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The state Senate on Wednesday approved legislation that would restrict government mandates for health insurance plans, despite objections from some Democrats.

North Carolina House members have advanced a Republican package to boost state recovery funding after Hurricane Helene by another $500 million.

Legislation in the state House would give employees of small businesses a new way to save for retirement with a "Work and Save" payroll deduction program.

A state House committee approved a plan Tuesday to increase unemployment benefits due to inflation, just as a temporary Helene-related increase is set to expire.

New North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein is suing again over more recent laws from state Republicans that erode gubernatorial powers. The Democratic governor filed a lawsuit against House Speaker Destin Hall and Senate leader Phil Berger late last week.

The state Senate is considering a bill this week that would restrict government mandates for health insurance plans.

The state House introduced a new $500 million Helene recovery funding bill Wednesday. The amount is about half of what Gov. Josh Stein proposed spending earlier this week, although the two plans for western North Carolina include many similar programs.

A state agency tasked with rebuilding homes damaged in hurricanes Matthew and Florence is asking the legislature for more money, saying it otherwise won't finish the long-delayed recovery from storms that hit North Carolina more than six years ago.

A legislative oversight committee heard from Gov. Josh Stein's administration about its work on rebuilding. House Speaker Destin Hall says the committee's work will lead to new legislation and state funding.

The Wake County Democrat revealed a throat cancer diagnosis in December. Over the weekend, John announced his resignation, saying that he had received a terminal diagnosis. He served on the Court of Appeals in the 1990s and as the crime lab director in the early 2010s.