Posts by Gary Pearce
A Hasty Retreat
Pre-K foe Diana Lightfoot has hot-footed it out of the pre-K job. (See blog below.) Give the McCrory administration points here. There’s only one way to fix a disaster: fast. Now maybe Ms. Lightfoot can get to the bottom of these ultrasonic waves from China and North Korea. And here’s two words…
Read MoreThe War on Education
The way things are going, Pat McCrory may end up as the Uneducation Governor. First he questioned a liberal arts college education. Even Carter had trouble swallowing that. Now his administration appoints an early-childhood director who opposes early-childhood education programs. Democrats should welcome the chance to take this one to the voters.…
Read MoreLegislative Privilege
The N&O headline said “Bill would give McCrory, legislature control of some state boards.” Democrats and environmentalists howled “power grab.” But Governor McCrory might not be so happy with the bill. Because the legislature is taking appointments away from him and increasing its own. Exhibit A: the bill cuts the Coastal Resources Commission…
Read MoreReal Reform
Finally the State Department of Health and Human Services is cracking down on a crisis. What’s that, you ask? Mental health? Rising Medicaid costs? Funding for adult-care homes? The uninsured? No. The dress code. I especially like this: “Daily grooming and bathing are required. Clothing should be clean, pressed and in good condition…
Read MoreWelcome to Raleigh!
Governor McCrory is learning that it’s easier to run for office than run an administration. And message discipline is easier in a campaign. Especially when the legislature is in town. McCrory wants his message to be jobs. But he sidetracked himself last week by picking a fight over the value of college education. …
Read MoreNipples and College
While I was gone, Governor McCrory came out against college education and Republican legislators came out against women’s nipples. These are two (or three?) big reasons I’m not a Republican. In fairness, the Governor took it back. He said he was for college education after he was against it. Kind of like John Kerry.…
Read MoreJim Hunt’s Pope
Gary’s taking a break from blogging. Pinch-hitting today is a TAPster with a long memory: Re your blog posting about Art Pope (“The Budget Pope”): A lot of people either aren’t old enough to remember, or simply don’t know, that another wealthy Raleigh businessman was indispensable to Jim Hunt in that role. John…
Read MoreRepublican Tax-Raisers
This headline is off-message: “NC Republicans want tax hikes on food, services” (WRAL). At a time when Washington Republicans are cementing reputations as anti-tax hardliners, how did Raleigh Republicans get plunged into this morass? The answer: a member of their caucus, Senator Bob Rucho, dragged them to the cliff. Question: Will Governor McCrory,…
Read MoreEric for Chair
I avoid political events. Been there, done that. But last night I dragged myself out in the rain and cold to hear Eric Mansfield, who’s running for Democratic Party chair. I don’t pretend to understand internal party politics. But here’s my opinion: A party with Mansfield as chair will be a party to be…
Read MoreTax Gamble
North Carolina Republicans are stepping out on a political high-wire. Surely, most people love the idea of not paying personal or corporate income taxes. But then you start looking at the details. Every business would pay a receipts tax. Everybody would pay (and businesses bill and pay) a tax on services – medical…
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