With the appointments of new Chief Justice Cheri Beasley and Associate Justice Mark Davis, the N.C. Supreme Court now has six Democrats and just one Republican. Rick Henderson, Carolina Journal editor-in-chief, analyzes the political implications of changes within the state’s highest court. Henderson also looks ahead to three contested Supreme Court elections in 2020. Donald Trump has changed the face of presidential politics. He’s also had an impact on the national Republican Party. F.H. Buckley, professor at the Antonin Scalia Law School at George Mason University, assesses those changes in his recent book The Republican Workers Party. Buckley shares key themes from his research. Some state lawmakers want North Carolina to ban female genital mutilation. Their legislation responds to a recent court ruling striking down a federal law covering the same topic. Reformers are trying again this year to change the way North Carolina draws state congressional and legislative election maps. One proposal would write nonpartisan election redistricting rules into the state constitution. You’ll hear from supporters, including former UNC System President Tom Ross and conservative businessman and philanthropist Art Pope. Gov. Roy Cooper’s budget proposal features 9 percent pay raises for public school teachers over the next two years. Cooper also wants to kill off the state’s Opportunity Scholarship school voucher program. Terry Stoops, John Locke Foundation vice president for research and director of education studies, critiques Cooper’s proposals.
Carolina Journal Radio No. 827: N.C. Supreme Court sees major personnel changes
Related
NCSBE report leaves questions about early voting site deadline change
A report given by Karen Brinson Bell, executive director for the North Carolina State Elections Board (NCSBE), along with Paul Cox, general counsel for NCSBE, to a Joint Legislative Elections Oversight Committee on Wednesday not only gave a wrap-up of the March primary and addressed other issues, but also raised questions by some on a contradictory measure taken by the board recently regarding early voting site changes.
State forecasts $1.4 billion budget surplus
The North Carolina General Assembly's Fiscal Research Division projects that while inflation and interest rates are still up, the state will have $400 million over in collections in the current fiscal year and $1 billion additional revenue coming into the state coffers in FY 2024-25.
Chatham County slams the brakes on VinFast as company changes plans
Construction is on hold at VinFast’s proposed $4 billion electric vehicle factory in Moncure, Chatham County, after the electric vehicle maker revised its plans for a scaled-down version of the facility.
Wake up call: Student suspended for saying ‘illegal alien’
Most people recognize the absurdity of "birthing person" or "uterus owners" in activists' social media posts. But the degradation of the English language and the shift of common culture happens in baby steps, ones we often don't recognize until after they've happened.