Author photoCarolina Journal Print Columnists
Mitch Kokai

Email: mkokai@johnlocke.org

Mitch Kokai joined the John Locke Foundation as director of communications in December 2005 after spending more than four years as chief state government reporter for News 14 Carolina. That job included extensive coverage of the General Assembly and other topics for the 24-hour local television news channel based in Raleigh and Charlotte.

Before News 14 Carolina, Kokai worked as a radio news reporter for seven years. He started a radio news department at WENC-AM in Whiteville, then led Chapel Hill’s award-winning radio news team at WCHL-AM. He spent two-and-half years as news director and assignment editor for Raleigh’s WPTF-AM.

Mitch is a Columbus, Ohio, native. He earned highest honors and highest distinction from the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

He has lived in North Carolina since 1989.


Articles by Mitch Kokai

(4.21.10) State Tax Refunds Getting Out Slower Than Last Year, But Still Trickling Out
RALEIGH — The tax man is running behind last year’s pace, but he should have all state income tax refunds in people’s hands by the middle of next month. The head of the N.C. Revenue Department offered that projection this morning to state lawmakers.

(10.20.09) State Appeals Court Rules on School Fighting, Fired DOT Worker
RALEIGH — A panel split 2-1 in a pair of cases involving students kicked out of a Beaufort County high school for fighting. Both had sued the school system because their long-term suspensions left them with no alternative form of public education.

(9.29.09) General Assembly Considers Cleaning Up State Contracts
RALEIGH — Recent high-profile controversies involving the State Health Plan, mental health services, and office supply overcharges have raised red flags for some North Carolina lawmakers. They’re considering rewriting the rules governing state contracts.

(4.17.09) Marginal Understanding Clouds Tax Debate
Taxpayers with misconceptions about the current tax structure will have a hard time judging the merits of proposed reforms.

(4.14.09) Local School Systems Could Test Budget Flexibility
RALEIGH — As many as 10 North Carolina public school systems could get more flexibility in spending taxpayers’ money under a proposal moving through the state House. That flexibility could extend to teacher pay under an amendment adopted despite concerns from the state’s largest teachers group.

(2.24.09) Freedom Offers Best Answer to Poverty Question
RALEIGH — Poor people around the globe need more freedom, not more paternalism, as they strive to climb out of poverty. That’s the assessment of the New York University economist who delivered Monday night’s fifth annual John W. Pope Lecture at N.C. State University.

(1.26.09) New State Funding for School Lunch Programs Questioned
RALEIGH — Some state legislators want taxpayers to pay an extra $20 million in the next budget year to help local school systems offer healthier meals to elementary school students. But the idea already has raised some concerns from a chief N.C. House education budget writer.

(1.19.09) Legislators Ponder Taxing Computer Downloads
RALEIGH — Some N.C. legislators want to take a closer look at taxing songs, movies, books, and games downloaded on computers. A study committee could discuss the issue Wednesday.

(12.11.08) Legislators Tame Funding for N.C. Zoo
RALEIGH — They’ve scotched the idea for now, but N.C. lawmakers might return later to a plan that would call on taxpayers to foot a larger share of the bill for running the North Carolina Zoo.

(11.13.08) Transportation Group Debates New Taxes, Fees
RALEIGH — North Carolina drivers would pay higher taxes and fees, tolls on some of the state’s busiest roads, and a new charge tied to every mile they drive, if the next General Assembly adopts ideas percolating through the 21st Century Transportation Committee. That committee could adopt those ideas next week.

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