North Carolina General Assembly

North Carolina voters will decide Nov. 3 on a constitutional amendment requiring state lawmakers to cap increases in local property tax collections, though the measure leaves specific limits undetermined. Buncombe County commissioners voted to formally oppose it, citing vague language that could jeopardize funding for schools, emergency services and Helene recovery efforts. Commissioner Parker Sloan said approval wouldn't guarantee lower tax bills and could shift more control to the General Assembly, with large property-owning utilities and corporations potentially benefiting most. Some residents say the amendment's wording is confusing. If passed, lawmakers would still need to set actual collection limits and any exceptions.

A measure in the North Carolina General Assembly, Senate Bill 626, would cut the state's required separation period for an absolute divorce from one year to six months. At least one spouse would still need to have lived in North Carolina for six months. The six-month wait could be waived entirely if both spouses agree, the divorce is uncontested, and no minor children are involved.

The bill also allows domestic violence victims to bypass the separation period if their spouse was the abuser, though applicants must cite the abuse and submit at least two forms of supporting evidence, a requirement some advocates say could create unnecessary hurdles. Other changes address cohabitation during separation, clarifying that living together for financial reasons or isolated instances of sex would not restart the separation clock. The legislation would also eliminate North Carolina's common-law claims for alienation of affection and criminal conversation, torts allowing lawsuits against third parties linked to a marriage's breakdown. Changes would not affect cases already pending. The bill was filed in March 2025 and still requires passage by the General Assembly.