All in Politics

John Hood: Economic Progress Isn’t Confined to Cities

RALEIGH — The Triangle and Charlotte regions are among the fastest-growing urban areas in the United States. But they are hardly the only North Carolina communities with expanding economies. Indeed, a new study from the state Department of Commerce shows that over the past decade and a half, 90 of our 100 counties have outperformed the national average.

John Hood: When War First Came to Fayetteville

RALEIGH — A couple of weeks ago, I was privileged to speak at a ceremony honoring those who fought at the first major southern engagement in the American War of Independence. Our commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Moores Creek Bridge on February 27 was part of a broader First in Freedom Festival, which I’m pleased to report attracted thousands of people to tours, presentations, reenactments, and other events throughout the greater Wilmington area.

Andy Ellen: America's Manufacturing Renaissance Starts in Towns Like Wilson, NC

 As a retail association representing thousands of small business owners across North Carolina, we understand firsthand that what truly drives local prosperity are well-paying jobs, everyday purchases at hometown stores and long-term investments in communities that set them up for future economic growth.
That’s why the recent $37 million investment in the manufacturing facility in Wilson, North Carolina, by Philip Morris International’s U.S. businesses (PMI U.S.) is so important—not just for Wilson, but for retailers and consumers across our state.

Peter J. Pitts: North Carolina Gives Non-profit Hospitals Billions in Tax Breaks. Are Patients Getting Anything in Return?

 North Carolina’s non-profit hospitals occupy a privileged position in the state’s healthcare system. In exchange for their charitable mission, they receive sweeping tax advantages including exemptions from federal, state, and local taxes, access to tax-exempt financing, and eligibility for tax-deductible donations. These benefits are not symbolic. They represent a substantial public investment. 

Budd, Coons Lead Bipartisan Coalition to Reauthorize the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Ted Budd (R-N.C.) and Chris Coons (D-Del.) lead a bipartisan coalition including Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Ranking Member Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), and Ted Cruz (R-Texas) in introducing legislation to reauthorize the independent, bipartisan United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today. The bipartisan bill would ensure the commission, set to expire on September 30, 2026, can continue its work to monitor religious freedom around the world.