John Hood: Yes, We Can Stop the Fire
RALEIGH — I had strong political disagreements with Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, on both style and substance — and I mourn his death, deem it an indefensible crime, and fear its consequences.
north carolina
John Hood: Leaders Badly Mishandled Charlotte Killing
RALEIGH — Long before the release of a video graphically depicting Iryna Zarutska being stabbed to death on a Charlotte train, state and local leaders should have publicly mourned her death and expressed outrage at so appalling a crime. Now they’re paying the price.
John Hood: Test Scores Show Modest Improvement
RALEIGH — Test scores are up for North Carolina’s public-school students — a welcome development, although the news isn’t all good.
Senator Berger Announces Interim Committee Appointments
Raleigh, N.C. – Today, Senate Leader Phil Berger (R-Rockingham) announced the appointments to interim committees for the 2025-26 legislative session.
Senate Passes Bill to Make North Carolina the First State to Opt into President Trump’s Signature School Choice Program
Raleigh, N.C. – The North Carolina Senate approved a bill today that would make North Carolina the first state in the nation to opt into President Donald Trump's school choice tax credit program as outlined in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
OVERRIDE TIME: Senate Plans to Return to Override Gov. Stein’s Vetoes on July 29
Raleigh, N.C. – The North Carolina Senate will reconvene on Tuesday, July 29, to take up all seven of the vetoes Gov. Josh Stein has returned to the Senate, as well as any successful overrides from the House.
Governor Stein Takes Action on Several Bills (video included)
Governor Josh Stein signed six bills into law today, including measures to modernize state investments, support veteran law enforcement officers, and expand access to social work services. From improving pension investment flexibility to easing licensure for out-of-state social workers, these new laws aim to strengthen public services and workforce capacity across North Carolina.
Op-Ed: Senator Tillis Should Champion Child Care Tax Relief
As Congress hammers out the details of the Republican majority’s signature tax package, North Carolina families are watching closely. We’ve heard promises that the One Big Beautiful Bill Act will deliver real relief to working families. With that goal in mind, Senator Thom Tillis has a clear opportunity be a leader as the Senate makes their changes by ensuring the expanded Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit (CDCTC) is included in the final legislation.
John Hood: Fiscal Fantasies Threaten Our Economic Future
RALEIGH — I wrote my first book — about what’s now called corporate ESG (for Environmental, Social, and Governance criteria) — in 1996. After six subsequent works of serious nonfiction, I redirected my authorial energies in 2020 toward writing historical-fantasy novels set in early America. Patriot soldiers battle flying demons. Daniel Boone hunts fire-spitting salamanders. Shadowy mages ensorcell Washington politicians into committing grave errors. Get the picture?
John Hood: Employment Gains Reflect Policy Successes
RALEIGH — North Carolina’s strong economic performance persists — as do the lessons it reveals about politics and public policy.
North Carolina’s April Employment Figures Released
The state’s seasonally adjusted April 2025 unemployment rate was 3.7 percent, unchanged from March’s revised rate. The national rate was unchanged at 4.2 percent.
John Hood: Cooper’s Blunder Still Holds Us Back
RALEIGH — Roy Cooper will reportedly make some headlines next month. I have no idea whether he’ll announce a run for the U.S. Senate in 2026. If he does, the former governor will present a formidable challenge to incumbent Sen. Thom Tillis. If he doesn’t run, it will be at least partly because Cooper believes he’ll win — and the prospect of spending the next six years in Washington may fill him with more dread than delight.