Commentary/Opinion

You Decide: Should We Use Incentives To Attract Firms?
By Mike Walden North Carolina recently received some outstanding economic news. Our state was named “America’s Top State for Business” by a major national media organization. This is, indeed, a…

Statement From Citizen Advocates For Accountable Government Regarding Board Of Education Audio Recording Of Elected Officials
By Dale Lands and John Saluppo CAAG Founders The purpose and mission of Citizen Advocates for Accountable Government (CAAG) is to hold ELECTED OFFICIALS responsible to the constituency they serve.…

You Decide: Should We Worry About Fewer Youth Working?
By Mike Walden For many people, reaching a certain age causes them to think more about their past life. For me, that age was 70. Since attaining that milestone, I…

You Decide: Are We Already In A Recession?
By Mike Walden The big news in the economics world is a question – are we already in a recession? While a future recession has been talked about for months,…

You Decide: How Can We Slow The Increase In The Home Prices?
By Mike Walden The numbers are jaw-dropping. In 2020, the average house price rose 11%. In 2021, home prices jumped another 19%. And, if the price gains thus far in…

You Decide: What Does The Language Of Recessions Mean?
By Mike Walden We frequently use terms and phrases in our language as shortcuts. For example, in my youth the word “cool” was a shortcut for approval. To complicate matters,…

OPINION: Time To End Government-Run Schools
By Jason Phibbs Two recent surveys, one by High Point University and another by the John Locke Foundation, show a significant portion of North Carolinians (43% and 66%, respectively) believe public education is…

You Decide: How Can We Prepare For The Coming Job Shifts?
By Mike Walden The focus in the labor market over the past year has been about the labor shortage. All workers who left their jobs during the COVID-19 recession have…

A Memorial Day Message
Take the time to honor our fallen heroes and heroines; take more time to teach our kids and grandkids what the day means By John Grimaldi Editorial Contributor Association of…

You Decide: How Will The Hospitality Industry Change?
By Mike Walden The North Carolina hospitality industry, primarily composed of restaurants and hotels, is a multi-billion-dollar sector in the state. As a percent of the state economy, its share…

Mother’s Day 2022, Remembering Childhood Conversations With My Mom
By: John Cabascango Time has faded the details of the memory that returns to me this Mother’s Day. I know it involved one of our dogs. The truth is, I…

You Decide: Do We Live In The Most Uncertain Of Times?
By Mike Walden I was born in 1951, so my seven decades of life now make me a senior citizen. As I think back, our country has been through many…








