The four tribes of big education
The mention of the phrase ‘public schools’ conjures up a vision of nurturing teachers and faithful laboring principals but it turns out ‘Big Education’ is a kingdom teeming with ‘Big Players... Read More
NC Spin Articles
A veteran's verdict of the session
A long-time veteran of the Legislative Building, one who looks at both parties with a critical eye, offers this critique of the end of the not-so-short session. “Legislative Republicans treated... Read More
Income inequality greater in blue states than in red
Progressives obsess over income inequality. Part of their obsession is their insistence that their preferred policies – including minimum wage hikes and expanded government welfare programs – is... Read More
The missing rungs on career ladder for NC teachers
As my final year at UNC-Chapel Hill approaches, the impending question of post-graduation employment becomes more real. Teaching has always been an interest for me. In fact, I spent my last summer... Read More
New pay plan for teachers sows confusion
Joe Barley-Maloney was miffed last week when he saw the new state salary schedule for teachers leveling off at $50,000 a year for those with 25 years of experience and more. Barley-Maloney, a U.S... Read More
Things are good
Things are good! Sometimes, like the other day, I want to get up and shout it out. For instance, last week at a Rotary club meeting, Frank Hill, leader of The Institute for the Public Trust, was... Read More
Who said this would be easy for Republicans?
Lawmaking ain't easy, even with strong Republican majorities in the House and Senate and a Republican in the Executive Mansion. That emerged crystal clear last week from what was expected to be the... Read More
Short session resembles a family fight
This legislative session has reminded me of watching my in-laws fight. It was loud, boisterous, impassioned, argumentative, at times totally unreasonable, accusatory, crazy, painful, and yet sometimes... Read More
North Carolina's legislative session won't end, and neither will big problems
Editorial by Fayetteville Observer, August 3, 2014. It was a legislative version of a "Terminator" movie, with members of the General Assembly warning us, "I'll be back." After a "short session" that... Read More
Judge's ruling to dismiss 'Moral Monday' cases could have sweeping affect
by Anne Blythe, News and Observer, August 3, 2014. A Wake County judge is expected to issue an order this week for five “Moral Monday” protester cases that could have much wider implications. Last... Read More
