So you think there is too much bureacracy in the UNC System? You're not alone. Yesterday Bain and Company, a management consulting group, released a report that said administrative layers at UNC-Chapel Hill are ten layers deep in some places. Is this news? Minus significant incentives to do otherwise, bureacracies grow. Reward departments for efficiency and for [...]
- 1Jul16
Highest Watched Raleigh Tourism Video On Youtube
Yes, it's true. The Raleigh tourism video spoof we did here at Civitas has surpassed any other Raleigh tourism video on Youtube in number of views. This was done in a period of less than a day and we are currently more than 100 views ahead of the next tourism video. Not seen it yet? [...]
- Jul10
The Stimulus and the Arts: Not a Pretty Picture
Local arts groups were abuzz yesterday when the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) distributed $325,000 in federal stimulus money to seven North Carolina arts groups. A spokesman for the North Carolina Arts Council said the grants – ranging from $25,000 to $50,000 — will save about 9 full-time jobs, 2 part time jobs and [...]
- Jul09
Diversity for Diversity’s Sake Stalls Town Growth Committee
The Chapel Hill Sustainable Community Visioning Task Force, which is in charge of planning growth for the town, voted to put everything on hold because the committee wasn’t racially diverse enough. The current committee members, all white, were chosen through an application process, no minorities applied. According to their Web site, they are adding six [...]
- Jul08
Addicted to Killing Industry
Legislators bickering over the now past due budget are ignoring a great source of revenue. The video poker industry, now prohibited in NC, is begging for permission to exist. In a committee meeting Tuesday morning, an industry representative made it clear that they are willing to jump through whatever hoops the legislature decides to enact. [...]
- Jul08
Run, Conservatives! Run!
Here at Red Clay World Headquarters (RCWHQ) we often find ourselves discussing the future of the conservative movement in the great state of North Carolina. It has been a long time since we have had quality conservative leadership at the state level. Not just someone who wins an election, but someone who offers a voice [...]
- Jul08
Wake County Gov’t. Does the Right Thing
Since this blog started almost two years ago, its been no secret that these pages have often been critical of Wake County government. However, when government does the right thing, it is only fair to praise it. Now is one of those times. Earlier this week, Wake County developed a new web site called WATCH (Wake Accountability Tax Check). The web site [...]
- Jul08
Will Marriage Collapse on Our Watch?
In response to recent news, many people are asking the disquieting question, what is the purpose of marriage and will it survive Generation Z? Marriage as an institution hails societal function and responsibility by protecting children as they mature into forthright adults. Some try to pervert the institution of marriage proclaiming that it is no [...]
- Jul07
If you think stimulus dollars will help to reform schools, think again.
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) provides nearly $100 billion to K-12 schools. Despite the rhetoric of saving new jobs and propelling “true” education reform, Andy Smarick of the American Enterprise Institute thinks all the stimulus money may do nothing but actually hinder efforts to improve education (See: Education Stimulus Watch). As business scholars [...]
- Jul04
Happy Indepedence/Helms Day
During your busy holiday weekend, please take a moment to remember Jesse Helms on the anniversary of his death.
- Jul02
More Lottery Revenue: I’m suppose to feel good, right?
They’re pumping their chests over at the North Carolina Education Lottery. While most of state’s economy is mired in a prolonged recession, the Lottery has exceeded projections for the second year in a row. On Thursday, the lottery transferred $411 million to the public schools to be used for class-size reduction, pre-school education and college scholarships. [...]
- Jul01
Perdue and Teach for America, a slap at NC Teachers?
In recent weeks Governor Perdue has been expending considerable effort telling the state's teachers and educators that she is working to protect teacher jobs and that she'll oppose efforts to raise class size or reduce teacher pay. That said, one wonders how teachers feel about the $950,000 appropriation for Teach for America (TFA) in the Governor's Budget. Interestingly, [...]
- Jul01
Stay Informed: New Month, New State Laws
Today marks the beginning of a new fiscal year for North Carolina and while legislators still focus on finishing the budget, here is a sample of new state laws effective today: (SB 287) STATE HEALTH PLAN $/GOOD HEALTH INITIATIVES. An act to appropriate funds (ie:$ 675 million) for the State Health Plan for teachers [...]
- Jun29
NC charter schools get help from a new friend…
North Carolina’s cap on charter schools keeps thousands of students from attending the school of their choice. This morning's News & Observer tells us the state’s cap may also cost the state millions in federal innovation grants. Encouraged by the positive results of many charter schools, the Obama administration is encouraging states to expand their number. [...]
- Jun25
Green Jobs: another case of ideology over economics
George Will's column "Green job estimates, blown away", highlights the lunacy behind federal efforts to help rebuild the economy through green jobs. Will — and many others — remain puzzled over the Obama administration's decision to highlight Spain's initiatives in creating green jobs – especially when the country is suffering from an unemployment rate of 18.1 percent — twice the European average. Will also cites a report by [...]
- Jun22
Bullying Bill Passes First House Vote
The NC House has voted to include sexual orientation in the bill to prevent school bullying. The vote was 59 to 57. The bill will be heard again on Tuesday. Jeff Mixon on location at the General Assembly.
- Jun22
No txt? W8…R U Kidding?
As a result of Gov. Perdue signing HB-9, it will be forbidden to text message while driving after Dec. 1. I know I feel safer already. All kidding aside, Red Clay is a responsible member of society, but this is just too much. The bill offers no enforcement mechanism at all. Can a police officer pull me [...]
- Jun17
Healthcare And Freedom
Former Republican and Democrat Senate leaders are working together on a bipartisan healthcare plan. From the article: A summary of the plan calls for an individual requirement to carry health insurance, an idea that many Republicans support. But it would also impose new levies on large companies that don't provide coverage to their workers, an [...]
- Jun17
Did he really say that?
U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan delivered a major policy speech to the National Governor’s Association Education Symposium in Cary Monday nite. It contained the usual niceties about how the states must lead reform but also had this little gem: Today, perhaps for the first time, we have enough money to really make a difference. [...]
- Jun17
Mainstream Media: Reading Between the Lines
At a time when seemingly everything (except oyster bed research) is on the budgetary chopping block, it is important that the media consumer be adept at reading a news story with a great amount of care. Two columns, that require a keen eye, have recently been published by the Raleigh News and Observer. A June 7 [...]