Daily Archives: May 18, 2011

John Edwards in the news again

Written on May 18, 2011 at 4:18 pm, by

The National Enquirer, which has been right about a lot on this issue, says former U.S. Senator John Edwards reportedly was furious at Rielle Hunter for talking him into making a sex video. He reportedly called her an idiot for coming up with the idea, and was angry at Superior Court Judge Carl Fox forContinue Reading

BHA, Humbug

Written on May 18, 2011 at 2:29 pm, by

Ten years after Mental Health Reform started, we know some things that work in local care managers (LMEs) and in state-run hospitals, but not enough. Legislators and regulators continue to experiment with how care is provided and paid for. The latest experiment is called a “behavioral health authority” (BHA) and is not to be confusedContinue Reading

Congress and Eminent Domain

Written on May 18, 2011 at 2:07 pm, by

American Thinker recently published my op-ed on a bill in the United States House that would make it more difficult for state and local governments to abuse their eminent domain power. In addressing why eminent domain reform is a federal issue and not just a state issue, I wrote: If freedom of speech were guttedContinue Reading

Reflections on the Carolina Issues Poll

Written on May 18, 2011 at 1:42 pm, by

NC Policy Watch released the May 2011 edition of its Carolina Issues Poll. It is pretty interesting stuff, particularly this question: 1) Because of the national recession, the state faces a revenue shortfall reaching $3.7 billion. Without additional revenue, addressing the shortfall will mean a cuts-only approach that requires deeper cuts than would otherwise beContinue Reading

Senate leader announces deal on State Health Plan

Written on May 18, 2011 at 1:05 pm, by

From Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger’s office: Republican Leaders Reach Compromise with Governor on State Health Plan Raleigh, N.C. – Republican legislative leaders reached a compromise with Gov. Beverly Perdue Wednesday on sweeping changes to save the State Health Plan. The compromise, HB 578, gives State Health Plan administrators the option to use availableContinue Reading

New at CJO: Cabarrus vote confirms trend of low-turnout elections for sales tax hikes

Written on May 18, 2011 at 11:45 am, by

The latest Carolina Journal Online report explains how Cabarrus County voters’ approval of a quarter-cent sales tax hike fits with a pattern followed in other North Carolina counties.

New at CJO: Legislative measure would move up N.C. presidential primary

Written on May 18, 2011 at 10:52 am, by

David Bass’ latest Carolina Journal Online report focuses on a bill in the N.C. Senate to move up North Carolina’s presidential primary to March.

Bill Anderson, education, and democracy

Written on May 18, 2011 at 9:19 am, by

In a Charlotte Observer op-ed, Bill Anderson, executive director of Mecklenburg Citizens for Public Education, asks the question, “Do we no longer see education as the cornerstone of democracy?” We could spend a lot of time considering the “we” and defining “education” and pondering the needs of a thriving republic.  But I am more interestedContinue Reading