Forum On The Hill Archives

Orange County: Chair of the Commissioners Jean Hamilton and State Senator Jonah Garson

Posted by Andrew Stuckey | Oct 14, 2026 | Conversations with the Mayors, Conversations with the Mayors Podcast, Forum On The Hill

Chair of the Orange County Commissioners Jean Hamilton and State Senator Jonah Garson spoke with 97.9 The Hill’s Andrew Stuckey on Wednesday, October 14. In this extended conversation, they discussed a proposed constitutional amendment that would cap the income tax rate at 3.5% in the state. They talked about the potential implications of this for local and state governments to fund mandatory services for citizens, and more.

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Orange County: Commissioner Jean Hamilton and NC State Representative Renee Price

Posted by Andrew Stuckey | Sep 30, 2026 | Conversations with the Mayors, Conversations with the Mayors Podcast, Forum On The Hill

Chair of the Orange County Commissioners Jean Hamilton and North Carolina District 50 Representative Renee Price joined 97.9 The Hill’s Andrew Stuckey on Wednesday, September 30th, as part of a special presentation of The Forum on The Hill. They discussed the proposed constitutional amendment requiring limits on property tax increases by local governments, which will appear on the ballot in November. They discussed the mechanism of the proposed law the way it is currently written, and outlined the possible outcomes and implications if the amendment were to pass, and more.

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Special Forum: Commissioner Jean Hamilton and State Rep. Allen Buansi

Posted by Andrew Stuckey | Sep 23, 2026 | Conversations with the Mayors, Conversations with the Mayors Podcast, Forum On The Hill

In a special presentation of 97.9 The Hill’s Forum on The Hill, Chair of the Orange County Commissioners Jean Hamilton and North Carolina State Representative Allen Buansi spoke with 97.9 The Hill’s Andrew Stuckey on Wednesday, September 23. They discussed a recent restructuring SNAP benefits, which put much of the financial and administrative burden on county governments, and more.

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What’s On Local Musicians’ Minds? – December 12, 2025

Posted by Aaron Keck | Dec 13, 2025 | Forum On The Hill

97.9 The Hill’s Aaron Keck discusses the state of the Triangle local music scene with Shirlette Ammons, Azul Zapata, and Dave Hedeman.

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Arts in Uncertain Times – Dec. 12, 2025

Posted by Andrew Stuckey | Dec 12, 2025 | Forum On The Hill

97.9 The Hill’s Andrew Stuckey speaks with North Carolina Poet Laureate Jakie Shelton Green, Carrboro Town Council Member Fred Joiner, and Executive Director of Orange County Arts Katie Murray on Friday, December 12. They discuss the challenges facing the arts community both generally and locally. They also discuss the role of arts in times of political division. They discuss the economic, social, and personal impact of having art in non-traditional spaces. They look ahead to 2026, and more.

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External Changes Are Changing Nonprofits’ Approaches — Dec. 12, 2025

Posted by Brighton McConnell | Dec 12, 2025 | Forum On The Hill

97.9 The Hill’s Brighton McConnell welcomes Gayane Chambless, Jennifer McFarland, Kyle Shipp, Rachel Valentine and Breah Woolson on Friday, Dec. 12 for a conversation about the local nonprofit community.

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Reforming and Contextualizing Orange County’s Property Assessments — Dec. 11, 2025

Posted by Brighton McConnell | Dec 11, 2025 | Forum On The Hill

Brighton McConnell moderates a discussion between Shereese Alston, Beverly Scarlett, Hudson Vaughan, Marilyn Carter and Amy Fowler.

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Checking the Area Housing Inventory – Dec. 11, 2025

Posted by Andrew Stuckey | Dec 11, 2025 | Forum On The Hill

97.9 The Hill’s Andrew Stuckey speaks with Vice President of Advocacy for the Chamber For a Greater Chapel Hill-Carrboro Ian Scott, Policy Director for Carolina Forward and Chapel Hill Town Council Member Theodore Nollert, and President of the Orange and Chatham County Association of Realters Randy Voller. They discussed the current housing inventory in the Chapel Hill area, including how much and what type of housing is still missing, and what tools the community has to encourage more housing. They also discussed what they hope to see different in the area’s housing market in 2026, and more.

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Equity in Health Care – December 11, 2025

Posted by Aaron Keck | Dec 11, 2025 | Forum On The Hill

What is the state of health care today, both nationally and here in our community? And what needs to be done to address disparities?

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Reframing How We Discuss and Plan For Extreme Weather – Dec. 10, 2025

Posted by Andrew Stuckey | Dec 10, 2025 | Forum On The Hill

97.9 The Hill’s Andrew Stuckey speaks with Chapel Hill’s Community Sustainability Manager John Richardson, Inside Climate News North Carolina Reporter Lisa Sorg, and Chatham County Commissioner Karen Howard. They discuss increased extreme weather in our community, and how we continue to adjust and react to that extreme weather. They discuss ways of bouncing back from flood events, preparing for extreme heat, and looking ahead to potential future resiliency and sustainability issues in our community. They also discuss some of the positive climate work happening in our community, and more.

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