Among many in the Democratic Party, attacking the rich is back in style. Some popular Democrats contend that large concentrations of wealth are, at best, unseemly and, at worst, absolutely immoral. From newly elected Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to possible presidential candidates, including Senators Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders and New…
Unfunded liabilities for N.C. government workers’ health and pension retirement benefits could crowd out spending for other high-priority state government items in the years ahead. State Treasurer Dale Folwell delivered that warning Monday in a presentation for the John Locke Foundation. Folwell also discussed ways his office is addressing challenges…
Candidates are already lining up for the 2020 elections in North Carolina. It’s not unusual to see candidates jump into a race a year before the election. But some might be throwing their hats into the ring even earlier than normal. That’s because primary elections have been moved up from…
Dr. Adam Hoffer, associate professor of economics at the University of Wisconsin at Lacrosse, discusses the use of sin taxes to influence behavior. Hoffer’s comments are tied to a book he co-edited: For Your Own Good. He discussed these issues in an interview for Carolina Journal Radio.
Mitch Kokai, John Locke Foundation senior political analyst, discusses the newly unveiled Green New Deal resolution. Kokai offered these comments during the Feb. 8, 2019, edition of UNC-TV’s “Front Row with Marc Rotterman.”…
It’s time to wake up, North Carolina. Enough is truly enough. In truth, it’s well past time lawmakers take substantive steps toward rewriting or eliminating much of the arcane laws governing alcohol, painfully documented in N.C. General Statute 18b. It runs nearly 150…
The governor’s behind it, and state Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Mandy Cohen is for it. Some freshmen legislators have made it a priority, some leaders in the N.C. House think it’s a good idea, and 32 states have implemented a version of it. But does Medicaid expansion…
School choice takes many different forms in North Carolina. In recent years, state legislators have established Opportunity Scholarship vouchers for students from low-wealth families, a separate grant program for students with special education needs, and education savings accounts. Terry Stoops, John Locke Foundation vice president for research and director of…
Joseph Coletti, John Locke Foundation senior fellow, discusses a controversy involving Buncombe County’s local sales tax revenue. Coletti offered these comments during an interview with Donna Martinez for Carolina Journal Radio.
I made a presentation recently to a community GOP club, a group of kind people who were smart, engaged, and curious. Much like many of the other groups I speak to and with. Most recently, I spoke about the N.C. Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission and…
