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Poll: More money, not elimination, favored for Education Department | North Carolina

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www.thecentersquare.com – By Alan Wooten | The Center Square – (The Center Square – ) 2025-03-25 15:37:00

(The Center Square) – Polling from a private university in North Carolina says 6 in 10 state residents want an increase in funding, no change or only minor reductions to the U.S. Department of Education.

The agency created by the administration of President Jimmy Carter and on the chopping block of President Donald Trump has a mission “to promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal success,” according to its website. Trump, in a fact sheet released Thursday, says the department “does not directly educate students,” and since inception 45 years ago “has spent over $3 trillion without improving student achievement as measured by standardized National Assessment of Educational Progress scores.”

The Elon University Poll was done in partnership with McClatchy Media Company and polling firm YouGov. The sampling March 3-11 included 1,050 adults ages 18 and up, matched down to 800 for the final dataset. The margin of error, adjusted for weights, is +/- 4.04%.

In the analysis, 33% of respondents wanted to increase funding to the Education Department and 30% said no change or a minor reduction. The third choice of answers was to eliminate or a major reduction (25%).

The poll asked specifically about 14 departments. The Education Department was the lone one where the largest response was to increase funding. For the Department of Veterans Affairs, 35% wanted to increase funding, 42% wanted no change or a minor reduction, and 10% said to eliminate it or give a major reduction.

Between 35% and 52% said a minor reduction or no change for the Internal Revenue Service; U.S. Agency for International Development; public broadcasting meaning PBS and NPR; Environmental Protection Agency; FBI; National Institutes of Health; U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Department of the Interior; Department of Justice; Department of Defense; Department of Agriculture; and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and National Weather Service.

The IRS (31%) and USAID (30%) were the only departments drawing a larger percentage for elimination or major reduction than did the Education Department. The smallest percentages seeking elimination or major reduction went to the VA (10%), NOAA (13%), USDA (13%) and the Department of Defense (13%).

“Our poll results suggest that Democratic efforts to rally public support around the Department of Education are having some impact in North Carolina,” said Jason Husser, director of the poll. “A large majority of Democrats and half of independents want to see funding for the department kept the same or increased.”

The poll says 51% distrust Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency when it comes to the best interests of the public. He’s trusted by 40%.

Asked if supportive or opposing “a program that provided undocumented immigrants living in the United States a pathway to become citizens if they meet certain requirements, such as a background check and paying any fines and taxes,” 63% gave support, 19% were opposed, 10% did not know, and 9% had no opinion.

Asked if state, county and local lawmen should assist U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in enforcing federal immigration laws in churches, schools and hospitals, 41% said no, 40% said yes and 19% were unsure.

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News from the South - North Carolina News Feed

NIL legislation advances, has exemption for public records laws | North Carolina

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www.thecentersquare.com – By David Beasley | The Center Square contributor – (The Center Square – ) 2025-04-30 21:25:00

(The Center Square) – Authorization of sports agents to sign North Carolina’s collegiate athletes for “name, image, and likeness” contracts used in product endorsements is in legislation approved Wednesday by a committee of the state Senate.

Authorize NIL Agency Contracts, known also as Senate Bill 229, is headed to the Rules Committee after gaining favor in the Judiciary Committee. It would likely next get a full floor vote.

Last year the NCAA approved NIL contracts for players.



Sen. Amy S. Galey, R-Alamance




“Athletes can benefit from NIL by endorsing products, signing sponsorship deals, engaging in commercial opportunities and monetizing their social media presence, among other avenues,” the NCAA says on its website. “The NCAA fully supports these opportunities for student-athletes across all three divisions.”

SB229 spells out the information that the agent’s contract with the athlete must include, and requires a warning to the athlete that they could lose their eligibility if they do not notify the school’s athletic director within 72 hours of signing the contract.

“Consult with your institution of higher education prior to entering into any NIL contract,” the says the warning that would be required by the legislation. “Entering into an NIL contract that conflicts with state law or your institution’s policies may have negative consequences such as loss of athletic eligibility. You may cancel this NIL agency contract with 14 days after signing it.”

The legislation also exempts the NIL contracts from being disclosed under the state’s Open Records Act when public universities review them. The state’s two ACC members from the UNC System, Carolina and N.C. State, requested the exemption.

“They are concerned about disclosure of the student-athlete contracts when private universities don’t have to disclose the student-athlete contracts,” Sen. Amy Galey, R-Alamance, told the committee. “I feel very strongly that a state university should not be put at a disadvantage at recruitment or in program management because they have disclosure requirements through state law.”

Duke and Wake Forest are the other ACC members, each a private institution.

The post NIL legislation advances, has exemption for public records laws | North Carolina appeared first on www.thecentersquare.com



Note: The following A.I. based commentary is not part of the original article, reproduced above, but is offered in the hopes that it will promote greater media literacy and critical thinking, by making any potential bias more visible to the reader –Staff Editor.

Political Bias Rating: Centrist

The article primarily reports on the legislative development regarding NIL (name, image, and likeness) contracts for collegiate athletes in North Carolina. It presents facts about the bill, committee actions, and includes statements from a state senator without using loaded or emotionally charged language. The piece neutrally covers the issue by explaining both the bill’s purpose and the concerns it addresses, such as eligibility warnings and disclosure exemptions. Overall, the article maintains a factual and informative tone without advocating for or against the legislation, reflecting a centrist, unbiased approach.

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N.C. Treasurer names conservative climate skeptic to state Utilities Commission

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ncnewsline.com – Lisa Sorg – 2025-04-30 15:52:00

SUMMARY: Donald van der Vaart, a former North Carolina environmental secretary and climate skeptic, has been appointed to the North Carolina Utilities Commission by Republican Treasurer Brad Briner. Van der Vaart, who previously supported offshore drilling and fracking, would oversee the state’s transition to renewable energy while regulating utility services. His appointment, which requires approval from the state House and Senate, has drawn opposition from environmental groups. Critics argue that his views contradict clean energy progress. The appointment follows a controversial bill passed by the legislature, granting the treasurer appointment power to the commission.

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The post N.C. Treasurer names conservative climate skeptic to state Utilities Commission appeared first on ncnewsline.com

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‘Crypto-friendly legislation’ clears North Carolina House | North Carolina

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www.thecentersquare.com – By Alan Wooten | The Center Square – (The Center Square – ) 2025-04-30 14:47:00

(The Center Square) – Called “crypto-friendly legislation” by the leader of the chamber, a proposal on digital assets on Wednesday afternoon passed the North Carolina House of Representatives.

Passage was 71-44 mostly along party lines.

The NC Digital Assets Investments Act, known also as House Bill 92, has investment requirements, caps and management, and clear definitions and standards aimed at making sure only qualified digital assets are included. House Speaker Destin Hall, R-Caldwell, said the state would potentially join more than a dozen others with “crypto-friendly legislation.”

With him in sponsorship are Reps. Stephen Ross, R-Alamance, Mark Brody, R-Union, and Mike Schietzelt, R-Wake.

Nationally last year, the Financial Innovation and Technology for the 21st Century Act – known as FIT21 – passed through the U.S. House in May and in September was parked in the Senate’s Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs.

Dan Spuller, cochairman of the North Carolina Blockchain Initiative, said the state has proven a leader on digital asset policy. That includes the Money Transmitters Act of 2016, the North Carolina Regulatory Sandbox Act of 2021, and last year’s No Centrl Bank Digital Currency Pmts to State. The latter was strongly opposed by Gov. Roy Cooper, so much so that passage votes of 109-4 in the House and 39-5 in the Senate slipped back to override votes, respectively, of 73-41 and 27-17.

The post ‘Crypto-friendly legislation’ clears North Carolina House | North Carolina appeared first on www.thecentersquare.com



Note: The following A.I. based commentary is not part of the original article, reproduced above, but is offered in the hopes that it will promote greater media literacy and critical thinking, by making any potential bias more visible to the reader –Staff Editor.

Political Bias Rating: Centrist

The article presents a factual report on the passage of the NC Digital Assets Investments Act, highlighting the legislative process, party-line votes, and related legislative measures. It does not adopt a clear ideological stance or frame the legislation in a way that suggests bias. Instead, it provides neutral information on the bill, its sponsors, and relevant background on state legislative activity in digital asset policy. The tone and language remain objective, focusing on legislative facts rather than promoting a particular viewpoint.

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