Phil Berger

In politically divided North Carolina, hostilities between Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper and majority-Republican lawmakers have eased somewhat as 2021 nears its end. But their relationship is still far from harmonious.

Lawmakers are scheduled to return in late December, but only for limited purposes such as veto overrides and redistricting changes. This year's work session began in January and is among the longest dating back to the 1960s.

The U.S. Supreme Court will consider whether North Carolina Republican legislative leaders can intervene in a federal court battle over a 2018 state voter ID mandate. House Speaker Tim Moore and Senate leader Phil Berger want to formally step into a pending federal case to defend the law.

A state budget was supposed to be in place July 1, but slow work at the Legislative Building combined with still-significant differences between Republican lawmakers and Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper have extended talks from the summer into the fall.

North Carolina Republicans are moving forward with a bill that defines what teachers can and can't say about race and racism in classrooms. State Senate leader Phil Berger teachers would be prohibited from compelling students to personally adopt a list of 13 beliefs.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools released a video of a controversial talk by anti-racism author Ibram X. Kendi after two top North Carolina Republicans called it divisive and dangerous. But most people still can't watch it.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools has drawn fire from two top Republicans, Senate leader Phil Berger and Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, over the superintendent's decision to pay anti-racism author Ibram X. Kendi to speak to district leaders. It's the lastest flare-up in a national battle over critical race theory and how to talk about racism.

Pat Ryan, a spokesperson for North Carolina GOP Senate leader Phil Berger, said the state Senate will not vote on S.B. 514, which prohibits people under 21 from receiving gender reassignment therapy or surgery.

The idea of vaccine passports is "a ridiculous concept," North Carolina's Republican Senate leader said via a spokesperson Thursday, in response Gov. Roy Cooper's comments that he is in discussions about creating a standardized record for people to prove they have been vaccinated for COVID-19.

School district leaders across the Charlotte region are trying to figure out whether a fast-tracked school reopening bill will force them — or allow them — to revise in-person schedules.