Phil Berger Coverage

Editorial: Shining light on N.C. legislature's public records 'black hole'

Wednesday, March 27, 2024 -- "Lawmakers give new meaning to North Carolina's 'First in Flight' slogan. They changed public records laws to avoid having to comply with them. State leaders now soar in the spirit of the Black Hole Award, an egregious recognition earned by trampling on the public right to information."

Editorial: Phil Berger, Donald Trump and the company they keep

Tuesday, March 5, 2024 -- Phil Berger and Donald Trump are known by the company they keep - and endorse - and where they stand when it comes to decency and integrity.

DRAUGHON DRAWS: Taking the N.C. Supreme Court to school?

Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024 -- Capitol Broadcasting Company's editorial cartoonist.

Editorial: Fate of public education rests with state's high court. It must not let our kids down

Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024 -- The N.C. Supreme Court needs to stand for the future of the state, the promise to our children and a quality education in every classroom and school.

Editorial: State court's integrity diminished by Justice Berger Jr.'s refusal to recuse in Leandro case

Sunday, Feb. 18, 2024 -- As much as we hope our judges possess a strong knowledge of the law, we also expect them to have a firm grip on common sense. Our hopes and expectations, when it comes to the majority of those sitting on North Carolina's Supreme Court bench, were dashed by this latest decision.

Partial victory for NC lawmakers in lawsuit over state board appointment power

Republican state lawmakers have been trying to give themselves more executive branch power for a decade, starting under Republican Gov. Pat McCrory and continuing under Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper. Republicans say new laws give state boards more balance. Cooper calls the law unconstitutional.

Will Doran, WRAL state government reporter

To curb partisan gerrymanders, NC Democrats seek new federal transparency law

U.S. Reps. Deborah Ross, Wiley Nickel and Valerie Foushee on Thursday called on Congress to pass their new bill, The Redistricting Transparency and Accountability Act, which they believe would ultimately curb partisan gerrymandering.

Paul Specht, WRAL state government reporter

NC's new universal school voucher program reignites funding debate

Private school advocates gathered in Raleigh Wednesday to celebrate a historic expansion of the state's school voucher program, But public school advocates worry about what it will cost public schools.

Laura Leslie, WRAL capitol bureau chief

JULIE VON HAEFEN: Reproductive rights will be a key issue on 2024 ballots

Monday, Jan. 22, 2024 -- The basic right to make your own decisions about your body, your family and your future is on the ballot this November. The stakes couldn't be higher when you cast your vote.

JAY CHAUDHURI: On Jan. 6, the General Assembly's leadership needs to make this pledge

Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024 -- The General Assembly leadership should expressly and unequivocally pledge they will not appoint insurrectionists, seditionists, and election deniers to our county boards of elections.

Editorial: Newby transforms N.C. courts to playground to settle petty political feuds

Friday, Jan. 5, 2024 -- The events of this week are not about the administration of justice. Chief Justice Paul Newby and others have manipulated our state's judicial system to settle a political feud.

DRAUGHON DRAWS: N.C. Republicans' wish for Santa

Sunday, Dec. 24, 2023 -- Capitol Broadcasting Company's editorial cartoonist.

Rockingham sheriff seeks NC lieutenant governor nomination, ending speculation over Berger challenge

Sam Page filed official candidacy paperwork in his campaign for North Carolina lieutenant governor, ending weeks of speculation that he might challenge the state's most powerful Republican politician in a legislative race.

Travis Fain, WRAL state government reporter

DRAUGHON DRAWS: What they say. Where they stand.

Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023 -- Capitol Broadcasting Company's editorial cartoonist.

Editorial: Respect law, not partisanship, must be state Supreme Court majority's guide

Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023 -- If the current N.C. high court, regardless of those justices who end up considering the latest Leandro appeal, respect the State Constitution and the rights of children; if they respect the doctrine of stare decisis, they will continue to require the implementation of the remedial plan to assure a sound basic education everywhere in the state. North Carolina will be better for it.

Editorial: What they say and where they stand

Friday, Dec. 1, 2023 -- Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson's statements don't seek to unite North Carolinians to a common good and purpose. They don't represent a philosophy of someone seeking to build a better state.

Cooper v. Berger resumes: Appointments to state boards

A hearing resumed Wednesday afternoon after a recess. Republican lawmakers passed bills this year reworking key state boards and stripping the governor's office of some of his appointment powers. Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper sued lawmakers over that legislation. He's asking the court to block implementation of the laws while their constitutionality is argued.

Cooper v. Berger: Appointments to state boards

Republican lawmakers passed bills this year reworking key state boards and stripping the governor's office of some of his appointment powers. Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper sued lawmakers over that legislation. He's asking the court to block implementation of the laws while their constitutionality is argued.

GOP lawmakers reject Cooper vetoes, enacting new laws for election oversight, looser environmental protections

From big changes in election laws to loosening environmental regulations, GOP state lawmakers voted Tuesday to override five vetoes by Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper.

Laura Leslie, Will Doran and Travis Fain, WRAL News

What comes next after federal judge blocks portions of NC abortion law

A judge blocked two provisions of North Carolina's new abortion laws. WRAL state government reporter Will Doran details what comes next.

Editorial: Morals and fair play take a back seat to expediency in the legislature

Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023 -- It is no exaggeration to say the seven justices of the N.C. Supreme Court will determine if the General Assembly is the devil's playground or a temple of democracy.

Editorial: N.C. budget bill wasn't about money. Power grabs, attacks on citizen rights and more equal BIG problems

Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023 -- The 2023 "budget bill" is far less about state spending than it is a legislative garbage truck - a vehicle for scores of non-spending legislation the leadership wants hidden from their constituents so there's no discussion, debates or full disclosure.

DRAUGHON DRAWS: No 'treasure' from these two in this scene

Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023 -- Capitol Broadcasting Company's editorial cartoonist.

Editorial: Legislator's letter to constituents reveals demands for obedience and conformity

Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023 -- As Senate leader Phil Berger and House Speaker Tim Moore seek discipline in their party caucuses they are discovering the once rigid and frigid conformity they relied upon from the Republican rank-and-file is cracked and melted.

Frayed nerves, flaring tempers: Republican fight over casinos, budget shows limits of party unity

Despite legislative supermajorities in both chambers, House and Senate Republicans can't agree on the final details of a budget proposal, fraying nerves and exposing tensions between House Speaker Tim Moore and Senate leader Phil Berger.

Brian Murphy, WRAL