RALEIGH — The South Carolina-based Catawba Indian Nation wants to build a $340 million casino in Kings Mountain. The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians opposes the competition. Most N.C. state senators say the federal government has no business approving the resort.

RALEIGH — In its application to build a solar facility on Gov. Roy Cooper’s Nash County property, Durham-based Strata Solar said its generating capacity would be about 5 megawatts. Enough energy to power continuously about 3,750 homes.

RALEIGH — Legislative opponents of certificate of need laws are confident. This may be the year they prevail against the restrictive health-care regulations.

RALEIGH — The Senate Finance Committee unanimously passed Senate Bill 622, the Tax Reduction Act of 2019, on Tuesday, May 14, and sent it to the Senate Rules Committee.

RALEIGH — The State Board of Elections ousted Executive Director Kim Strach Monday, May 13, on a party line vote, naming Karen Brinson Bell of Charleston, South Carolina, to replace Strach effective June 1.

RALEIGH — Fresh off N.C. Department of Insurance approval of cost-reducing reforms, Treasurer Dale Folwell is optimistic doctors and hospitals will join a new State Health Plan provider network. Contracts were set to go out late last week.

RALEIGH — A $470-million surge in April tax collections could push the state budget surplus to more than $700 million.

RALEIGH — The state’s tax-supported managed care agencies for mental health are a mess.

RALEIGH — If the state budget process seems polarized now, just wait. It could get even more quarrelsome as lawmakers contemplate how their votes might affect 2020 political prospects.

RALEIGH — The House passed its $24.5 billion General Fund budget for 2019-20 by a 61-54 margin on Thursday, May 2, after spending three hours wrestling with 34 amendments.