Commentary/Opinion
Keeping North Carolina Strong
By Governor Josh Stein North Carolinians have achieved a lot to make us proud. We’re the top state for business, economic development, and workforce development, and we announced more jobs…
Carolina Economy Adding Few New Jobs
By John Hood RALEIGH — Over the past year, North Carolina has posted one of the largest employment gains in the country. Alas, that’s not saying much. During the most…
On Affordability, Deeds Trump Words
By John Hood RALEIGH — Most federal, state, and local policymakers are saying the right things about housing. Our leaders say they want to make it easier for young people…
Expand Choice Among Public Schools
By John Hood RALEIGH — For all the satisfied smiles among school-choice supporters, and the gnashing of teeth among its opponents, North Carolina is not one of the top-ranked states…
Why Newcomers Are Choosing North Carolina
By Donna King Carolina Journal You can feel it in conversations across North Carolina, more new neighbors, more out-of-state license plates, more people saying they “just moved here from New…
Hospitals Can’t Win Every Policy Battle
By John Hood RALEIGH — North Carolina’s hospital sector employs one of the most effective teams of strategists, lobbyists, and marketers in the state. Still, under present circumstances, I’d be…
State Isn’t Prepared For Bad Times
By John Hood RALEIGH — Is there an immediate prospect of resolving the budget standoff between the North Carolina Senate and House? I hear conflicting signals. When fiscal analysts for…
Hospitals Should Battle In The Marketplace, Not The Courtroom
By David Larson Carolina Journal Two weeks ago, there was a nice groundbreaking ceremony with a lot of smiling faces. Gov. Josh Stein traveled all the way out to the…
Leandro Should Have Ended Long Ago
By John Hood RALEIGH — For all the confusion, finger-pointing, and rancor that accompanied the North Carolina Supreme Court’s final ruling in the Leandro school-finance case, the primary emotion it conjured in…
Why The Halifax Resolves Matter
By John Hood RALEIGH — On April 12, a large crowd of North Carolinians will gather in the town of Halifax to commemorate the 250th anniversary of a pivotal historical…
You Decide: Is The Economy Headed For A Nosedive?
By Mike Walden At the beginning of 2026, most economists, including me, were predicting a reasonably decent year for both businesses and households. We expected growth, a jobless rate between…
Facts Must Come Before Explanations
By John Hood RALEIGH — Who is to blame for North Carolina losing its industrial base over the past two decades? Misguided federal lawmakers who passed free-trade agreements? Foolish state…
