Saturday, February 15, 2025

Why Medicaid expansion isn’t over

RALEIGH — Of course Congress and the White House are going to reduce federal funding for Medicaid expansion. Of course North Carolina and other states will be forced either to reduce Medicaid coverage or to shoulder billions of dollars in additional medical expenses. That was always the inevitable endgame for Medicaid expansion.

New import taxes are a bad bet

RALEIGH — During his 2024 campaign, Donald Trump promised sky-high tariffs on products from China and across-the-board taxes on imports from other countries. Now president-elect, Trump has already pitched the idea of levying 25% taxes on Mexican and Canadian imports to the U.S., blaming those governments for failing to arrest the cross-border flow of illicit drugs and illegal immigrants.

Timely read for our troubled times

RALEIGH — If you think what has made 2024 memorable is a chaotic political campaign featuring multiple assassination attempts, a first-ever switcheroo at the top of the ticket, and the second-ever election of an American president to non-consecutive terms in office, consider yourself a political junkie.

Tax reform returns to center stage

RALEIGH — With the tumultuous election cycle behind us, lawmakers in both Washington and Raleigh will talk taxes in 2025. In the nation’s capital, the return of a Republican Congress and Trump administration will likely produce an extension of expiring tax cuts enacted back in 2017, including rate reductions and immediate expensing for the corporate-income tax.

When taxes (almost) killed tap

RALEIGH — I write a syndicated column on politics and public policy that often centers on the issue of taxation. I am also a practitioner and teacher of tap dancing. Want to see these two seemingly separate interests intersect? Then by all means, read on.

North Carolina must compete for nurses

RALEIGH — The North Carolina General Assembly has made our state a more attractive place to live, work, and do business by reforming our tax code, reshaping our regulatory system, renovating how we fund infrastructure, and taking some initial steps toward a more competitive hospital market.

Let’s reform how we pay teachers

RALEIGH — During the just-ended 2024 election campaign, candidates for offices such as governor, legislature, county commission, and state superintendent of public instruction talked a lot about raising the pay of public schoolteachers in our state — as well they should have.

North Carolinians make a familiar choice

RALEIGH — To describe North Carolina as one of America’s chief political battlegrounds is a well-worn cliché. I’ve certainly done my part to wear it out. In past columns I’ve called our state a “flirt” (which happens to be a reddish shade of purple) that still contains just enough split-ticket voters to surprise even the most experienced of political prognosticators.

Which is wealthier: Germany or North Carolina?

RALEIGH — Although our state’s economy has grown faster than the national average over the past decade, not everyone has fared well. Some regions and communities are struggling — a condition now worsened in parts of western North Carolina by Hurricane Helene. Moreover, too many of our fellow North Carolinians lack the knowledge, skills, and opportunities to prosper even in our fastest-growing metros. Much work remains to be done.

When Carolina ladies made history

RALEIGH — Over the next couple of years, you’ll hear a great deal about the 250th anniversary of our country’s founding.