RALEIGH — Last month, North Carolina House Speaker Destin Hall tapped Rep. John Torbett (R-Gaston) and Rep. Keith Kidwell (R-Beaufort) to lead a new select committee on government efficiency.
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BJ Murphy: North Carolina - The Battleground of Faith and Swing Voters
North Carolina’s future isn’t locked down by Republicans or Democrats—it’s the independents and swing voters who hold the real power." With 16 electoral votes at stake, faith is influencing both sides, but weaponizing religion to win political points only deepens the division. In this battleground state, independents will be the ones to tip the scales in 2024.
John Hood: First congress met in North Carolina
RALEIGH — Before the United States had a Congress, North Carolina had a Congress — and this week marks its 250th birthday.
John Hood: Taxpayers deserve better than this
RALEIGH — In 2021, the North Carolina General Assembly enacted a budget that funded core state responsibilities, instigated critical repairs and renovations of government facilities, built up savings reserves, and slashed tax rates on personal and corporate income.
John Hood: Can Government Make You Happy?
RALEIGH — Is it the job of government to make you happy? While it may seem like a straightforward question, there are some important subtleties packed into those few words.
John Hood: On Charlotte Murders, Biden Blew It
RALEIGH — When officers from the U.S. Marshal Service, the N.C. Department of Adult Correction, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, and other agencies approached a home in eastern Charlotte on April 29, their purpose was to serve warrants on a fugitive named Terry Clark Hughes Jr.
John Hood: Land-Use Rules Cost Us Dearly
RALEIGH — Though polarization is a pervasive and powerful force in our politics, housing policy is one area where cross-ideological coalitions have become increasingly common.
John Hood: State economy rests on diverse portfolio
RALEIGH — The late Harry Markowitz, who won the 1990 Nobel prize in economics for his work on portfolio theory, reportedly said “diversification is the only free lunch” in investing. By distributing your savings across a broad base of stocks, bonds, and other asset classes, you maximize long-term gains and minimize risk — assuming that the performance of the assets in question isn’t strongly correlated.
John Hood: NCInnovation Is a Bridge Too Far
North Carolina has enjoyed more than a decade of conservative governance. It’s brought our state impressive growth and widespread acclaim. The General Assembly has reformed and reduced state taxes, lightened the regulatory burden, invested in infrastructure, and promoted choice and competition in public services, among other accomplishments.
John Hood: Conservatives must stand for freedom
In North Carolina, the political label “conservative” is more popular than the terms “liberal” or “progressive.” In the most recent John Locke Foundation poll, for example, 46% of likely voters described themselves as conservatives, with 25% picking the liberal label and the rest either “moderate” or nothing at all. If we broaden out to include all North Carolinians, not just those who reliably vote, the gap shrinks a bit. But conservatives still form a plurality — and they significantly outnumber liberals.
John Hood: Our COVID outcomes were average
Because Gov. Roy Cooper’s former secretary of health and human services, Mandy Cohen, just got the nod from President Joe Biden to be the next director of the Centers for Disease Control, politicians and analysts are again debating how North Carolinians fared during the COVID-19 pandemic.
John Hood: Most Communities Have a Crime Problem
RALEIGH — In a recent column, I argued that cities would draw more investment and job creation to their downtowns if people felt safer in them. Because the only North Carolina cities included in the national study I cited were Charlotte and Raleigh, some readers concluded that I thought the problem was limited to those two jurisdictions.
John Hood: Separation of Powers Protects Freedom
RALEIGH — Has there even been a point of time in which so many public controversies rest on a single, abstract principle of constitutional government? I can’t think of one.
John Hood: On Tax Reform, Set Firm Priorities
Negotiators from the North Carolina House and Senate are current hashing out a compromise budget for the fiscal year that begins in July. One of the sticking points, it seems, is how best to build on the state’s impressive record of tax reduction and reform.
John Hood: Elections Bill Ignores State Constitution
RALEIGH — Republican lawmakers in North Carolina have legitimate grievances against the Democrat-controlled State Board of Elections. The latter has abused its power in overtly partisan ways in recent years, most egregiously by striking a collusive settlement with Democratic attorney Marc Elias and Democratic Attorney General Josh Stein in 2020 to change our election procedures in direct contravention of election laws enacted by the General Assembly.
John Hood: Legislative-Appointment Bill Goes Too Far
RALEIGH — The North Carolina General Assembly seems poised to strip additional appointment powers from the governor. Senate Bill 512 would alter the composition of the state’s Board of Transportation, Environmental Management Commission, and six other entities. The House passed its version May 31. The two chambers will work out their differences in conference.
The Threat of Republican Voter Suppression Tactics Disguised as Fraud Prevention
In recent years, there have been concerns about efforts by some Republicans to pass laws that may make it more difficult for certain groups to cast their vote. These efforts have been framed as a means of preventing voter fraud, but there is little statistical evidence to support this claim. Some argue that these laws may have the unintended effect of suppressing voter turnout, particularly among minority groups.
John Hood: Who Are You Calling an Extremist?
If you’ve engaged in political activity or debate for longer than, say, a week, chances are someone thinks you’re an extremist. If your activity occurs or draws attention on social media, chances are someone has called you an extremist.
John Hood: Give Nurses More Freedom to Practice
In North Carolina, Medicaid expansion is a foregone conclusion. The General Assembly approved the necessary legislation. Gov. Roy Cooper signed it. While expansion is contingent on the passage of a state budget, no one doubts that’ll happen. So, the governor finally secured his highest legislative priority.
John Hood: North Carolina Ranks High in Roads
North Carolina can add another item to its crowded shelf of accolades: according to a newly updated study, our state’s road system ranks second in the nation in performance and cost-effectiveness.