PODCAST: Williams Mullen's Gavels & Gowns - What’s Next in VA K-12 Education? An Interview with Scott Brabrand, Executive Director of VASS
In its 2025 regular session, the General Assembly made a number of changes to the statutes that affect public education in Connecticut. This summary provides a brief overview of some of the more significant changes. Unless...more
In its recently adjourned session, the General Assembly passed two major bills regarding special education. Although the Governor has not yet signed these bills, we wanted to provide a brief and non-exhaustive overview of the...more
Governor’s Budget Recommendations - Gov. Josh Stein this week unveiled his state budget recommendations for the next two fiscal years. Entitled “North Carolina Strong,” it details a number of themes: improving public...more
The 91st General Assembly reconvened at the Capitol for a full week of legislating. Last week, there were 144 new bill introductions between both chambers, and 90 bills passed out of subcommittee. Currently, 33 bills have...more
Governor Bill Lee announced on January 15th that he would call the 114th General Assembly into a special session to address his proposed Education Freedom Act, disaster relief legislative package relevant to Hurricane Helene,...more
Governor, Lt. Governor, and Speaker Announce Education and School Safety Priorities - In a late-afternoon press conference, Governor Kemp was joined by Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones, Speaker of the House Jon Burns, and...more
In this episode of Gavels & Gowns, an Education Law podcast, co-hosts Hal Johnson and Micah Schwartz speak with Scott Brabrand, executive director of the Virginia Association of School Superintendents. Scott provides a...more
Legislative Day 40 is a roller coaster, full of ups, downs, and zero gravity turns (also known as conference committee reports). One goes from celebrating a bill achieving final passage to lamenting a measure being gutted...more
The 113th General Assembly adjourned its first of two annual regular sessions on April 21, 2023, approximately one month after the Covenant School shooting. Calls for school safety measures and gun control action in the...more
KTS Strategies brings years of experience providing clients in a diverse range of industries with comprehensive policy and advocacy advice before federal, state, and local agencies. In North Carolina, we advise local...more
It has been a busy week at the North Carolina General Assembly, as both chambers passed dozens of bills, addressing a range of issues, including healthcare and public school funding. Many committee meetings ran for an hour or...more
The North Carolina General Assembly resumed its session this week after a legislative spring break last week. Legislators hit the ground running with back-to-back committee meetings in both chambers, hearing dozens of bills....more
The General Assembly is on track to have a draft budget faster than almost any session in the recent past, according to House Speaker Tim Moore (R-Cleveland). Senior Appropriations Chairman and top House budget leader...more
Gov. Roy Cooper this week sent his budget recommendations to the General Assembly and the Senate passed the health care bill that would expand Medicaid coverage. Governor’s Budget Proposal - Gov. Cooper unveiled his...more
Economic Development - WRAL TECH WIRE: Economic growth is slowing in North Carolina, NCSU index reveals - North Carolina’s economy is slowing, according to the latest index tracking leading economic indicators in the...more
During the 2022 Regular Session of the General Assembly of Georgia, the Legislature enacted twenty-one bills that impact education. A summary follows: Act 772 (H.B. 1292) prohibits students who participate in 4-H sponsored...more
After considering its provisions for 10 days as provided in the North Carolina Constitution, Gov. Roy Cooper signed the budget bill into law today. This is the second consecutive budget he has signed after vetoing prior...more
The North Carolina General Assembly made up for several weeks without official business in Raleigh by introducing multiple wide-ranging pieces of legislation in back-to-back committee meetings throughout the week. Following a...more
Legislators have taken their committee work on the road in recent weeks, travelling across the state to hear presentations from the public and policy experts. Last week, the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Emergency...more
North Carolina is growing, and it is not showing any signs of stopping. According to newly released Census data Thursday, the Tar Heel State grew 9.5% over the past decade, adding 903,905 residents. Nearly 80% of that growth...more
In the General Assembly this week, most of the legislative work was focused around medical cannabis and high school sports, which we will discuss in this week’s newsletter. Governor Cooper (D) announced a change in the NC...more
After the Senate passed their budget last Friday, House members took their turn this week to review the proposal sent from their colleagues across the hall. Most of the House Appropriations subcommittees met to hear from the...more
This week was a major week in the General Assembly as legislative leaders announced an agreement on a total spending number. Now the hard work begins as the legislature debates how to reach that number. The budget was not the...more