Selling the chopper
In 2001, as North Carolina faced a budget shortfall in the aftermath of the Internet bubble being burst, the political rhetoric prompted an idea from a mischievous capital reporter. Hearing... Read More
NC Spin Articles
Senate leader expects teacher, employee pay raises
by Associated Press, published in Winston-Salem Journal, May 9, 2014. Gov. Pat McCrory and budget-writers may have to wait until next year for lawmakers to rework the way North Carolina's Medicaid... Read More
Reality isn't so discouraging
If all you know about North Carolina’s recent economic performance is what you get from Twitter feeds, partisan press releases, or brief mentions on television newscasts, then much of what you... Read More
Takeaways from Tillis' predictable but unconvincing win
The horse race watchers in the national media couldn’t be more excited about the results of the North Carolina Republican senate primary Tuesday where state House Speaker Thom Tillis won the... Read More
Where does McCrory stand on Common Core?
Eric Guckian didn't want to leave me with the wrong impression. So he called back. Guckian is Gov. Pat McCrory's senior education adviser. He graciously called to answer a question I had about the... Read More
Good progress on teacher pay
Editorial by Charlotte Observer, May 7, 2014. Pat McCrory says he’s been listening. To frustrated and underpaid teachers. To similarly frustrated principals and superintendents. To education... Read More
Performance based pay plan for NC teachers unveiled
North Carolina public school teachers would be able to earn thousands of dollars more a year if they succeed in the classroom, mentor their colleagues and work in high-demand subjects or hard-to-staff... Read More
12th Graders lack critical math and reading skills
Handing out dismal grades, the Nation's Report Card says America's high school seniors lack critical math and reading skills for an increasingly competitive global economy. Only about one-quarter are... Read More
A good election for the big boys
This was a good election for the big boys in Washington, for deep pockets and for party connections. Voters tended not to be in a rebellious mood Tuesday, generally giving their votes to candidates... Read More
Raleigh wants to add part of Morehead School to Dix deal
The City of Raleigh has added a new wrinkle to its ongoing negotiations with the state over the 306-acre Dorothea Dix property: a 7-acre slice of land used for the Gov. Morehead School. "Governor... Read More
