All tagged op ed
North Carolina has long been at the center of America's tobacco story. Today, members of our congressional delegation are helping lead an important new chapter—one focused on reducing the harm caused by smoking and ensuring adult tobacco users have access to scientifically reviewed alternatives.
When a patient walks into Matthews Drug Store in Clinton, North Carolina, they're trusting me with their health. That trust is something I take seriously, and it's why I pay close attention to anything that helps me do my job better or gets in the way.
As a turkey and hog farmer in Sampson County and the proud husband of Tara, who owns and operates our local independent pharmacy, I see firsthand the challenges our rural communities face every day. For too many families across North Carolina, the rising cost of prescription drugs is not just a line item on a budget—it's the difference between putting food on the table or filling a life-saving prescription. That's why the latest report from the Pharmaceutical Reform Alliance (PRA), "The State of U.S. Drug Pricing: Unaffordable," hits home for me and countless others in our state.
As the owner of assisted living communities here in North Carolina, I am proud of the work that we do to help our seniors live healthy, fulfilling lives. Part of this work involves coordinating with other local healthcare providers to ensure our residents receive the care they need to thrive.
Affordability challenges and the skyrocketing cost of living are burdens felt by millions of Americans. Nowadays, Americans are opting to relocate to urban areas that offer access to more affordable neighborhoods, thriving public schools, and extensive infrastructure. According to a January 27 article in the News & Observer, North Carolina added nearly 150,000 new residents last year – behind only Texas and Florida. Are we prepared for such an influx?
As a retail association representing thousands of small business owners across North Carolina, we understand firsthand that what truly drives local prosperity are well-paying jobs, everyday purchases at hometown stores and long-term investments in communities that set them up for future economic growth.
That’s why the recent $37 million investment in the manufacturing facility in Wilson, North Carolina, by Philip Morris International’s U.S. businesses (PMI U.S.) is so important—not just for Wilson, but for retailers and consumers across our state.
North Carolina’s non-profit hospitals occupy a privileged position in the state’s healthcare system. In exchange for their charitable mission, they receive sweeping tax advantages including exemptions from federal, state, and local taxes, access to tax-exempt financing, and eligibility for tax-deductible donations. These benefits are not symbolic. They represent a substantial public investment.
North Carolina is one of the fastest growing states in the United States. People from all over are attracted to our high-quality of life, lower cost of living, booming job market, and diverse geography. What’s not to love? Unfortunately, several policymakers fail to support initiatives that back our growing population, namely, private investment in the housing market.
As a state senator representing the hardworking people of North Carolina, I've always believed in the value of college sports. It’s brought pride to our communities, boosted our economy, and enriched the educational experience at our universities. From the roar of the crowd at Appalachian State when they slay a football giant to the excitement of basketball in Wilmington, athletics have been a unifying force.
Months before Hurricane Helene, UNC-Chapel Hill warned that North Carolina faced a shortage of “decent, secure, and affordable housing.” After Helene destroyed 100,000 homes, the crisis deepened. While efforts to strengthen the housing market are underway, recent proposals risk cutting off a critical source of supply.
Childhood vaccines continue to be a major point of discussion here in North Carolina and across the country. As a respiratory therapist, I help patients of all ages manage and treat breathing and cardiopulmonary disorders. For babies with breathing issues, this care helps strengthen lung function and overall respiratory health. Given how even minor respiratory issues can be serious for small, vulnerable infants, I encourage parents to have personal conversations with their doctors about vaccines so they can make carefully considered, medically supported decisions.
I live every day managing numerous chronic conditions including gout, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure. Years ago, I was obese, and it took serious medical care, discipline, and access to effective treatments to turn my health around. Today, I rely on five prescription medications to keep these conditions under control. Without them, my quality of life and my future would be at risk.
December 8, 2025 – Approximately 70 business leaders, economic developers, and elected officials gathered at Greensboro's Proximity Hotel on Monday, December 8, 2025, for the 11th Annual North Carolina Clean Energy Champion Awards. U.S. Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) gave the keynote remarks and received the Legacy of Clean Energy Leadership Award for his nearly 20 years of engagement with industry leaders and support of clean energy policies to expand economic investment opportunities.
In 2024, Hurricane Helene devastated western North Carolina. Over a year later, we're still picking up the pieces. Infrastructure is still being repaired. Small businesses are still trying to rebuild. The folks in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, where I own a fishing gear business that also offers guided fishing trips, have worked tirelessly to restore river access and reopen the outdoor spaces people travel from all over the country to enjoy.
Agriculture remains one of North Carolina’s strongest economic pillars, supporting livelihoods from small family operations to major agribusinesses. But while crops, livestock, climate, and markets vary widely across the state, producers share one universal need: dependable access to affordable fertilizer. In recent years, that need has become harder to meet.
Over the past month, North Carolina has been confronted with a wave of immigration enforcement actions that left families frightened, educators overwhelmed, and entire school communities destabilized. The headlines have been loud, but the impact on our students has been far quieter, unfolding in classrooms, in counseling offices and at kitchen tables across our state. As I listened to educators and community leaders describe what they’re witnessing, it reminded me of my own—very different—experience.
When I ran for office, I promised that I would fight for common-sense policies rooted in our core conservative principles. That means protecting our citizens and ensuring that we keep the good-paying jobs that sustain our communities. Right now, I'm concerned about how upcoming changes to Medicare Part D reimbursement will affect long-term care pharmacies in our state.
In addition to my role as State Senator for North Carolina’s 35th district in the State General Assembly, I am also a small business owner, helping run my family-owned business, Johnson Insurance Management. As both a State Senator and small business owner, I want to speak out in opposition to proposed federal legislation that claims to be in the interest of small business owners like me and many others across North Carolina but, in reality, only benefits big businesses.
In addition to my role as State Senator for North Carolina’s 35th district in the State General Assembly, I am also a small business owner, helping run my family-owned business, Johnson Insurance Management. As both a State Senator and small business owner, I want to speak out in opposition to proposed federal legislation that claims to be in the interest of small business owners like me and many others across North Carolina but, in reality, only benefits big businesses.
In a time when political division and a gridlock in Congress dominates the headlines, there’s one issue that should unite us all – the fight against cancer. No matter our background, beliefs or zip code, nearly every family has felt the pain and uncertainty that a cancer diagnosis brings. Still, like many Americans, I put off keeping up with my recommended cancer screenings until just a few years ago. When I was fortunate enough to receive clear results, I realized the risk I had taken by waiting so long to get screened. Now, I’m committed to educating others in our community about the importance of routine screenings and how early detection can make all the difference in the fight against cancer.
