News

JLF Cites Budget Tool That Generates $667 Million for Teacher Raises, Surplus

RALEIGH — North Carolina state budget writers would have more flexibility to fund teacher pay raises, address Medicaid cost overruns, create jobs, and generate a surplus, if they adopt a budget technique identified in a new John Locke Foundation Spotlight report. The report identifies savings that would lead to a General Fund budget of $20.6 billion for 2014-15. That would free up $667 million, more than enough money to cover teacher pay raise proposals while leaving the state budget with a surplus.

CJ Staff
News

Voucher Supporters Urge Lawmakers To Fund Scholarships Fully

RALEIGH — Unless the cap on Opportunity Scholarships is lifted, a lottery will have to be held to determine which children can receive the vouchers for the 2014-15 school year, because more students applied for the scholarships than the number of slots available. More than 5,500 children filed applications, but the General Assembly provided funding for only 2,400.

Barry Smith
Video

Marc Levin of Right on Crime discusses benefits of juvenile justice reforms

Marc Levin, policy director of Right on Crime, discusses the potential benefits for North Carolina of shifting 16- and 17-year-old misdemeanor offenders from adult courts to the juvenile justice system. Levin offered these comments during an interview for Carolina Journal Radio (Program No. 578).

Video

JLF’s Sarah Curry explains how ‘reverse logrolling’ would improve N.C. budget

Sarah Curry, John Locke Foundation director of fiscal policy studies, discusses the potential benefits of a “reverse logrolling” approach to final negotiations for North Carolina’s 2014-15 General Fund budget. Curry’s comments are linked to the report The Best of Both Budgets: ‘Reverse Logrolling’ would help legislators produce a sound spending plan.

Sarah Curry

Opinion

Elections

News

Trump nominates Bishop to be deputy director for budget at OMB

"Dan has been a tireless fighter for our MAGA Movement in the House of Representatives on the Judiciary and Homeland Security Committees," Trump said in a press release issued Tuesday night. "Dan will implement my cost-cutting and deregulatory agenda across all Agencies, and root out the Weaponized Deep State."

Theresa Opeka
News

Democrats want federal court to address GOP challenge of 60,000 NC ballots

The North Carolina Democratic Party filed a lawsuit Friday to ensure challenges of 60,000 ballots in the state's latest election are addressed in federal court. Republicans filed the challenges with the State Board of Elections. The challenges could affect the outcome of the state Supreme Court race between Democrat Allison Riggs and Jefferson Griffin, along with a handful of state legislative contests.

CJ Staff
News

Griffin asks Appeals Court to order decision on election protests by Tuesday

Republican North Carolina Supreme Court candidate Jefferson Griffin is turning to North Carolina’s second-highest court for an order that would force state election officials to make a final decision about Griffin’s election protests Tuesday. The State Board of Elections had planned to hear oral arguments about the protests the following day, according to a document Griffin filed Friday with the state Court of Appeals.

CJ Staff

Videos

Video

America 250 and The Battle of Moore”s Creek Bridge

In this special episode of The Debrief, Jeff Moore sits down with Bob Rosser to discuss Running the Battle of Moores Creek Bridge and the Revolutionary War history behind one of North Carolina’s most important early battles. As America approaches its 250th anniversary, this conversation explores the people, places, and legacy of Moores Creek —...

Video

NC’s Booming Sports Betting Industry + Gov. Stein’s DPS Selection

This week on The Debrief, The Center Square’s Alan Wooten joins the show with the latest on North Carolina’s booming sports betting industry as state revenues approach the $300 million mark ahead of the Stanley Cup playoffs. Plus, the Carolina Journal team examines growing controversy surrounding Gov. Josh Stein’s selection to lead North Carolina’s Department...

Video

Bridge Safety, Abolishing The US Dept of Ed, and Teen Social Media Rules

This week on The Debrief, we break down the latest on Helene recovery efforts and Lake Lure bridge safety, where rebuilding, public access and long-term infrastructure questions remain front and center. We also bring you an update on North Carolina’s budget process, examine the renewed push to abolish the US Department of Education and what...

Video

The Debrief: Remaining Covid Lawsuits + Sam Hayes Interview

This week on The Debrief, Mitch Kokai and Donna King discuss the remaining covid lawsuits and other court cases in North Carolina. Plus, North Carolina State Board of Elections Executive Director Sam Hayes sat down with Carolina Journal’s Theresa Opeka to talk about his first year in office, including his accomplishments and what’s on the...

Culture

Civil Society