The North Carolina Mobility Fund: A Chance to Bring North Carolina Transportation Policy into the 21st Century (SELC)
Transportation policy has a profound impact on the economy and the environment in North Carolina. Unlike many of its neighbors, North Carolina lacks any comprehensive growth management law, and so more than any other statewide policy, transportation plans […]
Marijuana alternative’s popularity soars (Fayetteville Observer)
A designer drug that replicates the high of marijuana is the new darling of a growing number of tobacco shops in Fayetteville.
The legal substance, known as spice, contains a lab-made chemical that affects the same receptors in the brain as the active ingredient in marijuana. The federal Drug Enforcement Administration […]
Transportation chief vows help (Winston Salem Journal)
State wants to work to get the Northern Beltway going but money is an issue, Conti says
The N.C. Department of Transportation wants to work with local elected officials and business leaders to find ways to get construction started on the Northern Beltway, but the state still won’t have any […]
Where Are the ‘Recovery Summer’ Stimulus Projects? (The New Republic)
Washington Post reported on a recent White House analysis of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. That assessment found “strikingly few claims of fraud or abuse,” according to the article. Well, good!
We’ve complained before that ARRA’s welcome emphasis on transparency tilts too much toward curbing this […]
Public employees’ files not all open yet (Charlotte Observer)
City seeks ruling that could limit access to personnel records under new sunshine law.
Good-government advocates hoped a new law this month would crack open North Carolina’s secretive old law on releasing personnel records for public employees.
But the city of Charlotte is among five state or municipal entities […]
Lawmakers get ideas on reducing recidivism (WRAL.com)
Within three years of getting out of prison, ex-convicts are 36 to 40 percent more likely to commit another crime, Attorney General Roy Cooper told lawmakers Wednesday.
Cooper addressed the Joint Select Committee on Ex-Offender Reintegration into Society, a group of House and Senate members that is developing a […]
Perdue plans government consolidation (WRAL.com)
Facing a projected $3 billion budget deficit next year, Gov. Beverly Perdue said Tuesday that plans are in the works to consolidate state agencies and sell government assets to save money.
Perdue has pushed for more government efficiency since taking office last year, appointing a special task force to search for ways […]
Mayors coalition sets agenda (Salisbury Post)
A coalition of mayors from the state’s largest cities has set a legislative agenda for 2011, and Salisbury Mayor Susan Kluttz says local residents will benefit.
The N.C. Metropolitan Mayors Coalition has a proven track record since 2001, said Kluttz, who is the longest-serving mayor in the group and vice chairperson.
“This […]
Drawing Battle Lines (WUNC) (Redistricting Story)
Eric Hodge: In January, lawmakers will start work on redistricting – the process of dividing the state into 120 House districts, 50 senate districts, and 13 congressional districts. It happens every ten years, after the U.S. census. It’s very complex, and very political, and next month’s elections […]
Kienitz: Administration Won’t Unveil Its Proposal Until February (AASHTO)
The Obama administration plans to release detailed proposals for a surface transportation reauthorization bill and national infrastructure bank with the Fiscal Year 2012 budget in February 2011, a top U.S. Department of Transportation official told reporters Tuesday after a Senate hearing.
Roy Kienitz, undersecretary for policy […]
