Carolina traditions still have value
North Carolinians have developed governmental institutions that favor legislative over executive power, statewide consistency over local sovereignty, and fiscal solvency over grandiose plans.
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Opinion (Page 5)
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Exposing gaps in the ‘efficiency gap’
Applying the much-hyped redistricting measure to a recent N.C. election produces deceptive results.
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Hospital association/RTI study: Transforming sickness into economic health
A report paid for by the N.C. Hospital Association and prepared by the Research Triangle Institute has, from an economics perspective, a number of flaws. Its most outrageous implication, however, is that getting sick is good for the economy. According to a press release from the NCHA, the study concludes North…
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Focus on long-term growth
The private sector is the lead actor in the story of economic growth and job creation, with the public sector playing an important but supporting role.
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Fair maps don’t guarantee proportional representation
Those who advocate competitive election districts should brace themselves for widely varying election results.
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Measuring value added is essential
Some North Carolina teachers have strongly objected to the use of value-added assessments for evaluating schools, instructional practices, and teachers themselves.
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Are congressional Republicans the gang that can’t shoot straight?
Watching from outside of the Washington Beltway, it seems the Republican leadership in Congress is incapable of organizing a two-car funeral, let alone enacting major reform or passing significant legislation. Exhibit No. 1 is the pathetic attempt by House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wisconsin and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell…
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The General Assembly needs a to-do list, and here it is
The General Assembly reconvenes Friday for another special session, primarily designated for redistricting business. There will be proposed legislative maps, public hearings, lots of debate and, I predict, an almost straight party-line vote on newly drawn — per court order — legislative districts. These maps and the expected discussion will take up most…
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There’s no such thing as a universal right to health care
The power to grant a right to health care is the right to deny it. Anyone who doubts the universal truth of this statement need look no further than the case of 11-month-old British citizen Charlie Gard, who had been on life support with a rare brain disease and recently passed. In November,…
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Plastic bag ban should go
A major reason why paper bags are more expensive than plastic ones is that it takes about 40 times as much energy to make and transport the paper ones.