Patrick Gannon, Author at Salisbury Post

Columnists

Gannon: Newest lawsuit proposes partisan gerrymandering test proposed

RALEIGH – A new lawsuit alleges a congressional redistricting plan drawn by Republicans in Raleigh is “one of the worst partisan gerrymanders in modern American ... Read more

by Patrick Gannon, Wednesday, September 28, 2016 12:00 am

Columnists

Patrick Gannon: Understanding the ACC vote

RALEIGH — The leaders of North Carolina’s major universities are paid big bucks to make tough decisions, back them up and stick to them. But ... Read more

by Patrick Gannon, Friday, September 23, 2016 7:06 pm

Columnists

Patrick Gannon: 3 important NC races

RALEIGH — This year is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing and important election years in a long time for North Carolina ... Read more

by Patrick Gannon, Monday, September 19, 2016 10:39 pm

Columnists

Patrick Gannon: How NC has changed since 9/11

RALEIGH – On Sept. 11, 2001, North Carolina’s population was approximately 8.2 million people, ranking it as the 11th largest state in the country. Fifteen ... Read more

by Patrick Gannon, Saturday, September 17, 2016 12:00 am

Opinion

Wanted: nonpartisan think tank in capital city

RALEIGH — Attention, millionaires and billionaires and anyone else with extra money who wants to spend it in a meaningful way in North Carolina. Raleigh ... Read more

by Patrick Gannon, Tuesday, August 2, 2016 12:00 am

Columnists

Patrick Gannon: Parting shots in Raleigh

RALEIGH — Frustrated, defeated and over it. Those words sum up the feelings of Rep. Nathan Baskerville, a Henderson Democrat, as he finishes his second, ... Read more

by Patrick Gannon, Saturday, July 23, 2016 1:28 am

Columnists

Patrick Gannon: Amid violent attacks, flags symbolize patriotism, pain

RALEIGH – As I write, the U.S. and North Carolina flags at state facilities are flying at half-staff through sunset on July 19 in respect ... Read more

by Patrick Gannon, Tuesday, July 19, 2016 12:05 am

Columnists

Patrick Gannon: Finding common ground

RALEIGH — On a recent Thursday, three African-American members of the N.C. General Assembly held a press conference to draw attention to recent shootings of ... Read more

by Patrick Gannon, Wednesday, July 13, 2016 12:00 am

Columnists

Patrick Gannon: NC House stands up to Senate power plays

RALEIGH — By the time the General Assembly adjourned in early July, Republican House members were fed up. Their frustrations weren’t only with legislation considered ... Read more

by Patrick Gannon, Saturday, July 9, 2016 12:00 am

Columnists

Gannon: In debate, McCrory focused on economy, Cooper on leadership

RALEIGH – In the days following North Carolina’s first gubernatorial debate of 2016, polls show Gov. Pat McCrory and Attorney General Roy Cooper neck-and-neck in ... Read more

by Patrick Gannon, Saturday, July 2, 2016 12:04 am

Columnists

Patrick Gannon: Has gerrymandering finally gone too far?

RALEIGH— It’s hard to blame a politician who’s brutally honest. State Rep. David Lewis, a Dunn Republican, was brutally honest earlier this year w hen ... Read more

by Patrick Gannon, Friday, June 24, 2016 1:08 pm

Opinion

Transparency a casualty of the NC General Assembly’s speed

RALEIGH – Legislation is moving at a feverish pace through the General Assembly, as lawmakers try to finish their work by early July. Many who ... Read more

by Patrick Gannon, Tuesday, June 21, 2016 12:00 am

Columnists

Patrick Gannon: Hunting, fishing don’t belong in the constitution

RALEIGH – “We hold it to be self-evident that all persons are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; ... Read more

by Patrick Gannon, Tuesday, June 14, 2016 12:02 am

Columnists

Gannon: Politics and perception doomed tuition bill

RALEIGH — The recent firestorm over steep reductions in tuition proposed at five universities — including three historically black ones — illustrates much of what ... Read more

by Patrick Gannon, Saturday, June 11, 2016 12:00 am

Columnists

Patrick Gannon: 10 reasons for late-night budget releases in Raleigh

RALEIGH — Oops, they did it again. Senate Republican leaders released their $22.2 billion budget for 2016-17 to the public through the General Assembly website ... Read more

by Patrick Gannon, Monday, June 6, 2016 6:02 pm

Columnists

Patrick Gannon: June could be eventful in General Assembly

RALEIGH — For the first three weeks of this legislative session, the House and Senate puttered along. The House worked on its budget for the ... Read more

by Patrick Gannon, Friday, June 3, 2016 10:28 pm

Columnists

Gannon: 5 things to know about state House budget

RALEIGH – The House finished its budget, so now it’s on to the Senate. The big question is whether the Senate will agree with most ... Read more

by Patrick Gannon, Saturday, May 28, 2016 12:00 am

Columnists

Gannon: Let’s wait on the bipartisan backslapping in NC legislature

RALEIGH – I’ll admit I almost got goose bumps when applause broke out after the recent House budget vote. The 103-12 tally on the House’s ... Read more

by Patrick Gannon, Tuesday, May 24, 2016 12:00 am

Columnists

Patrick Gannon: Public safety is focus of new legislation

RALEIGH — When politicians talk about government getting back to its core responsibilities, they speak mainly about public safety and welfare, education and transportation. One ... Read more

by Patrick Gannon, Saturday, May 21, 2016 9:07 am

Columnists

Patrick Gannon: Other voices on HB2

RALEIGH — As you form your own opinions about House Bill 2, you’ve probably heard from LGBT activists. And you’ve listened to members of conservative, ... Read more

by Patrick Gannon, Tuesday, May 17, 2016 6:49 pm

Columnists

Patrick Gannon: Were Republicans ready for prime time spotlight?

RALEIGH — For weeks, House Bill 2 has made national and international headlines, thrusting North Carolina into the spotlight over bathroom access and rights – ... Read more

by Patrick Gannon, Friday, May 13, 2016 1:03 pm

Brincefield Cartoons

Gannon: Candidates fighting to get on ballot

RALEIGH — Like dozens of his General Assembly colleagues, Rep. John Bradford III, a Cornelius Republican, thought he would have it easy come November. As ... Read more

by Patrick Gannon, Wednesday, May 11, 2016 12:00 am

Columnists

Gannon: Are HB2 issues really top priorities?

I’m trying to get a sense of how many people are directly affected by that issue and whether it’s worth the amount of anger it’s ... Read more

by Patrick Gannon, Friday, May 6, 2016 4:25 pm

Columnists

State pay big issue of ‘16

RALEIGH — It took no longer than the first budget meeting before the battle lines were drawn in what will become the biggest spending-related debate ... Read more

by Patrick Gannon, Tuesday, May 3, 2016 12:00 am

Columnists

Gannon: Republicans dig in their heels

RALEIGH – Since taking control of the state House and Senate in 2011, Republicans on Jones Street have weathered their fair share of criticism — ... Read more

by Patrick Gannon, Monday, April 25, 2016 7:04 pm

Columnists

Patrick Gannon: Good start on state savings

RALEIGH — Republicans who control the state budget have been criticized for tax changes in recent years, as well as for the spending priorities they’ve ... Read more

by Patrick Gannon, Saturday, April 23, 2016 12:00 am

Columnists

Patrick Gannon: Good government needs good journalism

RALEIGH — As a former server at an Italian restaurant, I believe everyone should have to wait tables for at least a day in their ... Read more

by Patrick Gannon, Monday, April 18, 2016 9:18 pm

Columnists

Patrick Gannon: HB2’s uncertain impact

RALEIGH — If social media accounts and responses to media questions are any indication, Republican Gov. Pat McCrory wants to distance himself from House Bill ... Read more