North Carolina

State Efficiency Bill Involving AI Advances in North Carolina

Published

9 months ago

April 4, 2025

State Efficiency Bill Involving AI Advances in North Carolina

(TNS) — A N.C. Senate bill that would review state agency performance and staffing levels, relying in part on the use of artificial intelligence, cleared its first committee step Wednesday.

Senate Bill 474, titled “The DAVE Act,” was recommended by the Senate Regulatory Reform committee after nearly 30 minutes of at times contentious debate.

Although the bill is being fast-tracked to gatekeeper Rules and Operations committee, the legislation is expected to be inserted into the 2025-26 state budget bill to fund additional state Auditor office job positions.

Senate leader Phil Berger, R-Rockingham, is in the rare role of being a primary bill sponsor.

According to a news release from Berger’s office, the legislation is designed to “get a complete picture” of how state agencies are utilizing taxpayer funds “and determine if the agency should continue to exist.”

The acronym DAVE stands for Division of Accountability, Value and Efficiency, which would be housed in the State Auditor’s office of Republican Dave Boliek.

Bill sponsors say the key areas for state agency review — so far — includes: amounts spent, including the entities receiving funds and the intended purpose of the amounts spent; effectiveness of any amount spent in achieving the intended purpose of that spending; and duplicative spending.

Each agency is to report all job positions that have been vacant for six months or more. Agency reports would have an Oct. 1 filing deadline.

SB474 was amended to establish a sunset that was not specified, but to occur after the 2028 general election, and allow Boliek to request annual reports.

Berger said SB474 “facilitates the auditor’s ability to move forward on examining how monies that are appropriated by the General Assembly … are actually deployed … effectively deployed and whether or not there’s a failure on the part of an executive agency to utilize the funds as directed by the legislature.”

The bill is likely to join the growing list of Republican-sponsored bills that may serve as the first test of Democratic Gov. Josh Stein’s ability to sustain a veto vote.

Senate Republicans hold a 30-20 supermajority that gives them the votes to override a Stein veto. However, House Republicans are one vote shy of a supermajority at 71-49.

Boliek, in his first term as auditor, said SB474 empowers the state Auditor’s Office “to do that what we already have the authority to do” in terms of auditing for operational, funding and overall program efficiency.”

Boliek said the proposed objectives of SB474 should draw bipartisan support.

“What this bill does is it puts together the legislature, the executive branch and the state Auditor’s Office,” Boliek said.

“It is designed to do better government, a date-centered approach that gets real, impactful results.”

Boliek claimed SB474 is needed in part because previous state auditors provided “bread and butter financial audits that are a 30,000-foot views that does not — quite frankly — give members of this body the type of information you need and you expect … to make competent, judgmental decisions as they run their agencies.

“My commitment is to do this in a nonpartisan way that’s data centric. … not emotion. The proof will be in the pudding.”

Boliek said the expanded use of artificial intelligence is warranted “because we’ve got to start somewhere in the state of North Carolina because it’s coming, and there’s no better place than the state Auditor’s Office to get started with that.”

Several Senate Democratic committee members critical of SB474 claimed Senate GOP leaders want to establish a N.C. version of the controversial federal DOGE initiative led by billionaire Elon Musk.

They expressed concerns that state departments and agencies, already are dealing with staffing vacancies reaching 20% to 25%, could have their workforce experience more cuts based on assessments from artificial intelligence algorithms.

Sen. Caleb Theodros, D-Mecklenburg, said there needs to be firm restraints and transparency on the use of artificial intelligence in evaluating the performance of agencies and their employees.

Berger said legislators will employ artificial intelligence as a tool in determining funding appropriation levels and whether state funds are being wasted or not.

“Your comments point out exactly why we need something like this,” Berger said.

Sen. Lisa Grafstein, D-Wake, said the auditor’s office focuses on accounting functions, and is not meant to be a program evaluator of the work of state employees and “whether they are necessary.”

“I think we are getting really close to the idea that we’re demonizing state employees who are trying to do their jobs, and folks who are trying to make our communities better.”

Sen. Sophia Chitlik, D-Durham, said moving forward with SB474 is harmful when state government is struggling to fill about 14,000 job vacancies, in part because of the pay scale compared with the private sector.

“Behind every one of these jobs there is a reason for them, a community need,” Chitlik said.

“It strikes me as actually very inefficient to potentially leave it up to AI to eliminate them because we can’t fill them.”

Chitlik said the DOGE initiative is putting about 35,000 federal jobs in N.C. at risk of elimination.

She cited as an example the elimination of a UNC Health laboratory workforce dedicated to studying youth vaping “because their NIH (National Institutes of Health) grant had the word equity in it.”

“We do not need to look any further than our state for examples of what happens when you let an algorithm take control of our workplace,” she said.

Berger responded by saying Boliek “has no authority to discharge anyone. He has the authority to identify problems in any discharge.”

“Any elimination of positions would be left up to the General Assembly.”

Sen. Woodson Bradley, D-Mecklenburg, said it is critical that whatever authority that DAVE is given by the legislature has bipartisan support.

“We can’t let this infect the entire (state) budget, not let it hurt people with zero accountability,” she said.

Meanwhile, public speakers called out Senate Republican leadership for what they termed hypocrisy.

They said the call for more stringent evaluations of how government agencies operate runs counter to legislators sticking into the 2023 state budget bill language that allows legislators to determine whether documents are public records, shield them from public release and destroy them if they choose.

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North Carolina

North Carolina confirms 5th measles case as South Carolina’s outbreak surges

Published

11 hours ago

January 10, 2026

Press Room

North Carolina confirms 5th measles case as South Carolina’s outbreak surges

BUNCOMBE COUNTY, N.C. (WLOS) — As of Friday, Jan. 9, there are a total of 310 measles cases in South Carolina, mostly in Spartanburg County, including 99 new cases since Tuesday, according to S.C. health officials.

North Carolina is also dealing with measles, with a case recently confirmed on Friday in Rutherford County. This raises the state’s total to five cases since late December, according to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS).

While the number of measles cases in western North Carolina is in single digits, health officials are warning the public about just how quickly and easily it can spread, along with several other illnesses.

Health officials continue to remain focused on stopping it from spreading.

NEW MEASLES CASE CONFIRMED IN RUTHERFORD COUNTY; 5TH CASE IN NORTH CAROLINA SINCE DECEMBER

“Currently, we do not have a community spread of measles in Buncombe County. The cases that we’ve had have been connected to the South Carolina outbreak that is right across the state line,” said Buncombe County Public Health Director Dr. Ellis Matheson.

The measles case in Polk County, confirmed on Dec. 31, 2025, was the first in N.C. believed to be linked to the S.C. outbreak, after an unvaccinated child traveled to Spartanburg County, as News 13 previously reported. The next three WNC measles occurrences, which NCDHHS announced on Jan. 6, were siblings in Buncombe County who also traveled to Spartanburg County.

Measles continues to be an issue in North Carolina.

JAN. 6, 2026 – A flyer in Buncombe County warning of illness symptoms amid three confirmed measles cases in the county. (Photo credit: WLOS Staff)

In Friday’s case update, Matheson said if you feel like you’ve been exposed and are already experiencing symptoms, let the clinic or hospital know before coming in.

“Please call ahead so that we can really reduce any potential exposures to possible measles,” Matheson said.

If you haven’t been vaccinated but have been exposed, Dr. Matheson added that even if you aren’t experiencing symptoms, you’re being asked to quarantine for 21 days from the date of exposure.

NC HEALTH OFFICIALS URGE VACCINES AMID MEASLES AND RESPIRATORY ILLNESS SURGE

She’s also encouraging those who were exposed to measles on January 4 between 2 a.m. and 6:30 a.m. at Mission Hospital’s Emergency Department waiting room to contact them right away.

“We are in general seeing community spread of both varicella and whooping cough,” Matheson said.

As for chickenpox, outbreaks have not spread to additional schools, but community spread has continued, including an outbreak at Fairview Elementary School, which is why she’s encouraging everyone to take steps in prevention.

“So once again, I would just strongly encourage that people are making sure that they are up to date on recommended vaccines for everything that we have vaccines for,” Matheson said.

Buncombe County health officials are holding free vaccine clinics every week. For more information or if you want to book ahead, call (828) 250-6100.

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North Carolina

North Carolina, Bill Belichick officially name Bobby Petrino offensive coordinator

Published

23 hours ago

January 9, 2026

Press Room

North Carolina, Bill Belichick officially name Bobby Petrino offensive coordinator

Bill Belichick is adding an experienced offensive coordinator to his coaching staff at North Carolina football for the 2026 college football season.

On Friday, Jan. 9, the Tar Heels announced the hiring of Bobby Petrino as the offensive coordinator. Petrino spent the last two seasons with Arkansas as the offensive coordinator and was promoted to interim head coach following the firing of Sam Pittman.

Belichick and the Tar Heels opted to part ways with former offensive coordinator Freddie Kitchens on Dec. 12, after one season.

“We are fortunate to add an elite coaching talent in Bobby to our staff,” Belichick said in a statement. “He brings an extensive background and a proven record of success on offense at every level of football. Bobby has consistently built great offenses everywhere he has been, and we look forward to having him work with our program.”

UNC finished 2025 as one of the worst offenses in college football. Out of 136 FBS teams, the Tar Heels finished No. 131 in total offense and No. 121 in scoring offense (19.3).

Petrino brings previous head coaching experience to Belichick’s staff, with stops at Louisville (2003-06), the Atlanta Falcons (2007), Arkansas (2008-11), Western Kentucky (2013), Louisville (2014-18) and Missouri State (2020-22).

With the Cardinals, Petrino coached 2016 Heisman Trophy winner and two-time ACC Player of the Year Lamar Jackson. Last season, the Razorbacks ranked 19th nationally in total offense with 454.8 yards per game.

“I’m extremely excited to join Coach Belichick and the Carolina football program,” Petrino said. “This is an incredible opportunity to work with one of the best at a storied institution. I cannot wait to get started in Chapel Hill alongside this coaching staff and student-athletes.”

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North Carolina

North Carolina Democrats, Republicans share takes on deadly ICE shooting in Minneapolis

Published

1 day ago

January 9, 2026

Press Room

North Carolina Democrats, Republicans share takes on deadly ICE shooting in Minneapolis

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — North Carolina political leaders disagree heavily on what happened during a deadly-ICE involved shooting in Minnesota and what should happen next.

Several videos immediately circulated depicting the moment when Renee Good was shot in her vehicle by an ICE agent. Democrats and Republicans dispute what the video actually shows.

“I’m horrified and I’m disgusted,” Democratic state Sen. Sophia Chitlik said.

Chitlik represents Durham where immigration enforcement agents had a large presence a few weeks ago. She stated the video shows why she and some of her constituents don’t want the agents back.

“Get out,” she said. “We do not want ICE and CBP in our community. Not only do citizens and constituents not want them here, law enforcement doesn’t want them here. Our sheriff’s office, our police department, is very focused on keeping people safe, which is why crime is down. We manage public safety here.”

Matt Mercer, the communications director for the North Carolina Republican Party, stated the video shows the ICE agent acting in self-defense.

“I think what you see is the video speaks for itself,” Mercer said. “You had a federal agent acting in self-defense after potentially being rammed by someone in a vehicle, which is unfortunate. You just hate to see what happened.”

Chitlik disputes the notion that the ICE agent acted in self-defense, saying, “It’s not true. The video shows that it’s not true. [Good] was trying to back up, not move forward, trying to leave the situation. They aggressively pursued her.”

Republicans continue to back the federal agents in Minnesota and across the country, arguing it’s what millions of Americans voted for.

“It’s already shown a lot of progress,” Mercer said. “You’ve had over two million illegals deported or self-deported from our country, which is exactly what President [Donald] Trump campaigned on.”

Some Democrats say immigration enforcement agents don’t make communities safer and instead incite violence fear.

“ICE is not here to keep us safe,” Chitlik said. “ICE is here to police us. ICE is here as an agent of fascism in our cities. They are not welcome here.”

Republicans say the immigration agents aren’t the ones raising tensions.

“Anytime you see people using an iPhone app and saying there’s ICE [in the area], it’s intentionally provoking and stoking tensions,” Mercer said. “You’d like to see people using their right to protest in a way that’s not obstructing the mission these hardworking officers are doing every day.”

CBS 17 has not heard of any plans for the immigration agents to return to North Carolina.

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