NEW Crystal Ball: 28 House rating changes as tally of seats at least leaning Dem surpasses both 218 as well as tiny majorities of the last three cycles centerforpolitics.org/crysta…

[NEW] The Forgotten, Expensive Lessons of 2009 The 2008-2009 Great Recession is 17 years ago now, and the lessons it imparted might be forgotten today as North Carolina considers a proposed constitutional amendment on its income tax. When the Great Recession forced North Carolina's lawmakers to reckon with an imploding state budget, they massively slashed spending and took billions in federal assistance dollars. They also passed a very small and temporary income tax adjustment, which allowed North Carolina remain less dependent on federal assistance than many other states. Learn what happened to North Carolina's budget during the Great Recession, and why its hard-earned lessons bear directly on the choice voters will make this year. More: carolinaforward.org/news/the…

Quorum Report: Texas Senate GOP quietly considers stripping power from Lt. Governor if the Democrat wins, sources say With a Dan Patrick loss possible, changing the rules to sideline a Democratic Lt. Gov. would be pretty straightforward; intrigue would surround the caucus election of a Majority Leader Link to article: quorumreport.com

It's gettin' real now: Sources tell @quorumreport that the Texas Senate GOP is quietly considering stripping all legislative power from the Lt. Gov. if the Democrat beats Little Gov Patrick: bit.ly/4Bfnnvb #TxLege

Low-propensity voters all across North Carolina are swinging hard towards the Democrats. carolinaforward.org/news/the…

Republican leaders say proposed constitutional amendments will save taxpayers money, but critics warn of long-term consequences. ift.tt/L1j5zDi

Carolina Forward is right about one thing: North Carolina should remember the fiscal lessons of the Great Recession. But they're drawing the wrong conclusions from that experience. Consider the numbers in their own analysis. North Carolina closed just 4% of its projected 2009 budget gap through a temporary personal income tax surcharge. Spending reductions accounted for 36.5%, while federal stimulus funds covered another 31%. That hardly establishes that the income tax surcharge was what kept North Carolina from becoming more dependent on Washington. More importantly, the article overlooks what North Carolina has accomplished since 2013. We've substantially reduced income tax rates, experienced significant economic and revenue growth, reduced state debt, and built a rainy-day fund that reached $4.75 billion before Hurricane Helene. Those accomplishments matter because fiscal preparedness isn't simply about having the authority to raise taxes when a recession arrives. It's also about making responsible decisions before a recession arrives. North Carolina's experience offers important lessons about how pro-growth tax policy and fiscal discipline can help a state prepare for difficult times. We shouldn't overlook those lessons, either. #ncpol

“I’m old. I’ve paid my home off,” said Ray Warner, a 72-year-old Akron resident. “Why would I pay property tax?” Across the country, homeowners are asking the same question and revolting against property taxes at a scale not seen in a half century. politico.com/news/magazine/2…

In North Carolina's U.S. Senate race, former Governor Roy Cooper leads Michael Whatley by 13 points among NC natives, but tightens to just a 5-point lead among voters who were born outside the state. Full results: carolinaforward.org/news/the…

In #NC11, Jamie Ager is trying to flip the seat for Dems. Jennifer Balkcom got a late start, only nominated on Aug 11. AGER Raised: $2,349,410.93 Spent: $2,893,025.96 COH: $1,641,162.75 BALKCOM Raised: $355,134.75 Spent: $60,049.85 COH: $295,084.90 (Report covers 7/1-9/30)