SPIN This Week – September 9

The snarling, regressive Senate budget

by Chris Fitzsimon Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger’s office issued a press release Sunday night about the Senate budget a few hours before the actual budget itself was online for reporters and citizens to read. Berger’s Chief of Staff Jim Blaine couldn’t understand why reporters also wanted to see the actual budget document at [...]

When Liberals Love Privatization

by John Hood Remember Where’s Waldo? Imagine for a moment that he had the word “privatization” stitched on his colorful little cap, and see if you can spot him in this word picture: North Carolina spends billions of dollars a year funding a critical service. But rather than deliver the service directly, the state allows [...]

The arrogant power-grabbing continues on Jones Street

by Chris Fitzsimon The General Assembly is always chaotic during the week of the crossover deadline and this session is no exception with rushed committee meetings, late night sessions, and supplemental calendars issued for the House and Senate floor listing what will be debated and voted on. Even for legislative insiders like lobbyists, reporters, and [...]