Under the Dome: Nurses make new push for more autonomy
Good morning and welcome to the Under the Dome newsletter. I’m Emmy Martin.
Two bills in the state legislature would give advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) more authority to treat patients.
It’s not the first time lawmakers have pushed a similar bill, but physicians’ groups have long opposed the effort.
In a news release this week from the North Carolina Nurses Association promoting House Bill 514 and Senate Bill 537, one of their proponents, Sen. Ralph Hise, said he “cannot think of many other bills that could save North Carolina this kind of money while actually improving the healthcare system.”
“More than 25 other states have already passed APRN full practice authority – and it’s been at least 20 years in some of those states – so I’m tired of hearing all these disingenuous arguments suggesting we need to study the issue a little longer,” Hise said. Earlier this week, nurses from across North Carolina rallied in downtown Raleigh to advocate for the legislation.
APRNs, who have a master’s degree – many have doctoral degrees as well – need a supervising doctor before they can offer patients certain services in North Carolina.
The Nurses Association called for co-sponsors to the bills in a post on X on Thursday, saying, “We may not have the deep pockets of the physicians’ lobby, but we fully intend to get this important legislation passed for the good of #NorthCarolina patients.”
The NC Medical Society, which represents doctors, posted that the bill would raise costs and reduce safety: “We support team based care. Physician-led care offers safer, cost-effective healthcare.”
Ad on Fox News in NC targets Jefferson Griffin’s challenge over military votes
A new ad calling out Jefferson Griffin’s challenge to thousands of military and overseas voters who cast their ballots without providing a photo ID in the 2024 state Supreme Court election is now running on Fox News in North Carolina and on digital platforms.
That’s according to the group running the ad, Justice Project Action, which describes itself as a “nonpartisan organization dedicated to fighting injustice,” and launched the ad targeting one part of Griffin’s ongoing attempt to throw out over 65,000 ballots cast in the race that he narrowly lost to Democratic incumbent Allison Riggs.
More than four months since the election, North Carolina is the only state in the country with an uncertified statewide race. The North Carolina Court of Appeals heard arguments last week; Kyle Ingram has the latest.
In the ad, titled “Protect Military Votes”, several North Carolina veterans express concern regarding Griffin’s challenge.
“There’s nothing more sacred in America than our vote,” Mark Burnett, a Marine veteran, said in the ad.
The ad comes a week after several military veterans held a press conference outside the state Capitol to ask the Court of Appeals to “protect military voters.”
It’s likely the case will move to the state Supreme Court after the appeals court’s ruling. And as Ingram reports, Riggs has said that she plans to take it to federal court if the state courts rule against her.
NEWTON TAKES ON JOB OF GENERAL COUNSEL FOR UNC-CHAPEL HILL
A day after Paul Newton finished his final session as state Senate majority leader, his new gig was announced: he will be UNC-Chapel Hill’s general counsel beginning on April 21.
Senate Republicans plan to meet next week to pick a new majority leader. For Newton’s seat, Cabarrus County Republicans will choose a new senator, likely in the next few weeks, Dawn Baumgartner Vaughan reports.
UNC-Chapel Hill Chancellor Lee Roberts announced the hire on Thursday. In the announcement, Roberts said Newton “brings exceptional skills and deep experience in law, business and government to our University.”
Newton was previously the general counsel at Duke Energy, and Roberts noted that Newton received his business and law degrees from UNC.
Will Newton bring Senate Republicans’ priorities to UNC? Senate leader Phil Berger said he thinks Newton would do so “to the extent that there are issues that come up in that job that are similar to issues that he’s brought up or been supportive of over here.”
PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN NC TREASURY AND OPEN AI
The state treasurer’s office will get some help from ChatGPT.
State Treasurer Brad Briner announced the 12-week pilot program with OpenAI at a news conference on Thursday on the campus of North Carolina Central University.
Briner’s office is the first North Carolina state agency to partner with OpenAI, Brian Gordon reports.
“Imagine the time saved when ChatGPT can help summarize reports, identify warning signs in local government financial audits, or do deep data searches for unclaimed property,” said Briner, a Republican who took office in January. “This allows our team of dedicated professionals to focus on higher level strategic decision making and financial stewardship.”
The partnership with OpenAI formed through Briner’s personal connection with Aaron “Ronnie” Chatterji, a Duke University professor who was named OpenAI’s first chief economist last year. Chatterji ran for treasurer as a Democrat in 2020.
WHAT ELSE WE’RE WORKING ON
The state Senate passed a bill Thursday aimed at reducing costs and increasing transparency in health care, Avi Bajpai reports.
An Elon University poll released Thursday shows that six months after Helene hit North Carolina, many residents are not happy with the state’s recovery, Kyle Ingram reports. The poll also showed North Carolinians’ views on Gov. Josh Stein and the state Supreme Court.
The Trump administration announced cuts that will mean more than 80 job losses and at least $100 million in funding cuts for the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services, Danielle Battaglia reports.
Driving with a pet on your lap would be illegal under a bill moving forward in the House, Richard Stradling reports.
Today’s newsletter was by Emmy Martin. Check your inbox Sunday for more #ncpol.
Not a subscriber? Sign up on our website to receive Under the Dome in your inbox daily.
This story was originally published March 28, 2025 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Under the Dome: Nurses make new push for more autonomy."