“As election workers across the state continue their work ensuring that voters have their ballots accurately counted, North Carolinians need to be able to trust the process is unfolding without any partisan interference.
All in Opinion
Leader Reives Statement on Primary Election
Tonight, North Carolinians in communities across the state made their voices heard at the ballot box. This midterm election in November has profound implications for the direction of North Carolina and our country.
John Hood: State shouldn’t rest on its laurels
Over the most-recent 12-month period, North Carolina’s economy expanded by an inflation-adjusted 3%. Among the 50 states, only South Carolina (3.5%) posted a significantly faster growth rate. North Carolina also continues to top CNBC’s ranking of the best states for business.
John Hood: New Construction Moderates Home Prices
RALEIGH — State and local leaders say they want to lower the cost of living for most North Carolinians. In many cases, however, their actions don’t match their words.
John Hood: Ruling Could Lighten Carolinians’ Load
RALEIGH — Last week, when the U.S. Supreme Court released its long-awaited ruling in the “emergency tariff” case, President Donald Trump called the decision “ridiculous,” its reasoning “stupid,” and the justices who wrote or supported it “fools,” “lapdogs,” and the agents of nefarious foreign powers.
John Hood: Carolinians Thwarted Britain’s Southern Gambit
RALEIGH — During the first few months of America’s war for independence, the British redcoats occupying the rebellious city of Boston won one major battle (for Bunker Hill and nearby Breed’s Hill, on June 17, 1775) as well as several minor skirmishes. But the Continental Army, under its new commander George Washington, kept the occupiers bottled up in the city. If the Americans ever managed to place cannons onto the heights overlooking the harbor, the British authorities realized, their position in Boston would become untenable.
John Hood: Demographic Challenge Isn’t Going Away
RALEIGH — North Carolina’s economy just posted a sizzling 5.6% growth rate. Since 2020, average income per North Carolinian rose faster than the national and regional averages. And our headline unemployment rate in December was 3.9% — quite low by historical standards.
John Hood: Fiscal Storm Is About to Hit Us
RALEIGH — You may not be interested in federal deficits, but federal deficits are very interested in you.
John Hood: Bigger Congress Would Be Better Congress
RALEIGH — With the 2026 primaries rapidly approaching, you may well live in a jurisdiction where Democrats or Republicans are actively contesting nominations for Congress, state legislature, or local office. All voters can, of course, play a role in setting the table for this year’s U.S. Senate contest.
Reps. Ager, Cervania Statement on House Oversight Hearing
The House Oversight Committee engaged in cynical partisan theatre to paint Charlotte in a negative light despite the fact that Charlotte is safer per capita than many areas in the state, more economically successful, and effectively subsidizes the rest of the state through its contributions to state tax revenue. Charlotte is a symbol of the importance of our cities, and the legislature wishes to make an example of it to cow other cities into servile submission.
Matt Adams: North Carolina is Growing… But Can the Housing Market Keep Up?
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.
John Hood: Without Us, the Sun Also Rises
RALEIGH — I’m an early riser. I have been since early adulthood — long, long before any hungry children, or a certain German Shepherd, came along to command my early-morning attention.
Stein signs executive order to improve behavioral health care and public safety
(RALEIGH) Today Governor Stein signed an executive order to improve behavioral health care and public safety in North Carolina. Executive Order 33 directs several cabinet agencies to take action strengthening how the state’s behavioral health and criminal justice systems coordinate and serve the public.
John Hood: Three Wishes for the Telehealth Genie
RALEIGH — According to folklore, extraordinary beings resent being confined within ordinary spaces. In “The Fisherman and the Jinni,” one of the stories Sheherazade tells her misguided husband in One Thousand and One Nights, the being in question is so angry at being imprisoned for centuries in a bottle that he has to be tricked into granting wishes rather than killing his lowly liberator outright. In Disney’s Aladdin, the genie isn’t so vengeful but still describes his confinement as “phenomenal cosmic powers” uncomfortably crammed into an “itty bitty living space.”
Stein shares developments on state response to past weekend snowstorm
(RALEIGH) Today Governor Stein shared developments on the state’s response to this past weekend’s snowstorm.
John Hood: Keep Recent Economic News in Perspective
RALEIGH — Here are three stories about North Carolina’s economy that made headlines last week — each undeniably newsworthy and yet each requiring more information to put in proper historical context.
Governor Stein Highlights Successful Community-Based Crisis and Mental Health Services
(RALEIGH) Today Governor Josh Stein visited RHA Health Services’ Alamance County Behavioral Health Center in Burlington to host a roundtable discussion with community leaders highlighting the critical role that crisis and mental health services play in keeping North Carolinians healthy and safe. The Alamance Center is a partnership of county, state, and local management entities (LMEs) that supports individuals with developmental disabilities, substance abuse, and other behavioral health needs.
John Hood: Swing Voters Aren’t Necessarily Ticket-Splitters
RALEIGH — Like it or not, the 2026 election cycle is in full swing. For North Carolina’s March 3 primary, voters are already mailing in absentee ballots to help determine party nominees for U.S. Senate, U.S. House, the state legislature, state courts, and many local offices. The deadline for registering to vote in the primary is February 6. Early in-person voting begins on February 12 and lasts until February 28.
Tax Cuts Stacked to the Benefit of Wealthy, Corporations
In a presentation from the North Carolina Budget and Tax Center, Executive Director Alexandra Forter Sirota shared how North Carolina’s income and corporate tax policies are stacked in favor of the wealthiest while leaving the rest of the state on the hook.
Time to Rein in the College Athletics Spending Spree
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.