Sine D'oh
It may still be unclear what this legislature did, but it’s very clear how they did it: with remarkable bile, bitterness and backstabbing among the forces of McCrory, Tillis and Berger. Oddly... Read More
NC Spin Articles
Republican infighting derails coal ash bill
It turns out the long “short” summer session of the General Assembly is not ending this weekend. Instead lawmakers are just taking a Congressional-like recess for a couple of weeks and reconvening... Read More
Into the breach
Editorial by Greensboro News-Record, August 1, 2014. Gov. Pat McCrory admits his executive order won’t go nearly far enough in addressing the state’s coal ash problem. But he refused to accept... Read More
Tax cuts did not cause $200 million shortfall
There is no $200 million shortfall in the state budget caused by North Carolina’s newly lowered income tax rates, contrary to news reports in a number of media outlets. “It was the slightly lower... Read More
McCrory says he will sign budget, issues coal ash order
Gov. Pat McCrory on Friday said he would sign the budget that the legislature has tentatively approved, avoiding a veto over teacher pay and Medicaid issues. He also said he was kick-starting the... Read More
Measures stuck in adjournment uncertainty
bt Mark Binker, WRAL, August 1, 2014. A game of legislative chicken leaves the fate of several high-profile economic development measures in limbo as lawmakers shakily wind down their summer session... Read More
Teacher pay raises not good to NCAE
Are teachers receiving a pay increase? Yes, and it is big. On average, teachers will receive a 7 percent increase. Teachers in their first 11 years in the classroom will receive the largest raises... Read More
NC Budget pays for teacher raises from reserves, lottery, cuts to programs
The driving force behind the Republican-written $21.25 billion budget the Senate approved around 12:30 a.m. Friday was to substantially increase teacher pay by moving money around in whatever... Read More
Senate approves $21.1 billion budget deal
The state Senate gave final approval early Friday to a $21.1 billion compromise spending plan for the year, despite complaints from teachers and Democrats that legislative leaders' claims about pay... Read More
