The 2016 election season is already shaping up to be a fascinating battle of ideas in our state. Carolina Journal Managing Editor Rick Henderson assesses the potential Lt. Gov. rematch between Democrat Linda Coleman and Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Forest. He also analyzes the latest polling data on Gov. McCrory and his prospects for re-election. Speaking of the governor, one of the top issues for the McCrory administration and state legislators this year is whether North Carolina should expand its Medicaid program. Dr. David Stein, co-founder of IFC Pediatrics, the second-largest Medicaid provider in Alamance County, offers a physician’s perspective on the issue. Next we look at an age-old debate. North Carolina elects its judges in nonpartisan races. The N.C. Courts Commission recently discussed whether that system makes sense moving forward. Some commission members would like to see party labels return to the election ballot. Others would like to see elections replaced with an appointment system. You’ll hear highlights from their discussion. That’s followed by a look at how history is taught in our country. Students can learn a great deal about American history through careful study of original historical documents. Roger Beckett, executive director of the Ashbrook Center at Ashland University, is making a push for increased reliance on original documents in history classes. He explains why. And finally, we look at the fate of North Carolina’s Opportunity Scholarship program, which is in the hands of the state Supreme Court. Terry Stoops, the John Locke Foundation’s Director of Research and Education Studies, analyzes arguments made by critics and supporters, and answers the question of why entrenched education interests are so opposed to giving vouchers to low-income families.
2016: Who’s Up, Who’s Down, Who Wants Another Shot
Related
Students with disabilities forgotten in extreme political battles
According to North Carolina Department of Public Instruction 2022-2023 assessment data, there is not a single assessed subject in which even 40% of North Carolina’s students with disabilities scored “Grade Level Proficient” or above. Stated another way, in 2022-2023, 84.3% of North Carolina’s students with disabilities could not read proficiently in grades 3 through 8,...
Disappointing primaries lacked substance
Party nominations for North Carolina’s 2024 elections are, for the most part, decided. Just four races remain to be settled in runoffs on May 14. So, would you say you’re generally satisfied or dissatisfied with our primaries this year? Here’s my answer to the question: I’m deeply disappointed. It’s not that all the candidates I...
Superintendent races draw five candidates
Of the 10 executive offices that make up North Carolina’s Council of State, half will be open seats in the 2024 elections. That is, there’ll be no incumbents. The politicians currently in those offices are leaving, either to retire or to run for something else. Catherine Truitt, the current state superintendent of public instruction, isn’t...
The Old North State celebrates its 234th birthday today!
Today marks North Carolina’s 234th birthday! U.S. Sen. Ted Budd, R-NC, was among those remembering the Old North State’s special day on social media. On Nov. 21, 1789, North Carolina became the 12th state to ratify the United States Constitution and the only state with two ratification conventions. In 1729, the state started as a...