Opinion
-
States should reclaim responsibilities
RALEIGH — Reacting a few days ago to President Donald Trump’s brief attempt to suspend payment on a broad swath of federal grants, U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer warned that “virtually any organization, school, state, police office, county, town or community depends on federal grant money to run its day-to-day operations,…
-
Joyce “Marie” Harrell
NEWTON GROVE — Joyce Marie Harrell, of Newton Grove, formerly of the Suttontown community, passed away in the early dawn hours Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, at Rolling Ridge Assisted Living in Newton Grove.
-
Kenan’s Tigers win nail-biter over South Lenoir
WARSAW — The game began with both teams showcasing strong defense, but it was the Tigers who were first to strike. David Zelaya opened the scoring with a layup, giving the Tigers a 2-0 lead. South Lenoir responded with a three-pointer to take the early advantage, but Zelaya’s quick thinking…
-
State should keep fostering broad growth
RALEIGH — As a proud native of the Charlotte area who has happily lived most of my life in the Raleigh area, I am overjoyed to report that North Carolina’s recent growth extends far beyond our two most-populous communities.
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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.
