Inserted inside the 1,073 page stimulus bill is a RAT. Byron York in an article in the DC Examiner explains the Orwellian provision that creates the Recovery Accountability and Transparency Board — or RAT Board. Instead of creating transparency this provision will actually muzzle EVERY Inspector General in every federal agency and department. Congress needs to repeal [...]
Monthly Archives: February 2009
- Feb27
Track the N.C. Stimulus Money
The Governor's office today posted this website to show where NC's share of the federal stimulus money is going. In a press release announcing the site, Purdue had this to say: “I want the people of North Carolina to understand exactly how the money will be used to put North Carolina back to work.” And [...]
- Feb27
Civitas Poll: Keep Two Year Terms
We asked this month about a proposal going around the General Assembly to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot changing the length of terms from two years to four years. As expected, voters like having frequent opportunities to change their legislators. Well, I guess opportunity is all relative since the legislators get to decide [...]
- 6Feb26
Help Gov. Perdue Find Savings in the NC State Budget
To all the fine readers, bloggers etc out there. Sharpen your pencils and list ways you think the state could save money. I will start with a short list of suggestions that while small, would over time add up to a savings: Sell ALL of the Dept of Commerces Airplanes (2 planes 1 Helo) - Ongoing savings in pilots, [...]
- Feb26
Retired UNC Faculty: A Nice Gesture
Kudos to the UNC Retired Faculty Association. At their monthly meeting in February, the group of retired professors went on record offering to teach classes, supervise grant writing and perform other duties – all without pay. What prompted the generosity? Members said they wanted to do their part to ensure state budget cuts didn’t adversely [...]
- Feb26
Civitas Poll: Nearly Half Think Stimulus Bill Will Make Things Worse
We asked a few questions about the recently passed stimulus bill this month, and although 50 percent of voters say they support the bill, 49 percent of voters think there is a chance the bill will actually make matters worse. A similar 50 percent of voters said they would be less likely to support the [...]
- Feb26
Wake Public Schools “Diversity” policy not so golden?
The News & Observer education reporter shares information from a university study comparing low income student performance in Mecklenburg and Wake In this Article. This study addresses some of the issues Wake Board of Education member Ron Margiotta tried unsuccessfully to get the Wake board to study. They voted the idea down in December. Maybe now they will reconsider and [...]
- Feb26
Nine Percent
Gov. Purdue is now calling for most state agencies to cut their budgets this year by nine percent. Gov. Beverly Perdue on Wednesday ordered deeper cuts in state government, a move that could potentially jeopardize such North Carolina icons as "The Lost Colony" outdoor drama in Manteo and the High Point Furniture Market. Whoa, you [...]
- 2Feb25
Civitas Poll: February Approval Ratings
February poll is out and wanted to run down the job approval ratings we tested: President Obama:Strongly approve – 36% (+3 from January)Somewhat approve – 29 (+2)Somewhat disapprove – 5 (+2)Strongly disapprove – 11 (+8)Not sure – 19 (-15)Net approval rating 48% (-7) Full release here. Governor PerdueStrongly approve – 16% (+1)Somewhat approve – 36 [...]
- 2Feb25
US Supreme Court Upholds Ban on Payroll Deductions for Union PACs
In a major blow to labor union's ability to finance their political agendas, the US Supreme Court upheld an Idaho law (popularly known as the Paycheck Protection Act), restricts payroll deductions from state employees going to labor union Political Action Committees (PACs). In writing for the majority opinion, Chief Justice John Roberts wrote: The First [...]