We have a new state budget. And while it took longer than expected for agreement, there are many provisions that fiscal conservatives can cheer, including money set aside for emergencies, tax reform, and the ending of a long-standing taxpayer subsidy for the solar industry. John Locke Foundation Vice President for Outreach Becki Gray goes over the highlights. Speaking of energy policy, conservatives know that North Carolina’s renewable energy mandate drives up electricity prices, especially for those who can least afford it, and it also diverts useful farmland into solar projects. A recent forum at the state Legislative Building highlighted unintended consequences associated with the renewable energy mandate. You’ll hear highlights from the panel discussion. Then we turn to the issue of support for whistleblowers by Sen. Thom Tillis. He’s just a freshman on Capitol Hill, but Tillis is already a co-founder of a group promoting protection of federal government whistleblowers. Tillis recently explained why he believes whistleblowers play a critical role in promoting government effectiveness and efficiency. That’s followed by a look at the role played by state think tanks. Government at all levels tends to grow bigger and bigger if left unchecked. But state-level think tanks across the country are working to help confine government to its proper role. Todd Davidson, policy specialist for the State Policy Network, explains those groups’ critical role in the public policy process. And finally, we look at why every American should learn more about the Constitution. The founding director of the North Carolina History Project, Troy Kickler, discusses the roles played by several North Carolinians in constitutional history.