As time in Raleigh draws to a close a year after my appointment to the NC Senate, I find myself reflecting on three primary thoughts.

First, my confidence in North Carolina’s government is greater today than it was when I took office. I am struck by the caliber of individuals who serve on both sides of the isle. Most work for a living, many are small business owners; none are getting rich on the $13,951 salary. With few exceptions, these individuals sought office for the right reasons, and genuinely pursue what they believe to be in the best interest of North Carolina, even if their ideology is different from mine.

The leadership in both houses, from committee chairs to President Pro-Tempore Phil Berger and Rules Chairman Tom Apodaca in the Senate, and Speaker Thom Tillis and Rules Chair Tim Moore in the House, keep both chambers on an efficient schedule. They effectively guide positive legislation through both bodies. North Carolina has generally chosen well in her elected officials.

Second, the bureaucracy is worse than I imagined possible. I have sat through numerous committee meetings in which the asininity of the (continue reading…)

Although the facts from the article are not exactly right, Program Evaluation Division will study how charters are granted by the Department of Public Instruction, and if the state is doing everything reasonably possible to assist charters in successful start-ups. This study will not impact Pinnacle Classical Academy in any way; PCA will open in August of 2013. This study will potentially impact future charter requests.
LINK: Under the Dome, One-year Legislator Gets His Way

Update: North Carolina Alliance for Charter Schools press release.

Early voting starts today. While polls show a number of people who are undecided about their choice, I’ve not found them. As I engage people, they are clearly decided about their choice for President and Governor; but virtually no one knows about the most important race on the ballot.

Years ago, our judicial races were partisan, in other words, the candidates ran as either Republicans or Democrats. At that time, the NC Supreme court was held by (continue reading…)

Click to find a theater near you!

Part 2 will be in theaters on October 12; click here for movie listings.

I am struck by a life recently passed, that of Chuck Heath. His life challenged the common pursuit of political power through his uncommon pursuit of political philosophy. He leaves a shadow in which we all should wish to stand, of political solutions based on considered values, not of win-at-all-costs rhetoric.

Many national politicians are motivated primarily by gaining what they perceive to be power. The problem comes that once achieved there is a vacuum of values from which they have to draw (continue reading…)

I have watched with interest the passion shown regarding the ‘Marriage Amendment’. The proposed amendment would codify within the NC Constitution the current law defining marriage, to ensure that a judge does not rule current law to be unconstitutional. Similar laws have been challenged in a number of states; in some cases, a single judge has overturned the law, thus allowing gay marriage in that state.

Regardless of an individual’s thought on the amendment itself, when you boil it down, it is neither (continue reading…)

This week, Democrats in the North Carolina General Assembly voted to uphold Governor Perdue’s veto of Voter ID – a commonsense bill that 75 percent of North Carolinians support. Governor Perdue released the following statement after the (continue reading…)

Following is an article by Jeff Austin.

What if? Two words that begin a multitude of questions; some exciting and positive, some full of stagnation and fear and limitations on the human spirit. We run into the byproduct of “What If” almost daily, most of us oblivious (continue reading…)

Finally, at 7:35 Friday evening, I situated myself in a crowded Charlotte theater with popcorn and a coke, prepared to be… honestly, I wasn’t sure. After reading Atlas Shrugged some fifteen (continue reading…)