Opinion
State gains more national influence
If current population trends continue, North Carolina will gain a bit more political heft after the 2020 census with the addition of a 14th seat in the U.S. House.
Opinion
Close partisan divide will persist
If you subtract voter preference for Democrats from voter preference for Republicans, only nine states — including North Carolina — have values no greater than two percentage points.
Opinion
Both parties face age barriers
Rather than extrapolating a few statistical trends into the future and then waiting for political prizes to fall into their laps, successful candidates will take nothing for granted.
News
General Assembly roundup: Bill would remove caps on homestead exemption for disabled veterans
RALEIGH — A state legislator is hoping to give disabled veterans and spouses of fallen first responders a break on their property tax bills. Rep. Nelson Dollar, R-Wake, has filed a bill removing homestead exemption caps for disabled veterans. “Currently for disabled veterans the homestead exclusion is only up to $45,000 of assessed value,” Dollar...
Opinion
Carolina lawmakers become leaders
Seniority isn’t the only pathway to influence in Washington. The two congressional Marks from North Carolina, Walker and Meadows, exemplify this development.
Opinion
Burr victory deserves the spotlight
Of all the senators elected in North Carolina since 1972, in fact, only two — Richard Burr and Jesse Helms — have served more than a single term.
Opinion
Voters send clear tax message
In the vast majority of contested races, North Carolinians opted for the candidate least likely to raise their taxes, or mostly likely to cut them.
News
Governor’s race undecided in otherwise big GOP night
A stunning election night ended with several election races — including the contest for governor — unresolved, even as Republicans Donald Trump and Richard Burr scored significant victories and the GOP retained its supermajority status in the General Assembly. In the race for governor, Democratic Attorney General Roy Cooper claimed victory just before 1 a.m....
Opinion
Roy Cooper bucks GOP trend
Although ticket-splitting is far less common than it used to be, some North Carolinians continue to mix and match their votes in seemingly inexplicable ways.
Opinion
Richard Burr closes well
Richard Burr has an average lead of two points as well as the momentum, having gained two points since last month while Deborah Ross is up only one.
Opinion
Who wanted higher sales taxes?
From 2001 to 2009, North Carolina Democrats proposed and voted for higher sales taxes repeatedly. Republicans, then in the minority, opposed them.
Opinion
TV ads propel Cooper gains
Pro-Roy Cooper ads had run nearly 9,000 times through Aug. 18, while pro-Pat McCrory ads had run about 6,000 times.
