Editorials  

Opinion and commentary from our esteemed colleagues.

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Consider these two facts. First, most net job creation in any modern economy comes from new companies, typically small firms that grow quickly.
People concerned about declining North Carolina fish stocks should take a closer look at so-called "catch shares," a system that uses property rights to help protect a valuable resource.
North Carolina was the 30th state to approve language prohibiting gay marriage and the last in the South to do so. Ninety-three of the state's 100 counties had majorities voting in favor of the amendment.
Redefining marriage is an act of social engineering that will have disastrous effects for humanity. It undermines the whole "survival of the fittest" notion and will weaken the integrity of communities designed to serve the interests of a developing and an advancing civilization.
Government regulatory agencies, environmentalists, liberal politicians, courts and proponents of the "common good" have worked hard during the past 30 years to make property rights less important if not eliminate them all together where they could.
Total state spending per capita is at its highest level ever in the 2012 fiscal year and has more than tripled since 1970--from $1,701 to an authorized $5,247.
As the Beaufort County Commissioners begin their budget workshops tonight (5-14-12) and as the General Assembly heads to Raleigh for the "short session" on the budget the truth should be known. Here it is.
Studies show that children clearly benefit by being raised in a traditional family environment - with a father (male) and a mother (female).
I've written many times in the past about what I call North Carolina's Blarney tradition. We pretend to honor deeds over words, to "be rather than to seem" as the state motto puts it.
The Washington City Council has an issue on its agenda for Monday night (5-14-12) that should be of concern for every taxpayer in the City of Washington and Beaufort County, and especially for businesses in the county.
I downloaded the 2013 County budget (all 168 pages) and have been through every page in it. I worked my way through it one page at a time to get a "fix" on what's in it.
After North Carolina's primary elections May 8, it still is unclear who the Republican nominees for five powerful executive offices will be.
Recently the first case to be heard under the Racial Justice Act (RJA) was decided in Cumberland County in favor of the defendant, Marcus Robinson.
The three-quarter-cent sales tax centerpiece of Gov. Bev Perdue's $20.9 billion budget proposal would be used to hire more teachers and launch jobs programs, but is a "non-starter" for Republican leaders.
On May 7, 2012 the Beaufort County Board of Commissioners began to clean up the mess which local economic development had become during the last decade of unsupervised cronyism.
More than a third of voters turned out for North Carolina's primary elections, far higher than the normal turnout in a presidential year and almost as high as the record turnout for the Hillary Clinton-Barack Obama slugfest in 2008.
Republicans positioned themselves to make substantial gains in North Carolina's congressional delegation following Tuesday's primary.
Primary election night Tuesday resulted in several upsets and close races in legislative contests in North Carolina, setting the stage for a competitive general election season this summer and fall.
During this campaign season, I'm seeing a lot of North Carolina politicians promise to address the state's economic woes by helping more young people receive university degrees. In my view, this is not a serious policy proposal. It is just political pandering.
North Carolina's lopsided vote backing a constitutional amendment to limit marriage to one man and one woman is a national body blow to Democrats and signals that social issues are very much part of the political landscape this year, supporters of Amendment One say.
The debate over the State budget's impact on public education has generated much heat and little light in the last few weeks. Democrats point to large budget reductions, personnel losses and talk of the devastating long-term consequences on students and the public schools.
Medicaid services not required by the federal government but approved by the state legislature in years past cost $4.4 billion in 2010-2011.
The North Carolina Board of Dietetics/Nutrition has closed an investigation of a blogger it had accused of "practicing nutrition" without a license. The April 9 decision came five days after Carolina Journal inquired about the complaint.
Those who know me know that I am inclined towards spicy food. When at the sub shop, I order the spiciest deli meats and plenty of jalapenos.
With a controversial ballot question looming, some on the right have raised the plaintive cry that conservatives should shun "social issues."
Am I the only one wondering why Randy Ramsey is willing to spend so much money for a State Senate seat that only pays $13,000/year?
When you go to the polls Tuesday (and if you have already voted) you will be voting on whether to raise property taxes in Beaufort County.
The Reps. have managed to allow themselves to be out foxed at every turn when it comes to taxes.
Published: Sunday, May 6th, 2012 @ 11:23 am By: Jim Bispo
For the past several weeks, Republican primary voters have been overwhelmed with glossy mailers (last count was 15), slick TV commercials and ominous radio ads, all paid for by the Ramsey for Senate campaign.
These higher-ups include Sen. (publisher's note: actually NC Rep., Speaker of the House) Thom Tillis, Sen. Phil Berger, and Sen. Harry Brown. We know this because we have the entire invitation list for the meeting they had in New Bern. Some were local businessmen and a former State legislator.
"With my old man I got no respect. I asked him, 'How can I get my kite in the air?' He told me to run off a cliff." - Rodney Dangerfield
It appears that Williams was a partner in a company that owned land and a building occupied by a company that makes plastic medical implements, doing business as Coeur, Inc.
The days of cordial campaigns where worthy opponents debate the issues instead of sling mud haven't gone away completely. Take a look at the GOP primary for N.C. House District 3 as an example.
The majority of the Beaufort County Commissioners have indicated they will raise taxes and borrow the money to build a new jail.
Campaign finance disclosures made available this week show that Randy Ramsey has outraised and outspent his chief rival, Norm Sanderson, significantly in the Republican primary in N.C. Senate District 2.
We can't trust him. And we can't trust him not because of this fabrication but because it is just one of a long string of examples that he is untrustworthy.
Have you ever wondered whether the people who pay good money to go to professional wrestling matches also vote on election day? If not, read this and then ponder that question a bit.
It's the last week before North Carolina's first primary. I've put it off long enough, but now I have no real alternative but to issue some fearless predictions.
Attorneys for two associates of Gov. Bev Perdue, above, say a "massive amount of ill will" toward the governor may threaten their clients' ability to get a fair trial.
If you follow state politics for any length of time, you hear some version of the following assertion: North Carolina may not rank highly in elementary and secondary education, but we make up for it by having one of the best public university systems in the United States.
Republicans Jack Wall and Brian Brown will compete in the May 8 primary for the North Carolina House District 9 seat currently held by six-term Democrat Marian McLawhorn.
The foxes seem to be massing around the hen house. According to a front page article in the 5/1 edition of the WDN, the meeting called a few days ago by the EDC chairman to announce his retirement.
If North Carolina were a separate country, we would not fare well in key international comparisons of economic competitiveness.
Tenure, or whatever you want to call it, is necessary and essential until we reform the way school boards operate in this state.
Republicans Bob Steinburg and Owen Etheridge will compete in the May 8 primary for the North Carolina House District 1 seat currently held by nine-term Democrat Bill Owens, who isn't seeking re-election this year.
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