State's delegation fought budget fiasco
The humorist P.J. O’Rourke once observed that “giving money and power to government is like giving whiskey and car keys to teenage boys.” Based on what Congress just did to “fix” the budget... Read More
NC Spin Articles
Will a direct flight to China help the State economy?
by Dr. Mike Walden, NCSU Professor of Economics, February 16, 2018. My first long distance trip outside my hometown of Cincinnati was to West Virginia by train. Although my memory is fuzzy... Read More
HB 90 passes Senate - laden with add ons
Senate Republicans suggested the state could approach a constitutional crisis if it enables a governor to control money outside the normal budgetary process. Some suggested Democrats’ loyalty to Gov... Read More
4th Circuit court re-cancels 2018 judicial primaries
North Carolina's judicial primaries are all off again after judges at the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Friday stayed the decision of a lower court. U.S. District Judge Catherine Eagles had un... Read More
New firms drive economic growth
Politicians in North Carolina and just about everywhere else in the United States seem fixated on attracting large companies to their states, often by any means necessary. This fixation is mistaken... Read More
Democratic challenge isn't just districts
As a decades-long proponent of redistricting reform, I welcome the recent and no-doubt heartfelt support for my cause from North Carolina Democrats. But like new converts to all sorts of righteous... Read More
Revolving around the president's sun
Donald Trump is the sun of the contemporary American political system. Its institutions, such as Congress, the parties, the media, the states, think tanks, popular culture all revolve around him as... Read More
Fixing gerrymandering won't save the Democrats
North Carolina is frequently called Ground Zero for gerrymandering. Our state has been in court for almost two continuous decades arguing about drawing districts that illegally benefit one party or... Read More
Two North Carolinas, one message
Governor Cooper may be doing something few politicians can or want to do: talk to both sides of a divided state. This week the Governor, who won thanks largely to urban voters, announced a jobs... Read More
A cheat sheet for those trying to keep up with NC's redistricting battles
North Carolina’s redistricting plans have drawn major court involvement over the last few years, and it’s not looking promising that trend will change in 2018. There are five pending redistricting... Read More
