Before voting to spend another $23 million to expand More at Four, lawmakers should be required to read the Charlotte Observer article by Ann Doss Helms, “Does Bright Beginnings really work?” Helms shows how Bright Beginnings – which in part, served as the model for More at Four – was passed on the promise that [...]
Monthly Archives: May 2008
- 2May30
18 Years Old – Period
There are some new clever, but epicyclical, ways of determining whether someone is underage for drinking. For example, N.C. is considering vertical driver’s licenses for people under 21. Now that’s smart, but probably more bureaucratic and costly. So what would be the simple, copernican approach? Let’s make everything happen at 18. Drinking age. Driving age. [...]
- May30
287(g) Refunded in Proposed House Budget
The N&O is reporting that House budget writers are proposing “$1 million to help sheriffs enforce federal immigration law.” In short, the House seems set to refund the 287(g) program. Last year’s budget, allocated $750,000 in nonrecurring funds for the program, which is now in place in several counties throughout North Carolina, with the ongoing [...]
- May29
Do You Want Fries With That EITC?
From today’s Finance Committee meeting comes approval of HB2642. The bill slightly increases the size of the state’s Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). The state tax credit will be in addition to the federal credit eligible people already receive. To be eligible, you must be below certain income thresholds, based on filing status and number [...]
- May29
Charlotte Observer: CATS Propaganda Arm
This is a bad piece of journalism – worst I’ve seen in a long time. Here’s some of the fuzzy math and omitted information from the cheerleaders for Charlotte’s rail system: The average Lynx trip costs $2.70 in operating dollars, but that doesn’t include the cost of building the line. [Right, what's that TOTAL cost [...]
- May28
More on Collective Bargaining/Unions/Elections
To those on the left who mocked my question relating the issues, I give you this press release: Union prepared to spend more than $150 million, mobilize tens of thousands during and AFTER the election to win healthcare, big improvements for working people. Under the plan, SEIU leaders are pledging to spend more than $150 [...]
- 18May28
What is a “Push Poll”? It’s Not What the Left Says It Is.
Apparently I struck a nerve with some on the left with my poll question on collective bargaining. Not only did Left-wing Cheerleader-in-Chief Chris Fitzsimon decry the results as "push polling", but the talking points were passed on to UNC Professor Andrew Perrin (who is basically a government-paid lobbyist for the labor unions) who accused us [...]
- 2May28
Offshore Drilling for N.C.?
Here’s the legislation to study it. And the citizens agree, apparently. As gas prices continue to rise, let’s see if this bill ever sees the light of day.-Max Borders