In all my years involved in politics, I have seen only a handful of proposals that receive real overwhelming support among the public. The federal App Store Accountability Act is one of them.
All in Politics
John Hood: Popularity Is Precisely What We Want
RALEIGH — What is the most popular state in the continental United States? You guessed it: our own North Carolina.
NC House Approves Medicaid Rebase Plan
Raleigh, NC — Today, the North Carolina House of Representatives approved a fiscally responsible plan that funds the state’s Medicaid rebase while safeguarding teacher and state employee pay raises and avoiding new provider rate cuts.
Leader Reives Statement on Failure to Fund Medicaid Rebase
“House and Senate Republican Leadership continues to fail North Carolinians, 1 in 4 of whom rely on Medicaid coverage,” House Democratic Leader Robert Reives said. “Our state needs real leadership and decisive action from the General Assembly to ensure that coverage doesn’t lapse for thousands of families across the state. Lives are hanging in the balance -- political gamesmanship cannot continue to get in the way of health care for North Carolinians.”
NC House Passes Iryna’s Law to Crack Down on Violent Offenders and Protect Public Safety
Raleigh, NC — Today, the North Carolina House of Representatives passed House Bill 307, “Iryna’s Law,” with a bipartisan, veto-proof majority. Named in memory of Iryna Zarutska—who was tragically murdered in Charlotte last month by a repeat violent offender released pretrial despite severe mental health issues—the legislation takes direct aim at soft-on-crime policies and ensures stronger protections for victims and communities. The bill now heads to the Governor's desk for his consideration.
Governor Stein On Medicaid Funding Impasse Between House and Senate
(RALEIGH) Today Governor Josh Stein released the following statement as the General Assembly fails to come together on a solution to fund Medicaid in North Carolina:
Senate Republicans Approve Measure to Revive Death Penalty in North Carolina
Raleigh, N.C. – Today, the Republican-led N.C. Senate approved a measure that seeks to revive the death penalty in the state as part of a broader criminal justice reform package.
One Month After Brutal Charlotte Light Rail Murder, NC Senate Passes 'Iryna's Law'
Raleigh, N.C. – Today, the N.C. Senate passed House Bill 307, "Iryna's Law," which includes numerous criminal justice reforms that tackle the weak crime policies that played a role in the murder of Iryna Zarutska on Aug. 22, 2025.
Critical Statewide Healthcare Needs Approved by NC Senate
Raleigh, N.C. – The N.C. Senate today approved a bill that would address the Stein administration's politically motivated cuts to Medicaid provider rates and ensure vital investments in rural healthcare are completed.
Proposal to Defund Planned Parenthood Clears NC Senate
Raleigh, N.C. – Today, the N.C. Senate passed House Bill 192, "Defund Planned Parenthood and Cost Transparency," to increase transparency for patients receiving medical care and stop any state funding going to Planned Parenthood.
‘Back the Blue Pay Act’ Approved by NC Senate
Raleigh, N.C. – Today, the N.C. Senate unanimously approved the "Back the Blue Pay Act," which creates a first-of-its-kind, state-funded bonus for state and local law enforcement officers and implements the Senate budget's law enforcement pay plan.
John Hood: To Combat Radicalism, Teach the Founding
RALEIGH — Recent assassinations and attempts on the lives of politicians, commentators, and other high-profile leaders are horrifying, wreaking havoc on our political discourse. Those who commit, welcome, or excuse such outrageous crimes differ in ideology, but most share a common objective: to provoke a wider war that, they assume, will result in victory for their “side.”
Legislative Leaders Unveil Criminal Justice Reforms Following Murder of Iryna Zarutska
Raleigh, N.C. – This week, the General Assembly will meet to consider a package of criminal justice reforms that target soft-on-crime policies that contributed to the senseless murder of Iryna Zarutska on Aug. 22, 2025, in Charlotte.
Legislative Leaders Unveil Criminal Justice Reforms Following Murder of Iryna Zarutska in Charlotte
Raleigh, NC — This week, the General Assembly will meet to consider a package of criminal justice reforms that target soft-on-crime policies that contributed to the senseless murder of Iryna Zarutska on Aug. 22, 2025, in Charlotte.
NC Senate to Consider Crucial Funding for Statewide Healthcare Needs
Raleigh, N.C. – The N.C. Senate will consider a bill to address the Stein administration's politically motivated cuts to Medicaid provider rates and ensure vital investments in rural healthcare are completed.
House Unveils Fiscally Responsible Plan to Fund Medicaid Rebase and Ensure Long-Term Stability
Raleigh, NC — Today, North Carolina House leaders released a proposed committee substitute for Senate Bill 403, a plan to fully fund the state’s Medicaid rebase while protecting teacher and state employee pay raises and avoiding new provider rate cuts. This plan is the result of close collaboration between the House, executive branch and other stakeholders.
Mike Rose Announces His Candidacy for Johnston County Commissioner
Johnston County Commissioner Mike Rose announced his candidacy for Johnston County’s 3rd District Commissioner seat today. Rose, a conservative businessman and former Princeton Mayor Pro Tempore, was appointed to the 3rd District seat by the Johnston County Commissioners in November 2024.
Governor Stein Urges Bipartisan Solutions on Public Safety, Teacher Pay, and Health Care Ahead of General Assembly’s Return to Raleigh
(RALEIGH) Today Governor Josh Stein urged the General Assembly to pass a budget that makes investments in public safety, raises pay for teachers and state employees, and funds health care for North Carolinians. The Governor released the following statement:
Senators Budd, Cortez Masto Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Combat Foreign Cyberattacks Targeting American Agriculture
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Ted Budd (R-N.C.) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) introduced the bipartisan Cybersecurity in Agriculture Act today to enhance the cyberattack readiness, response, and recovery of American agricultural infrastructure. The legislation would prioritize cybersecurity preparedness by establishing a network of five Regional Agriculture Cybersecurity Centers to strengthen national security measures and protect the United States' food supply.
John Hood: Shoddy Statistics Will Produce Bad Policy
RALEIGH — President Donald Trump has removed the head of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and appointed an economist from the Heritage Foundation to replace her. A legal exercise of the president’s powers? Absolutely. But the replacement, E.J. Antoni, must be confirmed by the U.S. Senate. I hope North Carolina’s Thom Tillis and Ted Budd give the matter careful consideration.