Latest news with #KeithKidwell
Newsweek
28-04-2025
- Automotive
- Newsweek
Driver's Licenses Could Change for Millions of Americans
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Millions of drivers in North Carolina could see rules around license expirations and renewals change. Why It Matters According to the Federal Highway Administration, there were more than 7.7 million motorists in North Carolina in 2021. But the process of renewing a license has become difficult due to a large backlog at the state's Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office. What To Know In North Carolina, standard driver's licenses are valid for eight years for those between 18 and 65 years old, and five years for those 66 years and older. Under House Bill 821, which received approval by the House Transportation Committee in April, a Class C driver's license would remain valid for up to two years after its expiration, which would permit motorists to continue driving without penalty in the state. The two-year grace period would expire at the end of 2027. The extension would not apply to drivers whose licenses have been canceled, revoked or suspended. "The General Assembly finds that there is a backlog of drivers unable to renew their drivers licenses in person. It is the intent of this act to eliminate that backlog," the bill reads. It was introduced by three state lawmakers: Republicans Jay Adams, Keith Kidwell and Mike Schietzelt. According to local outlet NC Newsline, Republican lawmakers of a GOP-controlled legislature have regularly criticized the state's DMV. Highway road near Raleigh, North Carolina, taken on May 13, 2018. Highway road near Raleigh, North Carolina, taken on May 13, 2018. GETTY The bill has been introduced due to a backlog of in-person appointments, which are required for new residents, first-time drivers and those getting their first REAL ID. Staffing shortages have been primarily blamed for the backlog, and local outlets have reported that technology used by the DMV is also outdated. Newsweek has contacted North Carolina's DMV office for comment via email. In the fall of 2024, the DMV's outgoing commissioner Wayne Goodwin, a Democrat, requested funding to hire ove60 new employees, but the request was denied. The DMV also announced in April that it had added 42 offices that would be open for an extra hour on weekdays, on top of the 50 that already do. In February, Republican State Auditor Dave Boliek announced he would be looking into the issues at the agency. What People Are Saying Jay Adams said, a key sponsor of the bill, said according to a report by NC Newsline: "Right now, apparently you cannot make an appointment to get your license renewal anywhere in the state. I spoke to somebody the day before yesterday who spent five hours getting his daughter's driver's license issued." Representative Harry Warren, a Republican, said: "This bill would basically be facilitating the incompetency of the DMV by alleviating them of their responsibility of their job." Goodwin, DMV's outgoing commissioner, told legislators in February: "We frankly had more successes than challenges. But as is life, and as is public affairs, state and federal government, you will likely hear more about what is not working than what is working." What Happens Next The bill has been referred to the House finance committee.
Yahoo
07-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
North Carolina Republicans file one of the most restrictive abortion bans in the country
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — State lawmakers are considering what would be one of the most restrictive abortion bans in the country. House Bill 804, filed by Republican Representative Keith Kidwell, would make abortion after conception illegal except only to save the life of the mother. There are no exceptions for rape or incest. Representative Kidwell and other Republican lawmakers didn't respond to a request for an interview. The bill defines an unborn child as 'an individual living member of the homo sapiens species from fertilization until birth, including the entire embryonic and fetal stages of development.' If the bill becomes law, anyone involved in performing or receiving an abortion could be found guilty of a felony, which in North Carolina means they could spend up to life in prison. It also allows for physicians or medical professionals to have their licenses revoked if they're involved in administering abortions. In a statement, a Planned Parenthood representative said in part, 'Abortion is a critical component of comprehensive reproductive health care, and everyone deserves access to the care they need, without politicians controlling when, how, or why.' The bill was filed on Friday and hasn't yet been referred to committee. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
State lawmaker embarrasses with juvenile Facebook post
Rep. Keith Kidwell (Screengrab NCGA video) The job of governing a state of 10 million people with a 60 billion dollar annual budget is big and serious business that requires elected leaders to read, think, learn, listen and work with people of widely differing views. Unfortunately, this basic premise of elementary school civics seems to have escaped Republican state Representative Keith Kidwell. Kidwell — a veteran lawmaker who chairs three committees and ought to know how to behave like a grownup– nonetheless posted an image to his Facebook page this week of Gov. Josh Stein's proposed state budget in a trashcan, along with the caption 'appropriately filed.' It was a juvenile and distinctly unhelpful stunt. First, Stein's budget is a good proposal. Republicans will vote for most of it. Moreover, the governor has worked hard to build bridges during his first months in office and won praise from other GOP leaders for doing so. The bottom line: even if Kidwell disagrees with some of the Governor's budget, his disrespectful display is not the act of a serious lawmaker interested in governing. His constituents should be appalled. For NC Newsline, I'm Rob Schofield.
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
NC House committee approves gambling loss income tax deduction
Each pin represents someone placing a bet in the first hour sports gambling went live in North Carolina on March 11, 2023. (Source: NC Lottery Commission) A proposal to allow gamblers to deduct losses on their state income taxes moved swiftly through a North Carolina House committee Tuesday on a divided but bipartisan vote. Rep. Keith Kidwell (R-Beaufort), a gambling opponent and one of House Bill 14's sponsors, said the bill is' about fairness to taxpayers' and not about gambling. Since online sports betting became legal in North Carolina last March, more than $6 billion has been wagered, according to state reports published before the Super Bowl. The bill's sponsors said allowing gamblers to deduct their losses, capped at winnings, will align state policy with federal tax law. Rep. Bryan Cohn (D-Granville), said he agreed state policy 'should follow federal guidance.' An official calculation of how much tax revenue the state would lose if the bill becomes law was not available online. At a committee hearing last week, Rev. Mark Creech, lobbyist for the conservative group Return America, said allowing the tax deductions would encourage gambling as he urged the committee not to approve it. In prepared remarks he was not invited to give on Tuesday, Creech wrote the bill would be a 'gift to the gambling industry, enabling them to keep addicted individuals on the hook — the very people who generate their profits — rather than protecting the average citizen who gambles.' Some House Commerce and Economic Development Committee members voted against the bill on Tuesday, but not enough to stop it from moving it to its next step, the House Finance Committee.
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
House bill would allow bettors to deduct losses on NC taxes
Each pin represents someone placing a bet in the first hour sports gambling went live in North Carolina on March 11, 2023. (Source: NC Lottery Commission) North Carolina gamblers would be able to deduct losses on their state taxes under a bill the state House Commerce and Economic Development Committee discussed Tuesday. North Carolina taxes winnings, but gamblers are not able to deduct their losses, bill sponsors said. Rep. Keith Kidwell (R-Beaufort) is a gambling opponent who cosponsored House Bill 14. 'This is not a gambling bill,' he said. 'This is a fairness in taxation bill.' The change would bring North Carolina in line with federal tax law, said Rep. Erin Pare, (R-Wake). If a bettor won $10,000 in a year but also lost $10,000, the bettor would owe state income tax on the $10,000 even though they just broke even, Pare said. The law leaves bettors with tax bills they may not be able to pay. The bill would benefit people who bet big and itemize their deductions, Kidwell said. Rev. Mark Creech, lobbyist for the conservative group Return America, opposed the bill. It 'reduces the immediate financial impact of losing money,' he said, and 'lowers the deterrent to risky behavior.' Online sports betting became legal in the state in March 2024. James Joyce of Holly Springs said he and friends began betting on sports online last year, but stopped when they discovered they could not deduct their losses. 'Taxing winnings without allowing loss deductions is completely unjust,' he said. 'This punishes responsible bettors.' The committee heard discussion of the bill but did not vote.
