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 Ten Years in North Carolina History
by Tom Campbell
May 15, 2008
When you produce 500 topical TV shows over ten years you learn a few things. A review of early scripts reveals that we are talking about many of the same issues as when we started, leading to the conclusion that our state is nibbling around the edges instead of seeking bold solutions to problems.
As many as 500 people per day move to North Carolina, highlighting a decade of unprecedented growth. Government has not responded well, resulting in congested highways, inadequate water and sewer systems, a shortage of school classrooms, overloaded public health services and other problems. We are two North Carolinas, with urban areas growing richer and more populous and the rural areas east of I-95 and in the far west growing deserted and poorer. Much of our growth is coming from immigrants, but a large number of retirees are relocating here, preferring the more moderate climate, more reasonable housing prices, and lower taxes than they left.
Our cyclical economy has prospered and faltered, especially with the increased exodus of textile and furniture manufacturing and tobacco. Ten years ago North Carolina was a bit player in the economic incentives war to attract new jobs. We have now escalated the game to levels that question their overall value.
Democrats still outnumber Republicans in voter registrations, but the most dramatic increase is in unaffiliated voters who often determine the outcomes of elections. Democrats remain more successful raising money, fielding good candidates, and waging better campaigns, thereby continuing to hold the reins of government.
Sadly, some of the same people are in legislative leadership. The legislative process has become more secretive and closed to the public. The House Speaker and Senate President Pro Tem are even more powerful today and remain in power much longer. Recent ethics scandals prompted ethics law changes, but there is more to be done.
There is some belief that k-12 public education has improved, but we still have unacceptable dropout levels, too great a disparity in achievement between races, too much emphasis on testing, and an ill-defined system of governance. We welcomed a new President of the University System, but our flagship universities have too much influence with legislators, administrations are too fat, and it takes students too long to graduate. Community colleges remain the red-haired stepchild in education funding and value.
North Carolina’s attempts for mental health reform are disastrous. Our transportation system and department are a mess. We started a state lottery that isn’t living up to promises, face overcrowded courts and prisons and too many death row inmates were found incorrectly convicted.
With all the problems and concerns this has been an exciting and good decade and we are proud to have been a voice in the public policy debate. Our NC SPIN program is now the longest running, independent statewide talk show broadcast in North Carolina, with more episodes than M.A.S.H., All in the Family, The Cosby Show, or Seinfield, the most popular TV shows in history. In fact we have aired more shows than any two of them combined.
Thanks for allowing us to have been a part of this decade of North Carolina history. We are excited about what lies ahead, so stay informed and watch out for the spin.
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