Extensive behind-the-scenes work to develop proposal Rep. Rob Bryan (R-Mecklenburg) may be the face of a plan to allow charter school operators to take over North Carolina’s worst performing schools... Read More
Once upon a time, crying in public was political suicide. (See Ed Muskie, 1972, in the snows of New Hampshire.) Now, we’re more in touch with politicians who are more in touch with their feelings... Read More
Editorial by Greensboro News-Record, August 13, 2015. The N.C. legislature has enacted many unwise policies in the past few years. The Senate has just come up with the worst yet. Why the worst... Read More
Editorial by Wilmington Star-News, August 12, 2015. The preamble to the North Carolina Constitution says the very reason the document is being established is for “the better government of this State... Read More
Gov. Pat McCrory and Senate Republicans held dueling rallies Wednesday seeking support late in this year’s session from local government leaders and the public for two tax bills involving local... Read More
Legislators have set some laudable goals for reforming the state’s Medicaid system. Medicaid, as a reminder, is a health insurance program that primarily covers children, pregnant women, people with... Read More
During Monday night’s brief Senate debate over a proposed change by Senator Brent Jackson to a package of constitutional amendments that would hamstring future legislatures and threaten public... Read More
Editorial by Fayetteville Observer, August 12, 2015. They call it a "Taxpayer Bill of Rights," but what it really does is prevent lawmakers from doing what they already often fail to do: think. The... Read More
When schools and cities began offering vouchers, I approved on three conditions: 1. Only low-income families would be eligible. 2. Participating schools would have to accept all applicants. 3. And... Read More
by Brian Balfour, Civitas Review online, August 11, 2015. Last night the Senate passed "compromise" bills on economic incentives and Medicaid reform. A press release from Senate President Pro Tem... Read More
