Politics

Rise Of 'Moral Monday' Protests Similar To Tea Party

Michael Bitzer — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 14:00:32 +0000

In the beginning, there were a few diehards, committed to raising awareness of their vision of the perceived injustices being perpetrated by an overbearing government. They believed that speaking up and taking action was the only way to draw attention to the problems they saw.

Their main weapon was to gain notice, but they needed an outlet to gain the attention. So staging rallies and protests, all under their recognized 1^st Amendment right to “assembly and petition” their government, was at first small. But as time marched on, so did their numbers and strength.

New Details On NC House Budget

Ben Bradford — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 22:02:44 +0000

North Carolina House Republicans presented Monday afternoon their proposed budget for the next two years. In total, the budget spends $20.6 billion.

“In the first year we spend around $12 million less than the Senate and around $188 million less than the governor,” said Rep. Nelson Dollar, the chairman of the House Appropriations Committee.

Tillis Begins 'Invisible Primary' For U.S. Senate

Michael Bitzer — Sat, 08 Jun 2013 03:09:01 +0000

North Carolina’s 2014 U.S. Senate race is starting to shape up as most had expected—one of the closest fought in the nation. And when early punditry call it “a close fight,” voters can usually expect an ugly, knock-down drag out battle.

Ranking NC General Assembly's Conservatism

Michael Bitzer — Tue, 28 May 2013 20:08:35 +0000

With the Republican-dominated North Carolina General Assembly nearing the end of its long session, many observers have taken to characterizing the legislature’s work under unified GOP control.

For left-leaning groups, the legislature’s treatment of minorities, the poor, education and environmental protections have led some leaders to describe the Republican-controlled state government as “Robin Hood in reverse.”

Anti-Tax Advocate Grover Norquist Visits Huntersville

Tasnim Shamma — Fri, 17 May 2013 14:07:40 +0000

Influential anti-tax advocate Grover Norquist made several stops in North Carolina yesterday. He visited the capitol to show support for Republican proposals to overhaul the state’s tax system, and ended the day in Huntersville.

12th District's History, Future Will Be Getting More Attention

Michael Bitzer — Wed, 15 May 2013 21:02:39 +0000

North Carolina’s 12^th Congressional District has a storied and controversial history and the likelihood is that the district will garner even more attention when a variety of events converge within the next few months.

With Congressman Mel Watt’s nomination to head the Federal Housing Financing Agency, an open-seat contest has already attracted considerable attention, especially from black Democratic candidates seeking to replace the 20-year veteran legislator.

Sanford's Win Shows Political 'Experts' Don't Know Voters

Michael Bitzer — Wed, 08 May 2013 21:10:11 +0000

As post-election commentaries pronounce a host of reasons why former South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford won his congressional race Tuesday (the better candidate in political workmanship, the novice challenger, etc.),, we might want to view a more important component of his victory: The voters of South Carolina’s 1st Congressional District.

Fracking Commission Delays Chemical Disclosure Rules

Ben Bradford — Sat, 04 May 2013 00:30:42 +0000

One of the most contentious questions about hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, is what companies should be required to disclose about the mix of water and chemicals pumped into the ground during the process.

Watt's 'Liberal' Ranking Slides As Congress Gets More Partisan

Michael Bitzer — Fri, 03 May 2013 19:10:34 +0000

My most recent post was entitled With Nomination in Hand, Foxx Faces GOP Delay Machine. While several cabinet nominees have faced delaying tactics by the minority GOP conference in the U.S. Senate for reasons perhaps other than the nominee’s qualifications, this week’s other Charlotte nominee may face not just delay, but a possible denial of his appointment.

With Nomination In Hand, Foxx Faces GOP Delay Machine

Michael Bitzer — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 19:35:26 +0000

It was the worst-kept secret in Charlotte politics. Anthony Foxx’s nomination as the 17^th U.S. Secretary of Transportation is reality.

Coming a day before his 42^nd birthday, Mayor Foxx’s rise has been calculated since his first run to lead the Charlotte back in 2009, followed by overseeing a fairly successful Democratic National Convention.