News Articles
North Carolina Voter To-Do List
Jerry Sena
Feb 2nd, 2012
North Carolina voters may want to consider resting up a bit – they have their work cut out for them this year. Not only will they select a new governor and decide on a U.S. president, the future of marriage itself will rest upon their collective shoulders, as well.
Electing judges still works for N.C.
Scott Gaylord
Feb 1st, 2012
GREENSBORO As the U.S. Supreme Court has acknowledged, "[n]ot only do state court judges possess the power to 'make' common law, but they have the immense power to shape the States' constitutions as well" through their judicial decisions. Since 1868, North Carolinians have elected the members of their judiciary, making our judges directly accountable to the people for these "political" decisions
Is this any way to build a road?
Sharon McCloskey
Jan 23rd, 2012
From Lawyer's Weekly. North Carolina’s Map Act permits the DOT to file a map with the local register of deeds identifying property where it anticipates putting a road and, with that, protect all property along the corridor from development or any other action that might improve the value of the property – in effect, holding down the purchase price until the DOT is ready to buy. DOT admits as much. In a fact sheet distributed to affected property owners, DOT lists a number of frequently asked question, among them, “How long can a property be in the ‘protected corridor’?” The answer: “For as long as it takes North Carolina to get enough money to build the road.” To read the full story, click the PDF above.
Supreme Court rejects judge-drawn Texas election maps
James Vicini
Jan 20th, 2012
By James Vicini (Reuters) - The Supreme Court on Friday ruled in a Texas political dispute, rejecting judge-drawn election maps favoring minority candidates and Democrats in the 2012 congressional and state legislature election
Panel denies request to delay N.C. primaries
Staff Writer
Jan 20th, 2012
A three-judge panel today denied a request to delay the May 8 primaries. Registered Democrats and advocacy groups are fighting new Republican-drawn districts for legislative and congressional seats. They wanted the primaries moved from May to July to allow time for courts to rule on their lawsuit. Alexander Peters, a special deputy Attorney General, said challengers waited too long to ask for the preliminary injunction.
N.C. shows the money, and film industry comes
Mark Washburn
Jan 17th, 2012
A year ago, state law changed so moviemakers could get a refund on 25 percent of salaries and money they spent on taxable items in North Carolina, worth up to $20 million per project. It made the state among the most competitive in the nation in tax breaks for the industry. But even with the investment windfall, Hollywood tax breaks remain a contentious issue. Some states - like South Carolina and Michigan - have cut back on incentives, questioning their value. Even in North Carolina, some ask why the entertainment industry should get special treatment.
Litigating for Liberty
Colin Levy
Jan 12th, 2012
The Institute for Justice was featured recently in a Wall Street Journal article. Colin Levy writes, "Move over, ACLU. Chip Mellor, president of one of America's most influential law groups is expanding freedom on political speech, organ transplants and other economic frontiers."
NCICL's Jeanette Doran pans N.C. film incentives
Staff Writer
Jan 10th, 2012
Jeanette Doran, executive director of the N.C. Institute for Constitutional Law, discusses problems associated with North Carolina's film incentive program. Doran offered these comments during an interview with Donna Martinez for Carolina Journal Radio (Program No. 451).
Legal experts split on NCAE challenge
Laura Leslie
Jan 9th, 2012
North Carolina is venturing into new territory with a lawsuit that questions the constitutionality of a veto override. Legal experts don't agree on where a judge might come down on the issues.
Late-night vote denounced
John Frank
Jan 6th, 2012
RALEIGH -- Standing in a darkened hallway at 1:30 a.m., moments after House Republicans overrode a veto of legislation that weakened a political enemy, Speaker Thom Tillis defended a surprise midnight session as efficient and transparent. Jeanette Doran, executive director of the N.C. Institute for Constitutional Law, said the constitution supported Republicans' actions. "Maybe it was a little sneaky, but a little sneaky isn't the same as unconstitutional," said Doran, who said she takes a conservative view of constitutional language.