State Rep. Harry Warren, R-76, says both the North Carolina House and Senate are doing their due diligence on crafting legislation that could use the remaining $1.5 billion in federal funds for a second wave of COVID-19 funding.

Though a loss of $3-$5 billion in revenue is estimated due to COVID-19, Warren said there will be a clearer picture on the state’s total revenue reduction toward the end of July as tax return deadlines are due July 15.

Gov. Cooper still looking at trends for another phased reopening

During a press briefing on Friday, Gov. Roy Cooper said state officials are still looking at trends and metrics to make a decision on a Phase 2.5 or Phase 3 reopening. Neither, he said, are “off the table.”

Cooper called the current rate of cases “concerning” as the state on Friday saw its highest rate of new cases, at 1,768 new cases, since the start of the pandemic.

“Our numbers aren’t where we want them to be, but it doesn’t have to stay that way,” he said. “It’s going to take all of us doing our part — but North Carolinians know how to work together to defeat it.”

• Allowing the expunction of certain misdemeanors and felonies committed when a person was less than 18 years of age but at least 16 years of age, (excludes impaired driving or any offense requiring registration as a sex offender).
• Criminal charges that are dismissed or result in findings of not guilty after Dec. 1, 2020, will be automatically expunged.
• District attorneys are empowered to petition courts for expunctions of dismissed charges and for charges in which a petitioner was found not guilty.
• Permits individuals to petition for expunction of all nonviolent misdemeanor convictions after a 7-year wait period.

Victims’ rights provisions are included in the bill.