RALEIGH — I am not much of a weeper. But a recent survey of American schoolchildren is testing my stoic disposition. Only 36% of 13-year-olds say they read for fun at least once a week. Back in 1984, the year I graduated high school, 70% did so.
All in Opinion
John Hood: Federal Change Could Transform State Care
RALEIGH — Since the federal reconciliation bill was signed into law last month, fans and foes of the sprawling legislation have waged a war of words over its likely fiscal and economic effects. Some argue its permanent repairs to a broken business-tax code will boost capital investment, productivity, and wage growth. Others argue that adding trillions of dollars to federal deficits over the next decade is grossly irresponsible, risking stagflation or worse.
John Hood: Legislature Was Wise to Reclaim Power
RALEIGH — Of all the legislation enacted by the North Carolina General Assembly this year, none is more significant than House Bill 402, which strengthens legislative oversight of state regulations. Passed by both chambers in June, it drew opposition from Gov. Josh Stein. In July, lawmakers overrode his veto to make it the law of the land.
John Hood: Don’t Give Cash to Street Panhandlers
RALEIGH — It’s not the biggest threat to public safety, I admit, but panhandling along and often on North Carolina roadways is illegal, dangerous, counterproductive — and commonplace.
Op-ed: North Carolina Needs a New Tool in the Fight Against Cancer
Each year, nearly 70,000 North Carolinians receive the devastating news that they have cancer. In rural communities, where access to preventive care and cancer screenings is comparatively limited, diagnoses are often made later, when the disease is harder to treat and more costly. The burden of cancer is alarmingly high in our state, and it's hitting rural families hardest.
John Hood: Democrats Will Soon Fall to Third Place
RALEIGH — The likely Democratic nominee for North Carolina’s Senate race next year, former Gov. Roy Cooper, led likely Republican nominee Michael Whatley by six points in the first independent poll commissioned after the two men announced their campaigns last month.
John Hood: Germans Played Role in Carolina Revolt
RALEIGH — As Americans continue to celebrate our country’s semiquincentennial — the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and the war for American independence — I will continue to highlight the pivotal role that North Carolinians played in these historic events.
Op-ed: North Carolina’s Hospitals Are Feeling the Heat In More Ways Than One
Just a few weeks ago, WakeMed in Raleigh reported a surge in heat-related emergency cases, including three children. They weren’t alone. Hospitals across North Carolina have been overwhelmed this summer, not just by record temperatures, but by the growing pressure to do more with less.
John Hood: Tariff Threats Hurt Carolina Workers
RALEIGH — Daimler Truck North America operates some of North Carolina’s largest manufacturing facilities, including a Freightliner truck plant in Mount Holly, a Freightliner and Western Star plant in Cleveland, a components and logistics center in Gastonia, and a Thomas Built Buses plant in High Point. It employs some 6,800 North Carolinians in the Charlotte area alone.
John Hood: Tax Reform Needs a Clear Goal
RALEIGH — While the North Carolina House and Senate continue to discuss how — or whether — to resolve their budget dispute and enact a new fiscal framework for the next two fiscal years, now is an excellent time for tax reformers in both chambers to spell out precisely what they hope to accomplish.
Op-ed: Sen. Tillis Should Make Crypto A Part of His Legacy
Senator Thom Tillis’ decision not to seek re-election next year gives him a rare opportunity in the coming months: more freedom to lead boldly on the most pressing issues of our time. As he enters his final stretch in the Senate, one way he can cement his legacy as a pro-innovation, pro-business lawmaker is by championing smart, federal policy for cryptocurrency.
John Hood: Push Reset Button on State Budget
RALEIGH — North Carolina is in a mess. It was an entirely predictable mess. Indeed, I and others have been predicting it for more than two years. But former Gov. Roy Cooper, coming soon to a U.S. Senate race near you, and lawmakers of both parties didn’t listen. They expanded Medicaid to include hundreds of thousands of childless, able-bodied North Carolinians — without a realistic means of paying the bill.
Op-Ed: Strength, grit, and heart of Western North Carolina
In my decades of public service—from the sheriff’s office in Rutherford County to the UNC Board of Governors—I’ve seen the strength, grit, and heart of Western North Carolina. We’re resilient people. But resilience doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It takes planning, protection, and the right long-term partners.
John Hood: Health Bill Shows All Is Not Lost
RALEIGH — Are today’s elected leaders incapable of addressing public problems in a serious, respectful, bipartisan manner? If your answer is yes, I’ll concede that you have a strong case. Congress just enacted a sweeping reconciliation bill by the narrowest of margins, with no Democrats in favor. Neither party exhibits any serious intention to close our yawning federal deficits. Current and would-be officeholders seem more interested in talking up conspiracy theories than talking down political tensions or taking on tough issues.
John Hood: Patriots Lit Torches for Liberty — Literally
RALEIGH — It was 250 years ago this week that Patriot militiamen carried out the first military operation of the Revolutionary War in what became the Tar Heel State. There was no pitched battle. No one died. But the Patriots made their point: reasserting British control over North Carolina would be no easy task.
John Hood: Policy Research Has Its Limitations
RALEIGH — If I didn’t believe public-policy research mattered, I wouldn’t have spent so much of my career commissioning and funding it.
Op-Ed: Now Is the Time to Maximize—Not Reduce— Investment in America’s Innovation Leaders
What do North Carolina’s incredible universities have in common, in addition to diehard fans? More than you might think.
Op-Ed: Don’t let shallow politics sink America’s energy policy
Energy dominance requires America to do more than just drill for oil. For decades, conservative energy policy has wisely embraced an all-of-the above approach. The more energy sources we have, the more we can produce what we need, when we need it, at competitive prices.
Op-Ed: Preston Blakely: My grandmothers couldn’t vote freely. I’m now the Mayor.
My grandmothers were born in a time when their race made casting a ballot dangerous. Now, their grandson is a mayor.
Op-Ed: Private foundations have served as catalysts for American values
For decades, private foundations have served as catalysts for American values – independence, compassion, and community. From faith-based food banks to veteran support services, these local organizations are working every day to address needs that government programs cannot be expected to meet. In North Carolina alone, these groups provide critical support to military families, rural health clinics, schools, and disaster relief efforts and they rely on private philanthropy to survive.