John Hood: Feds blew it on COVID relief
If ever there was justification for sudden, expedited, large-scale federal expenditure, the COVID crisis was it. Americans faced a deadly pandemic.
government
Why Carolinians liked strong legislatures
How should North Carolina be governed? The same question can be asked about any other state in America, or any other country in the world. It’s a critical question. It lies at the heart of every political dispute you can think of, from education reform and environmental protection to tax policy and economic development.
Drug money: How NC will spend the $750M opioid settlement
The opioid epidemic is killing more than 100,000 Americans each year. Fentanyl alone — not counting other opioids such as heroin, oxycodone, and morphine — now top the list as the No. 1 cause of death for adults 45 and younger. That's more than suicides, car wrecks, and COVID-19.
North Carolina jobs and GDP economy fully recovered to pre-pandemic levels in 2021
North Carolina’s economy fully returned to the employment level it enjoyed before the COVID-19 pandemic sent the world into an economic recession, state economists said Monday. The state’s economy recovered to pre-pandemic employment levels in July of 2021 and the GDP even earlier, and the state’s economy continues to grow despite concerns of inflation and high gas prices.
More than $330 million in State directed grants disbursed to aid local community improvement projects
The Office of State Budget and Management (OSBM) distributed more than $330 million in directed grants to local governments and community organizations in the last 10 days. More than 170 entities across North Carolina received funds in this first round of grant disbursements.
OPINION: A look at the state of America
President Biden’s State of the Union Address represents much of America today, a meandering belief in big government that’s woefully short on economic coherence. Yet, the state of the union is pretty evident to most.
Senate primary debate offers fireworks despite Ted Budd’s absence
A debate Saturday among three Republican candidates to replace retiring U.S. Sen Richard Burr, R-N.C., was substantive and respectful yet offered just enough fireworks to spark small fires throughout.
Freedom is worth the risk
During each election cycle, we are treated to an endless parade of politicians extolling freedom. Given how many of them subsequently vote to restrict our freedom in myriad ways, we have ample reason to be skeptical about politicians.
Unanimous three-judge panel upholds N.C. election maps, appeal likely
A unanimous three-judge panel has upheld North Carolina's new congressional and legislative election maps. The panel of two Republican Superior Court judges and one Democratic colleague rejected critics' arguments that mapmakers engaged in unconstitutional partisan and racial gerrymandering.
Governor Cooper announces CPR equipment producer’s plans to establish facility in Franklin County
Medical equipment supplier, Innosonian America, LLC, will create 34 new jobs in Franklin County, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. The company will invest $345,000 to relocate its warehousing and sales facility to the Town of Youngsville.
OPINION: A new year should remind us of old truths about government
A new year often brings a desire for change. For all the failed resolutions, somebody out there, many even, will alter their lives for the better. We are constantly changing as a society. Fashion, music, cost of living, it’s all changing. How many people born just a half-century ago could have foreseen today’s technological advances?
School closures still on the table this winter
Outgoing N.C. Health Secretary Mandy Cohen told lawmakers recently that schools could still close in the event of a COVID infection surge this winter. Cohen delivered this news as teachers and students scramble to wrap this semester and kids try to catch up from the year of remote and missed school.