RALEIGH — Most federal, state, and local policymakers are saying the right things about housing. Our leaders say they want to make it easier for young people to purchase homes and older people to keep them. But are they doing enough to turn their words into deeds?
Raleigh, N.C. — Today, Senate Leader Phil Berger (R-Rockingham) and House Speaker Destin Hall (R-Caldwell) announced the formation of the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations (Gov Ops): Subcommittee on Prisons.
RALEIGH — For all the satisfied smiles among school-choice supporters, and the gnashing of teeth among its opponents, North Carolina is not one of the top-ranked states for educational freedom.
Raleigh, N.C. — Senate Leader Phil Berger (R-Rockingham) released the following column highlighting his goals and thoughts ahead of the 2026 legislative session, which begins on Tuesday, April 21. This column is available for publication by media outlets.
America likes to believe it has solved the problem of smoking. It hasn't. Results of a new national survey, released today, show that 79% of Americans say more must be done to combat smoking-related harm. Philip Morris International's U.S. business (PMI U.S.) agrees, as detailed in The Forgotten Smoker: Modern Solutions to America's Oldest Public Health Challenge. This white paper makes the case for policymakers, public health authorities, and medical professionals to recenter cigarette smoking as a public health priority.
RALEIGH — Is there an immediate prospect of resolving the budget standoff between the North Carolina Senate and House? I hear conflicting signals.
RALEIGH — For all the confusion, finger-pointing, and rancor that accompanied the North Carolina Supreme Court’s final ruling in the Leandro school-finance case, the primary emotion it conjured in me was relief. This is likely the last time I’ll feel compelled to comment on the matter.
RALEIGH — On April 12, a large crowd of North Carolinians will gather in the town of Halifax to commemorate the 250th anniversary of a pivotal historical event.
RALEIGH — Who is to blame for North Carolina losing its industrial base over the past two decades? Misguided federal lawmakers who passed free-trade agreements? Foolish state policymakers who refused to invest in new infrastructure? Overzealous local regulators?
As a North Carolinian who cares deeply about the well-being of our families and children, I was encouraged to see the App Store Accountability Act advanced out of the House Energy and Commerce Committee this month. This common-sense legislation represents an important step toward giving parents more control over their kids’ digital lives.
As a turkey and hog farmer in Sampson County and the proud husband of Tara, who owns and operates our local independent pharmacy, I see firsthand the challenges our rural communities face every day. For too many families across North Carolina, the rising cost of prescription drugs is not just a line item on a budget—it's the difference between putting food on the table or filling a life-saving prescription. That's why the latest report from the Pharmaceutical Reform Alliance (PRA), "The State of U.S. Drug Pricing: Unaffordable," hits home for me and countless others in our state.
RALEIGH — Among the worst features of today’s politics is its pervasive crudity. Democrats and Republicans don’t just compete for electoral power and disagree on policy. They question motives, hurl insults, and seek not just victory but utter domination. They exude mutual contempt.
