Lawmakers tighten Legislative Building access rules – Wilson Times

Raleigh, N.C. — A hastily called committee voted Thursday to pass new rules for citizens’ use of the Legislative Building – just in time for planned protests next week.

The rules haven’t been updated since 1987. The Legislative Services Commission, which sets the rules, hasn’t even met since 1999. Rep. Larry Hall, D-Durham, said he and other commission members weren’t officially appointed until Wednesday. 

Democrats say the rule changes are a blatant attempt to keep protesters in the "Moral Monday" movement out of the building. Republicans say the update was needed because of recent court rulings in Moral Monday arrest cases from last year. (Source: Read more)

Lawmaker on jobless bill: ‘It will cause more suicides and mass killings’ – Wilson NC

One of the controversial legislative debates this session is the vote to cut unemployment benefits.

The measure would reduce the maximum number of benefit weeks from 26 to 20.

It was an easy win for Republicans over Democrats – 77 to 42.

But one Democrat said she voted for the measure by mistake. (More)