Regulation - Carolina Journal

State high court will not take up two Cooper v. Berger disputes

The North Carolina Supreme Court has decided not to take up two cases pitting the state’s Democratic governor against Republican legislative leaders. One case involves a fight over changes to the State Board of Elections. The other involves a dispute over appointments to seven other state boards and commissions.

Keeping zoning roles understandable presents ‘daunting task,’ NC justice notes

A North Carolina Supreme Court justice used an opinion Friday in an Orange County zoning dispute to point out the increasing complexity of local zoning rules. He labeled the effort to keep those rules consistent and unambiguous a “daunting task.”

Asheville shouldn’t get away with racial preferences for key commission

If plaintiffs successfully challenge the commission selection process, Asheville will have to start evaluating applicants by their individual voice, not their race.

Andrew Quinio

Cheers to the unsung thinkers shaping the policy landscape

Once a year, SPN affiliates from all over the country assemble for a veritable Super Bowl of policy insights on restoring the individual rights and local governance.

Jeff Moore

NC Supreme Court can rebalance use of deference

Locke has recently filed “friend of the court” briefs in two cases that give the NC Supreme Court an opportunity to reconsider judicial deference.

Jon Guze

Help Support Non-profit Journalism & Donate Today

State, national groups support NC mifepristone restrictions at 4th Circuit

As state legislative leaders appeal a federal judge’s ruling striking down some of North Carolina’s restrictions on an abortion pill, state and national groups are offering support in new court filings. The NC Values Institute and American Center for Law and Justice have filed separate briefs in recent days with the 4th US Circuit Court of Appeals.

Harris promises price controls during Raleigh speech

Vice President Kamala Harris spoke in Raleigh Friday on her plans to combat inflation, if elected. This follows former President Trump’s speech in Asheville on his plans, but the policy points demonstrate the candidates' very different approaches to economics.

Katherine Zehnder

The NC Constitution’s 4 unique economic-liberty clauses

We need judges and justices who faithfully interpret and apply the NC Constitution based on its text and history. Our constitutional rights, especially to economic liberty, depend on it.

Jessica Thompson

NC Appeals Court asked to review approval of Bald Head Island ferry sale

The North Carolina Court of Appeals has been asked to intervene in the decision by the North Carolina Utilities Commission (NCUC) to approve the sale of the Bald Head Island ferry system to SharpVue Capital. “Our argument today is that in approving this transfer, the commission committed a number of different specific legal errors,” argued Sam...

Stein appeals Wake judge’s order against hog farm ‘slush fund’

State Attorney General Josh Stein is appealing a Wake County judge’s order last month that $12 million Smithfield Foods has paid to North Carolina since 2019 should fund environmental enhancements in public schools. Stein had been using the money to fund his own environmental grant program.

Federal Appeals Court revives lawsuit challenging substance abuse counselors’ firing

The 4th US Circuit Court of Appeals will allow three substance abuse counselors to proceed with a lawsuit against the North Carolina employer who fired them in 2021. The counselors argued that the dismissals violated public policy set out in state law.