Setting the Record Straight Archive

New Action for Children report reminds us of why troubled kids do what they do

By Rob Schofield

N.C. Policy Watch, Action for Children North Carolina and the N.C. Pediatric Society Foundation co-sponsored a special “Crucial Conversation” luncheon this week on the topic of juvenile justice. The focus of the event was the issue of how to treat young persons accused of crime: Should these kids – particularly 16 and 17 years olds – be treated in the juvenile justice system on the assumption that they can be saved from a life of crime or should they be transferred to the adult criminal justice system for the kind of punishment they could expect if they were 26 or 27?

Congressional predatory lending legislation puts North Carolina’s law at risk

By Rob Schofield

No act of the past decade has brought greater national attention and acclaim to North Carolina lawmakers than their groundbreaking efforts to attack predatory mortgage lending. The original 1999 reform legislation (which requires unbiased financial counseling before borrowers can be sold certain types of “high cost” loans) and its progeny have saved thousands of North Carolina families from the financial ruin and indignities that accompany losing one’s home and have served as a model for several other states.

Ludicrous Attacks on State Senator Serve to Highlight North Carolina’s Appalling Policies

By Rob Schofield

It’s easy for politicians and pundits to spout off about “getting tough on crime.” Juvenile offenders, in particular, often make especially inviting targets. No one likes brats…

Market Fundamentalists Reap What They Sowed

By Rob Schofield

In case anyone still had any doubts about the success of market fundamentalists in capturing almost complete control of modern American (and North Carolina) conservatism, a look at some recent news stories ought to dispel them in short order. (more…)

A Special Policy Watch Interview on the Corporate Incentives Debate

By Rob Schofield

State policy news has been dominated over the last few days by the Governor’s decision to veto a new corporate incentives package for tire maker Goodyear and the apparent intent of legislative leaders to seek an override next week.

In an attempt to raise the level of the discussion on what is, by any reasonable analysis, an extremely complex topic, Policy Watch turned this week to veteran researcher and policy analyst, William Schweke of the national economic development think tank, CFED. (more…)

Market Fundamentalists on the Issue of Collective Bargaining

By Rob Schofield

“Fighting the last war”: It’s a common (and often understandable) mistake made not just by generals but by politicians, football coaches, corporate executives, journalists, and even policy analysts and advocates. It’s…

Well-Meaning Bill Creates Yet Another Business Incentives Program 

By Rob Schofield

It’s getting down to the wee hours of the 2007 legislative session and, as usual, a lot of sausage is getting rapidly and coarsely ground. As of Thursday afternoon, it…

By Rob Schofield

Two developments from the world of tax policy deserve to have a little extra attention this week.

Development #1: The Insider newsletter reported yesterday that one of the sticking points in state budget negotiations is the Senate’s continued support for…

By Rob Schofield

Tough negotiations over complicated legislation have a way of getting down to basics. At some point, lawmakers are forced to reveal their hand and show their adversaries what they really want most of all. This week in Raleigh,…

The Playing Field Isn’t Level Yet

By Rob Schofield

Last year’s lobbying and ethics reform legislation touched on a number of important subjects – gifts to public officials; campaign contributions from lobbyists; registration, reporting and disclosure laws; the lawmaker-to-lobbyist revolving door, and many…

By Rob Schofield

Now that the House of Representatives has taken its first pass at the budget, members of the General Assembly have been devoting more time to substantive bills in recent days. Longstanding issues like mental health and chemical dependency…

The Realtors Association Throws Its Weight Around