Family debates merit pay for teachers
How can we differentiate the pay of teachers on the basis of their performance while also treating them fairly? This familiar education-policy debate used to play out at the Hood family dinner table... Read More
NC Spin Articles
The Senate's responsible budget
Despite the welcome news of a state budget surplus, the fiscal and economic forecast for North Carolina over the next couple of years is not all blue skies and placid seas. Albeit weak by historical... Read More
Senate budget ends health retirement benefits for future state employees
A few short lines in the 2015-17 Senate budget would eliminate state-paid health retirement benefits for teachers and state employees hired after January 1, 2016. “This will negatively impact the... Read More
Don't expect quick deal on state budget
Editorial by Rocky Mount Telegram, June 20, 2015. State lawmakers likely have a long road ahead of them in forging a compromise version of the competing budgets approved by the N.C. House and Senate... Read More
Budget threat to region
Editorial by Greenville Daily Reflector, June 20, 2015. Vidant Medical Center President Brian Floyd offered an update this week on the evolving role of Vidant in a rapidly changing political and... Read More
Unfair give and take
Editorial by Greensboro News-Record, June 21, 2015. Packing together Greensboro and Trinity election bills wasn’t the only sausage-stuffing the state Senate has done lately. It also added major tax... Read More
McCrory may veto sales tax redistribution
Two key political voices said they believe they can block a controversial proposal to redistribute sales tax revenue in North Carolina. Gov. Pat McCrory and Rep. Bill Brawley (R-Mecklenburg) say they... Read More
The follies
Unexpected victory for voting rights The Senate budget might not have been the most important story of the week, as absurd and regressive as it was. We sort of knew that was coming. What was... Read More
New voter ID law bring a measure of protection for legitimate voters
On the heels of hundreds of citizen complaints at voter ID hearings across the state, and after years of mounting public and legal pressure, we are pleased that the NC General Assembly has decided to... Read More
A tax that's too taxing
Editorial by Wilmington Star-News, June 19, 2015. Republican leaders in the state Senate are betting on sales-tax revenues to keep North Carolina's government afloat for the next few years. It's a bad... Read More
