Opinion
Raise $14K salary for more representative NC legislature
Most in NC cannot afford to leave their main occupations for long stretches for only $13,951. And their employers probably don't want them to either.
Opinion
Look before leaping to new system
In a recent column, I outlined three ways that North Carolina’s system of government differs from that of many other states, including our neighbors. First, I observed that our state constitution unambiguously gives the legislature primacy over public policy while dividing and weakening our executive branch. I also pointed out that North Carolina funds our...
News
NC legislature top target for Democrats looking ahead
Considered a "power-building" state, the North Carolina House and Senate offer Democrats the “best opportunities to gain seats in tough chambers and check MAGA extremism, including by defending the veto power of Democratic governors.”
Opinion
Much accomplished, much left to do 14 years after GOP takes over NC General Assembly
While last long session led to some disappointments and distractions, there is still reason to think that conservatives in the legislature will solve important issues like they have in the past.
Opinion
The balance of power headed into 2025
Overall, North Carolina Republicans had good election results in 2024, but some of the biggest prizes, such as governor and attorney general, eluded them.
Opinion
Down-ballot races show modest shift
Now that the counting of ballots is more-or-less complete, let’s take another look back at the results of the 2024 elections — with a particular emphasis on contests closer to the bottom than the top of the ballot. Why look at down-ballot races? Well, I admit to a longstanding annoyance with conflating the election of...
News
Harris trailing Briner in NC state treasurer race
A new poll by Carolina Journal shows Republican candidate for state treasurer Brad Briner with a slight lead over his Democratic opponent, State Rep. Wesley Harris, which may indicate voters’ confidence in which candidate is the most qualified for the position.
Opinion
Three questions for conservatives to ask state legislative candidates
As the filing period for state legislative office in North Carolina concluded on Dec. 15, 2023, the stage is now set for a pivotal 2024 election cycle, with all 50 seats in the state Senate and 120 seats in the state House up for contention. A total of 380 candidates, spanning diverse political affiliations — including...
Opinion
North Carolina: The next great conservative powerhouse
North Carolina is generally seen as a purple state, maybe with a small red lean. And because of that, the government is often divided, with the legislature, Supreme Court, Governor’s Mansion, and other major offices split between parties. This has meant that neither side has been able to completely shut the other out of major...
News
Speaker Moore announces NC House committee assignments
On Tuesday, North Carolina House Speaker Tim Moore, R-Cleveland, announced committee assignments. House Republicans have 71 out of 120 seats, and would need 72 out of 120 for a gubernatorial veto override. This will likely be a focus when issues that are especially partisan - abortion, 2nd Amendment laws, voter ID, tax policy - come before members.
Opinion
Elections matter: an open letter from Convention of States to the NC legislature
The Convention of States Project is a national effort to utilize Article V of the U.S. Constitution to convene a Convention of the States, a tool our Founders provided that allows We the People to bypass Congress to propose amendments that Congress would never do on its own. The process requires 34 state legislatures to...
News
U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade, returning abortion law to states
The U.S. Supreme Court has overturned the precedent surrounding abortion law in the United States that guaranteed women access to abortions through a constitutional right to privacy. Both the Roe v. Wade decision of 1973 and the Planned Parenthood v. Casey case of 1992 were overturned. The court ruled 6-3 to uphold a law banning...
