Local business taxes hurt businesses
The News and Observer’s recent editorial “Capping Local Business Tax Could Hurt Businesses” failed to point out that there was near uniformity among both Republicans and Democrats on the Revenue... Read More
NC Spin Articles
Engaging the Hispanic community
I recently had the privilege to hear Daniel Garza speak and to talk with him personally. He is the Executive Director of The Libre Initiative based in Texas. His is a group that outreaches to the... Read More
No to claptrap and flimflam
Local officials in North Carolina, particularly those who reside in distressed communities, should be wary of the twin dangers of claptrap and flimflam. If you aren’t careful, you’ll buy bogus... Read More
McCrory still unpopular, opposition to gay marriage declines
PPP's newest North Carolina poll finds that Pat McCrory remains unpopular, and would find himself in a toss up contest for reelection. 40% of voters approve of the job McCrory's doing to 45% who... Read More
Too soon to celebrate drop in jobless rate
Editorial by Rocky Mount Telegram, April 12, 2014. Anyone seeking to celebrate the declining unemployment rate in North Carolina or the Twin Counties should take a second look at the numbers, and what... Read More
Why North Carolina should get away from Common Core
North Carolina should have the highest education standards in the world, but we can do better than Common Core. Four years after Common Core was adopted by the State Board of Education, many students... Read More
Where the sun don't shine: Sagging pants trend hangs on (barely)
I found a pair of old jeans in the back of my closet the other day. They were cut extra baggy, from an era in which everything was baggy. And they were at least two sizes too large, a roomy reminder... Read More
Mark Harris and the battle for the soul of the GOP
Mark Harris is winding up his delivery, his voice rising, bending over in a fighter’s crouch, his right hand balled up in a fist. “Can we do this?” he shouts. Yes, replies the crowd. “Can we... Read More
I can't afford to stay in teaching
I’m a teacher. And I’ll be a teacher for another two whole months! That’s another eight weeks with the 20 first-grade children in my room. I’m a good teacher. No, really, hear me out. I’m... Read More
Budget targets
This is how spending priorities get set in Raleigh. The Republican legislature is facing a revenue hole. And there are three big pots of money: public schools, the UNC system and Medicaid. At... Read More
