Cover

• State boondoggles soak taxpayers: Lacking support, costly port project sinks
• State boondoggles soak taxpayers: Failed theater could become Internet café
• NCGA adjourns leaving disabled in lurch

North Carolina

• Study: Film incentives help connected groups, Page 2
• Republicans graded on promises made before NCGA session, Page 3
• Report: Public debt puts N.C. in bottom third, Page 4
• N.C. briefs, Page 4
• Legislative ‘dashboard’ lets lawmakers track bills electronically, Page 5
• Lackluster turnout for runoff pushes calls for alternatives, Page 6

Education

• Education reform advanced modestly in 2012 legislature, Page 7
• Terry Stoops commentary: Ed budget debate requires context, Page 7
• Buncombe school board member says majority stifles dissent, Page 8
• Florida AP model fails to gain traction in North Carolina, Page 9

Higher Education

• Campus diversity offices take few recession hits, Page 17
• George Leef commentary: ‘Society’ shouldn’t foot higher ed bill, Page 17
• Higher ed survives budget ordeal with little change, Page 18
• Campus Briefs, Page 18
• Issues in Higher Education: On higher ed policy, don’t wait for Romney to rock the boat, Page 19

Local Government

• Cities use taxes to discourage sweepstakes, Page 10
• Town and County, Page 10
• Taxiway over I-73 could open PTI development floodgates, Page 11
• Michael Sanera commentary: Suicidal ‘smart’ growth, Page 11
• Durham considers cracking down on vibrant food truck scene, Page 12

Learning Curve

• Book review: Tyrrell’s liberalism obit a fun read, even if a bit hasty, Page 20]
• From the Liberty Library, Page 20
• Troy Kickler commentary: Ramsour’s Mill an underappreciated Revolutionary War victory, Page 21
• Book review: Brooks: Capitalism the moral choice, Page 22
• Short Takes on Culture, Page 22
• Book review: ‘Most trusted man in America’ didn’t always deserve that mantle, Page 23

Opinion

• Editorial: Political investment fund, Page 24
• Donna Martinez commentary: The ‘high-poverty’ school ruse, Page 24
• Editorial: UNC’s bad grade, Page 25
• Editorial: Politics too inexpensive, Page 25
• John Hood commentary: A rewrite to restore justice, Page 25
• Michael Walden commentary: Are jobs coming? And where?, Page 26
• Editorial Briefs, Page 26
• Andy Taylor commentary: EU’s woes could portend problems for U.S., Page 27
• Becki Gray commentary: The sad plight of the father of the bride, Page 27

Parting Shot

• Duke Energy develops novel opt-in fund repayment plan (a CJ parody), Page 28