Education
It’s time to tell the truth about NCAE
A national report which saw big drops in teacher union membership and strength in North Carolina has raised some interesting responses from local media outlets in the Tar Heel State.…
The News & Observer
newspaper published in Raleigh, North Carolina
Research Brief
Energy
Warm homes in a cold emergency? Thank nuclear, coal, and gas
On Feb. 1, citing expected “[e]xtremely cold temperatures,” Duke Energy sent an alert to its customers requesting that they “voluntarily reduce their energy use from 4–10 a.m. on Monday, Feb.…
Education
WCPSS tries to do tutoring on the cheap — and fails
A recent article in the News & Observer said that officials from the Wake County Public School System (WCPSS) are blaming the federal funding freeze for delaying the return of a tutoring program that…
Research Brief
Energy
Power up: How a veto override will affect electricity in NC
In a bipartisan vote on July 29, the North Carolina General Assembly passed Senate Bill (SB) 266, “The Power Bill Reduction Act,” over Gov. Josh Stein’s veto. The bill eliminates…
Education
Recent N&O “Reality Check” raises more questions than it answers
Several weeks ago, The News & Observer ran an article in their “Reality Check” series titled “New report says average NC teacher salary is now over $60,000. Is the figure…
Energy
More Dead Whales Off the North Carolina Coast
On December 21, the News & Observer reported that a North Atlantic right whale entangled in fishing gear was spotted off North Carolina’s Outer Banks. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Fisheries…
Budget, Taxation & Economy
State Budget Picture: Structural Imbalance or Propaganda?
In August, the News & Observer reported that the State Budget Director, who was appointed by Governor Cooper in 2022, claimed that, according to a confidential report, income tax cuts…
Education
Delayed Budget Adjustments Cause Charter School Funding Woes
Back-to-school season is upon us, and although many charter schools are seeing increased enrollments, some aren’t receiving a corresponding increase in funding. In 2023, the North Carolina General Assembly passed…
Education
A Message from Parents: Stop Slow-Walking NC Voucher Money, Republicans
“This could end very badly.” That’s the sentiment I pick up from discussions with parents, educators and policymakers frustrated with efforts by the N.C. House to slow-walk expansion of the…
Research Brief
Budget, Taxation & Economy
NCInnovation: Time to Pump the Brakes on This Unproven Experiment?
A change in budget bill language restricted NCInnovation to funding university research, yet it still represents picking winners and losers in the marketplace. The group had not made a single…
Budget, Taxation & Economy
Economic Insecurity? N&O Distorts Truth About NC’s Economy
This N&O piece was light on facts and heavy on empty assertions. What's the truth?
Freedom Focus
Budget, Taxation & Economy
Buc-ee’s and EVs: How the Private and Public Sectors Differ in Meeting People’s Needs
While the Cooper and Biden administrations try to find more ways that government can install EV charging stations, in the private sector Buc-ee’s has announced it’s going to create 120…