NC Senate

Sen. Dan Blue, D-Wake, is the only state lawmaker who’s been in office since the early 1980s, but the former House speaker is no longer serving as Senate minority leader after his fellow Democrats backed Sen. Sydney Batch for that role instead.

The state Senate is expected to vote this week on new regulations for child care facilities. The proposal would allow larger class sizes, among other provisions aimed at increasing access to child care services.

UNC and Duke's health systems are partnering on North Carolina's first standalone children's hospital. Republican leaders said it will be exempt from Certificate of Need.

N.C. Senate leaders are proposing a $32.6 billion budget that includes small raises and bonuses for teachers and state employees, while cutting programs and vacant positions across state government — all as they expand controversial scheduled income tax cuts.

If the Senate budget is approved as written, the state's total funding allocated to Helene would top $2 billion.

State Senate Republicans plan to release their budget bill on Monday. Leaders in the House and Senate have already agreed on how much to spend, and it's expected to be a tight budget year.

Sen. Michael Lee is serving his fifth term in the North Carolina Senate.

The state Senate is voting this week to require more transparency around the cost of health care services, part of legislative attempts to make health care in North Carolina more affordable.

A state Senate committee voted Tuesday to eliminate a permit requirement for people who want to carry a concealed gun.

The state Senate unanimously approved the latest round of Helene recovery funding Wednesday. It's the first major relief bill to the legislature since October.