Opinion
North Carolina is a middle state
We are certainly a middle state along the spectrum of American politics. But we rank 46th in the number of residents who describe themselves as moderate.
Opinion
N.C. Combats Domestic Violence
The city of High Point is making national headlines for its innovative approach to combating the scourge of domestic violence. Nearby Lexington has adopted the same model.
Opinion
Fill Property-Tax Holes
Policymakers ought to restructure North Carolina’s property tax – broaden its base, lower its rate, and reform the way real estate is assessed.
Opinion
If Everybody’s Doing It …
For decades, states assembled and operated their park systems within an older paradigm that recognized no logical connection between using the parks and paying for them.
Opinion
Reform That Doesn’t Sell
For as long as I have been in the state-policy mix in North Carolina, the political class has been arguing for sales-tax reform.
Opinion
Prison System Doesn’t Work
Prison reform is, admittedly, not the most exciting or appealing of topics. But it’s important.
Opinion
Newspapers Will Be The Story
Among the many big stories in politics and business to be watching this year is the fate of newspaper journalism.
Opinion
Three Markers Of Faulty Health Policy
There are three markers for judging the superficiality of a politician’s knowledge of health-care policy.
Opinion
Term Limits of Endearment
In theory, limiting the terms of state lawmakers should increase the competitiveness of elections in at least two ways. In practice, it does exactly that.
Opinion
The McPaper Gets It McWrong
North Carolina politicians have taken to citing a recent USA Today ranking that suggested North Carolina's fiscal mismanagement was "excellent." Too bad the ranking is patently absurd.
Opinion
Was There A Spending Spree?
A new report suggests that North Carolina's current budget woes aren't the result of excessive spending in the 1990s. Depends on how you look at it.
Opinion
Governing Means Taxing
Governing, the magazine that covers American state and local government, has just issued a biased ranking that condemns the tax policy of fast-growing states and praises the tax policy of those with under-performing economies. Talk about missing the point.
