RALEIGH — Nonviolent protests have a venerable history in North Carolina and beyond. Violent protests — that is, riots — have an ignominious one. A broadly recognized distinction? You might think so. Alas, you’d be wrong.
All in Opinion
John Hood: Carolina Congressmen Tell Off Constituents
RALEIGH — Ever written your congressman? I have. I always get a prompt and cordial, if bland, reply. Back in 1988, I actually spent a few weeks as a Capitol Hill intern reading and drafting responses to constituent correspondence. I’ve never written more boring prose (although longtime readers of mine might well disagree).
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.
Op-Ed: NC Medicaid must continue covering anti-obesity mediation
Protecting children from harm is difficult enough. Thousands of apps are making it even harder. The App Store Accountability Act (https://james.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=247) offers a federal solution to protect children online.
Op-Ed: Parents need help protecting their children online. So let’s help them
Protecting children from harm is difficult enough. Thousands of apps are making it even harder. The App Store Accountability Act (https://james.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=247) offers a federal solution to protect children online.
Op-Ed: Impacts of the Double Duty Drawback
The double duty drawback incentivizes US cigarette manufacturers to import cigarettes manufactured outside the US and export cigarettes manufactured in the US to avoid federal excises paid on cigarettes sold in the US. Since a court ruling in 2021 formalized this policy cigarette imports and exports have increased rapidly.
Op-Ed: What's your plan to save Social Security?
There’s one question that should be put to every candidate in next year’s Congressional elections. Because what’s at stake is not just another seat in the House or Senate, but the future of one of America’s most trusted programs.
John Hood: Supply-Side Policies Boost North Carolina
RALEIGH — After North Carolina conservatives won control of the General Assembly in 2010, they began a systematic application of supply-side principles to state policy. It’s been a phenomenal success — although I admit others might disagree if their definition of “supply side” differs from mine.
Op-ed: Anti-obesity medications deliver substantial long-term healthcare savings; NC Medicaid should continue to cover them
In August 2024, NC Medicaid announced that it would begin covering anti-obesity medications (AOMs) for the treatment of obesity. As one of the states hardest hit by the obesity epidemic, the decision to cover AOMs was a major step in the right direction as the state looks to better treat obesity.
Op-ed: FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products Needs Serious Reforms
Congress and the Trump Administration have a rare opportunity achieve government reforms that would eliminate waste, promote public health, and give adults who smoke in North Carolina and across the country new avenues to leave cigarettes behind for good: Establish an efficient, workable pathway for less harmful alternatives to cigarettes to be legally sold in the U.S.
John Hood: Put Your Tax Cards on the Table
RALEIGH — The North Carolina House and Senate have enacted very different versions of a 2025-27 state budget, even though two plans would authorize virtually the same amount of spending. The differences are so vast, in fact, that some insiders predict no comprehensive budget will pass this session.
Op-ed: Community Banks Support Local Customers to Strengthen Larger Economy
Over my 24 years living in Mooresville, I've come to recognize it takes people and businesses with diverse backgrounds, skills, products and services to succeed. From our supportive neighbors to our hardworking local businesses, they all depend on strong community institutions that understand their needs and invest in their success.
Op-ed: Combatting the Number One Cause of Injury for NC Seniors Starts with Physical Therapy
As the leading cause of injury for adults 65 and older, fall prevention practices are a top priority for physical therapists across the country. Falls are expensive and painful but also debilitating and can even lead to death. If we do not provide proper preventative care for our older populations, the number of both fatal and nonfatal falls is set to climb as a higher percent of our population reaching 65+.
John Hood: Requiring Work for Benefits Is Wise
RALEIGH — There are good reasons to criticize the “Big, Beautiful Bill” the U.S. House just sent to the Senate. But its imposition of work requirements for able-bodied recipients of Medicaid — and more-comprehensive work requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) — are not among them.
Op-ed: Why I support tackling our Nation’s debt
As a conservative, former business owner, and former Cabarrus County Commissioner I take the fiscal stewardship of taxpayers’ dollars very seriously. Having the experiences of serving my fellow citizens and running a business, I know that it’s impossible to continually spend money without regard to the consequences of debt.
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.
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.
John Hood: Carolina Patriots Showed Their Resolve
RALEIGH — Our state’s official seal presents North Carolina as a series of dualities. In the background of the circular emblem are green-topped mountains to the west and crystal-blue water to the east. In the foreground, two female figures in classical garb symbolize Liberty (clutching a constitution in one hand and the traditional “liberty cap” in the other) and Plenty (holding stalks of grain in one hand and an overflowing cornucopia in the other).
Attorney General Jeff Jackson Leads Bipartisan, Multistate Effort Targeting WeChat’s Connection to Fentanyl Money Laundering
RALEIGH – Today, North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson announced that he is leading a bipartisan, multistate coalition of attorneys general targeting the Chinese-owned messaging and payment platform WeChat over its connection to money laundering and fentanyl trafficking in the United States.