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Our tax dollars at work: School vouchers

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Tuesday, 04 November 2025

Written by Margaret Dickson

I got an extension on my taxes this year, meaning I wrote checks to the US Treasury and the NC Department of Revenue earlier this month. No one, including me, enjoys fulfilling this obligation of citizenship, but at the same time, I want to drive on safe roads, have a law enforcement officer respond if I need one, and send my grandchildren to excellent schools with well-qualified and adequately compensated teachers.
Good luck on that last one.
North Carolina public schools, meaning those who attend them and those who work in them, are increasingly endangered by declining per-student funding from the North Carolina General Assembly. It seems intent on privatizing public education as we have traditionally known it. As the cost of everything rises, legislators have not funded public schools at levels that support the excellence of neither students nor teachers.
Instead, legislators have sent more and more hard-earned public dollars that people like you and me pay in during tax season to private schools. Some of them exclude certain children, perhaps including some dear to you and to me. This is tax money that coulda, shoulda, woulda have gone to North Carolina’s public school students that is instead landing in the coffers of private schools as vouchers.
All of this is happening under the attractive and innocuous banner of “Opportunity Scholarships,” though they are certainly not opportunities for all. We are not talking about peanuts here. As of earlier this month, the News and Observer reports that nearly 100,000 students are receiving these vouchers, an increase of 204 percent from 2 years ago and a 23 percent increase in the last year.
Businesses would jump for joy with such numbers, but taxpayers should not.
What began as a relatively modest idea for students from lower-income households to attend a private school that might suit their needs has ballooned into a program with no income limits. Everyone from poor families to the children of tech CEOs is eligible, and thousands of families are taking the legislature up on its generosity with our tax dollars.
With growing numbers come growing costs. Two years ago, North Carolina awarded a handsome $186.2 million in vouchers, and the state is on target to award almost $560 million by the end of this school year. Astonishing, with no limits in sight.
So where are all these tax dollars going?
Public Schools First, whose focus is on just what its name says, reports that the highest awards have gone to North Raleigh Christian Academy, which has received over $3 million so far this year and is expected to surpass the impressive $4.3 million it received last year. Many voucher-receiving schools report a religious affiliation, though not always a Christian one. Some schools have reportedly raised their tuition now that vouchers no longer have income limits and encourage families to apply for them. Cha-ching!
Public schools are just that—public. They welcome all students, the best that families have to send them. Private schools do not. They pick and choose students for reasons we will never know and reject some as well. North Raleigh Christian Academy, for example, welcomes state tax dollars but not students with non-Christian parents or students with IQs of 90 or less, according to the school handbook as reported by the News and Observer.
Having doled out so much tax revenue, what is the General Assembly up to now? Not much to provide for North Carolina’s future needs. State law requires legislators to enact a budget by June 30, but the current crowd has delayed with no budget in sight.
So, what is happening? Another round of gerrymandering of Congressional seats at a further stack of the elective deck.
The lesson here?
Elections have consequences.

Life lessons with Pitt: Waffle House Zen

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Tuesday, 28 October 2025

Written by Pitt Dickey

The Waffle House is where America eats and learns existential truths. Within its hallowed walls, I heard a profound question escape from the lips of a Philosopher Waitress as she prepared to take the orders of the hungry Americans sitting in the next booth.
As soon as her question floated into the delicately bacon-scented air of the Waffle House, I knew that it would be the subject of a column. The question stands as a beacon of deep import. What, you might ask, did she say? Odd, you should ask in the first paragraph of this stain on World Literature.
She asked the entire booth: “Is everybody happy with their life decisions this morning?”
Let that question sink in, friends and neighbors. Are you happy with your life decisions this morning?
Tell the truth, now.
Clearly, every decision you have made in your life has led to you reading this chloroform in print right now. How can this be? Where did you go wrong in falling to this lowly state of reading this column in a local weekly? It turns out decisions matter. Why weren’t we informed?
When things get bumpy in life, my wife Lani and I head to the local Waffle House for comfort food. The syrup and cholesterol work wonders. The elegant Zen from the Waitress was an unexpected bonus.
Life decisions matter, even to Oysters. Consider Alice in Wonderland’s story of the Walrus and the Carpenter.
When was the last time you overheard a conversation between a Walrus and a Carpenter? It has probably been at least several months. Your eavesdropping drought is broken today courtesy of Up & Coming Weekly.
Return with us now to those thrilling days of yesteryear when Walruses and Carpenters roamed freely upon the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Back before Highway 12 was just a gleam in real estate developers’ eyes.
Let us set the scene. The Walrus and the Carpenter were heading north on the beach towards Virginia when they fell into a morose conversation bemoaning the fact there was so much sand on the beach. The Walrus, in a philosophical mode, said: “If seven maids with seven mops/ Swept it for half a year/ Do you suppose they could get it clear? “
“I doubt it,” said the Carpenter/ And shed a bitter tear.
To take their minds off this distressing subject, the Walrus and the Carpenter invited some Oysters to walk with them towards Ocracoke. The oldest Oyster declined their invitation to take a romantic stroll along the beach. Four young Oysters, filled with the impetuous energies of youth, eagerly took up the Walrus’ offer for a walkabout.
Many other young Oysters, falling in thrall to the four Influencer Oysters, fearing missing out, rushed to join the Walrus and Carpenter. The madness of crowds is sometimes double plus ungood.
The happy group walked on about a mile until it was time for a rest. The host of young Oysters stood in an expectant, smiling row. The Walrus cleared his throat and began an oration: “The time has come to talk of many things/ Of shoes and ships and sealing wax/ of cabbages and kings/ and why the sea is boiling hot/ and whether pigs have wings.”
The Oysters asked to rest a bit longer because most of them were fat and tired. (Editor’s note: Oysters do not have feet, rendering effective ambulation on sand difficult) The Walrus noted they needed a loaf of bread, pepper, and vinegar before the seaside picnic could begin. The Oysters protested that after such a nice walk, it would be anti-climactic to be eaten.
The Walrus displayed a sense of near regret. But as we all know, hunger overcomes regret in every instance. He said: “It seems a shame to play them such a trick/ After we’ve brought them out so far/ and made them trot so quick.”
The Carpenter said nothing but: “The butter’s spread too thick.”
The Walrus replied, “I weep for you/ I deeply sympathize.” With sobs and tears he sorted out those of the largest size/ holding his pocket-handkerchief before his streaming eyes.
“O, Oysters,” said the Carpenter, “You’ve had a pleasant run! Shall we be trotting home again?” But answer came there was none/ And this was scarcely odd, because they’d eaten every one.
Untrigger Warning: No actual Oysters were harmed in the writing of this column. Remember, your life decisions can affect your life. Pass the cocktail sauce and melted butter, it’s Oyster Roast season.

(Illustration by Pitt Dickey)

Early detection is crucial in Alzheimer's

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Tuesday, 04 November 2025

Written by Bill McMillan

Publisher's Note:
Wow!
The 2026 Fayetteville Walk to End Alzheimer’s at Segra Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 25, was a fun, joyful, and resounding success. Over a thousand people gathered in colorful and creative T-shirts to honor loved ones, support those affected by this heartbreaking disease, and advocate for a cure for Alzheimer’s.
Up & Coming Weekly newspaper has proudly supported the Walk for well over a decade. Thanks to the dedication of many local businesses and community members, this advocacy continues to grow and thrive. With an annual fundraising goal of $200,000, this year’s campaign and Walk have already raised $167,000 toward that objective. Dozens of hardworking volunteers rallied to make this event a triumph, led by the inspiring Victoria Huggins—Fayetteville’s adopted native daughter and Senior Manager, Walk to End Alzheimer's at Alzheimer's Association (Eastern NC & Western NC Chapters).
Her tireless work ethic, boundless enthusiasm, and deep faith make her a true blessing to our community. Paired with volunteer extraordinaire and businessman Bill McMillan—Director of Fayetteville’s Restore Warehouse and Alzheimer’s District Seven Ambassador—this dynamic duo creates a tour de force whose leadership practically guarantees success. We extend heartfelt congratulations to everyone involved for their incredible efforts in making this year’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s such a meaningful and successful event. But the fight is far from over. Early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s is critical. It offers invaluable benefits.
This is the message behind the Letter to the Editor below: to raise awareness and support for the AADAPT Act (Advanced Dementia and Alzheimer’s Provider Training). This legislation is a vital step toward equipping healthcare providers with the tools they need to diagnose and treat Alzheimer’s effectively.
Get involved. Answer the call to action. We have nothing to lose—and everything to gain.
Thank you for reading Up & Coming Weekly community newspaper.
—Bill Bowman, Publisher

Dear Editor,
Time is critical in the Alzheimer’s world. Early detection of this disease improves proper diagnosis and, therefore, care and planning. This is why support in Congress for the Advanced Dementia and Alzheimer’s Provider Training (AADAPT Act) is so vitally important. Early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease offers critical benefits, including access to treatment, participation in clinical trials, better planning for the future, and emotional relief for patients and families.
1. Early diagnosis allows individuals to begin treatment sooner, which may help slow cognitive decline and manage symptoms like memory loss and confusion.
2. Eligibility for clinical trials gives those diagnosed early access to cutting-edge therapies that could benefit future patients.
3. Early detection gives patients and families more time to make legal, financial, and care arrangements.
4. It also allows for discussions about safety concerns like driving and wandering, helping prevent crises later.
5. Families that recognize symptoms early can seek relief sooner and reduce anxiety, helping them better understand and support their loved ones.
Primary care physicians receive extensive training, yet very little time is dedicated to detecting and diagnosing Alzheimer’s and dementia. As a result, many are hesitant to render a diagnosis, losing precious time that could improve patient care.
The AADAPT Act will provide essential training for primary care physicians in early diagnosis, leading to more effective care plans, reduced crisis care, and better outcomes for families. Doctors need the knowledge and confidence to make proper diagnoses. Currently, 33 members of Congress have agreed to co-sponsor the AADAPT Act.
We need bipartisan support for this critical bill. Care for Alzheimer’s and related dementias could cost upwards of $1 trillion by 2050. Representative Rouzer, thank you for your leadership in representing North Carolina’s Seventh District. We respectfully ask that you encourage support for the AADAPT Act within your congressional delegation.
Together, we can work toward a world without Alzheimer’s.
Respectfully,
Bill McMillan
Alzheimer’s 7th District
Ambassador
910-978-2455
director@therestorewarehouse.org

Whitney Dawson
Alzheimer's Association Advocacy Manager – North Carolina
980-498-7736 ext. 2176
whdawson@alz.org
alz.org/northcarolina
For help regarding a loved one with Alzheimer's, call the 24-Hour Helpline at 800-272-3900.

(Photo: Participants in the Walk to End Alzheimer's depart Segra Stadium. Photo courtesy of the Alzheimer's Association, North Carolina)

Five numbers define our biggest challenges

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Tuesday, 28 October 2025

Written by John Hood

Most North Carolinians think our country is on the wrong track. That’s what 55% of respondents said in the latest High Point University survey, with 54% of likely voters offering the same critique in the latest Carolina Journal Poll.
I count myself in that majority. America has faced worse times, to be sure, including in my lifetime. What I find most disconcerting at the moment, though, is how little public dialogue is devoted to what I perceive to be the biggest problems facing our state and nation. Transfixed by devices and bamboozled by clickbait, we seem incapable of focusing on high-priority issues.
Consider these five challenges, defined by five troubling statistics:
• The first is $1.8 trillion. That’s how much the federal government borrowed over the fiscal year that ended September 30. Federal debt held by the public — that is, not counting money “borrowed” from federal trust funds — now stands at $30.3 trillion, or 98% of America’s gross domestic product.
If present trends continue, the debt will soon surpass annual economic output and reach 111% of GDP by 2030. Our federal government now spends more on debt service each year than it does on national defense. I wish I could blame Washington’s recklessness entirely on the politicians who serve there. But voters keep reelecting them! Unless we boot out irresponsible panderers and reward those willing to make tough decisions, American greatness will inevitably fade.
• The second number is 38%. That’s the share of annual health care spending financed by federal dollars — which, as I’ve just indicated, includes a vast amount of borrowed dollars. Adding in state dollars spent on Medicaid and other health plans pushes the government share of medical expenditures up close to half. Unless Congress and state legislatures accept the need to reform these programs, rather than expand them or shift their costs around, balanced budgets will remain forever out of reach.
• The third number is also 38%. According to independent tests, that’s the share of North Carolina eighth-graders who lacked basic math skills in 2024. The same assessment found 35% of eighth-graders lacked basic reading skills.
In 2019, before the COVID lockdowns, those figures were 29% and 28%, respectively. They were too high back then. Too many of our students were unprepared to work, go to college, or shoulder other responsibilities of adulthood. Still, in value-added terms, our schools in 2019 were more effective than those of all but a handful of states across the country. Now we’re far down the list.
• The fourth number is 1.6. That’s the average number of children born per American woman in 2024. It’s the lowest fertility rate yet recorded. The causes of this trend may be hotly debated, as are the effectiveness of potential policy responses, but the effects of slowing population growth are hard to dispute. Economic vitality and innovation will decline, as will the ratio of workers to retirees. A higher savings rate won’t be enough to compensate. Nor will advances in robotics. Human flourishing requires plenty of humans!
• The final number is 35%. That’s the share of North Carolina children living in single-parent households in 2023.
Unlike the figures discussed earlier, this one hasn’t gotten worse over time. The comparable figure a decade ago was 37%. Nevertheless, to have more than a third of our kids living with only one parent or guardian is a tragedy. Parenthood is a hard-enough job when performed in pairs, with plenty of support from extending family. Growing up in a single-parent household is a well-established risk factor for living in poverty, struggling in school, chronic unemployment, substance abuse, and other adverse outcomes.
These five problems aren’t the only ones worth worrying about, I grant you. But it’s hard for me to imagine a thriving nation in the absence of real progress on each of these fronts. Future generations of North Carolinians and Americans will thank us if we tackle these problems — and condemn us if we fail to do so.

Editor’s Note: John Hood is a John Locke Foundation board member. His books Mountain Folk, Forest Folk, and Water Folk combine epic fantasy with American history (FolkloreCycle.com).