Opinion
Bond Bite Is Too Big
Every dollar of debt the state incurs to build or renovate something represents more than a doll in principal or interest that can't be used for other core government services or tax relief.
News
November Bond Election Means Voting Early, Often
DURHAM — The McCrory administration will ask North Carolina voters to approve transportation and infrastructure bonds at a time when citizens in most (but not all) cities will elect mayors and council members. Holding the referendums this November also would ask voters statewide to cast ballots as many as five times over roughly one year.
News
Governor’s UNC Budget Proposal Seeks Efficiencies
RALEIGH — The state budget battle that will take place over the next few months likely will have a major impact on the day-to-day operations of the system’s 16 public universities. In early March, Gov. Pat McCrory began the process with the release of his 2015-17 budget proposal, which the General Assembly will debate and amend this summer.
Opinion
Education Spending Set To Rise In Budget
Pay raises for starting teachers, full funding for new enrollment, and additional money for instructional materials are highlights of the governor's budget proposal.
News
McCrory’s Budget Raises Teacher Pay, Restores Tax Credits
RALEIGH — Gov. Pat McCrory called on lawmakers to honor a promise to increase starting teacher salaries to $35,000 and included salary boosts for state troopers and corrections officers Thursday as he unveiled his $21.5 billion General Fund budget for the 2015-16 fiscal year. Budget director Lee Roberts said the 2.9 percent increase is less than the state’s growth in population and inflation-adjustment factor.
Opinion
CJ Editorial: With Medicaid, Patience Is a Virtue
The governors is wise not to expand Medicaid at a time the program is in flux.
News
JLF Report Supports Sunset for Historic Preservation Credits
RALEIGH — North Carolina lawmakers made the right decision when they ended state historic preservation tax credits. Those who support government involvement in preservation efforts should look at local grant programs instead. A new John Locke Foundation Spotlight report features those two findings.
Opinion
CJ Editorial: Leave the Tax Credit to History
State government should not be in the business of giving special favors to developers in the form of targeted tax credits, for historic preservation or any other purpose.
News
Budget, Highways, Medicaid Highlight 2015 Session
RALEIGH — North Carolina lawmakers will return to the state capital later in January with a lengthy agenda, including taking another crack at Medicaid reform, considering a $1 billion highway bond, and tackling what recent projections reveal to be a $190 million revenue shortfall. Rep. Nelson Dollar, R-Wake, noted that income tax refunds to taxpayers could be less in 2015 because efforts have been made to make withholdings more accurate.
News
McCrory, Tata Unveil Long-Range Transportation Plans
RALEIGH — Gov. Pat McCrory and his top transportation lieutenant on Thursday outlined new highway construction projects designed to ease bottlenecks and facilitate the flow of traffic. Secretary of Transportation Tony Tata said the plan calls for the N.C. Department of Transportation to fund 478 highway projects over the next 10 years, resulting in the creation of 300,000 jobs.
News
Lawmakers Not Yet Sold On Medicaid Expansion
RALEIGH — State Secretary of Health and Human Services Aldona Wos has told several media outlets that the foundation is in place for a more efficient and more effective Medicaid system, and that she will ask Gov. Pat McCrory to expand Medicaid in the near term. But before that happens, the governor will have to convince skeptical legislators.
News
Price Tag For State Economic Incentives: $800 Million
RALEIGH — Commerce Secretary Sharon Decker recently spent four days in Tokyo on a trade mission attempting to recruit an automobile manufacturing facility to North Carolina, which could have taxpayer-funded incentives wrapped into the deal. Meanwhile, a legislative analysis shows that the state’s liability for such programs already could top $800 million.
