NC Policy Watch | News and commentary about public policy and politics in North Carolina.

BTC Report: Gov. McCrory’s budget choices will shape North Carolina’s future

3/2/2015

Governor McCrory’s budget is anticipated as early as this week. The choices made in this budget will…

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Monday numbers

3/2/2015

4.7—percent of average annual revenue growth in North Carolina since 1990 (“Prosperity Watch Issue 46, No. 3:…

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Tea Party Tillis

3/2/2015

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The Follies

2/27/2015

McCrory snubbed again by legislative leaders An interesting moment in the political world in Raleigh came in…

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North Carolina's tax shift continues

2/26/2015

State lawmakers are targeting cash-strapped homeowners as they continue to pursue tax changes that would shift even…

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The A-F school grades endgame: Improving public schools or paving the way for charters?

2/26/2015

When North Carolina launched its new A-F school grading system in early February, the cacophony of cries that came…

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Monday numbers

by Chris FitzsimonMonday, March 02nd, 2015

4.7—percent of average annual revenue growth in North Carolina since 1990 (“Prosperity Watch Issue 46, No. 3: Revenue growth is not the same thing as a surplus, N.C. Budget & Tax Center, February 2015) 2.9—percent of actual revenue growth expected for current fiscal year that ends June 30 (Ibid) 21.35 billion—amount in dollars [Continue Reading…]
The Follies

by Chris FitzsimonFriday, February 27th, 2015

McCrory snubbed again by legislative leaders An interesting moment in the political world in Raleigh came in between this week’s two bouts of winter weather. The Republican leaders of the General Assembly once again ignored the wishes of Governor Pat McCrory. McCrory has spent the last several weeks appearing at news conferences across [Continue Reading…]
North Carolina’s tax shift continues

by Cedric JohnsonThursday, February 26th, 2015

State lawmakers are targeting cash-strapped homeowners as they continue to pursue tax changes that would shift even more of the tax load to low- and middle-income taxpayers, while preserving tax benefits that have largely flowed to the wealthy and profitable corporations. Legislation approved by the state Senate (Senate Bill 20) would require [Continue Reading…]
The A-F school grades endgame: Improving public schools or paving the way for charters?

by Lindsay WagnerThursday, February 26th, 2015

When North Carolina launched its new A-F school grading system in early February, the cacophony of cries that came with it centered on the stigma and inequity inherent in labeling schools with letter grades. High poverty schools whose students are at a disadvantage when it comes to standardized tests received D’s and F’s; wealthier schools [Continue Reading…]
UNC Board of Governors should reject recommendation to close poverty center

by Steve FordWednesday, February 25th, 2015

One can say this about UNC-Chapel Hill’s Gene Nichol without fear of contradiction: He doesn’t seem to know when to keep his mouth shut or his keyboard quiet. Good for him! Throughout his years in North Carolina, Nichol from his law professor’s perch has been a pugnacious crusader on behalf of the state’s [Continue Reading…]
Public money for private schools: Supreme Court considers the constitutionality of vouchers

by Sharon McCloskeyWednesday, February 25th, 2015

State Supreme Court justices refused to let a surprise snowstorm force yet another rescheduling of arguments in the private school voucher case, opening the courtroom on time Tuesday morning to a less-than-full gallery. Determined to resolve challenges to the state’s recently enacted “Opportunity Scholarship Program” long before the next school year begins, the [Continue Reading…]
Senate leaders push to legalize discrimination

by Chris FitzsimonTuesday, February 24th, 2015

This was a remarkable week indeed at the General Assembly. It is now clear that legislation supported by Senate leaders would allow public employees to refuse to provide state services based on race. That startling fact arose in a debate over a bill sponsored by Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger that would [Continue Reading…]
Healthcare system meltdown?

by Rob SchofieldTuesday, February 24th, 2015

If conservative ideologues prevail at next week’s U.S. Supreme Court argument, the results could be catastrophic Thirty-five years ago, Hollywood made the American public aware of something called “The China Syndrome” – a vivid and terrifying descriptive term for the potentially devastating consequences of a runaway nuclear reactor. In 1986 at Chernobyl, [Continue Reading…]
The Class of 2015 – Senator John Alexander, Jr.

by Sarah OvaskaMonday, February 23rd, 2015

Name: state Sen. John Alexander Jr. (Republican) District: Wake County Occupation: Owns and runs a trucking company, Cardinal International Trucks Lives in: Raleigh From: Raleigh Family: wife Susan; 2 grown daughters Campaign website: http://www.alexanderncsenate.com/ Hobbies: hunting, playing golf. Previous elected offices?: None. Why did you run for office? “I thought [Continue Reading…]
Monday numbers

by Chris FitzsimonMonday, February 23rd, 2015

1—number of days until the N.C. Supreme Court hears arguments in a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the state’s school voucher program created in 2013 (N.C. Court System) 4.15 million—amount in taxpayer dollars that have already been diverted to private and religious schools under the voucher program with no state oversight or [Continue Reading…]