Opinion
No. 880: Crystal-Balling the Job Market
The federal forecast shows job growth will stay about the same in 10 years, but the types of jobs are expected to change.
Opinion
No. 879: Mental Health Costs: A Mean Game of Fetch
North Carolina's plan to reform mental-health care saddles local governments with an expensive responsibility.
Opinion
The Minimum Wage—Magic Wand?
In 1914, Henry Ford paid his factory line employees $97.30 per day—in 2005 dollars. The minimum wage is currently an issue in North Carolina, as well as at the national level. Interest in a new federal minimum has little to do with Ford's productivity and tedium argument, however, and there is no legislative magic wand for prosperity.
Opinion
Potential Deal on Gas-Tax Spat
Perhaps there are reasonable arguments in favor of the current gas-tax structure. But if the political establishment wants to retain the rate, it should promise to protect the funds and to cut other taxes.
Opinion
Lindalyn’s Journal
Last week, in a ruling fraught with far-reaching ramifications, the Florida Supreme Court declared the state’s school choice plan unconstitutional. Argued in June 2005, this pivotal 5-2 decision brought an end to months of waiting and speculation.
Opinion
The Rather-Eventful Think Tank
In this world of 24-hour media, interactive talk radio, and the information cornucopia that is the Internet, why should public-policy groups bother hosting events?
Opinion
Equity in Schools and Fees
Attorneys for school systems seeking to overturn the state’s education-finance system want nearly $11 million for winning the case. But, uh, they didn’t win the case.
Opinion
Smaller classes aren’t working
RALEIGH — Smaller class sizes do not translate into better public-school performance, says the John Locke Foundation in a new analysis. In light of the dearth of statistical information to the contrary, the state should re-evaluate school funding priorities.
Opinion
Not Music to Taxpayers’ Ears
If state government can legitimately be in the business of staging country-music shows, what business can it not be in? Consider cases in northeastern and western NC.
Opinion
Second Look at Playground Economics
Time for a look back at two examples of economics instruction — on two different playgrounds.
Opinion
Rethinking leader licensing
SEATTLE, WA — States use licenses to control who becomes a principal, but do these licenses encompass the knowledge and skills those principals need to promote student learning? "When Learning Counts" examines this issue in full.
Opinion
Putting a Price on Mobility
Debates about tolling our highways traditionally focus on the potential revenues they'll raise and how the money will be spent once it is raised. While this is an important piece of the overall equation, says the Reason Foundation's Geoffrey Segal, it falls short of detailing the full benefit tolling can bring.
