Opinion
Quick Analysis of a Quick Race
I’m not convinced that Erskine Bowles will run, or that he would necessarily get the nomination.
Opinion
Liberals Chew Their CUDS
We should never take liberty for granted. It has enemies. They may be dimwitted or daffy, but they can still be dangerous.
Opinion
Doing What Comes Natural
Recent innovations in the exploration and development of natural gas reserves are fundamentally changing the structure of American energy markets.
Opinion
Some Useful Economic Stimuli
Every day, there’s some news event, data release, or political speech that could make even the most naturally cheerful North Carolinian feel down in the dumps.
News
Non-Budget Items Take Center Stage in NCGA
RALEIGH — With Senate Republicans busy crafting their budget for the new fiscal year, House lawmakers turned their attention to election reforms. Republicans and Democrats remained at loggerheads over extension of unemployment benefits for an estimated 42,000 North Carolinians.
News
Perdue, Berger Cross Swords Over Who is More Jobs-Focused
RALEIGH — Thursday's press conferences were the latest salvo in a steadily increasing war of words between the General Assembly's Republican majority and Gov. Bev Perdue. A stagnating job market and a multibillion-dollar budget hole have fueled the tense atmosphere.
Opinion
NC Jobs Record Even Worse
Thousands of jobs have already been lost thanks to the tax and regulatory policies of past governors and legislatures, policies that the new Assembly seeks to roll back or reform.
Opinion
How Are They Doing?
The first few weeks of the legislation session have featured far more wins than losses for the new conservative majority, both in substance and message.
Opinion
The Incredible Shrinking Deficit
The actual FY 2011-12 deficit lawmakers will have to close with new spending cuts or tax hikes could be in the neighborhood of $2.4 billion to $2.8 billion.
News
VIDEO: Energy Efficiency Mandates for New Homes Tossed
RALEIGH — A subcommittee of North Carolina’s Building Codes Commission is set to recommend watered down energy efficiency improvements to the residential building codes. The improvements would increase the requirements on builders for things like insulation, windows, framing and more. Builders convinced the subcommittee to ease the regulations by claiming increased costs would threaten to put the builders out of business.
News
Dozens Involved in Aircraft Provider Program for Perdue, Easley
RALEIGH — Gov. Bev Perdue has confirmed that federal investigators are questioning a number of people who were involved with her 2008 gubernatorial campaign. Investigators may be interested in why Perdue waited so long to report and pay for a number of flights, or if the campaign had no intention of paying for them.
Opinion
Don’t Reward UNC Mismanagement
If NC policymakers want to improve the quality of college facilities, the last thing they should do is authorize another massive higher-education bond package.
