Cabinet of Controversy: N.C. Gov. Pat McCrory’s 5 most dubious appointments

The Koch brother from another mother overseeing the state budget. A man found guilty of assaulting children running the Department of Public Safety. A science skeptic chosen to protect the environment. What is Gov. Pat McCrory thinking?

NC judge tosses law that represented GOP revenge against public school employees

A judge has ruled that a law passed by the Republican-controlled legislature to punish the N.C. Association of Educators by barring it from collecting dues through payroll deduction represents unconstitutional "retaliatory viewpoint discrimination."

Art Pope's path to power

Wealthy Republican donor Art Pope has been building influence and clout for years in North Carolina. Appointed this week to direct the state's budget, he now finds himself with his hands on the levers of power.

Art Pope rides again

Conservative donor Art Pope's money helped the GOP take control of North Carolina's legislature in 2010. In 2010, Pope's family, business and groups helped fuel even bigger Republican gains in the battleground state.

Big Money plays big role in North Carolina elections

Outside groups unleashed more than $14 million into North Carolina state races, helping fuel Republican victories across the state.

Art Pope was appointed to the UNC Advisory Committee

Last week Art Pope was appointed by the UNC Board of Governors, the body that oversees NC's public university system, to the UNC Advisory Committee on Strategic Directions, which decides spending and academic priorities for the UNC system for the next 5 years.

 This Thursday (Sept. 27) at 11am, join NC State students and supporters of higher education are picketing Art Pope's speaking event at the Doubletree Hotel (1707 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh). 

 For more information on Art Pope, see this flyer by Democracy NC. 

RSVP to the event on Facebook and spread the word: Art Pope, hands off our higher education!

Art Pope translates dollars into influence at UNC

In 2011, the John William Pope Center for Higher Education Policy -- a nonprofit named after the father of Republican benefactor Art Pope, and predominantly funded by Pope's family foundation -- issued a report saying that big donors to universities should have a bigger say in how their money is used.

The Pope machine's wacky attack on the science of sea level rise

Art Pope's powerful conservative political network has long played a lead role in challenging mainstream climate science in North Carolina. Now it's also raging against the related science of sea level rise, using similar tactics of distortion, misrepresentation and just plain bad reporting.

How Art Pope's money brought you Amendment One

Republican mega-donor Art Pope once called himself a libertarian. But his money was instrumental to the success of the anti-gay marriage amendment which passed this week in North Carolina, which the state Libertarian Party called "repugnant."

NC anti-wind power crusader behind plot to subvert renewable energy industry

An activist who has worked with a group financed by leading North Carolina conservative benefactor Art Pope to discredit wind power in the state has been discovered at the center of a plot aimed at subverting the renewable energy industry nationally.