NC legislature cancels meetings, lets staffers work remotely amid coronavirus fears
Due to concerns over coronavirus, North Carolina’s legislature is canceling committee meetings that bring small groups of lawmakers to Raleigh ahead of the next scheduled General Assembly session in late April.
A memo from legislative leaders Thursday said that meetings will be canceled until April 1 “at the earliest,” legislative staffers will be allowed to work remotely, and school field trips to the General Assembly will be canceled.
“The work of the people does not stop or end during a crisis, and the General Assembly will remain operational throughout this period,” Senate leader Phil Berger said in an emailed statement Thursday. “The formal beginning of the short session is scheduled for April 28, and that remains unchanged.”
The N.C. House and Senate haven’t held a session since mid-January. But between sessions, legislators come to Raleigh periodically for oversight committee meetings to hear presentations about key topics and work on draft legislation. On Thursday, for example, the committee handling justice and public safety issues got updates on the “Raise the Age” program to move 16- and 17-year-olds out of adult courts and prisons, as well as funding to reduce the backlog of rape kit testing.
This year’s committee meetings have been held in two cramped rooms in the Legislative Building, while larger hearing rooms that allow for a bit more “social distancing” are under renovation. Also, many lawmakers are over age 65 — the population that’s being encouraged to avoid large gatherings. Thursday’s memo said that “such gatherings are not prudent at this time..”
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The full legislature is still scheduled to return April 28 to address budget and other matters. There’s no provision in state law or constitution for meetings and votes via video conferencing or other approaches, according to Gerry Cohen, a retired legislative attorney. But if legislative leaders do decide in April not to hold their scheduled session, it’s possible a small number of lawmakers could vote on a resolution setting a postponed date.
“North Carolina is well positioned to respond to this challenge,” Berger said. “Legislative leaders are in regular contact with the Department of Health and Human Services and Secretary Mandy Cohen to stay apprised of the state’s actions. We are preparing for any policy response or economic stimulus that may be needed so we can act decisively at the appropriate time.”
House Speaker Tim Moore also hinted at future legislative action to respond to the coronavirus crisis. “North Carolina is well-prepared financially to support all recommended prevention and relief efforts to keep our people safe from harm,” Moore said in a news release. “Lawmakers stand ready to approve robust policy and budgetary action to support frontline healthcare professionals as may become necessary.”
Sen. Jeff Jackson, a Mecklenburg County Democrat, said lawmakers may need to go into session before April 28 if they need to provide fiscal relief or remove any obstacles to a coordinated response. Jackson said there’s “a very good chance of coming back before late April.”
He said lawmakers need to make sure people are able to get coronavirus tests free of charge and also look at tax relief and immediate ways to get cash into people’s hands who need it. He said discussions with state Republicans are at “a very early stage but I could expect those discussions to progress rapidly.”
Also Thursday, U.S. Rep. Alma Adams, a Democrat from Charlotte, wrote to Berger and Moore calling for a special session. She says state lawmakers should consider addressing the crisis by temporarily stopping utility disconnections, home foreclosures and evictions, as well as by expanding Medicaid and funding emergency food assistance.
“The threat is here and must be addressed faster than the usual speed of government,” she wrote, adding that a special session could “improve our public health resilience.”
Berger’s press office responded to Adams on Twitter, saying that “serious leaders don’t tweet out partisan PR stunts in the middle of a pandemic.”
Jackson said while things could change quickly, he’s seen “a very swift and welcome change in the perception by lawmakers of the seriousness that this poses to the people of the state,” he said.
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREWhat you should know about the coronavirus
The coronavirus is spreading in the United States. Officials are urging people to take precautions to avoid getting sick, and to avoid spreading the disease if they do contract it.
Click the drop-down icon on this card for more on the virus and what you should do to keep yourself and those around you healthy.
What is coronavirus?
Coronavirus is an infection of the respiratory system similar to the flu. Coronaviruses are a class of viruses that regularly cause illnesses among adults and children, but this outbreak has spawned a new disease called COVID-19, a particularly harsh respiratory condition that can lead to death.
Health officials believe COVID-19 spread from animals to humans somewhere in China. It spreads among humans by physical person-to-person contact, including via coughs. That’s why health officials urge sick individuals to avoid contact with other people.
For more information, visit the website for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms are similar to the flu and include fever, coughing and shortness of breath.
How can I stop the spread of the coronavirus?
Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, and cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.
If you develop symptoms similar to the coronavirus, you should seek medical attention. Stay home from work or school and avoid contact with others. It can take up to 14 days after coming into contact with the virus to develop symptoms.
COVID-19 is a new condition and there’s much about the disease we still don’t understand. For now, taking precautions is the best way to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
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This story was originally published March 12, 2020 at 3:11 PM with the headline "NC legislature cancels meetings, lets staffers work remotely amid coronavirus fears."
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