Opinion
Debates will inform state voters
One of the most cost-effective political expenditures of the 2024 cycle will be a series of four televised debates featuring candidates for statewide posts.
News
Experts weigh in on teacher compensation, funding education, and affirmative action
The final of three debates on challenges facing North Carolina’s education system is slated for Wednesday evening, November 1, in Benson at the W. J. Barefoot Auditorium. This time experts will focus on education funding in North Carolina. In the 2023 Hometown Debate series, a collaboration between the North Carolina Institute of Political Leadership and...
Opinion
Candidates clash on reopening schools
Whether to reopen North Carolina’s public schools is the central issue in the campaign for state superintendent, thanks to COVID-19 and the concerns it raises about safety.
Opinion
Lieutenant governor rivals differ sharply
The winner of the race for North Carolina’s lieutenant governor will be a strong, passionate advocate of his or her party’s governing philosophy.
Opinion
State leaders to debate health care
Cynicism about our civic dialogue is premature. There are positive examples of political engagement out there, examples that deserve attention and emulation.
Opinion
Temper power with responsibility
Part of the solution for our uncivil politics will arise from convincing current and prospect political leaders to take responsibility for the problem and start doing something about it.
Opinion
Amendment will protect state taxpayers
Even if the tax-cap amendment passes, future legislatures could raise North Carolina income taxes quite a bit if they deem it necessary — although that would be unwise and counterproductive.
Opinion
How facts and values divide us
Opinion polls and everyday experience confirm that most North Carolinians, like most Americans, are dissatisfied with the way we practice politics.
Opinion
Carolina needs civil, curious leaders
To engage with others more constructively is not to surrender your position or show weakness. It is a sign of confidence and strength.
Opinion
Teacher pay deserves reasoned debate
Structuring pay around years of experience and degrees awarded was a bad idea. We should be glad North Carolina is moving away from it.
Opinion
Choice and regulation form spectrum
On balance, there is likely no better mechanism for identifying and replicating successful schools over time than allow parents to make choices — and for education dollars to follow those choices.
Opinion
Boost facility funding from lottery
To swap broader taxes on sales, income, or property with a narrower revenue source was, of course, one of the main attractions of the state lottery for some proponents.
