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Category: Opinion
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Relating teacher pay to teacher performance
In May, about 19,000 North Carolina teachers gathered in Raleigh to “Rally for Respect,” an event organized by the N.C. Association of Educators. The choice of the word “respect” was important. It implied attendees felt disrespected. By whom? The Republican-led General Assembly, of course. You can select all sorts of statistics, but many…
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What to know about teens, nicotine, and ‘JUULing’
[Editor’s note: This column was updated after original publication to include recent data.] The latest device flooding schools resembles a flash drive but doesn’t store data. Its purpose: delivering a flavored nicotine hit. Called a JUUL, it’s a hipper iteration of the e-cigarette, which debuted a decade ago. Adolescents, who…
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Courts can’t resolve every dispute
North Carolina’s constitution clearly gives legislators some latitude when it comes to defining the powers of executive officers. Don’t like that? Amend the constitution.
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Fake news distorts political debate
Progressive and populist populations have frequently cited the expansion of the gig economy as a justification for pet policies ranging from expanding health insurance to strengthening labor unions and restricting international trade.
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Carolina voters are often polled
North Carolinians can easily diversify their survey diet, as we are well served by a stable of reputable pollsters who take the political temperature of our state on a regular basis.
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Steady budgets win fiscal race
When a recession comes, North Carolina won’t have to resort to panicky cuts or costly tax increases, thanks to a disciplined approach to spending and saving taxpayers' money.
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Build N.C. Bond Act: Don’t take on new debt without first asking taxpayers
Just when things were going so well. … Since 2011, the Republican-led General Assembly has restrained the growth of government, brought spending in line with revenue, paid down debt, put more money in savings than ever, and restored voter approval for new debt.
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Vote wisely when considering constitutional amendments
What can lawmakers consider during the 2018 short session? Not everything, because of limits imposed by the long session Adjournment Resolution. Important issues such as school funding, certificate of need repeal, work requirements for Medicaid, repeal of the capital gains tax, changes to the ABC system, and more will be delayed until 2019. But there’s still plenty of work for legislators. Cross-over bills…
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Democrats favor business tax cuts
In investment terms, Democrats think the state should actively manage a targeted portfolio of tax cuts, while Republicans favor a diversified portfolio of tax cuts — applying to all businesses, large and small.