Population growth slows in Catawba Valley (Charlotte Observer)
Increase in four-county area is only about half of normal growth, Census shows.
N.C. DOT wants toll lane on boulevard (Charlotte Observer)
Eyeing a new map (Citizens Times)
The current lineup in the North Carolina’s House delegation is seven Democrats and six Republicans. But for the first time in more than 100 years the GOP has control of both legislative chambers in Raleigh. And that will enable the GOP to write the congressional redistricting plan. It’s very likely that the Republicans’ objective will […]
Opinion 2010 results should reshape NC map (Citizen Times)
The House of Representatives doesn’t work. It hasn’t worked for many years. Although there are numerous factors that account for the paralysis that grips it, the one that stands out is gerrymandering.
Today, that pernicious process has crippled the House of Representatives. The Democrats and the Republicans have successfully gerrymandered about 350 of the 435 House […]
Economic Forecast (THE CHARLOTTE OBSERVER)
The state’s economy will continue going through an anemic recovery this year, according to UNC-Charlotte economist John Connaughton’s latest economic forecast. Connaughton expects the state’s economy to grow 2.7 percent this year compared to 2010. That’s down from the 3.2 percent growth he predicted late last year. Still, it’s better than the 1.3 percent expansion […]
Fibrant hires lobbyist (Salisbury Post)
The city has hired a high-profile lobbyist to fight a proposed law that would restrict municipal broadband networks like Fibrant.
Unsatisfied with the latest draft of the legislation, which they say will harm the city, Salisbury City Council members voted unanimously Tuesday night to hire the city’s first lobbyist, Tom Fetzer of Fetzer Strategic Partners in […]
The Broadband Battle Continues (The Insider)
RALEIGH — At some point, legislators — Republicans and Democrats — might want to wake up to the fact that an ongoing battle over high-speed Internet has nothing to do with party, political ideology, or being pro- or anti-business.
It has everything to do with the urban-rural divide in North Carolina.
Any legislator from a rural community […]
Incense and Bath Salts (THE ASSOCIATED PRESS)
A measure that outlaws synthetic stimulants and drugs gaining popularity among young people is on its way to Gov. Beverly Perdue’s desk. The Senate on Tuesday approved House changes to a bill to add mephedrone and what’s called MDPV to the list of banned stimulants in the state’s controlled substance laws. It also would outlaw […]
Cities Fear They May Get Stuck With Pothole Repair, Other Costs (WSOC)
CONCORD, N .C. — One town in the Charlotte area that’s already in a budget crunch is taking action to keep the state from transferring responsibility for patching potholes and paying for other road maintenance — an idea that would put additional pressure on the town to raise taxes.
Concord officials drafted a resolution telling their […]
Concealed Carry (THE INSIDER)
A bill making it legal for someone with a concealed carry permit to take firearms into parks and restaurants made it out of the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, but not before being amended to allow waiters and waitresses to ask anyone who orders a drink if they have a gun. Current concealed carry law […]
The N.C. Department of Transportation said Monday it wants to allow drivers from the Monroe Connector/Bypass to continue paying a toll all the way to uptown Charlotte – via a new toll lane on Independence Boulevard.
This summer, the […]