N.C. policymakers recently learned that state government ended its last budget year in June with a revenue surplus of nearly $900 million. Meanwhile, Gov. Roy Cooper wants the state to borrow more money as it increases spending in the new budget year and beyond. Joseph Coletti, John Locke Foundation senior…
Reform of North Carolina’s alcohol regulations has taken a major step forward this year. Gov. Roy Cooper has signed into law measures that ease restrictions on craft brewers and distillers. New laws also make other changes that reduce government barriers for consumers. Rick Henderson, Carolina Journal editor-in-chief, assesses the recent…
New research from Duke University scholars questions Medicaid’s value for the people the health care program was designed to help. The research arrives as the N.C. General Assembly and Gov. Roy Cooper continue to bicker over Cooper’s proposal to expand Medicaid to several hundred thousand more people in the state.
One of the sticking points in this year’s state budget debate involves the State Capital and Infrastructure Fund, or SCIF. Legislators propose using SCIF instead of a statewide bond to fund school construction projects. Gov. Roy Cooper objects. Joseph Coletti, John Locke Foundation senior fellow, analyzes the SCIF. He explains…
State Rep. Greg Murphy has won the Republican runoff in this year’s special 3rd District congressional election. He moves on to face Democrat Allen Thomas, plus Libertarian and Constitution Party candidates, in the Sept. 10 general election. Rick Henderson, Carolina Journal editor-in-chief, analyzes developments in this contest and the special…
The 2020 general election is more than a year away, but there’s plenty of political activity at the state and federal level. Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper and Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Forest appear to be headed toward a contest for the Executive Mansion. Rick Henderson, Carolina Journal editor-in-chief, analyzes recent…
North Carolina has been dealing with the Leandro school funding lawsuit for 25 years. But recent developments suggest a resolution to the long-running case could be in sight. Terry Stoops, John Locke Foundation vice president for research and director of education studies, analyzes the latest recommendations and courtroom developments in…
North Carolina’s 2020 U.S. Senate race picked up two more candidates in recent weeks. Cal Cunningham, a former state senator, dropped his campaign for lieutenant governor to make a second bid for the upper chamber on Capitol Hill. Another former state senator, Eric Mansfield, also added his name to the…
While Medicaid expansion dominates North Carolina’s health care headlines, other topics deserve attention, too. Jordan Roberts, John Locke Foundation health care policy analyst, focuses on two health care innovations. First, he explains how Medibid connects patients and doctors through online auctions. Second, he discusses the planned merger of Aetna and…
As Gov. Roy Cooper signed into law a compromise between craft brewers and N.C. beer distributors, several other proposed alcohol reforms remain in play within the General Assembly. Rick Henderson, Carolina Journal editor-in-chief, analyzes the prospects for additional reforms during this legislative session. As Medicaid expansion continues to play a…
