Opinion Roundup: Tillis takes right step on special counsel

Thursday, Aug. 10, 2017 -- A roundup of opinion, commentary and analysis on the Senate's moves to ensure presidential integrity in special counsel investigations, where things stand with N.C. redistricting, why social science research is a good use of taxpayer dollars and more.

Tillis right on counsel (Winston-Salem Journal) -- Republican Thom Tillis, one of North Carolina’s two U.S. senators, has rightly joined Democratic Sen. Chris Coons of Delaware in a bill that would back independent investigations by allowing judicial review if a special counsel is fired by a president.

What You Need To Know About Redistricting In NC (WUNC-FM analysis) -- State lawmakers have started the process of implementing new political boundaries for the 2018 election, after federal judges invalidated 28 legislative districts for illegally gerrymandering black voters.

JEFF BRADEN: Why we need federal funding of social science research (Capitol Broadcasting Co. column) -- Why should taxpayers spend on social science research? Because social science research saves money, promotes better health, increases employment and savings and improves our quality of life.

The hypocritical debate over the UNC Center for Civil Rights (Charlotte Observer) -- The Board of Governors is right to take a look at the Center’s litigation, but not to ban it.

ROSE HOBAN: DHHS Reveals More Details about Medicaid Reform Plan (N.C. Health News analysis) -- A new document provides more detail on how the reformed program will deliver care, but there are still plenty of questions, in particular about how mental health will fit in.

ZACHARY WOOD: Freedom of Speech Is Not Enough (Wall Street Journal column) -- N.C. is the latest state to enact a law protecting free speech on college campuses. The Restore Campus Free Speech Act requires schools discipline students and faculty who substantially disrupt or interfere “with the protected free expression rights of others.” It should bolster efforts to increase viewpoint diversity and send a clear message that heckler’s vetoes will not be condoned. But leaders need to do more than protect free speech. Their greater challenge is to teach students how to discuss controversial topics thoughtfully.