Commentary/Opinion
Opinion: Our COVID Outcomes Were Average
By John Hood RALEIGH — Because Gov. Roy Cooper’s former secretary of health and human services, Mandy Cohen, just got the nod from President Joe Biden to be the next…
Opinion: Most Communities Have A Crime Problem
By John Hood RALEIGH — In a recent column, I argued that cities would draw more investment and job creation to their downtowns if people felt safer in them. Because…
Opinion: Racial Preferences Are Gone — Now What?
By John Hood RALEIGH — As widely predicted, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has lost its admissions case before the U.S. Supreme Court. Six of nine justices…
You Decide: Are There Easy Answers To Hard Questions?
By Mike Walden Each year, I do scores of presentations to a variety of groups. In the post-COVID world, these talks are now a combination of in-person and virtual. In…
Opinion: To Boost Downtowns, Make Them Safer
By John Hood RALEIGH — North Carolina continues to exhibit impressive economic performance. Last year, for example, only five states — Idaho, Tennessee, Florida, Nevada, and Texas — enjoyed faster…
Opinion: On Tax Reform, Set Firm Priorities
By John Hood RALEIGH — Negotiators from the North Carolina House and Senate are current hashing out a compromise budget for the fiscal year that begins in July. One of…
Opinion: Oh, Let Him Build His Pirate Ship
By John Hood NORTH TOPSAIL BEACH — It’s still a free country. We all enjoy the right to vacation as we see fit. For my family, summer vacation means a…
You Decide: Where Is The Economy Today?
By Mike Walden A year ago, a large percentage of economists were predicting that by now, the economy either would be in a recession or clearly headed for a recession.…
Opinion: State Ranks Poorly On Remote Taxes
By John Hood RALEIGH — North Carolinians are by now accustomed to seeing our state score well on national rankings of economic performance, cost of living, quality of life, and…
You Decide: What Determines The Dollar’s Worth?
By Mike Walden I often receive comments from readers about my columns. Some agree with my comments, while others disagree. I value both, but some readers suggest a topic for…
Opinion: Of Course Books Can Be Dangerous
By John Hood RALEIGH — A thought occurred to me as I was traveling through the North Carolina Piedmont last week. The notion didn’t have to do with my location…
Opinion: Carolina Voters Dislike Big Government
By John Hood RALEIGH — North Carolina Democrats are frustrated. It’s not hard to see why. Since 2008, when Barack Obama narrowly won the state and Kay Hagan beat Elizabeth…
