The Latest

• Transparency in Redistricting is Good Policy and Staves Off Lawsuits

  I have previously noted that the General Assembly should require transparency (along with clear standards) in the redistricting process this fall. Perhaps unsurprisingly, transparency in the redistricting process helps stave off lawsuits. That is the conclusion of a working paper by Professor…

  Andy Jackson, July 29, 2021, 206 words

  

• Former Democratic Senator Mugged by California’s Reality

  Andrew Stiles of the Washington Free Beacon highlights an interesting nugget from the police blotter. Nearly one year after predicting Joe Biden’s victory in the 2020 election would bring about an end to violence in America, former senator Barbara Boxer (D., Calif.) was mugged by reality. In Boxer’s…

  Mitch Kokai, July 29, 2021, 328 words

  

• Battle Against Big Tech Monopoly Features Key Flaws

  Alan Reynolds writes at National Review Online about critical problems within common arguments against Big Tech. Facebook, Amazon, Apple, and Google are being threatened with costly antitrust suits and possible dismemberment for having unfairly secured a “monopoly” of something or other. This crusade has spurred congressional hearings and…

  Mitch Kokai, July 29, 2021, 318 words

  

• Biden Mouthpiece Offers Vague Message on CDC Mask Guidance

  Caroline Downey of National Review Online reports on White House press secretary Jen Psaki’s response to new federal COVID mask guidance. When Fox News’ Peter Doocy questioned the reasoning behind the updated CDC guidance recommending vaccinated people resume mask-wearing in some instances during a press conference on Tuesday,…

  Mitch Kokai, July 29, 2021, 313 words

  

• New Carolina Journal Online Features

  David Bass reports for Carolina Journal Online on congressional action that could hurt public charter schools. Ray Nothstine’s CJ Opinion asks whether the 2022 midterm elections will resemble 1994’s Republican tidal wave.

  Mitch Kokai, July 29, 2021, 31 words

  

• Tillis: Biden administration “apparently doesn’t trust the science”

  Sen. Thom Tillis isn’t mincing words about the CDC’s new guidance, which recommends that vaccinated Americans wear a mask indoors. Here’s Tillis’ statement from Tuesday (emphasis is mine): WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) issued the following statement on the updated mask guidance from the Centers for Disease Control…

  Donna Martinez, July 28, 2021, 322 words

  

• Martin Center Column Ponders Academic Safe Spaces

  The Martin Center features Duke professor Michael Munger’s recent argument in favor of safe spaces on college campuses. I want to come out in favor of safe spaces. Not everywhere, or for all purposes, but in general I think there should be a strong presumption in favor of…

  Mitch Kokai, July 28, 2021, 308 words

  

• IN BOX: House Speaker Moore Pans Vax Mandate On State Health Care Facility Workers

  North Carolina House Speaker Tim Moore is reacting to the vaccination mandate announced by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. Read the entire state letter here.  The state mandate for “All Facility Staff” requires that “all facility employees, volunteers, students, trainees, contracted, and temporary workers must…

  Donna Martinez, July 28, 2021, 203 words