RALEIGH — It might sound odd to hear this from someone who’s been writing a syndicated column on politics for nearly four decades, but politics has become vastly more important in our lives than it should be.
Securing North Carolina’s Future: Governor Cooper Presents Budget
RALEIGH: Governor Roy Cooper released his recommended budget for FY 2024-2025, Securing North Carolina’s Future. The Governor’s plan would raise teacher pay by 8.5% and invest over $1 billion in public schools across North Carolina instead of more taxpayer-funded private school vouchers.
Op-Ed: Recent Tragedies Reveal the Danger of Reckless Open Border Policies
The debate surrounding immigration and border security dominates in Washington, yet Congress has little to show for it. Protecting our border and reintroducing law and order to our broken immigration system should be goals shared by every one of our elected officials.
Op-Ed: Protect North Carolina Businesses, Protect the ERC
In the mosaic of domestic economic vitality, American businesses are the mortar holding our country together. Small businesses, in particular, are responsible for two-thirds of all newly created U.S. jobs, yet they are the most vulnerable to economic shifts and have faced unprecedented challenges in recent years – from lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic to persistent supply chain disruptions.
John Hood: State Gets a Pleasant April Surprise
A couple of weeks ago, I wrote a column observing that, over the first eight months of the 2023-24 fiscal year, the state’s General Fund revenue was down slightly from what was collected during the first eight months of the previous fiscal year.
Rep. Cotham Named House Education Appropriations Committee
Rep. Tricia Cotham has been appointed chair of the House Education Appropriations Committee to oversee education appropriations, the largest area of the state budget. This esteemed leadership position is a testament to her dedication, expertise, and unwavering commitment to enhancing education in our state.
North Carolina's March Employment Figures Released
Raleigh, N.C. - The state’s seasonally adjusted March 2024 unemployment rate was 3.5 percent, unchanged from February’s revised rate. The national rate decreased 0.1 of a percentage point to 3.8 percent.
Leader Reives Statement on UNC Board of Governors
"Today, the UNC Board of Governors Committee on University Governance has voted to advance a proposal that will reverse course on policy our university system has had in place for years to foster diverse, inclusive campuses across our state. Our public universities are great because of the diverse opinions, people and mutual respect that are the hallmark of a liberal arts education."
Governor Cooper Criticizes UNC Board's Move Against Diversity Initiatives
RALEIGH: Governor Roy Cooper and former UNC System President Tom Ross released statements on efforts by the UNC System Board of Governors to abolish positions and initiatives that promote diversity at public universities in North Carolina.
John Hood: Job needs propel college reforms
I’ve long been bullish on North Carolina’s community colleges. In the past, I’ve praised the system’s cost-effectiveness, its capacity to serve nontraditional students, and the impressive labor-market returns for associate degrees and other certificates in such fields as industrial technology, home repair, computer sciences, and health care.
Senator Todd Johnson: Medicare needs modernized
Senator Sanders has turned his ire toward medicines for weight loss and diabetes, notably Wegovy and Ozempic. Given his instinctive belief that big government always knows best, it is all but certain that he will eventually call for government interference in drug pricing for all the remarkable new weight loss treatment that could revolutionize health in America
John Hood: Cities differ on public safety tech
RALEIGH — The police department in Winston-Salem uses a commercial product called ShotSpotter, a network of audio sensors and software, to identify possible incidents of gunfire and ensure a faster response to them.
Governor Cooper Greets Prime Minister of Japan Kishida Fumio and Mrs. Kishida Yuko at Airport
On Thursday evening, Governor Roy Cooper and First Lady Kristin Cooper greeted Prime Minister of Japan Kishida Fumio and Mrs. Kishida Yuko upon their arrival at RDU-International Airport.
Governor Cooper Announces Boards and Commissions Appointments
RALEIGH: Governor Roy Cooper announced Boards and Commissions appointments.
John Hood: State Revenues Are Down This Year
RALEIGH — State Controller Nels Roseland has just released five months of reports about North Carolina’s General Fund budget. I’m told the delay wasn’t nefarious. It was caused by a change in accounting systems. Well, better late than never — but I hope the delay hasn’t lulled our leaders into complacency.
Governor Cooper Announces Business Court Nominee
Governor Roy Cooper announced his nomination of Todd Brown, Sr. as a Special Superior Court Judge to be designated to the North Carolina Business Court.
Causey urges motorists to put their phones down behind the wheel
North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey is calling on motorists to focus solely on the road and do all they can to help prevent accidents during Distracted Driving Awareness Month, which runs throughout April across the United States.
John Hood: Both Sides Offer Bad Trade Policies
RALEIGH — For all the obvious and consequential differences between Joe Biden and Donald Trump, on one issue the two have much in common. Both the current and former administrations have employed tariffs and other restrictions to help special interests at the expense of average North Carolinians and their counterparts in other states.
Governor Cooper to Host Historic State Visit Welcoming Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to North Carolina
Next week, North Carolina will welcome Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and a delegation of Japanese dignitaries and media members for a historic State visit. The Prime Minister and his wife, Yuko Kishida, will join the Coopers for a State luncheon on April 12th at the Executive Mansion and for several events across the state.
Excellent Public Schools Act Propels K-3 Reading Proficiency
North Carolina’s youngest students are continuing to improve on reading benchmarks due to literacy reforms included in the Excellent Public Schools Act of 2021.