Freedom. U.S. dips to record low in global rankings
The Heritage Foundation’s 2022 “Index of Economic Freedom” puts the United States at a record low ranking, falling from 20th in 2021 to 25th this year out of 177 countries ranked.
carolina journal
Op-Ed: Money does not have a causal relationship with a baby’s brain activity
An article published by NC Policy Watch caught my attention the other day. The piece ran with the headline, “Boosting low-income mothers’ income increased their babies’ brain activity.” After seeing the headline, I asked myself, “How can the disbursement of money to the mother have an impact on a baby’s brain activity?” Of course, I had to read the article to find out what was going on.
Strain of bird flu detected in NC
Vigilance but not panic is being advised for poultry farms and others with poultry in their backyards after a strain of Avian Flu was recently detected in 65 hunter-harvested wild waterfowl at three sites in North Carolina and other nearby states as of Feb. 4. It’s also the reason why the North Carolina Zoo closed its aviary to the public on Jan. 26.
Legal challenge to governor’s emergency powers one step closer to three-judge panel
A lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of Gov. Roy Cooper's emergency powers has moved closer to a resolution. The senior resident Superior Court judge for Wake County has agreed the case should head to a three-judge panel.
OPINION: Should big tech shield us from science, even if it’s controversial?
A bill before the South Carolina Legislature seeks to affirm a sacred American right – the right to our conscience. Co-sponsored by every Republican member of the subcommittee – the legislation is a reaction to a Columbia city ordinance that restricts a counselor or therapist’s ability to bring in biblical worldviews on issues related to human sexuality and sexual orientation.
Robinson raises $1.5 million for campaign
With campaign finance reports coming later this month, North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson's campaign announced that he has raised more than $1.5 million. The donations come from 12,691 donors, according to his latest campaign finance report. Semi-annual reports for all candidates for office in N.C. are due Jan. 31.
Senate passes bill banning county board of elections from taking private money
The N.C. Senate on Monday, Nov. 29, passed a bill that would ban county boards of elections from accepting private donations to conduct election services or hire election workers. Senators approved Senate Bill 725 by a vote of 27-19.
State legislature passes flurry of bills, including adjournment resolution
Both chambers of the N.C. General Assembly passed an adjournment resolution Monday evening, Nov. 29, coming amid a flurry of other measures making their way through the legislature.
State controller goes to court to block Leandro funding order
State Controller Linda Combs is going to court to block a recent ruling in the long-running Leandro school funding case.
Operation Christmas Child continues despite rising costs, supply chain issues
Rampant inflation, supply chain issues, and the COVID-19 pandemic aren’t dampening the Christmas spirit at the international Christian charity Samaritan’s Purse.
General Assembly releases N.C. budget plan, including input from Cooper
The N.C. General Assembly will begin votes Tuesday on the newly-released 2021-23 conference budget. The 2021-22 budget plan of $25.9 billion represents a 4.3% increase over the previous plan. The fiscal 2022-23 portion of the biennial plan is $27 billion, and the state’s rainy day fund grows to $4.25 billion by the end of the biennium.
Cooper’s teacher advisory committee lopsided to favor Dem voices
Of the 25 active members of Gov. Roy Cooper’s Teacher Advisory Committee, only one is a registered Republican, a review of voter registration records by Carolina Journal shows. The ratios bring into question how adequately the advisory committee represents the diverse viewpoints of teachers from across North Carolina.