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The Ripple Effect
North Carolina’s unemployment rate jumped to a record high of 11.2 percent in December. Several economists say the figure would be much higher if you counted frustrated workers who have abandoned their job searches as well as those who are underemployed. Peter Werbicki, President/CEO of the Food Bank of Central & Eastern NC, says a […]
Mind the gap
Earlier this week, North Carolina submitted its “Race to the Top” application with high hopes of winning upwards of $400 million in a competitive federal grant process. The additional funding would help North Carolina minimize further cuts to education in the next budget cycle. But Stephen Jackson, a policy analyst with the North Carolina Justice […]
Lessons from Massachusetts
With Republican Scott Brown’s upset win of the U.S. Senate seat held by the late Edward Kennedy, some are predicting that health care reform is in serious doubt for this year. Rep. Bob Etheridge acknowledges building a consensus in Congress will be more difficult now, but adds that his colleagues cannot pass up this opportunity […]
Handicapping the U.S. Senate race
We’re months away from knowing which Democratic candidate will face U.S. Senator Richard Burr this year, but Tom Jensen of Public Policy Polling says it’s certain to be a competitive race. Jensen shares with Chris Fitzsimon that the first-term Republican from Winston-Salem may do well to revisit 2007, when then Senator Elizabeth Dole was considered […]
“Resegregation by another name”
Now through Jan.25, Wake County parents can take an online survey on whether they prefer the year-round calendar or the traditional calendar at their child’s school. But parents and students aren’t the only ones eyeing the outcome of this survey and other issues. John Dornan, Executive Director of the Public School Forum of North Carolina, […]
This weekend on ‘News & Views’
Foreclosure filings in North Carolina exceeded 63,000 in 2009, and this year that number could go even higher. This week on “News & Views with Chris Fitzsimon” Deputy State Banking Commissioner Mark Pearce describes efforts to help residents avoid home foreclosure through counseling and working with mortgage servicers to create a new payment plan. Pearce […]
A system out of sync
In a bad economy, no one wants to talk about new taxes. But North Carolina Commerce Secretary Keith Crisco says legislators cannot afford to further delay an overhaul of the state’s tax structure. Crisco has his doubts much change will occur in the upcoming short session, though he warns the current antiquated tax system may […]
Resolving to improve the jobs outlook
With the statewide unemployment rate at 10.8%, Governor Bev Perdue knows job creation is her top priority for 2010. Perdue has said she will use the first part of the new year to announce initiatives aimed at helping North Carolina’s small businesses. Still the governor maintains incentives remain a necessary evil as the competition for […]
Clearing the air in 2010
The air in North Carolina’s restaurants and bars becomes a lot cleaner this weekend as a smoking ban passed last summer by the General Assembly takes effect. The smoking ban was a major priority of health advocates in 2009, and now many would like to see a similar ban extended to all workplaces. Melva Fager […]
Setting the standard for those who’ve been naughty, and those who’ve been nice
With the year drawing to close, Governor Bev Perdue is reflecting on her first year in office. Earlier this week, the governor met with reporters to discuss job creation, education, and her administration’s ongoing efforts to make state government more efficient and transparent in the coming year. Perdue also shared her thoughts on the recent […]
Changing climates, changing attitudes
One of the highlights of the Copenhagen summit this week was a pledge by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton that the United States would help raise $100 billion for the developing world to address their climate change needs. Rep. Pricey Harrison, one of the most outspoken environmental advocates in North Carolina’s legislature, says it’s clear […]
Adjusting and readjusting to a slow recovery
President Barack Obama announced this week steps to use funds from the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) to help get Americans back to work. Republicans maintain a better use for any leftover TARP money would be to pay down the federal debt. While that debate continues, John Quinterno of South by North Strategies says it […]