Categories
Sports

North Carolina paints its end zone lettering blue and white argyle

I like this, in concept, but I think the execution is a little bit lacking. Something just seems off.

Categories
Culture

Elevation Burger, Brier Creek to open August 17

I am *really* looking forward to having this right down the street.[^f4437]

[^f4437]: I just hope my waistline can handle it.

Categories
Culture Politics

N.C. Voter Laws Would Remain More Liberal Than In Many States

> Traditionally blue states such as New York, Massachusetts, and Connecticut don’t allow either early voting or no-excuse absentee voting, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Other states allowing neither include Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Missouri, Kentucky, Virginia, South Carolina, Alabama, and Mississippi.

Stop using these *facts* to counter the narrative! That isn’t fair!

Categories
Culture Politics

This Weekend is North Carolina’s Last “Tax Free Weekend”

We have to give up this one weekend a year of tax-free shopping[^fn1], in exchange for getting significantly lower taxes all year round, including a lower sales tax. Sounds like a good deal to me.

[^fn1]: A weekend in which it is nearly impossible to get anywhere remotely close to a mall.

Categories
Culture

North Carolina’s new Tax Structure Will Help Triangle Cities

> N.C. League of Municipalities analysts say the state tax legislation that awaits Gov. Pat McCrory’s signature will generate a $5.8 million windfall for the western Triangle’s major city and town governments by decade’s end.

Tax rates go down, but tax revenues go up. It is amazing how that works.

Categories
Politics

N.C. GOP: ‘Thank You, New York Times’

Will Allen, writing at *National Review*:

> In short, the paper’s editors are disgusted with Republicans for daring to act as if the majority of North Carolinians who elected them actually want or expect policies different from those of the Democrats — who, speaking of demolition derbies, entertained voters with years of wacky hi-jinks including a secret jet service, lavish taxpayer-sponsored art tours of Europe, a dinner for four that was actually a lady’s jacket, crooked carnies running the State Fair, a stupendous lottery scandal that began before the state even had a lottery, and a comically dishonest appointee who briefly became the nation’s most infamous district attorney.

Let me translate:

> Dear New York Times,

> Please focus on screwing up your home state (and the rest of liberal America), and leave us to fix the mess that your liberal brethren made.

> Sincerely,

> North Carolina

Categories
Culture

Lane: Tax reform helps business, individuals

> Brent Lane, a researcher with UNC’s Frank Hawkins Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise, says tax reform legislation agreed to by leaders of both houses of the General Assembly and Gov. Pat McCrory benefits both individuals and businesses.

It is not as sweeping as I would have liked, but it is a big step in the right direction.

Categories
Culture

Raleigh’s Quail Ridge Books & Music has new owner

I am glad that a Raleigh landmark gets to live on. Good luck to Ms. Poole as she takes over.

Categories
Culture

Pathetic Hit Piece on North Carolina in the New York Times

On July 9th, the New York Times wrote a pathetic hit piece on the state of North Carolina. It included such gems as:

> But the bad news keeps on coming from the Legislature, and pretty soon a single day of the week may not be enough to contain the outrage.

and

> Since then, state government has become a demolition derby, tearing down years of progress in public education, tax policy, racial equality in the courtroom and access to the ballot.

It is the typical drivel you would expect from a news paper so invested in the success of failed liberal ideals. Though the piece is pathetic and wrongheaded, it is not at all surprising. Earlier this month, John Hood [explained at National Review](http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/352465/next-wisconsin-john-hood) that North Carolina has become a new target for liberals. As Hood pointed out, North Carolina was in desperate need of a change:

> Hard hit by the recession, and underperforming the regional and national averages in economic growth since the mid-1990s, North Carolina’s economy desperately needs the mix of pro-growth policies now being fashioned and implemented in Raleigh.

And that change would come at the cost of tearing down some liberal ideals. He even predicted that more and more liberal attacks were coming as a result:

> Now that conservatives have their first opportunity in modern times to enact a reform agenda for North Carolina, the Left is going all out to try to stop it. I don’t just mean liberal groups and politicians within the state. As *The Atlantic* reports today, North Carolina has become the new Wisconsin for the American Left. Although the vast majority of weekly “Moral Monday” protests against the Republicans in Raleigh are North Carolinians, they’ve received lots of support and encouragement from elsewhere, including MSNBC and the like.[^fn1]

For those people who that take the word of the New York Times Editorial board as gospel, the current state of North Carolina must look bad. For many of us who live in North Carolina, however, the reforms are a much needed and welcome change.[^fn2] After all, if the changes by North Carolina legislature are getting the attention of the New York Times editorial board, then the legislature must be doing something right.

[^fn1]: We can now add the New York Times to that list.

[^fn2]: I assume it is too much to ask for critics to at least give North Carolina until the next election cycle to see if the changes can be a positive influence on the state.

Categories
Culture

Kroger (KR) to acquire Harris Teeter (HTSI) for $2.5 billion

Well, shoot. I was hoping Publix would buy them.

Categories
Sports

Report links rental cars of North Carolina Tar Heels’ P.J. Hairston to ex-con

> North Carolina Tar Heels star P.J. Hairston was cited for speeding May 13 while driving a rental car registered to a woman with the same address as Haydn Thomas, a convicted felon who rented the vehicle Hairston was driving when he was arrested on marijuana possession charges June 5, USA Today Sports has reported, citing records obtained by the newspaper.

Ugh. I have a feeling this is not going to end well.

Categories
Culture

DBAP Food Truck Fest Coming on July 10

This looks like it could be fun.

Categories
Culture

North Carolina Legislature Keeps Rolling Back Bad Laws

Becki Gray writing at the *Carolina Journal*:

> News flash from the Left: The new legislative leadership is rolling back years of laws made under the old leadership.

> This is a surprise? Were these folks not paying attention during the election when conservatives promised smaller government with lower taxes, more accountability and transparency, fewer regulations, and less bureaucracy? Think free market, competition, and personal responsibility. Elections have consequences, and new leadership brings new ideas.

The North Carolina legislature is doing what people elected them to do: fix the North Carolina economy.

Categories
Culture Politics

North Carolina as the Next Wisconsin

John Hood writing at *National Review*:

> Now that conservatives have their first opportunity in modern times to enact a reform agenda for North Carolina, the Left is going all out to try to stop it. I don’t just mean liberal groups and politicians within the state. As *The Atlantic* reports today, North Carolina has become the new Wisconsin for the American Left. Although the vast majority of weekly “Moral Monday” protests against the Republicans in Raleigh are North Carolinians, they’ve received lots of support and encouragement from elsewhere, including MSNBC and the like.

The best way to counteract the coverage from those leftist national outlets is to make changes that end up making the state’s economy better. I am crossing my fingers that happens.

Categories
Culture

NC House defeats 75 mph speed limit study

Now here is something from the North Carolina House that I *do not* agree with. It is ridiculous to think modern cars cannot handle a slightly higher speed limit than cars 20 to 30 years ago.

Categories
Culture Sports

Charlotte Bobcats want to be Hornets again

A complete no brainer. They need to get this done.

Categories
Culture

Zinburger Wine & Burger Bar coming to Southpoint in Durham

Looks pretty delicious. Rumors are that it should be ready in about August.

Categories
Culture Politics

North Carolina House Speaker Pro Tem Unveils Expansive School Choice Plan

Passing this could be hugely beneficial to students in North Carolina. Well done by Speaker Pro Tem Stam in bringing it to the floor.

Categories
Culture Politics

North Carolina Senate votes to void Dix park lease

The fallout from this is going to be really interesting.

Categories
Culture

Curbs on North Carolina lottery ads eyed in legislature

Good. It is outrageous that the lottery has an advertising budget.