Following the unprecedented interest in the Opportunity Scholarship program, the Senate Appropriations Committee will consider a bill to eliminate the program's waitlist.
All in State Government
Governor Cooper Announces Two Judicial Appointments
Governor Roy Cooper announced two appointments to the North Carolina District Court.
John Hood: Cities Must Clear Out Homeless Camps
RALEIGH — Which major urban area in America experienced the largest decline in homelessness last year? According to a recent analysis by the Brookings Institution, it was Wake County — North Carolina’s most-populous. It had a rate of 78 homeless residents per 100,000 population, down 40% from 2022.
Bipartisan House Leaders support affordable connectivity program extension
More than 900,000 North Carolinians are at risk of losing their access to affordable internet at the end of this month. The Affordable Connectivity Program is set to lapse if Congress does not allocate more funding. Last month, bipartisan members of the North Carolina House of Representatives sent a letter to Congressional leaders urging them to renew funding for the ACP.
Securing North Carolina’s Future: Governor Cooper Presents Budget
RALEIGH: Governor Roy Cooper released his recommended budget for FY 2024-2025, Securing North Carolina’s Future. The Governor’s plan would raise teacher pay by 8.5% and invest over $1 billion in public schools across North Carolina instead of more taxpayer-funded private school vouchers.
John Hood: State Gets a Pleasant April Surprise
A couple of weeks ago, I wrote a column observing that, over the first eight months of the 2023-24 fiscal year, the state’s General Fund revenue was down slightly from what was collected during the first eight months of the previous fiscal year.
Rep. Cotham Named House Education Appropriations Committee
Rep. Tricia Cotham has been appointed chair of the House Education Appropriations Committee to oversee education appropriations, the largest area of the state budget. This esteemed leadership position is a testament to her dedication, expertise, and unwavering commitment to enhancing education in our state.
North Carolina's March Employment Figures Released
Raleigh, N.C. - The state’s seasonally adjusted March 2024 unemployment rate was 3.5 percent, unchanged from February’s revised rate. The national rate decreased 0.1 of a percentage point to 3.8 percent.
Leader Reives Statement on UNC Board of Governors
"Today, the UNC Board of Governors Committee on University Governance has voted to advance a proposal that will reverse course on policy our university system has had in place for years to foster diverse, inclusive campuses across our state. Our public universities are great because of the diverse opinions, people and mutual respect that are the hallmark of a liberal arts education."
Governor Cooper Criticizes UNC Board's Move Against Diversity Initiatives
RALEIGH: Governor Roy Cooper and former UNC System President Tom Ross released statements on efforts by the UNC System Board of Governors to abolish positions and initiatives that promote diversity at public universities in North Carolina.
John Hood: Job needs propel college reforms
I’ve long been bullish on North Carolina’s community colleges. In the past, I’ve praised the system’s cost-effectiveness, its capacity to serve nontraditional students, and the impressive labor-market returns for associate degrees and other certificates in such fields as industrial technology, home repair, computer sciences, and health care.
John Hood: Cities differ on public safety tech
RALEIGH — The police department in Winston-Salem uses a commercial product called ShotSpotter, a network of audio sensors and software, to identify possible incidents of gunfire and ensure a faster response to them.
Governor Cooper Greets Prime Minister of Japan Kishida Fumio and Mrs. Kishida Yuko at Airport
On Thursday evening, Governor Roy Cooper and First Lady Kristin Cooper greeted Prime Minister of Japan Kishida Fumio and Mrs. Kishida Yuko upon their arrival at RDU-International Airport.
Governor Cooper Announces Boards and Commissions Appointments
RALEIGH: Governor Roy Cooper announced Boards and Commissions appointments.
John Hood: State Revenues Are Down This Year
RALEIGH — State Controller Nels Roseland has just released five months of reports about North Carolina’s General Fund budget. I’m told the delay wasn’t nefarious. It was caused by a change in accounting systems. Well, better late than never — but I hope the delay hasn’t lulled our leaders into complacency.
Governor Cooper Announces Business Court Nominee
Governor Roy Cooper announced his nomination of Todd Brown, Sr. as a Special Superior Court Judge to be designated to the North Carolina Business Court.
Governor Cooper to Host Historic State Visit Welcoming Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to North Carolina
Next week, North Carolina will welcome Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and a delegation of Japanese dignitaries and media members for a historic State visit. The Prime Minister and his wife, Yuko Kishida, will join the Coopers for a State luncheon on April 12th at the Executive Mansion and for several events across the state.
Excellent Public Schools Act Propels K-3 Reading Proficiency
North Carolina’s youngest students are continuing to improve on reading benchmarks due to literacy reforms included in the Excellent Public Schools Act of 2021.
Leader Reives Statement on NC Teacher Attrition
The State Board of Education released shocking numbers regarding the state of teacher attrition in North Carolina. According to reporting from the News & Observer, “10,376 of the state’s 90,638 teachers left the profession” between March 2022 and March 2023. The state’s attrition rate rose 47% over the prior report.
John Hood: Light Touch Can Make Homes Affordable
RALEIGH — Because North Carolina is one of the seven states likely to determine the outcome of the 2024 presidential election, and also boasts highly competitive contests for governor and other statewide offices, local races may not be top-of-mind for most voters. Nevertheless, North Carolinians will elect hundreds of county and municipal officials this year — which essentially puts the issue of adequate, affordable housing on the ballot.