Carolina Journal | Carolina Journal Radio

North Carolina’s liberal power of annexation, given to cities and towns since the 1950s, may be in for much-needed reform now that a North Carolina House committee has endorsed a moratorium on involuntary annexations. Locke Foundation Legal and Regulatory Policy Analyst Daren Bakst discusses the positive points of the moratorium, as well as his concerns that it doesn’t go far enough and that there powerful, entrenched opposition could hurt reform efforts. Bakst also explains how cities and towns use the law to annex areas that are financially advantageous to local coffers. Next, the National Football League wants the North Carolina General Assembly to wade into a dispute involving the league and the cable television industry. A legislative committee held a recent hearing on the fight. Sen. David Hoyle, D-Gaston, explains to Carolina Journal Radio why he and his colleagues decided to address the battle between the two private-sector entities, and Locke Foundation President John Hood offers his response. Then we turn to the short session of the General Assembly, which convenes May 13 in Raleigh. Legislators will amend their $20 billion budget plan and address other issues before hitting the campaign trail for the fall election. Senate Majority Leder Tony Rand, D-Cumberland, offers a preview of the new session. That’s followed by a look at Roanoke Rapids, which is still dealing with the fallout of the failed Randy Parton Theatre project. In a session for participants of the recent Civitas Conservative Leadership Conference, blogger Jim Garrett of 27870.com and Carolina Journal Executive Editor Don Carrington discussed some lessons learned from the Parton Theatre case, including the problems tied to Tax Increment Financing, or TIF. Then George Leef of the Pope Center for Higher Education Policy discusses his view of today’s legal education system and the ways licensing affects availability and cost of legal services. Leef recommends a free market for legal services.

History

Since 1991, Carolina Journal – the monthly newspaper of the John Locke Foundation – has provided thousands of readers with in-depth reporting, informed analysis, and incisive commentary about the most pressing state and local issues in North Carolina. With a particular emphasis on state government, politics, the General Assembly, education, and local government, Carolina Journal has offered unique insights and ideas to the public policy debate.

Its related newsletter, Carolina Journal Weekly Report, delivers timely news and analysis by fax and email. And its popular web site, Carolina Journal.com, serves as a “one-stop shop” for elected officials, government leaders, journalists, lobbyists, and political insiders who visit every day to read exclusive stories, commentaries, and daily news links to the best reporting and commentary in the North Carolina print and broadcast media.

Now Carolina Journal’s trademark blend of news, analysis, and commentary is available on the airwaves as Carolina Journal Radio.

A weekly, one-hour newsmagazine, Carolina Journal Radio is hosted by Donna Martinez and Mitch Kokai and features a diverse mix of guests and topics. Education reform, tax policy, the state legislature, affirmative action, air pollution, freedom of the press and the courts – these are just a few of the subjects that Carolina Journal Radio has tackled since the program began production in 2003.

Currently broadcast each weekend on 20 commercial radio stations – from the mountains to the coast – Carolina Journal Radio is a one-of-a-kind program that seeks to inform and elevate the discussion of North Carolina most critical issues, and to do so in a fair, entertaining, and thought-provoking way.

Carolina Journal Radio Podcast

New for 2006, Carolina Journal Radio is now available as a podcast, for listening directly on your computer, or synching to a portable MP3 player, such as an iPod. You will need a podcast application, such as iTunes (available for Windows and Mac OS X) to access the podcast. New episodes will be posted the week after they air on the radio.

If you are using iTunes, you can subscribe to the podcast via this direct link to CJ Radio at the iTunes Music Store. To subscribe to the podcast with another application: right-click on the orange feed icon, copy the link, and paste it into the subscription field of your podcasting software (in iTunes, go to the "Advanced" menu and select "Subscribe to Podcast").

For More Information

The program is a co-production of the John Locke Foundation and Carolina Broadcasting Systems Inc., both based in Raleigh. Inquiries about guests and topics should be directed to the Locke Foundation at 919-828-3876. Inquiries about the show’s production, distribution, and advertising opportunities should be directed to Carolina Broadcasting at 919-832-1416.

Listeners who would like to receive a weekly email containing advance notice of upcoming Carolina Journal Radio guests and topics should email Mitch Kokai.

Where to Hear the Program

Stay tuned for upcoming announcements of additional stations joining the network.

Interested North Carolinians can also subscribe to a monthly tape or CD containing two full-length episodes of Carolina Journal Radio. It’s a great way to catch up on programs listeners may have missed or for those without a local affiliate to listen to the show. Contact Mitch Kokai for more information.

Carolina Journal Radio

This week's program

History

Carolina Journal Radio Podcast

For More Information

Where to Hear the Program