Many politicians and special interest groups claim that North Carolina ranks 49th in the nation in per-pupil education spending.  The mainstream media never questioned the origin and validity of the talking point…until now.  Enter an editorial published in the News & Record,

The Democratic governor’s approach was forceful and effective, although it relied on some mythmaking. “Because of decisions made this year by the General Assembly, North Carolina is 49th in the nation in public education,” she [Governor Perdue] said.

That startling number is hard to verify. Like North Carolina, most states have just completed new budgets. There are no studies yet evaluating where they all rank in education funding. But if North Carolina stands 49th, it didn’t suddenly tumble out of the top 10. A U.S. Commerce Department report on public school financing released in May placed North Carolina 42nd in 2009 — when Democrats had full control of state government.

That contradicts Perdue’s contention that North Carolina — prior to this year — had separated itself from its Southern neighbors through “our choices as a people to invest in education at all levels — public schools, and community colleges and universities. … We are not an Alabama, South Carolina or Mississippi — we are North Carolina.”

I do not agree with everything in the editorial, but N&R editors get this right.

I doubt that the editorial or the legitimate questions it raises will discourage liberals from using the imaginary ranking, but it may force them to defend it.  That would be a step in the right direction.