Opinion
Leandro decision prompts questions about justices’ ability to read
Three Democratic N.C. Supreme Court justices have flip-flopped on the state constitution's clear language about control of state government spending.
Opinion
Court elections are most important
It matters whether Republican Ted Budd or Democrat Cheri Beasley wins the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Richard Burr. It matters whether the Republicans win legislative supermajorities. It matters whether Democrats can cut into the GOP’s increasing domination of local elections in rural and suburban areas, or whether Republicans can make inroads in county...
Opinion
Plaintiff in unaffiliated voter case helped close door on Supreme Court retention elections
If N.C. Supreme Court Justice Sam "Jimmy" Ervin IV loses his re-election bid, he can place some of the blame on Sabra Faires.
Opinion
Fate of Leandro school funding case could come down to stare decisis
An important legal doctrine could play a critical role in North Carolina's 28-year-old education funding lawsuit.
Opinion
Short exchange could hold the key to Leandro case’s final decision
A short conversation could hold the key to a dispute over hundreds of millions of dollars in education spending.
Video
N.C. Supreme Court candidates discuss the danger of a partisan judiciary
In November’s midterm elections, the stakes are high in the two races for the North Carolina Supreme Court. The high court currently has a 4-3 Democrat majority, so if Republicans flip just one seat, the balance shifts on the court. In a relatively rare opportunity, the four candidates running for the N.C. Supreme Court were...
News
State Supreme Court peppers lawyers with questions about $785 million Leandro spending order
The N.C. Supreme Court will decide in the days ahead whether a judge can order the state to spend an additional $785 million for education-related items. Justices also will decide whether the courts can bypass the General Assembly and order the money transferred out of the state treasury. Those are the key questions in the latest stage of the long-running Leandro school funding case. The case that dates back to 1994 returned to the state’s highest court Wednesday for oral arguments.
News
Split N.C. Supreme Court orders more scrutiny of local water, sewer ‘capacity’ fees
The N.C. Supreme Court has split, 4-3, on whether Harnett County should be forced to prove that its water and sewer “capacity use” fees could be distinguished from an unconstitutional taking of private property. The majority reversed decisions from a trial judge and a unanimous N.C. Court of Appeals panel favoring the county. The state’s highest court has ordered a trial judge to conduct further hearings.
Opinion
Democrat judges repudiate NC voters
I watch in amazement as Democrats repeatedly dare voters to fire them. On Friday, the North Carolina Supreme Court’s four Democrats — Anita Earls, Robin Hudson, Jimmy Ervin, and Mike Morgan — declared that when perpetual districting litigation leads to a decision that districts must be redrawn, the people of the state lose power to...
Opinion
Key Leandro argument would place time limit on separation of powers
There’s no expiration date for the separation of powers in government. If a power belongs to the executive branch, the executive faces no obligation to use it or lose it. The same holds true for powers allotted to the legislative and judicial branches. When one branch chooses to use its legitimate powers in ways that...
News
N.C. Supreme Court to hear Leandro arguments in August
Editor’s note: This story was updated at 5:20 p.m. with additional background. The N.C. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in late August in the long-running Leandro school funding lawsuit. An order issued Wednesday spells out the schedule for the state’s highest court to address the latest Leandro disputes. The order signed by Justice Sam...
Opinion
Key N.C. Supreme Court race shaken, stirred with last-minute entry
A surprise candidate filing has significantly altered the political landscape in one of North Carolina’s most important 2022 political races. It’s a contest to fill a seat on the N.C. Supreme Court. A high-profile Republican primary that will decide who meets Democrat incumbent Jimmy Ervin in the fall had a new entry just as the...
