John Hood: No Silver Bullet for School Woes
RALEIGH — Because of the tremendous benefits conferred by better education, it would be great if policymakers knew precisely what silver bullets to fire to eliminate obstacles to higher achievement.
State Government
Governor Cooper Announces Superior Court and District Attorney Appointments
Governor Roy Cooper announced one judicial appointment to the Superior Court and one District Attorney appointment.
Governor Cooper Announces North Carolina Reaches Electric Vehicle Registration Goals Two Years Early
Governor Roy Cooper announced North Carolina has surpassed initial electric vehicle registration goals two years early in yet another indication of the major shift in underway for American drivers, and emphasizing the need for the state to rapidly increase access to electric charging infrastructure.
One Year After Signing Medicaid Expansion Law, Governor Cooper Celebrates the Progress as Other States Look to North Carolina’s Playbook
Today marks the one year anniversary of Governor Roy Cooper signing Medicaid expansion into law, making North Carolina the 40th state to join this critical program. Just under 4 months since expansion went into effect, nearly 400,000 North Carolinians have gained access to affordable, quality health care. As North Carolina shows tremendous success with the program, holdout states are looking to Governor Cooper’s leadership as a model for how they too can expand Medicaid.
North Carolina’s February Employment Figures Released
The state’s seasonally adjusted February 2024 unemployment rate was 3.5 percent, unchanged from January’s revised rate. The national rate increased 0.2 of a percentage point to 3.9 percent.
Murphy Introduces Bill to Ban DEI in Medicine
On March 19, 2024, Congressman Greg Murphy, M.D. introduced the Embracing anti-Discrimination, Unbiased Curricula, and Advancing Truth in Education (EDUCATE) Act to ban race-based mandates at medical schools and accrediting institutions.
John Hood: Sales Tax Rules Don’t Make Sense
RALEIGH — I think the North Carolina General Assembly deserves loads of credit for making our tax code friendlier to growth, investment, and freedom. In one respect, however, the state still imposes too heavy a load. It requires too many out-of-state retailers to collect and remit sales taxes. Lawmakers ought to fix this problem when they reconvene April 24.
Governor Cooper Announces Three Judicial Appointments
Governor Roy Cooper announced three judicial appointments to North Carolina District Courts.
North Carolina community colleges see highest enrollment jump in 15 years
RALEIGH - North Carolina community colleges reported a five percent increase in Full-Time Equivalent student enrollment in Fall 2023 – marking the highest one-year enrollment jump in 15 years. This includes a 10 percent increase in workforce continuing education, nine percent in basic skills, and four percent in curriculum.
Treasurer Folwell applauds Unilever, PLC for spinning off Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream
RALEIGH - Unilever PLC has decided to separate its ice cream business, which it started in 1922, citing future growth benefits for both entities. State Treasurer Dale R. Folwell praised this move, stating that North Carolina's Investment Management Division would assess whether this separation aligns with the state's "Divestment From Companies Boycotting Israel" statutes. This decision follows DST's inclusion of Ben & Jerry's Homemade, Inc., and its affiliates, including Unilever PLC, in the list of companies subject to divestment due to their boycott of Israel.
Governor Cooper Hosts Women’s History Month Celebration
RALEIGH: On Wednesday, Governor Roy Cooper hosted a Women’s History Month celebration at the Executive Mansion and honored women in state government. This year’s theme is “Celebrating Women in State Government who have worked tirelessly to ensure North Carolina works for all.”
Attorney General Josh Stein Asks Congress to Fund Fentanyl Scanners at the Border
(RALEIGH) Attorney General Josh Stein asked Congressional leaders on Tuesday to give U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) approximately $300 million in funding to install equipment CBP already has to detect fentanyl in vehicles entering the United States. CBP has the equipment but cannot install it without additional funding.