Question to Rick Henderson and Patrick Sebastian – Much has been written about the bankruptcy of McClatchy newspapers. The combination of declining circulations and resulting major drops in advertising are forcing newspapers all across the country to shut down. Is this trend going to continue? How will it impact the news business and citizens ability to get news?

NC SPIN episode #1112 Air Date 03/06/2020

Topics:

What happened?

Down the ballot

US Congress

Legislative races

Panelists:

Becki Gray, VP, John Locke Foundation

Patrick Sebastian, Political and communications consultant

Rick Henderson, Editor-in-Chief, Carolina Journal

Chris Fitzsimon, Director, States Newsroom

Tom Campbell, Moderator

Tom Campbell discusses the recent 2020 Primary Elections in North Carolina and how one day made a world of difference in one presidential campaign.

Question to John Hood and Chris Fitzsimon – In 1972 Congress proposed putting an amendment into our constitution guaranteeing equal rights regardless of gender. They said it needed ratifying by 1982. North Carolina debated the amendment for several years but failed to ratify it. Virginia just recently did so, making the requisite number of states for it to become the 28th Amendment but there is controversy since the time deadline is expired. Two questions. Should the time limit be eliminated and should North Carolina ratify the Equal Rights Amendment?

Question to Becki Gray and Brad Crone – In the wake of 9/11 the federal government devised the Real ID and set a date of October 2020 for everyone to have the identification. To get it you have to present proof of your place of birth and residence. Now our DMV is saying they aren’t sure whether everyone needs a Real ID or not. Do we or don’t we?

NC SPIN episode #1111 Air Date 02/28/2020

Topics:

Setting the stage for the Primaries

Tell us something we don’t know

Panelists:

Brad Crone, communication and political consultant

Chris Fitzsimon, Director, The Newsroom

John Hood, Syndicated columnist and author

Beck Gray, VP, John Locke Foundation

Tom Campbell, Moderator

Tom Campbell discusses solutions to help with affordable housing in North Carolina.

Question to Becki Gray and Rob Schofield –

Should House Speaker Tim Moore attempt to become a candidate for the chancellorship of East Carolina University?

Question to Erica Palmer-Smith and Rick Henderson – In December a federal court ruled that the Obamacare provision that required individuals to purchase health insurance was unconstitutional. Many now question whether this fundamental pillar of the Affordable Care Act renders the whole act worthless. More than 500,000 North Carolina residents utilize the healthcare exchanges created by Obamacare and the number of uninsured has decreased by 30 percent (still at 13%). If the Supreme Court rules Obamacare unconstitutional what will happen? Can we expect more Medicaid applications? How about emergency room visits?

NC SPIN episode #1110 Air Date 02/21/2020

Topics:

UNC Punts on Silent Sam

Is a budget deal coming soon?

No Voter ID in 2020

Tell us something we don’t know

Panelists:

Erica Palmer-Smith, political analyst

John Hood, Syndicated columnist and author

Rob Schofield of NC Policy Watch

Rick Henderson, Editor in chief, Carolina Journal

Tom Campbell, Moderator