By Josh Bergeron

josh.bergeron@salisburypost.com

Rowan County just wrapped up an election in June, but qualifying for the next political race is only two weeks away.

Starting July 22 at noon, Rowan-Salisbury School Board candidates can officially file to run for office. Filing ends on Aug. 19 at noon. The filing fee is $5.

This year, three school board seats are up for grabs. Seats are open in east Rowan, Salisbury and southeast Rowan. School board members who hold those seats are Chairman Josh Wagner, board member Susan Cox and board member Chuck Hughes.

At least two of the candidates already have challengers. Andrew Poston, who recently ran for NC House, will challenge Susan Cox for the southeast seat. Poston was a supporter of the Rural Rowan Save Our Schools group. Michael Julian, also a supporter of the save our schools group, has said he plans to challenge Wagner for the east seat.

Candidates who wish to file to run for school board must do so at the Rowan County Board of Elections, 1935 Jake Alexander Boulevard West, Suite D 10. The entrance to the Board of Elections offices is located adjacent to Badcock Furniture at West End Plaza.

Gov. McCrory signs 16 bills into law

Last week, Gov. Pat McCrory signed roughly one third of the bills passed before the NC General Assembly adjourned its short session.

With McCrory’s signature, a wide range of bills are now law. He signed 16 bills last week. More than 35 others still need his signature.

The topics of bills signed last week range from special ID cards to minimum acreage requirements in cemeteries.

In a news release about the new laws, McCrory focused on two measures in particular.

The first waives fees for special identification cards for those with a developmental disability. It was numbered House Bill 1033. Rep. Harry Warren, R-77, was among the cosponsors.

Starting Oct. 1, any person with a developmental disability can receive a free special identification card after presenting a letter from a primary care provider that certifies the applicant has a development disability.

The second measure McCrory signed is House Bill 287. It makes a variety of changes.

In his news release, McCrory said the bill would enhance and improve transparency related to motor vehicle maintenance and repairs and various insurance law changes. Some of the changes include: increasing the penalty for large-scale fraud committed by an insurance fiduciary, enabling insurers to receive restitution from convicted defendants and establishing a state-based private flood insurance market.

Contact reporter Josh Bergeron at 704-797-4246.