Commentary/Opinion
Seek Common Sense On Early Voting
By John Hood RALEIGH — When I began covering politics in the late 1980s, Labor Day unofficially signaled the “homestretch” of election campaigns. After winning their party’s nomination in late-spring…
Freer Carolinas Means More Carolinians
By John Hood RALEIGH — Progressives are frustrated by North Carolina’s just-enacted state budget, hostile to recent deregulatory initiatives and tax cuts, and outraged at recent welfare reforms and school-choice…
You Decide: How Important Is Income Inequality?
By Mike Walden Many of today’s debates about our society, public policy and politics are being driven by one factor, income inequality. Income inequality is the term recognizing the differences…
Social Security Matters: Should I Claim Spouse Benefits Now, Or My Own SS Benefit?
By Russell Gloor, Association of Mature American Citizens (AMAC) Foundation Social Security Advisor Dear Rusty: I am writing to get advice on the optimal time to sign up for Social Security…
Op-Ed: Keeping Medicine Affordable For NC Families
What would you do if your medicine cost $1,300 a month and you just lost your job? This happened to someone I know, and it happens to real people in…
Mass Production Can Ease Housing Woes
By John Hood RALEIGH — I agree with homebuilders, would-be homebuyers, business executives, trade associations, legislative leaders, and Gov. Josh Stein that one of North Carolina’s biggest challenges is the…
EDITORIAL: When Commissioners Vote On Their Own Pay, Transparency Should Come First
By Mickey Lamm Editor, JoCoReport Johnston County commissioners were well within their legal authority to approve pay raises for themselves as part of the county’s newly adopted $434.9 million budget.…
You Decide: How Good Is The Job Market?
By Mike Walden As a professional economist, I look at volumes of data to understand what is happening in the economy. But if I could only look at one piece…
You Decide: What To Expect From The New Federal Reserve?
By Mike Walden We now officially have a new chair of the Federal Reserve (the Fed), Kevin Warsh. Mr. Warsh was appointed by President Donald Trump and confirmed by the…
Federal Crash Will Hurt North Carolinians
By John Hood RALEIGH — America’s ship of state is huge, ornate, cluttered, and bound for calamity. Will North Carolinians just go along for the (perilous) ride? Or will we…
Letter To The Editor: Benson’s Challenges Run Deeper Than Personalities
This letter is written for those who want to read to understand, not for those who simply want to read to respond on social media. When I resigned as Town…
You Decide: How Will You Vote On New Tax Proposals?
By Mike Walden The North Carolina General Assembly has been busy debating some new ideas that we will be asked to vote on. Among them are two proposals involving taxes.…
