News

Insko: N.C. Will Create Health Care Exchange

CHAPEL HILL – While some states are opting out of expanded Medicaid provisions in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, state Rep. Verla Insko confidently predicts North Carolina will participate in the expansion despite a temporary spike in costs to the state.

Dan Way
News

Budget Deal Could Go To Governor By Friday

RALEIGH – House and Senate budget negotiators have reached a compromise $20.2 billion General Fund budget deal for the upcoming fiscal year that provides 1.2 percent raises to state employees and teachers while restoring $251 million in previous cuts to public education.

Barry Smith
News

‘Rescue Funds’ In Peril If Senate Bill Becomes Law

RALEIGH — Nearly a year after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down an Arizona campaign-finance law allowing some candidates to receive "rescue funds" provided by taxpayers, North Carolina lawmakers are pushing a bill that would end a similar system for some elected offices.

Signé Thomas

Help Support Non-profit Journalism & Donate Today

News

House Budget Eliminates Job of Controversial Commerce Official

RALEIGH — The House budget for commerce would eliminate the position of assistant secretary of commerce for community services. That job now is held by Henry C. McKoy, who is embroiled in a controversy over an attempted diversion of federal funds to a nonprofit he controlled.

Rick Henderson
News

Election Night Brings Upsets, Close Margins in N.C. Legislative Races

RALEIGH — Primary election night Tuesday resulted in several upsets and close races in legislative contests in North Carolina, setting the stage for a competitive general election season this summer and fall. Voter turnout was 35 percent, nipping at the heels of the record-breaking turnout of 37 percent in 2008, another presidential year.

David N. Bass
News

Winner of GOP Primary in House District 82 Will Take Seat in 2013

RALEIGH — Bedrock conservative principles such as limited government, support for the free market, and reducing taxes and regulations reverberate in the House District 82 Republican primary campaigns of appointed incumbent Larry Pittman and challenger Herbert Jay White.

Dan Way
News

Medicaid Shortfall Has Lawmakers and Governor Scrambling

RALEIGH — State lawmakers are pushing to inject more fiscal discipline and better forecasting into Medicaid budgeting to end a series of annual overruns that have required tapping into the state’s General Fund. The shortfall was $200 million two years ago and $600 million last year.

Dan Way
News

WakeMed and Rex Tussle Over Definition of ‘Private’

RALEIGH — WakeMed officials claim Rex is a public hospital and uses state tax dollars to compete “unfairly.” Rex officials say WakeMed isn’t any more private than Rex, as the county still appoints a majority of its board members. Moreover, Rex officials say the hospital receives no direct subsidies from UNC Health Care or the General Assembly.

Sara Burrows