Archive: Daily Journal

• Regulatory closet gets summer cleaning

  Over the decades, state agencies and local governments have adopted a range of criminal penalties for offenses that, whatever their adverse social effects may be, don’t necessarily merit criminal prosecution.

  by John Hood
• N.C. sells liquor through 170 independent, political boards: What could go wrong?

  It has begun. Or, probably more accurately, a local and statewide crusade to prevent privatization of North Carolina’s liquor business is intensifying.  Even though legislative efforts to move toward a system of private licensure are relatively nascent, and a leader in…

  by John Trump
• SCOTUS showing subtleties of jurisprudence  

  We tend to think of U.S. Supreme Court justices as ideological, their views and actions mapping neatly onto the conventional liberal-to-conservative continuum of American politics. Their decisions are thought to conform to the party of the president who nominated them. The current conservative bloc is Chief Justice John Roberts…

  by Andy Taylor
• Trade wars hurt Carolina workers

  Lots of North Carolinians design, produce, process, transport, or market exports — and neither political posturing nor “tough” talk can replace the income they lose as other countries hike tariffs in response to ours.

  by John Hood
• Court ruling highlights problem plaguing N.C. certificate-of-need regime

  The courtroom fight over a government permit ignores a key fact important to health care consumers in North Carolina.

  by Mitch Kokai
• Duke Energy is right on gas

  If your goal is to reduce carbon emissions in electricity generation, the primary tools available are to replace coal with lower-emitting natural gas and to expand nuclear.

  by John Hood
• On school safety, smarter strategies for preventing harm 

  A new school year is weeks away, bringing new strategies for keeping kids safe. Topping the list: A smartphone app leveraging the eyes, ears, and savvy of students. Called Say Something, the app enables students to submit anonymous tips about threats on social media or at school.

  by Kristen Blair
• No kidding, North Carolina taxes illegal drugs

  “Hey! Did you pay taxes on those drugs, mister? Probably not, right?” Unless you are buying your marijuana from a dispensary in a state where it’s legal, you probably aren’t paying taxes on your illicit substances. If not, you are likely committing two crimes: possession of a controlled substance and…

  by Brenee Goforth
• Courts should judge, not legislate

  Judges shouldn’t be afraid to strike down unconstitutional laws, but when they try to act as policymakers they subvert constitutional government rather than defend it.

  by John Hood
• Gerrymandering trial features much ado about the wrong thing

  Lawyers spent more time trashing experts than delving into the key constitutional question.

  by Mitch Kokai