The holiday spirit inspired Chris Fitzsimon’s creative commentary ” ‘Twas the week before Christmas. ” Many North Carolina politicians are feeling the warmth from this jovial roasting, so take a break from shopping this weekend, read the column and chuckle along with them.
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[...] In his column “A vital helping hand,” Chris Fitzsimon sites a new report by The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, which found 39 million Americans have benefited from the government’s economic recovery act. More government help is needed in the form of jobs creation to keep struggling families [...]
Chris Fitzsimon reports on Tuesday’s Wake County School Board meeting in his column “Lessons from round two with the gang of five.” This meeting had a much different tone than the first meeting.
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[...] In this week’s edition of “Monday numbers” Chris Fitzsimon looks at the state budget. The numbers emphasize the need for legislative action; it’s time to stop talking about reforms and start modernizing the state’s revenue system.
When it comes to state budget debates, politicians stakeout their various positions with regard [...]
In this week’s edition of “The Follies“, Chris Fitzsimon takes jabs at political analyst John Davis, NC Free and Wake Up America.
Rob Schofield writes a Radical Right Reality Check asking if progressives need to play mean and nasty in “How to fight the right.”
Share and Enjoy:“Keep the reform train rolling” is Chris Fitzsimon’s recommendation to the state. He commends Gov. Perdue’s actions to strengthen state ethics laws but they come amidst to new corruption allegations involving more state leaders. In his commentary, Fitzsimon argues that we need additional campaign finance reforms.
Share and Enjoy: [...]Chris Fitzsimon recaps the discussion for today’s Crucial Conversation panel discussion on federal climate legislation in his column “Saving the planet.” The discussion centered around the cap and trade legislation currently before the Senate and the impact of this legislation on low-income consumers.
Share and Enjoy:[...] Chris Fitzsimon attended a legislative committee meeting where lawmakers heard testimony about the effectiveness of teacher Board Certification. You can read a summary of the discussion in today’s Fitzsimon File, “How to develop a good teacher.”
Share and Enjoy: [...]In this edition of “Monday numbers,” Chris Fitzsimon gives some interesting facts about the Wake County School Board, its members and supporters.
Share and Enjoy: [...]Chris Fitzsimon and Rob Schofield take on the free-market fundamentalists in two separate commentaries.
In is “The Follies” column, Fitzsimon examines higher education from the selling-out of our university systems to cronyism and privatization schemes.
Rob Schofield writes a Radical Right Reality Check about the take over of the Wake County [...]
Chris Fitzsimon attended the Wake County School Board meeting and shares his perspectives on the strong-arm tactics used by the newly sworn-in members in his column entitled “The dismantling begins.”
In his commentary “The press conference before the cart,” Fitzsimon chastises Gov. Bev Perdue for promising what she can’t [...]
At the Joint Finance Committee meeting yesterday, Chris Fitzsimon found the discussion taking “Questionable directions on tax reform.” You will want to read his comments about the sales tax debate.
In his Weekly Briefing “From Copenhagen to Raleigh,” Rob Schofield highlights the world and local events taking place next [...]
In this edition of Monday numbers, Chris Fitzsimon gives us an update on the battle against AIDS just in time for World AIDS day on Tuesday.
Share and Enjoy: [...]Progressive Voices commentator Adam Linker exposes Senator Burr’s duplicitous nature in his commentary “Richard Burr on health care: Less than candid and ineffective“.
Commentator Bill Schweke looks at how the national economy is doing in “Obama between a rock and a hard place on the economy.”
Share and Enjoy: [...]Chris Fitzsimon points out in his commentary “Public anxiety and frustration” that poll numbers and news headlines about political corruption lead us to the wrong conclusions.
Yes, the government stimulus package kept the economy from complete collapse but in his Weekly Briefing “Question: How should Congress spell “relief” for [...]
Chris Fitzsimon’s commentary “Monday Numbers” is a look at hunger and food insecurity. It provides a stark reminder for us during this celebration-of-plenty holiday that too many North Carolinians have far too little in way of basic necessities.
Dr. Stephen Jackson with the NC Justice Center has released a new [...]
In The Follies, Chris Fitzsimon takes jabs at the media for dumb headlines, Rep. Shuler for quoting directly from the biotech lobbyist playbook, resegregationists on the Wake school board who apparently can’t take criticism, and conservative zealots Bill Gheen and George Leef.
In preparation for Thanksgiving, Rob Schofield writes a [...]
In his commentary “A double struggle for the poor,” Chris Fitzsimon points out that low income families are stuggling not only to afford basic necessities like food and shelter but to pay taxes, which consume a higher percentage of their income than they do for the richest one percent [...]
In his “Monday’s numbers” column, Chris Fitzsimon looks at campaign contributions and presents some interesting findings.
Progressive Voices commentator Barlow Herget writes “A letter to the blue dogs” chastising them for their ‘nay’ votes on health care reform and posing the question “Who’s going to vote for you?”.
In his [...]
Chris Fitzsimon takes on the Civitas Institute in his end-of-the-week commentary The Follies.
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[...] Today’s Fitzsimon File entitled “The narrow special interest ratings” looks at a new ranking of state legislators put out by a business group. But are the actions ranked highest by this special interest group really what’s best for our state?
Share and Enjoy:In his Weekly Briefing “Okay, let’s go over this one more time“, Rob Schofield provides just with just the simple facts about health care reform.
Share and Enjoy:Chris Fitzsimon reports on the legislative committee meeting on mental health in his commentary “Admitting the problem.”
Senator Martin Nesbitt, the chair of the legislative commission that oversees the system, told lawmakers Tuesday morning that the General Assembly made a serious mistake this year by deeply slashing funding for mental [...]
Rob Schofield offers a simple, cost effective health care reform measure in his Weekly Briefing “An obvious first step.” Schofield’s solution for better health–paid sick days.
Share and Enjoy: [...]In this column “Time has come today,” Chris Fitzsimon fills in the details of how the Interim Joint Finance Committee on Tax Reform was created and what happened at their first meeting Tuesday.
His commentary “Anxious, but not crazy,” discusses what election day results mean in North Carolina and [...]
In this week’s edition of “Monday numbers“, Chris Fitzsimon looks at the ‘tax-burden’ rankings and associated statistics.
Progressive Voices commentator Melissa Reed reminds us of the importance of local health clinics and explains why they must be part of health care reform in her column “Reform must protect community [...]
Chris Fitzsimon and Rob Schofield take on Wake County resegregationists, exposing their hidden agendas.
In his commentary “The real agenda of the resegregationists,” discusses Ron Margiotta’s views and what these would mean for students if Margiotta becomes the next chair of the school board, as is the speculation.
Rob Schofield chides [...]
If you’re following the Easley hearings, then you’ll want to read these two commentaries by Chris Fitzsimon. In his column, “Vintage Easley for better or worse,” Fitzsimon summarizes Easley’s testimony before the State Board of Elections. His commentary, “A change that would help” renews the call for campaign [...]
Chris Fitzsimon criticizes Republican legislators, who opposed the federal stimulus bill for their continued distortion of the facts in his column “The ongoing game of verbal Twister.”
He also criticizes Gov. Bev Perdue for her position on the prisoner release in his column “Politicians battle to out pander each [...]
Rob Schofield totes the benefits of the N.C. Utility Commission in his Weekly Briefing “Something’s gotta’ give.” He argues that without the commission, consumers would be subject to expansion whims of utility companies with the heaviest rate increase burdens falling on low-income customers.
In his latest commentary “Overwhelming evidence [...]
This week’s edition of “Monday numbers, “ Chris Fitzsimon provides a snapshot of the health care industry.
Rob Schofield is Setting the Record Straight about why we need consumer protection laws in his column “Making the market economy work.”
Progressive Voices commentator, Sarah Preston expresses concern that the proliferation of [...]
Rob Schofield and Progressive Voices commentator Bill Schweke argue for more investment in public education. In his Weekly Briefing column “Now is the time to invest in public education,” Schofield says that our tough economic times call for more investment in education not cuts. Schweke, an economic development specialist, [...]
Chris Fitzsimon reports on “The troubling growth of lottery fever” with ticket sales increases being funded by those least able to afford the new $5 and $20 games.
Lottery sales aren’t the only numbers we should be concerned about. In his “Monday numbers” feature, Fitzsimon quotes some statistics of [...]
Chris Fitzsimon rationalizes the results of Tuesday’s Wake county school board elections in his column “The misguided three-percent solution.”
As some irrational voices call out for re-segregation of Wake schools, NCSU History Professor and Progressive Voices commentator David Zonderman reminds us of “The importance of public school integration and [...]
As a prelude to Tuesday’s elections, Chris Fitzsimon gives some interesting facts and figures about Wake County schools in his latest “Monday numbers.”
Rob Schofield pays tribute to those receiving awards at Thursday’s Defenders of Justice Awards in his commentary “Five causes for optimism.” Some tickets may still be [...]
In Monday Numbers, Chris Fitzsimon gave us a view of the two North Carolinas–one rich, the other still struggling with poverty.
Wendell Potter, former health care industry executive turned health reform advocate spoke at a Crucial Conversation luncheon. Chris Fitzsimon summarizes Potter’s views in his column “A disturbing view [...]
Tom O’Connor, Executive Director of the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health and Progressive Voices commentator brings attention back to working conditions at poultry plants in his commentary “Poultry workers are still inadequately protected.”
Rob Schofield is Setting the Record Straight about ACORN with his commentary “Debunking the [...]
Chris Fitzsimon started the week looking at some numbers on the state budget. You can view his interesting finding in his column entitled “Monday’s numbers“.
In his column “An odd definition of nice,” Fitzsimon points out that what the Pope Civitas Institute calls ‘niceties’ most of us call ‘necessities’.
Rob [...]
Rob Schofield questions the NC Family Policy Council and its political views in his Radical Right Reality Check entitled: ‘Since when is opposing the estate tax a “family value”?‘.
Chris Fitzsimon writes about reactions to the decision by the Board of Community Colleges to allow undocumented students who graduate from [...]
In his commentary “Perdue’s inconsistent compassion,” Chris Fitzsimon commends Gov. Perdue for her position on several issues but wishes she’d stand up to special interests more often than she does.
A new brief released by the NC Budget & Tax Center finds that per capita spending by the state is [...]
Rob Schofield’s Weekly Briefing “Numb to tragedy?” is a thoughtful reminder about the dangers of irresponsible driving and some things we could do to make the roads safer for everyone. We all share the roads and we all share the responsibility for making them safe. I urge you to [...]
Chris Fitzsimon started the week by presenting some simple facts about health care in his column entitled Monday’s numbers.
He also took issue with journalists and media outlets who fail to provide balanced reporting in his commentary ” Falling way out of balance.”
Health care reform might not be a simple task, but as Chris Fitzsimon tells us in is commentary “It’s not that complicated“. Fitzsimon makes the point that everyone needs health care and the current free market system is meeting this need so it’s time we changed the system.
Progressive Voices [...]
In his Weekly Briefing “Don’t stop now,” Rob Schofield urges Congress to extend unemployment benefits as part of their economic recovery plans. He also offers a challenge to the North Carolina delegates to sign on as co-sponsors of their respective House and Senate bills.
Sometimes numbers speak louder than words, [...]
If you were out of town enjoying a long weekend at the beach or the mountains you may have missed reading these two commentaries from NC Policy Watch.
While your Labor Day celebrations are still fresh in your memory, I encourage you to read Rob Schofield’s commentary “American Capitalism Day“, [...]
Chris Fitzsimon urges lawmakers to stand behind their words with decisive actions.
In his commentary “Another reminder of a failed philosophy,” he references recent reports showing that North Carolina lawmakers did not raise taxes enough this session to prevent damaging program cuts. He goes on to remind us that it [...]
Chris Fitzsimon and Rob Schofield are up in arms on a variety of issues.
The Fitzsimon File “Monday’s numbers” looks at the figures the media reports on, as well as those they don’t mention.
Fitzsimon also takes up the topic of gun control in his column “More guns in more [...]
From debate to action, Rob Schofield highlights this weekend’s upcoming health care reform rallies in his Weekly Briefing “A fairer fight.”
The debate over Wake County school assignments is heating up again as Chris Fitzsimon explains in his commentary “What Wake County schools don’ t need.“
In his column, “[...]
Rob Schofield gives progressives a lesson in how to change the tone of the health care debate in his commentary “Improving our language.” Expanding on the ideas of George Lakoff and Progressive Pulse blogger Andrea Verykoukis, Schofield gives five easy steps for simplifying the policyspeak into everyday language.
Chris Fitzsimon [...]
Chris Fitzsimon takes on the state GOP leadership in his commentary “The ‘2009 no new ideas tour’ “. In the column he criticizes State Republican Chairman Tom Fetzer, Senate Minority Leader Phil Berger, and House Majority Leader Paul Stam for misleading the public with their anti-tax rhetoric.
But the biggest [...]
Chris Fitzsimon and Rob Schofield take up the topic of health care reform in their most recent commentaries.
Many people are wondering if it is really about health care or if deeper seeded hatreds and self-interests driving the craziness. Fitzsimon talks about the right-wing hysteria surronding the health care reform town [...]
Rob Schofield wrote a Radical Right Reality Check pointing out the absurdity of the claims made by the right wing during the health care reform town hall meetings this week. His commentary entitled “Obama’s still standing” gives a sane perspective on an insane week of media melodrama.
Chris Fitzsimon wraps [...]
In his column “Degrees of jeopardy for public schools“, Chris Fitzsimon makes the connection between student performance and poverty, pointing out that while schools came through the budgeting processes less scathed than they might have been, poor families in North Carolina were not as fortunate. Ultimately, we can expect [...]
In their individual summaries both Chris Fitzsimon and Rob Schofield discuss the shortcomings of the legislative session but conclude that overall it was a productive session that produced several pieces of legislation.
Fitzsimon described the session as ‘atypical’ in his column “A quiet end to a trying session.”
Schofield summed up [...]
Why are NC Republicans giddy over tax increases? Chris Fitzsimon answers the question in his column “A sigh of relief.”
Disability rights advocate and Progressive Voices commentator Vicki Smith writes about the progress made and the work that remains to be done in “Needed now more than ever: The [...]
Chris Fitzsimon provides details of the budget negotiations in his commentary “Budget realities and talking points“. You should read his commentary before legislators give the budget final approval on Wednesday.
Share and Enjoy:There’s a chance that lawmakers could reach a budget agreement by the end of the week. Details of the latest proposals are beginning to emerge. In his latest commentary “The right things the wrong way“, Chris Fitzsimon commends lawmakers for raising additional revenue but questions their methods.
Rob Schofield is [...]
Chris Fitzsimon reviews the tentative budget deal reached between House & Senate leaders in his column, “The new and familiar regressive tax package“.
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[...] Chris Fitzsimon attended Wednesday’s health care town hall meeting at Broughton High School. In his column “Obama without the filters.” He reports on what Obama said and how the conservative commentators and health industry spokespeople are distorting his proposal.
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[...] In his latest Weekly Briefing, Rob Schofield tells us that the current budget impasse is a final opportunity for legislators to “get it right” by passing a progressive tax reform package. Schofield outlines a BTC plan that would raise over a billion dollars in new revenues AND cut taxes [...]
Need a good chuckle this morning? Read Rob Schofield’s Radical Right Reality Check. He roasts our favorite Raleigh-based conservative think-tank for their latest ‘research’ into the CMS lunch program.
Share and Enjoy:[...] In North Carolina, 4% of workers will see their wages increase tomorrow. Chris Fitzsimon writes about the minimum wage increase and its impact in his column “A better week for low-wage workers.”
But low wage workers aren’t the only ones who will see their pay increase this year. Just months [...]
As details of a tentative budget deal are announced, Chris Fitzsimon commends House and Senate members for raising taxes to save vital services but chastises them for not taking the extra steps to fix our broken revenue system. Be sure to read his commentary entitled, “The third way and [...]
Chris Fitzsimon started the weekend by poking holes in statements from the media and the right wing in “The Follies” commentary.
Rob Schofield suggested three key things state leaders should remember as they proceed with budget negotiations in his column “Unlocking a budget solution”.
Adam LInker get the week started [...]
The latest Fitzsimon File commentary delves into the details of the state budget negotiations. Taxes and closing corporate loopholes are the big sticking points in the negotiations.
Share and Enjoy: [...]The North Carolina House voted Tuesday in favor of the Racial Justice Act. Chris Fitzsimon and Rob Schofield shared their thoughts on the subject of race and the death penalty.
The Fitzsimon File “Overcoming the demagoguery about death—barely” recounts for us the emotional and heated debate that took place on [...]
In their most recent commentaries, Chris Fitzsimon and Rob Schofield both make a plea for common sense in public policies.
Fitzsimon’s column “An unlikely call for criminal justice reform” echoes the calls for criminal justice reform made by Rep. Jerry Madden, a conservative state representative from Texas who says that [...]
The state operated this week under a continuing budget resolution, which Progressive Voices commentator Elaine Mejia warns about in her column “The state’s continuing budget resolution: a dangerous autopilot“. Mejia compares the 85% spending plan to a pilot trying to reach a destination without enough fuel.
Allowing agencies to [...]
The Fitzsimon File will be on hiatus from July 2-12. During this time please look for other NC Policy Watch commentaries such as the Weekly Briefing, Progressive Voices or Setting the [...]
In his lastest series of commentaries on budget, Chris Fitzsimon simplifies the debate taking place between the House and Senate members into two fundamental approaches. “The Crux of the debate” looks at the differences between those who want to reform the tax system and those who want to build [...]
While negotiations continue on the state budget and legislators take steps to pass an interim spending plan, NC Policy Watch commentators Chris Fitzsimon and Rob Schofield explain what these steps mean for the state.
In his column, “The real job destroyer”, Chris Fitzsimon corrects the misperseption that increasing taxes will [...]
As Rob Schofield points out in his commentary “Bad news: How poor media coverage of the budget debate is misinforming the public“, the media has a challenging job reporting on complex public policy issues under the pressure of media deadlines. At the same time, reporters and producers have a [...]
In recent Fitzsimon File commentaries, Chris Fitzsimon examines the impact of special interest groups on the budgeting process.
“The special interests still reign“examines the special tax breaks being given to business interests like the home builders and the film industry.
“Raise revenue, not the cap” discusses attempts by pro-charter school [...]
Robert Reich, former Secretary of Labor under President Clinton wrote an interesting piece about the public health insurance option for the Wall Street Journal in which he nails big-insurance, big-pharma, and the American Medical Association for protecting the status quo.
Of course, they don’t want it. A public option would [...]
Chris Fitzsimon summarizes the discussion taking place at the state legislature about the anti-bullying bill before the House, the children’s health insurance programs and the university athletic booster clubs in his column “The holdup is not just taxes.”
Share and Enjoy:[...] In his column “The summer of our cynical discontent“, Chris Fitzsimon expresses frustration that big money lobbyists are running the show in both Washington and Raleigh.
Progressive Voices commentator Molly Beacham notes the positive direction campaign finance reform is taking and urges voters to push for additional changes to further [...]
There’s a lot of politicking taking place in Raleigh these days but Chris Fitzsimon isn’t giving anyone wiggle room. Yesterday’s column “Balking at paying their share” reveals on how business groups are trying keep tax loopholes in place that are costing the state millions in lost revenues. Today’s [...]
This week Governor Perdue went to bat twice for increased revenues to support education. In his column “Momentum for more revenue and fewer cuts“,Chris Fitzsimon applauds her efforts but says she failed to address the impact of poverty on educational outcomes or offer any concrete plans to support struggling [...]
Federal investigation into the Easley administration takes a step forward today when the former NCSU chancellor testifies for the grand jury. The investigation into the abuse of political power provides an ironic backdrop as advocates with NC Voters for Clean Elections lobby legislators for additional campaign finance reforms that will [...]
Now that the House and Senate have each presented budget plans, it is time to reconcil the two budget versions. Chris Fitzsimon gives his take on the discussions in his column “The Budget Battle Continues.”
Progressive Voices commentator, Chase Foster reminds us that crisis represents both danger and opportunity as [...]
The House unveiled its version of the budget yesterday. Everyone is trying to figure out what’s in, what’s out and what it means, but Chris Fitzsimon has made the job easier with his column “Caught between revenue and a hard place“.
Share and Enjoy: [...]Chris Fitzsimon and Rob Schofield both challenge conventional wisdom in their commentaires.
The latest Fitzsimon File addresses the notion that the budget debate is just theatrics designed to scare people into a tax increase rather than a real discussion about services North Carolinian’s need and want.
The Weekly Briefing asks [...]
…to your weekend, you might have missed two columns from NC Policy Watch published last Friday. They’re worth reading.
Rob Schofield believes North Carolina is hypocritical in its approach to criminal sentencing, which continues to produce bad results. He sets the record straight in his column entitled “Wanted: A little [...]
During the budgeting process a lot of ideas get tossed around and it’s easy to lose focus on what is truly important. Chris Fitzsimon reminds House members of some fundamental points about taxes in his column “A few budget reminders“.
Share and Enjoy:The latest Fitzsimon File, challenges the Locke Foundation report that erroneously interprets sources as saying North Carolina schools are administratively top-heavy and wasting money.
Rob Schoefield is Setting the Record Straight for House Speaker Joe Hackney calling on him to not only follow his conscience but to speak out [...]
In his Weekly Briefing commentary “A model for the nation“, Rob Schofield brings attention to the progress North Carolina has made in campaign finance reform and the urges lawmakers to expand public financing of five additional Council of State offices, as well as, several municipal positions.
While progressive thinking with [...]
NC Policy Watch published three interesting articles this weekend that you might have missed if you were traveling. It is worth your time to read them.
Chris Fitzsimon’s commentary “An assault on families and schools” points to the huge holes that will be created in North Carolina’s social safety net [...]
As you follow thedeveloping story surrounding the Easley’s inner circle, read The Fitzsimon File “A conflict from the beginning” to put the relationships in perspective.
Share and Enjoy:Chris Fitzsimon challenges the notion that our state legislature has become “left-wing”. In his commentary, “The imaginary shift to the left“, he points out that many of the bills that have been put forth in recent weeks are simply common sense measures rather than ideological statements.
Progressive Voices commentator, Elaine [...]
Rob Schofield sets the record straight on the issue of violent crime and the death penalty in his column “What really deters violent crime? Hint, it ain’t jumpstarting the death penalty“
Share and Enjoy: [...]Policy expert and Progressive Voices commentator, Steve Jackson argues that investments in early education programs is a cost-effective means of closing the North Carolina’s educational achievement gap. His column, “Investing in poor children pays many times over” is posted on the NC Policy Watch web site.
Chris Fitzsimon closes out [...]
Many important programs that contribute to the quality of life for each of us in North Carolina are on the legislative chopping block. In his column today, Chris Fitzsimon reports on the drastic cuts being considered by some lawmakers. You won’t want to miss reading “The ominous budget-slashing coalition”.
North [...]
Death penalty, smoking ban and house budget cuts that go deep in the area of education are all covered in the latest Fitzsimon File commentary. Be sure to read it on the NC Policy Watch web site.
Share and Enjoy: [...]Chris Fitzsimon points out some bright spots in crossover week’s legislative frenzy in his Fitzsimon File commentary.
In his Weekly Briefing “Treating people like dirt“, Rob Schofield exposes the Department of Agriculture for its reluctance to protect farm workers by supporting legislation strengthening pesticide laws
Share and Enjoy:Today’s Fitzsimon File gives readers a preview of the discussions taking place this week at the state legislature.
Guest commentator Paige Johnson talks about the importance of the Health Youth Act in her column “Comprehensive sex education: Equipping kids to survive“.
Health advocate Adam Searing wrote an article for the [...]
A new report issued yesterday by Feeding America shows that large percentage of preschool children are victims of food insecurity. Louisiana has the highest rate of food insecurity in children under the age of 5, followed closely by North Carolina, where 24.1% do not get adequate nutrition to support [...]
Chris Fitzsimon blows the whistle on a plan presented by the Senate Finance Committee to recalculate the tax liability for multistate corporations, which would result in a big break for a handful of select companies. Read today’s Fitzsimon File for the details.
Share and Enjoy: [...]Today’s Fitzsimon File looks at the challenges facing lawmakers as they try to balance the state’s budget in the face of ever worsening revenue numbers.
In his column, “Richard Burr’s dismal record on health care“, Progressive Voices commentator, Adam Linker exposes the senator’s health care plan for what it [...]
House leaders are expected to recommend deeper budget cuts meaning more pain for those who need most help. Chris Fitzsimon looks at the implications for kids in our state in his column “Standing up for kids, shortfall or not.“
Rob Schofield takes the business community to task for their hypocritical [...]
Chris Fitzsimon speaks out against the unjust treatment of [...]
