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From Oregon to Wounded Knee
In my home state of Oregon, a group of armed, radical militants have seized federal property. The dangers of the so-called militia movement should not be underestimated. They’re heavily armed, utterly unconcerned with the rule of law, and looking for any excuse to pick a fight. Unhappy with the U.S. Constitution’s clause establishing federal supremacy […]
TABOR: Wrong for women and families
More evidence is mounting everyday that the investment-killer known as TABOR would be disastrous for North Carolina. Now, NC Women United has compiled a tremendous list of reasons that TABOR will jeopardize the future of NC’s women and families. By imposing artificial spending limits that aren’t related to economic reality, we will miss the chance […]
Pain and tragedy in Charleston
“This tragedy that we’re addressing right now is undescribable,” Charleston’s police chief said at a news conference. “No one in this community will ever forget this night. And as a result of that, and because of the pain, and because of the hurt that this individual has caused this community, this entire community, the law enforcement […]
Keep common-sense protections against abusive debt collectors
Opposition to abusive lending cuts across the political spectrum. In fact, it has been uniting people for thousands of years. In North Carolina, we have a proud bipartisan tradition of protecting consumers. As Rob Schofield wrote recently, a 2009 consumer protection law that is one of the strongest in the country prevents some of the worst […]
Would you like some norovirus with that sandwich?
Why businesses, consumers and the economy all benefit when workers get paid sick leave My mother is the hardest-working person I know. When she was raising me as a single mom, she cut hair, worked at a frozen food plant, waited tables and toiled in a factory – whatever it took to keep food on […]
Early childhood budget trends in North Carolina
Editor’s note: The following post by Tracy Zimmerman at the North Carolina Early Childhood Foundations, is the latest installment in “Raising the Bar,” a new series of essays and blog posts authored by North Carolina leaders highlighting ways in which North Carolina public investments are falling short and where and how they can be improved. […]
NC needs good jobs, not more tax cuts
Editor’s note: The following post by Jeremy Sprinkle, communications director at the NC State AFL-CIO, is the latest installment in “Raising the Bar” — a new series of essays and blog posts authored by North Carolina leaders highlighting ways in which North Carolina public investments are falling short and where and how they can be […]
Happy Equal Pay Day
If you work, you deserve to get paid. Sadly, in these times, even that statement is controversial (just see all our wage theft work). So if it’s hard to even get workers paid, period, it shouldn’t be surprising that there are still opponents to the idea that women deserve equal pay for equal work. Maddening, […]
Like saving money and protecting your health? Expand Medicaid
There are few situations in life that are clearly win-win. When you see one, you have to take advantage of it. That’s why North Carolina should reverse course and expand Medicaid. When you have the chance to improve health care for hundreds of thousands of people and actually save money, you should jump on it. […]
Two must-read pieces on vouchers
Curious about the real cost of vouchers? Check out these two great op-eds from Rev. Dr. Arnetta Beverly and Margaret Arbuckle in the Greensboro News-Record. Rev. Beverly focuses on why risky vouchers schemes violate the North Carolina constitution: Article IX, Section 6 of the North Carolina constitution declares that public funds for education “shall be […]
Celebrate Fred Korematsu
Today should be a national holiday. No, not because of EITC Awareness, although the post below this one highlights that important issue as well. Because of Fred Korematsu, who was born on this day 96 years ago. Korematsu was born in Oakland, Calif., but his U.S. citizenship didn’t keep him from being arrested for refusing […]
NC Policy Watch top stories of 2014: Another plea for common sense on gun violence
[Editor’s note: During the holidays, NC Policy Watch is taking a look back at 2014 by featuring some of our top news stories and commentaries from the past 12 months. We hope you will enjoy them and feel inspired to participate in the state policy debate in 2015.] This week, another community in America was […]