Sing a new song
We're tired of the bluff and bluster notes you keep playing. The country needs a new tune and yours isn't cutting it. Read More
Balanced Debate For The Old North State.
My Spin by Tom Campbell
 |
Budget framework is flawedOur lawmakers have had more than two years to construct a new state budget. What we learned from their "framework" announcement isn't impressive. They need to do better. Read More |
Trump's Gilded Age of idolatry
Symbols are deeply cherished by Americans and we don't appreciate someone trying to build or name them for his own ego. Read More
The road to healing
A moral bedrock crumbles when we resort to calling people names. Read More
How will you vote on new tax proposals?
Read the pros and cons of each proposal. Read More
"Pay the dadgum teachers!" campaign launched
Coach Roy Williams said it best. Read More
Trump wants to do it. Why not the NCGOP in the NCGA?
If the federal and state gas taxes were suspended drivers would save almost 60 cents per gallon. Read More
The Roberts Court has turned the Voting Rights Act on Its head
The recent Supreme Court decisions went far from refining the Voting Rights Act by making it a requirement for proof of discriminatory intent. Read More
Recipe for good government
Our constitution is a beautifully scripted recipe, and it is our responsibility to require the government follow it correctly. Read More
The General Assembly is broken. Is anybody noticing?
Legislative leaders announced a deal was made on key points related to the budget. But who made the deal? Neither the appropriations or finance committees of either the House or Senate have had open meetings to discuss the matter. Read More
Affordable energy fosters economic growth
A recent study concludes there is no statistically significant correlation between the number of data centers in a state and its current electricity prices. Read More
The rush to cap property taxes
Capping property taxes is certain to lead to crippling cuts in services by cities and counties. Read More
NC’s Senate race may not be ‘most expensive in history’ after all
The Cooper-Whatley Senate race has been projected to be the most expensive in history, but unless Whatley's numbers start to rise significantly. Read More
Five truths about North Carolina property taxes and a proposed GOP constitutional amendment
Republican leaders want to persist with their “to seem rather than to be” amendment. Read More
What could be wrong with a constitutional amendment limiting income tax rates to 3.5%
One who has been intimately involved in state budgets says the proposed constitutional amendment caping personal income taxes is a risky bet. Read More
The May 2026 Carolina Forward poll
The 2026 election cycle is shaping up to be a significant “blue wave” event politically, with major implications for the balance of power in North Carolina and nationally. Read More
Case pits NC constitutional right against local zoning restrictions
Zoning restrictions from local governments will be challenged by a case coming to the N.C. Supreme Court. Read More
A new obsession
It’s too late to return the gift of Donald Trump. We are stuck with him for another thirty-one months. Read More
When Cornwallis first invaded Carolina
Blame the politicians of London, who should have listened to young Cornwallis back in 1765 and treated Americans with more respect. Read More
Old Jesse would be proud
One thing about Jesse Helms: you always knew where he stood on the issues, and he didn’t give a lick what you thought about it, or him. Read More
It’s time to modernize our ABC liquor laws
Retail sales for liquors and spirits should be legalized so North Carolinians have the same reasonable access and choice they expect in every other part of the marketplace. Read More
NC Republican leaders announce end to state budget impasse
Teachers will see average raises of 8%; state employees will average 3%. Read More
General Assembly should go big, then go home
Lawmakers should not squander the opportunity to show the constituents that they can get their business done in a reasonable time, then go back to their districts. Read More
NC’s new Medicaid ‘compromise’ comes at a cruel and frightful cost
Repeatedly, the new law establishes cruel roadblocks that will send thousands of North Carolinians who gained health coverage thanks to the state’s long overdue 2023 expansion of Medicaid back to hospital emergency rooms again for basic care. Read More
Cooper’s lead over Whatley in Senate race widens
Across the board, Democrats fared better than Republicans in this month’s poll. Read More
