BlueNC's blog

A balanced analysis of the impacts of the Affordable Care Act, from NC Policy Watch, of course.

The politics of the moment might call for rash statements that we need to “repeal” the health care law. But by now the effects of repeal are clear: Millions would lose coverage, seniors would pay more, small businesses would get less, and costs would go up for everyone. The Affordable Care Act may be slow, but it is on track and starting to make the changes we all need in a cautious, deliberate way. For those who are already benefiting and those who will benefit over the next few years, the law is just the medicine our health system needs.

You can see why the schmuck thinks his daily newspaper is roadkill.

The special N.C. legislative session that convened Thursday didn't feature another sneaky, post-midnight vote on controversial legislation, making a mockery of transparency in government and the public's right to know. But House Speaker Thom Tillis still managed to shunt the public aside last week with another ill-advised move.

Hat tip to Progressive Pulse.

Surprise, surprise.

Industry representatives say the link (of fracking to earthquakes) is not proven and that the drilling technology is safe.

I guess safe is relative.

Ed Cone is beating the right drum.

The big story is that the group does not want to acknowledge the full meaning of the issue it advocates: The proposed marriage amendment would make civil unions unconstitutional in North Carolina.

I wish I could talk to each of our Democratic women legislators right now, especially those who have decided not to run for reelection. I know they are discouraged and worn out, but the truth is we need them more than ever. Yet even without them, I am optimistic that we can stop the Republican Party from turning women into second-class citizens in North Carolina.

Why the optimism? It's simple. The women I know are fed up with men in government trying to interfere in their personal choices. What's more, they are speaking out and acting up like never before. From concerns about contraception and family planning to abortion rights an dequal pay, women are gearing up to push back against Republican over-reaching. And they are going to turn out in droves this fall.

Ouch.

Yet McCrory's lust for power found him selling his soul to powerful libertarian oligarchs and forced his platform to a far-right conservative base.

The Republican plan comes together

If the funds are not appropriated, State Board of Elections executive director Gary Bartlett has said counties would likely be forced to operate 100 fewer early voting sites than were available in 2008.