The money contained in a stalled budget bill that passed the General Assembly would go to Montreat College, a school in eastern Buncombe County with an enrollment of fewer than 1,000 students. $20 million would be used to establish a center to train people to protect digital information and systems.
Buncombe County Schools Superintendent Tony Baldwin released a statement today, Friday, July 26, about the local impact of the state budget — particularly when it comes to teaching assistants.
Jeff Gerber's July 20 letter, “Study Hard, N.C. Legislature,” perfectly illustrates the conservative mindset about government revenue and spending. He says, "making cuts to the law-enforcement and judicial system is ludicrous," and "conservatives never raise taxes.” Money doesn't grow on trees; it has to come from somewhere. In the case of government-provided services such as […]
State Republicans claim to be saving the state money, but it just isn't adding up. As part of the new state budget, Republicans cut expenditures of the Capitol Police force in half, from 4 million to 2 million. Now 40 of 89 officers are on the unemployment line. Seven of 14 patrol cars sit idle. […]
It is only decency that prevents me from using colorful metaphors to describe our state legislature’s assault on education and the environment while having the audacity to give themselves some hefty pay raises! Despite the veto of the recent budget proposal by the governor, the Republican-run legislature (along with some foolish Democrats) has succeeded in […]
Poor Republican Sen. Apodaca. The self-disgust this husband of a former school teacher must feel apparently runs pretty deep given the lengths he goes to in his attempts to construct a consoling counter-narrative amid the howls of protest at his party's wholesale gutting of North Carolina's public education system. According to figures from the state […]
The North Carolina Senate released a state budget this week that makes government live within its means and puts more money in the pockets of taxpayers, while protecting essential public services. Among others, our budget makes three responsible, long-overdue changes. First, it reforms North Carolina’s broken education system. An educated workforce is vital to our […]
The North Carolina General Assembly is the best money could buy. Sorrow lies in the fact that they are for the most part a group of ideologues who believe the political-ideology rhetoric that spews from their mouths. Their pockets are full while yours are empty. They have no concern for the future of the children […]
Walt Roberson is, as he puts it, “an ol’ drill sergeant” and a Vietnam vet who spent more than 30 years working his beat as an Asheville police officer. He’s used to being tough, and at more than 6 feet tall, he’s probably never been a small man. But now 60, the retired city resident says he came close to “doing something stupid” after he left the force: He gained weight till he was pushing 400 pounds, had knee surgery, was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes and got so depressed that suicide wasn’t much too close in his mind.
House Representatives, I'd like to thank you for putting rich white kids first in North Carolina with your vote on May 3. It's about time! I am so tired of these hardworking, poor and minority children who go to school everyday trying to make their lives better in the only safe environment they know. I […]
Regarding the upcoming 2011-2012 state budget, the WNC Jazz Society wants legislators to make informed and responsible decisions for funding to the North Carolina Arts Council. The arts mean business in North Carolina. Most citizens would be surprised to learn that the state invested $6.6 million in arts funding in 2009, yet employees of the […]
The future of public broadcasting in the U.S. is seriously in doubt. The Republicans are trying to cut out all funds for public radio and TV, which would be devastating not only to NPR and PBS, but to WCQS, public radio for our area, and UNC-TV, public TV for our entire state. Some argue that […]
A look at what’s been making headlines: Republicans get set to take over Raleigh; Crimes abound in WNC; New bathrooms on the way to Pack Square; Shuler votes “no” on health care repeal and more.
The N.C. House debates a tax increase on the wealthy and other revenue proposals today, hoping to offset some service cuts in the state.
Together NC will host a series of town hall discussions, including one in Asheville on Monday, May 18, on pending state-budget decisions and the importance of public programs and services.
