Download Fern's latest Raleigh Report in PDF Format
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| SPECIAL 2004 BUDGET EDITION |
| Make believe surplus!, Next Year's planned post election tax hikes and Attention all State employees! What you don't know CAN hurt you! |
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Published: 6/9/2004 |
| Turkeys and Turkeys, a Post Thanksgiving Raleigh Report |
| Senator Fern Shubert's latest observations from Raleigh touches on the drivers' license issue, illigal immigrants, and medical malpractice. She also reflects on turkeys and Thanksgiving. |
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Published: 12/1/2003
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| The Money Flow And The State Of The Economy |
| Biotech is not going to do much for most people in North Carolina, because the state lacks trained workers, and that is bad for the economy. It doesn't help that the state continues to spend more than it takes in. And in education, Writing test finally useful as a bad example. |
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Published: 8/11/2003
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| Portfolio Special: Teachers Win Battle |
If you thought portfolios were a waste of time, be sure to thank Judy Kidd (CTA), Jim Stegall (PENC) and the other representatives of the Classroom Teachers Association and the Professional Educators of North Carolina for helping to lead the fight that led to the State Board of Education's decision to ban portfolios.
After last year's trickery and this year's surprise veto, it would have been understandable if they had given up the fight, but they didn't. And because of their efforts, new teachers no longer have to dread preparing a portfolio. |
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Published: 6/16/2003
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| Myth of Bipartisanship, and Lack of Accountability |
| The opening day in the Senate ushered in a new era of bipartisan cooperation, according to press reports. But reality is far different. Also, revenue is up but spending is up more. Grants or gifts, no accountability, portfolios and more borrowing. |
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Published: 5/12/2003
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| Tax Time, Election and NC in the Courts |
| There is always money for some politician's favorite cause in Raleigh, leading to more taxes. Also, my election as Whip and NC's losing streak in court likely to continue. |
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Published: 1/26/2003
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| Portfolios, pension pigeons and the truth |
| The Democrats don't care much about the budget rules when it comes to grabbing power for themselves. Just take a look at the portfolio requirement for teacher certification. And, recently the Raleigh News & Observer came awfully close to telling the truth about our state's economic woes. |
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Published: 10/28/2002
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| Senate Race Heats Up, Observer Shuts Up |
| The Charlotte Observer doesn't think its readers need to know what goes on behind the news, especially when it doesn't fit their agenda. Also in this report: election heats up, who's responsible for the mess in Raleigh and the portfolio fight is over. |
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Published: 9/10/2002
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| Budget Deficits as Far as the Eye Can See |
| The Raleigh Report seems to be gaining in power. For a long time my request for a projection report on spending yielded no results, until it was mentioned on this page. Also,when you find yourself in a hole, keep digging; where have all the good jobs gone; tobacco companies sued. |
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Published: 7/15/2002
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| Shubert Seeks Senate Seat |
| Fern Shubert, yours truly, decided to seek higher office. The race has statewide impact. Also, how not to do a budget; blank check budgeting; stealth taxes threaten NC. |
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Published: 6/21/2002
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| NC Welcomes Terrorists |
| The October issue of Raleigh Report discussed the problems with NC issuing drivers' licenses to foreigners. Licenses are easier to get here than in most states. DMV misled the press about a new law that would curb the problem. Also, some good news from the courts; the importance of reading. |
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Published: 1/11/2002
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| Behind Enron's (or NC's) Fall |
| Enron accounting applies to North Carolina. If you read the Wall Street Journal story on December 5th about the downfall of the company, substitute "Enron" with "North Carolina." Also, parents kept in the dark about students questionaire; session limits in Raleigh. |
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Published: 12/18/2001
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| Taliban Not Only Party That Doesn't Like Women |
| Actions speak louder than words, and anyone who believes the Democratic Party supports women needs to look at the party's actions in the House redistricting. Also, does character count?; why are we still in Raleigh; Senate Bill 841. |
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Published: 11/20/2001
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| Redistricting - What Went Wrong |
| Redistricting is shaping up to be a hot issue over the next year, and Jim Black admits that it is his intent to draw up a map that will disenfranchise Republican voters. Also, Democrats shut down weekly news; Pakistanis come to NC for driver's licenses. |
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Published: 10/24/2001
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| Elderly Lose on Drug Funds |
| Which medical condition is greater than the other? Diabetes, heart disease, or AIDS? Learn how the House budget concluded the latter was the most important. Also, budget worse than ever; state employees' pensions at risk. |
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Published: 10/1/2001
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| State Employees' Pensions at Risk |
| State employees' pensions are at risk because the State Treasurer wants to shift up to 5% of the retirement funds into "alternative investments." Also, the Democrats shorted the state employees again; transportation update on toll roads; trying to trick the public. |
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Published: 9/3/2001
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| The Budget Fiasco of 2001 |
| If Democrats have a majority in both the House and the Senate, then it should be obvious that the Republicans are not blocking the budget. Making matters worse, Governor Mike Easley's budget projections were fantasy based. Also, NC giving away money; rule of law or lack thereof, and someone's lying. |
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Published: 8/6/2001
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| Why Tax Increases are Bad Ideas |
| North Carolina is currently taking more from her citizens than any other state in the Southeast. We don't need higher taxes; we need better spending decisions. Also, pensions and retirement (again), testing our patience, and the left hand's knowledge of what the right hand is doing. |
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Published: 5/28/2001
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| The Saga Continues on Pensions and Retirement |
| Don't excpect the bureaucrats to do anything quickly in this town. They'd rather have the people's Representative quit asking questions, instead of doing what they are supposed to do. Also, hoof and mouth, the importance of reading; food tax and fertilizer tax. |
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Published: 4/6/2001
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| Confusion Still Reigns in Raleigh |
| Bits and bytes from the General Assembly: Confusion still reigns in Raleigh; death penalty for retarded; power politics and sore losers. |
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Published: 3/2/2001
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| School Board Supports Shubert Plan |
| Transportation and education are huge issues for Union County. Find out what's happening to transportation and how they plan to raise revenue for future plans. Also, Union County School Board agrees to my plan about portfolio mandates, and there's an update on the budget crisis as well. |
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Published: 2/16/2001
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