In his Weekly Briefing “From Massachusetts to Wake County,” Rob Schofield argues that low turn out elections where only a small percentage of voters participate should not be seen as any type of mandate for policy change.

Chris Fitzsimon focused on education with two commentaries on the issue. His first “Race to the Right” exposes several attempts by conservatives to dismantle the North Carolina public education system.  “Six weeks of backing up” looks at the “accomplishments” of the Wake County School Board, but there’s not much to boast about.

Fitzsimon’s commentary “Democracy or auction?” questions this week’s Supreme Court ruling against the back drop of state corruption charges against Lanny Wilson, an Easley insider.

Progressive Voices Commentator Adam Searing wrote about health care in his commentary “Saving money and improving health care quality.”

Chris Fitzsimon wrapped things up with “The Follies” commentary. Read it to find out who he skewered with his sharp wit this week.

Chris Fitzsimon reports on two committees, the Joint House and Senate Finance Committee and the Governor’s Budget Reform and Accountability Commission, that met Thursday in his column “The more things in Raleigh change, the more they stay the same.” Despite the challenges facing the state budget, it doesn’t look like we can expect any innovative reforms in this election year.

Fitzsimon also reports on Governor Perdue’s road show in his column “Perdue reboots agenda.” Perdue is traveling across the state this week laying out her plans for the next three years.

Rob Schofield highlights why immigration reform should be part of our national recovery in his Weekly Briefing entitled “A new and improved “us”.”

Making reference to a popular T.V. game show, Schofield takes a jab at conservative lawmakers who refuse to acknowledge the impact of global climate change in his Setting the Record Straight commentary entitled “Wanted: “Lifeline” for conservative lawmakers.”

Chris Fitzsimon also takes on the conservatives in his column “The repetitive right-wing rhetoric rolls on.” Repeating statements to the contrary does not change the fact that government stimulus is helping lift the economy out of recession.

This week’s edition of “Monday numbers” is reminder to all of us why we are celebrating the life and contributions of Dr. Martin Luther King. Many activities are planned throughout the Triangle starting Friday and continuing through Monday. Please check the community calendar on the NC Policy Watch home page (just below the main article) for a list of events.

Chris Fitzsimon gives state lawmakers a wake up call in his column “Lawmakers can’t ride this one out.” The state budget will be in serious trouble when federal stimulus money and temporary tax increases run out later this year unless lawmakers make changes.

In his latest commentary, “The wrong measuring stick,” Fitzsimon reminds readers that the Senate primary race is likely to be decided by big-money donors rather than voters. Not exactly what our forefathers of democracy had in mind.

In his weekly feature “Monday numbers,” Fitzsimon takes a unique look at the North Carolina Legislature.

Progressive Voices commentator Adam Linker argues “It’s time to fix the state health plan.”

Schofield’s commentary is a good reminder that while our state was faced with many adversities, our legislative leaders successfully raised nearly a billion dollars in revenue essential to preserving our pubic health and public education systems and passed numerous bills benefiting both workers and consumers.

This year also marks 30th year that the Raleigh Martin Luther King Committee has organized and promoted the annual King holiday celebration. The committee has planned several very special events for this golden anniversary celebration, which you, together with your family and friends, will want to attend. All programs  are free and open to the public in cooperation from area businesses, corporations, churches and civic organizations. Here is the schedule of events: 

FRIDAY, JANUARY 15, 2010

6:00 PM The 2010 Martin Luther King Wreath Laying Ceremony
Martin Luther King Memorial Gardens

SATURDAY,  JANUARY 16, 2010

9:00 AM The 2010 MLK Gang & Youth Assistance Town Hall Meeting
Marbles Museum – Venture Hall, IMAX Theater

3:00 PM Obama NC: The Path To History Movie Screening
Hargett Street YWCA, 554 East Hargett Street

MONDAY,  JANUARY 18, 2010

8:00 AM The 30th Annual Martin Luther King Triangle Interfaith Prayer Breakfast
Sheraton Imperial Hotel, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina

8:30 AM 5th Annual Martin Luther King Community Day Of Service
Various Projects Located Throughout Triangle Area

11:00 AM  30th Annual Martin Luther King Holiday Memorial March
Departs from State Capitol Building, Edenton Street Side

12:00 PM 30th Annual Martin Luther King Noon Ecumenical Observance
Raleigh Memorial Auditorium, Progress Energy Center For The Performing Arts

5:30 PM 30th Annual Martin Luther King Evening Musical Celebration
Raleigh Memorial Auditorium, Progress Energy Center For The Performing Arts

The economy is adversely affecting many families but others struggle with a different type of hardship. Rob Schofield describes the challenges facing many people with developmental disabilities and mental illness in his Weekly Briefing “Fundamental questions.” Schofield makes the connection between a lawsuit filed this week by the nonprofit group Disabilities Rights North Carolina and the larger systemic problems within the state’s mental health/developmental disabilities/substance abuse system.

When it comes to state budget debates, politicians stakeout their various positions with regard to our public education system. Chris Fitzsimon explains how the education battle lines get drawn in his commentary “The politics of the graduation rate.”