Managing in North Carolina
NC State Government
NC State Government
Official Web Site of the State of North Carolina
NC History
NC State Agencies
Counties and cities interact with a large number of state agencies in connection with a wide variety of services. The State of North Carolina Website providess online access to every state agency as well as news and information about state programs and policies.
You can access:
- Links to descriptions of services and programs provided by each state agency
- Contact information for state agencies
- A directory of state agency employees
NC State Legislature
Laws of North Carolina, known as statutes, are made by the General Assembly. The North Carolina General Assembly (NCGA) is made of two bodies or houses: the Senate, which has 50 members; and the House of Representatives, which consists of 120 members. The General Assembly meets in regular session beginning in January of each odd-numbered year, and adjourns to reconvene (usually in May) the following even-numbered year for a shorter session.
You can access:
- An introduction to the NC General Assembly
- An overview of the legislative process
- Information about the General Assembly
- Official news and information about the status of legislation
- North Carolina statutes
NC State Courts
North Carolina has a unified system of state courts. There are no local courts in this state, although each county maintains a courthouse. The voters in each county elect a clerk of court, although this is a state office, rather than an office of county government. In fact, most court personnel are state employees in North Carolina, although counties provide the bailiffs or other security personnel.
- For an overview of NC courts see Article 36: The Courts, in the School of Government publication, County and Municipal Government in North Carolina.
- Current information on courts in North Carolina is available on the state courts website.
Elections in NC
In North Carolina, county elections are held in even-numbered years, along with elections for state and federal offices. Municipal elections are held in odd-numbered years. County elections are partisan. Most municipal elections are nonpartisan.
- For information on North Carolina election laws and procedures see Article 23: Elections, in the School of Government publication, County and Municipal Government in North Carolina.
- Current information about the State Board of Elections and county boards of elections is available here.
NC Regional Councils
- Region A: Southwestern Commission
- Region B: Land-of-Sky Regional Council
- Region C: Isothermal Planning and Development Commission
- Region D: High Country Council of Governments
- Region E: Western Piedmont Council of Governments
- Region F: Centralina Council of Governments
- Region G: Piedmont Triad Council of Governments
- Region H: no longer exists
- Region I: Northwest Piedmont Council of Governments
- Region J: Triangle J Council of Governments
- Region K: Kerr-Tar Regional Council of Governments
- Region L: Upper Coastal Plain Council of Governments
- Region M: Mid-Carolina Council of Governments
- Region N: Lumber River Council of Governments
- Region O: Cape Fear Council of Governments
- Region P: Eastern Carolina Council of Governments
- Region Q: Mid-East Commission
- Region R: Albemarle Commission
State and Federal Legislators
Citizen Participation and Interorganizational Partnerships in NC
Institute for Emerging Issues
http://www.ncsu.edu/iei/
The Institute for Emerging Issues is a think-and-do tank affiliated with North Carolina State University. The Institute is a catalyst for innovative public policy through research, ideas, debate, and action that encourages civic leadership in business, government, and higher education.
The Institute frames future challenges for North Carolina by identifying and researching emerging issues, specifically around topics that relate to the state’s growth and economic development. The Institute then brings together new combinations of leadership to debate and refine ideas that meet the demands of emerging issues. Finally, the Institute mobilizes and supports champions through programs of work that turn ideas into action.
North Carolina Center for Public Policy Research
http://www.nccppr.org/
The North Carolina Center for Public Policy Research is an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to the goals of a better-informed public and more effective, accountable, and responsive government. The Center identifies public policy issues facing North Carolina and enriches the dialogue among citizens, the media, and policymakers. Based on its research, the Center makes recommendations for improving the way government serves the people of this state. In all its efforts, the Center values reliable and objective research as a basis for analyzing public policy, independence from partisan bias and political ideology, the richness of the states diverse population, and a belief in the importance of citizen involvement in public life.