Funding Public Education
About one-half of our counties' budgets and at least half of our state's general fund budget is appropriated for education in public schools, community colleges and universities. The purpose of these... Read More
NC SPIN Posts by Joe Mavretic
Tax Reform: Dull Ax or Sharp Knife?
In order to revise our tax system, the Senate proposal used a dull ax. The House/Governor/Final version used a sharp knife. The Senate proposal was wholesale and the House/Governor/Final version is... Read More
Legislative Flash Mobs Need Creativity
Over the past two years some of my friends have sent me emails containing videos of "Flash Mobs" around the world. These events appear to be spontaneous but actually are carefully planned by a few... Read More
Should Democrats really "Focus on the sweet spot-Education."
Republican strategists must be salivating over Gary Pearce's "Focus on the sweet spot-Education." If education is the Democratic Brand for North Carolina, then the Democrats are in for a pounding... Read More
Protecting Our Rights to Assemble and Petition on Moral Monday
First let's think about our Right to Petition. Both the Federal and North Carolina Constitutions establish that the people have a right to petition. The Federal Constitution has this language in... Read More
Characteristics of the 2013 North Carolina House of Representatives
One characteristic of the 2013 North Carolina House of Representatives is the initial effect of the Republican caucus. First and second term members usually rely on a caucus with a majority of... Read More
Governor's Budget Proposal
For the past four years, a few NC SPIN panelists have advocated a governor who wanted to lead a good executive branch-not just another education governor. Governor McCrory's proposed budget is another... Read More
Joe Mavretic's Perspective on Voter ID
There are many reasons why Every American Citizen should have a current photo identification card. This question has been framed as a debate about voting rights but it is actually about identification... Read More
Joe Mavretic's Perspective on Senate Bill 10
A review of state government should be conducted about every twenty-five years. The review should be one part of a CONSTITUTIONAL REVIEW required by our constitution. Our state constitution is the way... Read More
Joe Mavretic's Perspective on Speaker Term Limits
The Liston Ramsey era taught me that term limits were necessary. Two consecutive terms is about right for starters. It only takes about four years to learn how to, and then do, a good job as Speaker... Read More
