NC General Assembly Returns To Begin Work Session In Earnest

The North Carolina General Assembly has returned to Raleigh to begin in earnest its annual work period. The Republican-controlled House and Senate reconvened Wednesday after a two-week layoff. State law initially required lawmakers to hold a one-day meeting Jan. 13 to seat members, then reelect Rep. Tim Moore as House speaker and Sen. Phil Berger as Senate leader. Early-year legislation is likely to include addressing how to distribute more federal COVID-19 dollars Congress approved and locating money for rural broadband service. Legislators also filed their first bills Wednesday. The first votes could come next week.