A library card is a wonderful thing. If you have a library card for most if not all North Carolina public libraries, you can get a password that will give you access to multiple databases through NC Live (nclive.org) The password can be used from remote locations (i.e. home computers).
NC Live provides access to more than one database (infotrak, proquest) that offers the New York Times. You may get the columns a little later (the same day), but you'll get them for free.
Go to the above site, scroll through the libraries. If you find your library on the list, call or go in and ask your librarian how to get the password and how to find columnists in the New York Times through NC Live (PS. Public libraries in other states may have similar deals)