RALEIGH — Having spent nearly 40 years analyzing and writing about North Carolina politics and public policy, I often find myself placing today’s challenges and controversies into historical context.
All in Politics
NC House Huddle: New Congressional Map Approved
This week, the General Assembly passed a new congressional map, updating the boundaries of North Carolina’s 1st and 3rd districts. On Wednesday, House Majority Leader Brenden Jones delivered a floor speech calling out radical blue state Democrats—like California Gov. Gavin Newsom—for trying to tilt control of Congress in their favor and undermine President Trump’s America First agenda.
More Republican Dysfunction: Senate Refuses Receipt of House Bills
After wasting hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars to rig congressional maps, the House passed a few bills that were dead on arrival in the Senate. But Senate leadership took the extraordinary step of outright refusing to accept the bills from the House because they were so outside the bounds of regular order.
Governor Stein Takes Action on One Bill
(RALEIGH) Today, Governor Stein announced he has signed one bill into law.
Senate Rules Chairman Returns Ineligible Bills to House
Raleigh, N.C. – This morning, the Senate Rules Chairman was forced to return four ineligible bills to the House of Representatives for violating the General Assembly's agreed-upon adjournment resolution for the October session. The Chairman’s ruling was confirmed by the Senate Principal Clerk’s Office and nonpartisan central staff attorneys.
As Governor Stein Plays Politics, House Protects Patients and Funds Medicaid
Raleigh, NC — As of this week, the North Carolina House of Representatives has passed three clean, stand-alone bills to fund the state’s Medicaid rebase and protect patients from Governor Josh Stein’s unnecessary, politically-motivated rate cuts. State health officials confirm that any of the three proposals would lead the administration to drop their cuts.
Governor Stein Announces More Than $25 Million in Grants to Promote Safer Roads
(RALEIGH) Today Governor Josh Stein announced that the North Carolina Governor’s Highway Safety Program (GHSP) has awarded more than $25 million to local and state efforts to promote transportation safety across the state.
NC House Passes Legislation to End Medicaid Funding for Planned Parenthood
Raleigh, NC — Today, the North Carolina House of Representatives passed Senate Bill 378, "Align Medicaid Eligibility with Federal Law," which prohibits Medicaid funding for Planned Parenthood.
Senate Appropriations Chairmen Call on House to Concur with ‘Back the Blue Act’ and ‘Defund Planned Parenthood’ Bill
Raleigh, N.C. – Today, the House Rules Committee heard multiple ineligible bills under the General Assembly’s adjournment resolution, including a bill that would provide pay increases and bonuses for law enforcement officers and a proposal to ensure that no tax dollars would go to Planned Parenthood.
Senator Berger Statement on Newly Approved Congressional Map
Raleigh, N.C. – Senate Leader Phil Berger (R-Rockingham) released the following statement after the final vote on the new proposed Congressional map in the N.C. Senate:
Op-Ed: Protecting Our Community Starts with Cancer Screening
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.
John Hood: Drawing New Districts is a Terrible Idea
RALEIGH — The North Carolina General Assembly is about to redraw the state’s congressional districts for the 2026 elections. It will be the fourth-such map employed this decade — and a terrible idea.
Governor Stein, NCDHHS Announce More Than $6.5 Billion in Medical Debt Erased in North Carolina
Governor Josh Stein and NC Health and Human Services Secretary Dev Sangvai announced today that through North Carolina’s Medical Debt Relief Program, more than $6.5 billion in medical debt has been relieved for more than 2.5 million North Carolinians over the past year.
Governor Stein Highlights North Carolina Impacts of Impasse in Washington, Calls on Congress to Return to the Negotiating Table
(RALEIGH) Today Governor Josh Stein released a statement highlighting the impacts of the federal government shutdown across North Carolina and urging leaders in Washington to return to the negotiating table.
Governor Stein Announces 21 Grants to Rural Communities to Attract 269 New Jobs and over $179 Million of Investment
(RALEIGH) Governor Josh Stein today announced that the Rural Infrastructure Authority (RIA) has approved 21 grant requests for local governments totaling $9,815,885. The grants include commitments creating a total of 758 jobs, 489 of which were previously announced. The public investment in these projects is expected to attract more than $179 million in private and public investment.
Speaker Hall Announce House Select Committee on Redistricting
Raleigh, NC — Today, North Carolina House Speaker Destin Hall announced the formation of the new House Select Committee on Redistricting.
NC leaders call for compassion and collaboration in fight against addiction at LCC conference
North Carolina’s First Lady Anna Stein and Attorney General Jeff Jackson brought messages of compassion, evidence-based treatment, and partnership to Lenoir Community College on Tuesday, where community leaders, recovery advocates, and health professionals gathered for the third annual Recovery Together ENC Conference.
NC Labor Commissioner Slashes Inspector Vacancy Rate to Record Low
RALEIGH, N.C. — Today, North Carolina Labor Commissioner Luke Farley announced that the vacancy rate for Compliance Safety and Health Officers (CSHOs) has dropped below 10% — the lowest in over a decade and a major milestone in the state’s effort to strengthen workplace safety.
Keeping North Carolinians Safe: Governor Stein Addresses First Gang Prevention and Intervention Task Force Meeting
(RALEIGH) Today Governor Josh Stein joined the Gang Prevention and Intervention Task Force’s first meeting to discuss how his administration is working to keep North Carolinians safe and prevent violent crime. The task force, established in August through Executive Order 21, is charged with identifying solutions to create safe communities across North Carolina by reducing gang violence and helping young people reach a productive and fulfilling adulthood.
Leader Reives Statement on Redistricting Announcement
Republican lawmakers made clear today that they plan to come back to Raleigh and disenfranchise the voters of this state.