Art Pope Coverage

Editorial: Cooper makes a much-needed move to fix UNC System's instability and patronage

Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2022 -- Coming up with ways to make those who lead the UNC System and its campuses more representative of the state and its needs is an important and timely mission. Rather than seeing it as a threat to legislative leaders' power, Sen. Phil Berger and others should embrace Gov. Roy Cooper's proposal. It will work to help assure North Carolina can maintain a top-notch system of public higher education.

Big names on both sides of political aisle support independent redistricting

North Carolina may be closer to redistricting reform than some voters realize.

GOP donor Art Pope, former UNC President Tom Ross encourage redistricting reform

Republican businessman Art Pope and former UNC System President Tom Ross tell a crowd at Duke University that they've had positive conservations with North Carolina legislators about changing the way lawmakers draw election maps.

Paul Specht, PolitiFact reporter

GOP leaders: We didn't intervene on Hannah-Jones hire

UNC-Chapel Hill faculty feel the rightward pull of North Carolina politics and say the Nikole Hannah-Jones tenure saga is just one more example.

Travis Fain, WRAL statehouse reporter

Legislative notebook: Wake senator leaves session to get coronavirus test

A rundown of the late action as the General Assembly tries to wrap up this session.

Travis Fain, WRAL statehouse reporter

Senate Republicans tapping GOP financier Art Pope for UNC Board of Governors slot

A seat on the UNC Board of Governors opened when former state Sen. Bob Rucho resigned late last week.

Travis Fain, WRAL statehouse reporter

Real Jobs plan to raise real money for McCrory raises real questions

Real Jobs NC, a conservative independent spending committee connected to some of the state's wealthiest Republican financiers, plans a $400,000 ad blitz in support of Gov. Pat McCrory. The group plans to feature the governor at a fundraiser.

Mark Binker

Lawmakers, school leaders spar over budget

A week after the final budget compromise was rolled out, lawmakers and educators still don't agree on what it does for schools.

Laura Leslie

Pope stepping down as state budget chief

Having shepherded a second state budget through the legislative process, State Budget Director Art Pope will step down in early September, Gov. Pat McCrory announced Wednesday.

Matthew Burns

Today @NCCapitol (7/7): Skeleton sessions, voting law in court

The House and Senate will not take up any formal business today as lawmakers prepare to negotiate over a number of bills, including the budget. A federal hearing over a package of voting changes passed last year begins in federal court today.

Governor, senators remain divided over Medicaid

Senators say Gov. Pat McCrory's budget would set North Carolina up for a shortfall. McCrory Budget Director Art Pope says lawmakers are being too conservative and unnecessarily cutting programs.

Mark Binker

Pope: state preparing for possible federal shutdown

Budget Director Art Pope said North Carolina is already preparing in case there is another partial federal shutdown in January. However, he tells lawmakers the legislature may need to have a special session if the next stoppage is a long one.

Mark Binker

Pope responds to criticism from NAACP, other liberal groups

State Budget Director Art Pope says he is "shocked" activists are picketing his company, Variety Wholesalers, to press for change in state policy.

Mark Binker

Pope, Barber exchange words over money, politics

State budget chief Art Pope came face to face with one of his most vocal critics Monday morning while responding to a planned picketing campaign targeting his family's chain of discount stores.

Laura Leslie

Personnel experts: DHHS settlement may violate state constitution

Department of Health and Human Services officials may have violated the North Carolina Constitution when they cut a $37,000 check to an outgoing worker on the job for only a month, personnel experts say.

Tyler Dukes

McCrory: State preparing for federal shutdown

Some state functions will be affected by the federal government shutdown, McCrory said. State employees funded by federal money will be sent home, the State Budget Director Art Pope says.

Mark Binker

McCrory halts Rural Center spending after critical audit

Gov. Pat McCrory ordered Thursday that the flow of state money to and spent by the North Carolina Rural Economic Development Center stop immediately. The move comes one day after a state audit criticized the nonprofit for a lack of oversight and exorbitant salaries.

Matthew Burns and Cullen Browder

McCrory: Pope part of a team negotiating the budget

McCrory Budget Director Art Pope is better known for his role in funding conservative organizations that help elect Republican lawmakers. The governor says Pope is part of a team negotiating the budget.

Mark Binker

McCrory's budget: Teachers vs. teaching assistants

Gov. Pat McCrory highlights the addition of 1,800 teachers over the next two years. But his budget also eliminates support for teaching assistants in second and third grades.

Mark Binker

McCrory rolls out first spending plan

Gov. Pat McCrory unveiled a $20.6 billion annual budget Wednesday that he says would hire more teachers, plow more money into early childhood education, give raises to state employees and tackle a number of items he has talked about for the past year.

Mark Binker, Laura Leslie and Matthew Burns

McCrory limits state spending to cover Medicaid shortfall

Gov. Pat McCrory told state agencies Friday to limit their spending in the coming months so he could shift money to cover a Medicaid shortfall of as much as $262 million.

Matthew Burns and Mark Binker

Policy groups help set the agenda in Raleigh

The think tanks and nonprofit advocacy organizations that try to drive public opinion and the legislative agenda in the state capital fall into two 'families.' A better understanding of their funding can help the public know who to believe.

Mark Binker

AFP to NCGOP: 'Go big! Go bold!'

National Americans for Prosperity president Tim Phillips is praising North Carolina Republicans for overhauling unemployment and saying no to Medicaid expansion.

Laura Leslie

McCrory still open to dumping state income tax

Despite the reservations of his budget director, Gov. Pat McCrory said Thursday that he still wants to look at the possibility of eliminating North Carolina's income tax.

Laura Leslie

Pope pans idea to scrap NC income tax

Art Pope, who was named last month as Gov. Pat McCrory's budget chief, said Wednesday that a push by Senate Republicans to eliminate North Carolina's income tax is misguided.

Laura Leslie and Matthew Burns