Pro-growth tax reform has paid big dividends, at both the state and federal levels, but if I had to pick a top priority for economic policymaking in 2025, it would be to go bigger on regulatory reform.
All in Federal Government
Governor Cooper announces Hurricane Helene federal cost share adjustment is approved
Governor Roy Cooper announced that President Biden has agreed to North Carolina’s request to cover 90% of Public Assistance, Hazard Mitigation, and Other Needs Assistance. The federal government typically covers 75% of the cost.
Reps. Ross, Joyce, Castor, Bacon Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Help End Abuse and Sexual Violence in Sports
Representatives Deborah Ross (NC-02), Dave Joyce (OH-14), Kathy Castor (FL-14), and Don Bacon (NE-02) hosted a virtual press conference to announce the introduction of their Safer Sports for Athletes Act. Alongside survivors and advocates, the lawmakers introduced their bipartisan legislation to strengthen the U.S. Center for SafeSport (SafeSport) and help end sexual, physical, and emotional abuse in sports.
Budd, Kaine Introduce Bill to Incentivize Landowners to Participate in Military Land Use Program
Senators Ted Budd (R-NC) and Tim Kaine (D-VA) have introduced the Incentivizing REPI Sales Act. The bipartisan bill provides financial incentives for landowners to sell land for inclusion in a program to maintain military readiness and promote environmental conservation.
Ross, Carter, Krishnamoorthi, Bentz Lead Letter Calling on DOJ to Investigate PBMs’ Role in Opioid Crisis
Congresswoman Deborah Ross (D-NC) joined Representatives Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-GA), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), and Cliff Bentz (R-OR) in sending a bipartisan letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland, calling on the Department of Justice to investigate the role pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) may have played in the opioid crisis.
Budd Statement on Murder of American Hostage Omer Neutra
Senator Ted Budd (R-NC) released a statement after the Israeli Defense Forces confirmed that U.S.-Israeli citizen Omer Neutra was killed by Hamas terrorists during the October 7, 2023 attacks. His body remains in Gaza.
NC Senate Approves Resolution to Impose Term Limits on Congress
On Monday December 2nd, 2024, the NC Senate voted to approve House Joint Resolution 151, which would create an application by the General Assembly to Congress requesting a limited Convention of the States for the purpose of proposing a United States Constitutional amendment to impose term limits on members of Congress.
Gross National Debt Reaches $36 Trillion
The gross national debt of the United States reached $36 trillion yesterday, just over three months since the previous milestone was reached at the end of July, according to the U.S. Treasury.
John Hood: DOGE Can Learn from North Carolina
President-elect Donald Trump has tapped business leaders Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to head up the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), an initiative that isn’t really a department but could do some good — as long as its leaders carefully study past efforts at reform.
Attorney General Josh Stein Proposes Solutions to End Google Search Engine Monopoly
(RALEIGH) Attorney General Josh Stein, other state attorneys general, and the Justice Department this week proposed remedies that would end Google’s unlawful monopoly over internet search engines and restore competition.
Budd, Wicker, Ernst Call on Turkey to Extradite Hamas Leadership to U.S.
Senator Ted Budd (R-NC), Senate Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Roger Wicker (R-MS), and Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) released a joint statement after Hamas leaders moved to Turkey after being evicted from Qatar earlier this month:
Budd, Tillis, NC Delegation Support Establishment of Defense Innovation Unit OnRamp Hub in NC
Senators Ted Budd (R-NC) and Thom Tillis (R-NC), as well as members of the North Carolina congressional delegation, sent a bipartisan letter to the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) at the Pentagon to “express our support for North Carolina to host a DIU OnRamp Hub to streamline how our state’s companies, academic institutions, and entrepreneurs access government programming and funding to better support warfighters.”
VIDEO: Budd Honors WNC Heroes, Calls for Action on Recovery Bill
Senator Ted Budd (R-NC) spoke passionately on the Senate floor to honor the heroic individuals in Western North Carolina who helped others during Hurricane Helene. Senator Budd also renewed his call for Congress to act on the supplemental funding bill for long-term recovery for the region.
CNN Seeks Federal Jurisdiction in Mark Robinson Defamation Lawsuit
North Carolina’s outgoing Lieutenant Governor Mark Robinson has filed a defamation lawsuit against CNN and musician Louis Love Money. The lawsuit, initially filed in Wake County Superior Court, is now the subject of a motion by CNN to transfer it to federal court.
Budd, Tillis, Edwards Lead Bipartisan Letter Calling on the White House to Immediately Send Disaster Funding Request to Congress
Senator Ted Budd (R-NC), Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC), and Congressman Chuck Edwards (R-NC) have led a bipartisan group of members of the Senate and House to send a letter to President Biden requesting that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), “immediately send a supplemental appropriation request to Congress to support the communities we represent, which were devastated after Hurricanes Helene and Milton.”
Budd Statement After Qatar Moves to Expel Hamas Leadership
Senator Ted Budd (R-NC) released a statement regarding the State of Qatar’s decision to expel the remaining Hamas terrorist leadership from Doha after pressure from the United States. Senator Budd has been calling for this expulsion or extradition since January 15, 2024.
John Hood: Trump Won the “Double Haters”
RALEIGH — The 2024 election cycle will be one for the history books — be they about American politics generally or North Carolina specifically.
Congresswoman Ross Statement on Reelection
Raleigh, N.C. – Congresswoman Deborah Ross released the following statement on her reelection to the U.S. House of Representatives serving North Carolina’s Second Congressional District:
Causey reminds of state law prohibiting penalizing consumers for Helene related claims
North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey has issued a new bulletin to the insurance industry, reminding insurers to follow state law and not penalize certain consumers in Hurricane Helene-related claims.
John Hood: Candidates Should Have Talked About Roads
During the homestretch of the 2024 election, I complained repeatedly about the absence of serious engagement by presidential and congressional candidates with the critical issue of the national debt.