From The Atlantic's Marc Ambinder: "but he [Sharpton] told his radio audience this afternoon that he opposes card check because a non-secret-ballot process could potentially create undue pressures for minority workers in majority-white work environments, and it could foist contracts on them that they would not otherwise support."
Monthly Archives: December 2008
- 1Dec17
Rail Transit “Not Best” For Reducing Greenhouse Emissions
Interesting new report commissioned by the Swedish government that finds that rail transit is not the best way to reduce emissions. The report found that rail transportation emits about 20 percent less greenhouse gases than autos, but rail service is so expensive that it would be more effective to simply improve auto technologies. Reducing one [...]
- Dec17
And Who Exactly Has Been in Charge?
Another day, another classic quote from a Democratic leader. Today, we have Senate President Pro-Tempore Marc Basnight (D-Dare) telling reporter Mark Binker: "We're seeing a mismanaged government, that has to be corrected," Basnight said. And who does he think is responsible for that mismanaged government? Who has been in charge for the past two decades? [...]
- Dec17
N&O Doesn’t Do Its Homework
The N&O today had this short article informing readers that the state's gas tax will remain at the maximum 29.9 cents per gallon for the first six months of 2009. Fair enough. This line, however, doesn't quite paint the complete picture: Revenue from the gas tax goes to highway projects around the state. Perhaps they [...]
- 1Dec17
Meeker: Making sure Raleigh has a place at the Federal Trough
Raleigh Mayor Mike Meeker had a press conference yesterday to make sure people knew the city is ready to elbow it’s way up to the Federal trough and get it’s share of the Federal stimulus package. In talking about the city's proposed projects for Federal funding, Meeker shamelessly says, “we are putting forth projects that [...]
- 2Dec16
How Much Do They Make?
Ever wanted to know how much an NC government employee makes? The Charlotte Observer has updated its database of government workers' salaries for November 2008. Guess how many employees in the Department of Commerce make in excess of $100,000 per year? Ready? 68! 68 people paid over $100,000 per year to give cash handouts to [...]
- 1Dec16
“We’ve Thrown Money Away in the Past”
Yes, that is an actual quote from Senator Tony Rand. Good to see him finally admit it. Too bad the one responsible for doing so is the one responsible for fixing the problem now. Civitas has pointed out the waste in our annual Pork Reports — 2008, 2007, and 2006. The article continues: "But he [...]
- 1Dec16
The Sex Offender Registry Will Now Call You!
North Carolina law requires sex offenders (but only those convicted or released after 1995) to be listed on a registry that is available to the public. You might be surprised to learn just how many sex offenders live near your home or workplace. For example, our office in Raleigh has 182 sex offenders living within [...]
- Dec16
Medicaid is no Guarantee to Health Care “Access”
As this article notes, North Carolina may receive an additional $1.1 billion in federal Medicaid funds if the Obama administration goes ahead with its economic "stimulus" package next year. The report written about in the article makes the claim that pumping federal dollars into North Carolina's already bloated "Cadillac" Medicaid system will somehow "create" more [...]
- Dec15
$5 Billion in Two Years
That's how much North Carolina's unfunded liability for its state retiree health benefits has increased. I wrote about this issue nearly a year ago, at that time the unfunded liability was $23.8 billion – calculated as of Dec. 31, 2005. In a new actuarial report (pdf) I obtained from the state budget office, the unfunded [...]