For fair voting
Editorial by Winston-Salem Journal, August 30, 2017. When Republican Gov. Pat McCrory was in power, the legislature controlled by his party had no problem with existing law that allows the governor to... Read More
NC Spin Articles
Redistricting and the rural-urban divide
The redistricting debate in North Carolina brings into stark focus the rural-urban divide in the state. In his defense of legislative districts that give Republicans a veto proof majority in the state... Read More
State Board of Ed chair laments latest round of education cuts
It looks like we haven’t communicated as well as we should.” Bill Cobey, chairman of the State Board of Education, is perhaps a week away from voting through a second round of cuts for North... Read More
North Carolina's most serious health and crime problem
Editorial by The Charlotte Observer, reprinted in the Salisbury Post, August 31, 2017. Charlotte doctors tell the Observer editorial board that every week, they see a person die from overdosing on... Read More
3 things that make teaching school harder than it should be
I loved being a teacher. After a rather rough first semester of adjusting from the newsroom to the classroom at the age of 44, I had as much fun as is legally possible in the great state of North... Read More
Persistence in gerrymandering
by Paul O'Connor, Syndicated columnist, published in Asheville Citizen-Times, August 30, 2017. If there is one indisputable observation to make about the state’s Republican legislative majority it... Read More
Charlottesville presents lawmakers with clear choice between right and wrong
Every so often in our political discourse comes a moment that presents elected officials with a crystal clear choice between right and wrong, something that rises far above the usual partisan... Read More
Focus on long-term growth
So far in 2017, North Carolina is adding jobs at a slower pace than the national and regional averages. That’s a noticeable change from recent trends — but it’s a reason only for concern, not... Read More
UNC Chancellor Carol Folt's baffling stand on Silent Sam
The University was handed a get out of jail free card by Gov. Roy Cooper – and declined to use it. What? Even more baffling is the fact that we requested the card. Spurred by a letter from Chapel... Read More
Redistricting hearings are a sham
The public hearings on the new legislative maps bought for the GOP with taxpayer money are little more than a ruse. The Republicans in the House and Senate are going to pass the maps without any real... Read More
