Raleigh, NC – The North Carolina State Board of Elections voted to deny ballot access for Cornel West and the Justice For All Party.
John Hood: Shooting Should Shock the Conscience
The attempted assassination of Donald Trump, a despicable and indefensible act that came within a whisker of success, should shock the conscience of a seething nation. It should prompt sober reflection, deep introspection, and prayer.
Attorney General Josh Stein Announces $2.45 Million Health Care Fraud Settlement
(RALEIGH) Attorney General Josh Stein today announced a $2.45 million settlement with Vista Clinical Diagnostics, LLC, for allegedly submitting or causing the submission of false claims to Medicare and Medicaid programs in North Carolina, Virginia, and Florida. These settlement funds will be returned to the Medicare and Medicaid programs.
Government Regulations Shouldn’t Replace Parents’ Decisions
One of the biggest joys of being a parent is having the opportunity to guide your child’s growth and development and judge what’s best for their individual needs. Proposed legislation before Congress such as the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) would strip that choice from parents, removing the right to decide what content their children can access online based on their values and beliefs.
North Carolina Celebrates More Than 500,000 Enrolled in Medicaid Expansion
ore than half a million North Carolinians have now enrolled in Medicaid expansion since the program began seven months ago. Beneficiaries are now able get the quality health care they need at low cost.
Budd Introduces Bill to Help Job-Seekers Access Skills Development Programs
The legislation would help businesses streamline the process for assisting job seekers in accessing skills development programs through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity (WIOA) Act.
Senator Berger Announces Departure of Chief of Staff
Sen. Phil Berger (R-Rockingham) today announced the departure of his chief of staff, Brian Fork.
For Fifth Year in a Row, North Carolina Ranks in Top Three States to Do Business
CNBC named North Carolina as second best state to do business and in the top three for the fifth year in a row thanks to our well-trained and diverse workforce, booming economy, and strong business environment. In 2019, North Carolina ranked third; in 2021, the state ranked second; and in both 2022 and 2023 North Carolina ranked first.
Governor Cooper Signs Twelve Bills, Vetoes One Bill and Lets One Bill Become Law
Governor Roy Cooper signed the following bills into law:
John Hood: On Schools and Sports, Follow Evidence
RALEIGH — Having spent most of my career commissioning, editing, or writing about public policy research, I understand its inherent limitations. Still, I cling to a belief, however naïve it may be, that careful study of complex problems can produce at least some clear answers that most policymakers will accept.
Op-Ed: North Carolina is Leading on Clean Energy
With nearly $22 billion of clean energy investments unveiled across North Carolina, 2024 marks a significant milestone in the state’s energy leadership.
Op-Ed: Mounting national debt
I was disappointed to see both candidates in the recent presidential debate fail to discuss what was among the most important questions: how they would handle the mounting national debt.
Speaker Moore Comments on Partisan Actions of NCSBE
Speaker Moore comments on the State Board of Elections’ partisan refusal to approve third party ballot access:
Folwell responds to state health plan victory over Blue Cross NC
From the beginning, it has been clear that the State Health Plan (Plan) performed a well-reasoned, high-integrity, and correct procurement process for third-party administrative services. This process clearly revealed that Aetna’s bid was superior to Blue Cross NC’s, and the Plan’s Board of Trustees properly approved the contract’s award to Aetna. As Judge Melissa Owens Lassiter said in her opinion:
NC Legislative Economic Development Caucus Announces Formation of Manufacturing Study Committee and Files German Friendship Resolution
As the North Carolina Legislative Caucus on Economic Development and Foreign Trade (“EDFT Caucus”) wraps up its first year in the General Assembly, co-chairs Representative John Bell (R – Wayne) and Representative Robert Reives (D – Chatham, Randolph) round out a successful and productive year with two key initiatives, creating a study committee to examine ways the legislature can foster manufacturing growth in the state, and filing a resolution in the House encouraging Congress to work more closely on economic and trade issues with Germany, one of the leading sources of capital investment and trade in North Carolina.
John Hood: We Need More Hospital Competition
RALEIGH — North Carolina’s hospital sector has undergone lots of mergers and acquisitions over the past decade. Now the pace of change is, if anything, accelerating.
Op-Ed: North Carolina's health plans aren't broken. Don't fix them.
As a business owner, I know a thing or two about competition. Achieving success requires a sense of mission, wisdom, effective management, and – most importantly – dedicated employees.
Governor Cooper Vetoes Two Bills
RALEIGH: Governor Roy Cooper vetoed the following bills:
John Hood: Citizens Should Clarify Voting Rights
RALEIGH — North Carolina voters will be asked this fall to remove a troubling ambiguity in the state constitution. An overwhelming, bipartisan majority of state legislators — 40 of 50 senators, 104 of 120 representatives — voted to place the amendment on the ballot.
Governor Cooper Signs Four Bills and Vetoes Two Bills
Governor Roy Cooper signed the following bills into law: