RALEIGH — Nonviolent protests have a venerable history in North Carolina and beyond. Violent protests — that is, riots — have an ignominious one. A broadly recognized distinction? You might think so. Alas, you’d be wrong.
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John Hood: Carolina Congressmen Tell Off Constituents
RALEIGH — Ever written your congressman? I have. I always get a prompt and cordial, if bland, reply. Back in 1988, I actually spent a few weeks as a Capitol Hill intern reading and drafting responses to constituent correspondence. I’ve never written more boring prose (although longtime readers of mine might well disagree).
John Hood: Supply-Side Policies Boost North Carolina
RALEIGH — After North Carolina conservatives won control of the General Assembly in 2010, they began a systematic application of supply-side principles to state policy. It’s been a phenomenal success — although I admit others might disagree if their definition of “supply side” differs from mine.
Op-ed: Anti-obesity medications deliver substantial long-term healthcare savings; NC Medicaid should continue to cover them
In August 2024, NC Medicaid announced that it would begin covering anti-obesity medications (AOMs) for the treatment of obesity. As one of the states hardest hit by the obesity epidemic, the decision to cover AOMs was a major step in the right direction as the state looks to better treat obesity.
Op-ed: FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products Needs Serious Reforms
Congress and the Trump Administration have a rare opportunity achieve government reforms that would eliminate waste, promote public health, and give adults who smoke in North Carolina and across the country new avenues to leave cigarettes behind for good: Establish an efficient, workable pathway for less harmful alternatives to cigarettes to be legally sold in the U.S.
John Hood: Put Your Tax Cards on the Table
RALEIGH — The North Carolina House and Senate have enacted very different versions of a 2025-27 state budget, even though two plans would authorize virtually the same amount of spending. The differences are so vast, in fact, that some insiders predict no comprehensive budget will pass this session.
Op-ed: Community Banks Support Local Customers to Strengthen Larger Economy
Over my 24 years living in Mooresville, I've come to recognize it takes people and businesses with diverse backgrounds, skills, products and services to succeed. From our supportive neighbors to our hardworking local businesses, they all depend on strong community institutions that understand their needs and invest in their success.
Op-ed: Combatting the Number One Cause of Injury for NC Seniors Starts with Physical Therapy
As the leading cause of injury for adults 65 and older, fall prevention practices are a top priority for physical therapists across the country. Falls are expensive and painful but also debilitating and can even lead to death. If we do not provide proper preventative care for our older populations, the number of both fatal and nonfatal falls is set to climb as a higher percent of our population reaching 65+.
John Hood: Requiring Work for Benefits Is Wise
RALEIGH — There are good reasons to criticize the “Big, Beautiful Bill” the U.S. House just sent to the Senate. But its imposition of work requirements for able-bodied recipients of Medicaid — and more-comprehensive work requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) — are not among them.
North Carolina's April County and Area Employment Figures Released
Raleigh, N.C. — Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in all 100 counties in April 2025. Edgecombe County had the highest unemployment rate at 4.9 percent while Currituck and Camden Counties each had the lowest at 2.7 percent.
Op-ed: Why I support tackling our Nation’s debt
As a conservative, former business owner, and former Cabarrus County Commissioner I take the fiscal stewardship of taxpayers’ dollars very seriously. Having the experiences of serving my fellow citizens and running a business, I know that it’s impossible to continually spend money without regard to the consequences of debt.
Op-Ed: Senator Lazzara's take on rescheduling cannabis from a Schedule I to a Schedule III drug
Nowadays, it’s easy for important information on key issues to get lost. That’s why I am glad that Senator Michael Lazzara took the time to highlight the significance of rescheduling cannabis in his op-ed, “Rescheduling cannabis from a Schedule I to a Schedule III drug.” With growing evidence that cannabis has many therapeutic benefits, we cannot ignore the reality that cannabis-based treatments work.
Op-Ed: Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)
Although the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) tried to address the high cost of prescription drugs, this Forbes article rightly points out the unintended consequences of its "pill penalty.” In the short term, this pill penalty raises the cost of prescription tablets and capsules; in the long term, it stifles important pharmaceutical innovation and research into convenient, easy-to-use pills.
NC moves to end police involvement in transporting mental health patients
When someone is having a mental health crisis — whether they’re thinking about suicide, acting erratically or experiencing hallucinations — they frequently end up in a hospital emergency department, mostly because there are few places for them to go.
How Stein and Robinson waged a tense, high-profile campaign for governor
WASHINGTON, N.C. — Tempers were rising among the political faithful on Market Street. Local leaders with the Beaufort County Democratic Party had assembled on the sidewalk outside Shep’s Grill, holding signs that say “VOTE BLUE” and “Josh Stein for Governor.”
Folwell responds to state health plan victory over Blue Cross NC
From the beginning, it has been clear that the State Health Plan (Plan) performed a well-reasoned, high-integrity, and correct procurement process for third-party administrative services. This process clearly revealed that Aetna’s bid was superior to Blue Cross NC’s, and the Plan’s Board of Trustees properly approved the contract’s award to Aetna. As Judge Melissa Owens Lassiter said in her opinion:
Weatherman wins Republican runoff for Lt. Governor, Boliek for State Auditor
Political strategist Hal Weatherman won the Republican runoff for North Carolina lieutenant governor, defeating Forsyth County District Attorney Jim O'Neill with 74% of the vote. Dave Boliek secured the primary win for State Auditor.
Senate Passes ICE Bill, Gives New Enforcement Authority to Attorney General
House Bill 10 requires North Carolina sheriffs to cooperate with federal immigration authorities when a suspected illegal immigrant is in custody for committing a violent crime. A new provision of the bill allows any person, including a federal agency, to file a complaint with the North Carolina Attorney General alleging a sheriff failed to comply with the provisions of this bill.
Commerce Issues 2024 Economic Development Tier Rankings
The North Carolina Department of Commerce released the county tier designations for 2024 today. The designations, which are mandated by state law, play a role in several programs that assist in economic development.
Leader Reives Shares Facts on Voucher Program
Republican legislators are focused this Session on further eroding public education in North Carolina. The latest effort is a massive expansion of the state’s voucher program. North Carolinians deserve to know the facts about how this would affect education in our state.