Opinion
The Chancy Politics of a Lottery
Speaker Jim Black got tongues in Raleigh wagging Thursday with his bold advocacy of a straight up-or-down vote on a state lottery. Both the policy and political cases here are weak.
Opinion
Lindalyn’s Journal
In policy debates across the state, elected officials are wrestling with education funding issues. And Leandro, the ten-year-old North Carolina school funding case, continues to tie up the courts. Wherever I go, I hear the pressing question, "How much money is enough for a sound basic education?"
Opinion
No. 815: Teacher Certification: Value Added Doesn’t Measure Up
National certification for teachers gets a lot of publicity, but data show it isn't worth the investment of time and money.
Opinion
What the Leandro Lobby Really Wants
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Superintendent Jim Pughsley embarrassed himself in court the other day — and further showed the silliness of what passes for debate on state school funding.
Opinion
A Taxing Situation
The income tax deadline is approaching fast, and for many of us, preparations for an income tax reckoning at the state and federal level are well underway. Unlike at Christmas, this isn't a warm and fuzzy giving season. In fact, tax season is a fiscal adjustment period for a lot of people, because the biggest tax bite has already been taken via payroll withholding.
Opinion
In the Interest of Customer Service
Every now and then, it’s a good idea to empty out the email bin and respond. Today’s topics include a state-funded nonprofit, Easley’s tax hikes, and tax-funded arts groups.
Opinion
Artful Way to Make the Point
State spending on the arts is not a large-enough item by itself to resolve NC’s budget woes. But lots of little programs add up to big money — and there’s an artful case for going private.
Opinion
Growing the World’s Food Supply in a Flowerpot
Nobel economist Vernon Smith, who received the prize in 2002 for his work in experimental economics and auction markets, delivered a talk on the economics and politics of globalization at NC State University last week. One of several important themes of Smith's presentation was the idea that technology and exchange will make it possible to feed a growing world population.
Opinion
On Medicaid, At Least Follow
Regarding the budget-devouring monster known as Medicaid, North Carolina policymakers don’t seem willing to lead, follow, or even get out of the way. Fiscal discipline requires action.
Opinion
The Summers Squall Still Blowing
Larry Summers, Clinton friend and liberal president of Harvard, is in trouble with feminists for advancing an hypothesis in an academic setting. It's really come to this.
Opinion
Lindalyn’s Journal
The charter school movement is at a critical juncture. Currently, over 21,000 students attend 98 charter schools around the state. Many more students languish on waiting lists. Unless the current law is changed, only two more schools can be chartered, leaving many students and families out in the cold. The fact is that many counties in North Carolina do not have even one charter school. In order to effect meaningful change to public education in North Carolina, we all must engage in the political process. Don't sit on the sidelines—make sure your voice is heard.
Opinion
Inferiority Complex
Once upon a time, I was a college student in music school and needed to purchase a metronome. A traditional old-style metronome is a handsome accessory to a home, much like a mantel clock. The problem is that these are expensive, and they don't travel well, even though musicians often need to tote them around with their other equipment.
