speaker Destin Hall, provided WRAL News with a statement on Thursday.
“Joe Biden’s legacy of sky high inflation continues, but we’re confident President Trump’s policies will bring economic growth just as they did in his first term,” Dowdy wrote. “Meanwhile, the North Carolina House will continue to pursue fiscally conservative state budgets.”
Republican Senate leaders didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment.
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