Opinion
State isn’t prepared for bad times
NC has about 53 days worth of state spending in the bank — well below the national median of 92 days.
News
Stein claims there will be $2.8B budget shortfall over next 2 years
NC Gov. Josh Stein continues to push his message of getting what he calls a $1.4 billion ‘critical needs budget’ in place before the General Assembly’s short session begins on April 6, but has escalated the figure to $2.8 billion in a post on X.
News
CJ Poll: Cooper leads Whatley by 8 points in first post-primary survey
Former NC Gov. Roy Cooper leads former GOP chair Michael Whatley by 8 points in the first post-primary poll of the NC's US Senate race. The survey also found broad voter pessimism about the country's direction, majority disapproval of President Trump among likely NC voters, and majority approval for Democratic Gov. Josh Stein.
News
Revenue forecast rises as lawmakers warn of Medicaid costs, tax cuts
The revised forecast reflects an improving economic outlook with 6.7% expected growth in personal income in 2025-26, up from 5.2% in May 2025.
Opinion
Economic progress isn’t confined to cities
A new study from the state Department of Commerce shows that over the past decade and a half, 90 of our 100 counties have outperformed the national average.
News
Stein presses legislature for $1.4B ‘critical needs budget’
Gov. Josh Stein calls on the General Assembly to pass what he calls a “$1.4 billion critical needs budget" to cover key areas left unfunded without a biennial budget.
News
State officials warn NC budget impasse nearing crisis point
State leaders continue to lament the lack of a state budget in North Carolina, saying that unless something is done very soon, some departments and agencies may be facing a crisis, such as Secretary of State Elaine Marshall’s office.
Opinion
Hidden taxes: The housing affordability crisis is math, not politics
Revisiting policies that may unintentionally burden working families isn’t surrender; It’s strong leadership.
News
NC Investment Authority changes could boost pensions, trim state costs
NC Treasurer Brad Briner is hopeful recent changes to North Carolina Retirement Systems investment decisions will bring benefits to retirees and the state budget.
Opinion
Fiscal storm is about to hit us
The General Assembly elected this November will have to close budget holes for Medicaid and SNAP. Municipal and county officials elected in 2026 and 2027 will have to craft current and capital budgets that assume federal grants will shrink, not grow.
News
Audit: Thousands of vacant state jobs costing NC over $1B
The state auditor released a 661-page report showing 8,846 long-term vacancies across 46 state agencies, totaling $1.04 billion in lapsed salary.
News
Hundreds of NC public school teachers ‘call out’ from work in protest
NC Teachers in Action has scheduled two additional protests for Feb. 7 and March 7.
