The N.C. Senate has approved its $22.9 billion General Fund budget. It features a tax cut that would total nearly $1 billion over two years. It also limits the state government spending increase to roughly half the level recommended in the governor’s budget, while setting aside more money for reserves and increasing funding for high-priority items. Becki Gray, John Locke Foundation senior vice president, analyzes the Senate’s proposals and looks ahead to the development of a state House budget. The political world is still coming to grips with Brexit, Britain’s vote in 2016 to leave the European Union. Matthew Elliott, senior fellow at the Legatum Institute, was CEO of the “Vote Leave” campaign that supported Brexit. During a recent visit to North Carolina, he offered an update on the Brexit process and discussed potential implication for this state and for the national economy. Elliott particularly emphasizes the potential benefits of stronger, formalized trade deals between the United States and United Kingdom. One of the legislative ideas that fell by the wayside during this year’s legislative session was a proposal to lengthen lawmakers’ terms of office from two years to four years. You’ll hear why some state representatives pushed for four-year terms. You’ll also hear a response from those who argued that longer terms would violate basic constitutional principles linked to popular sovereignty. Legislators are pushing forward with a bill that’s designed to protect free speech on North Carolina’s public university campuses. The measure calls on university system leaders to devise a plan to ensure individual campuses do not shut the door on free, open debate. You’ll hear arguments for and against the measure. It’s attracted much less attention than the booming craft brewing industry, but North Carolina’s craft distillery sector also has seen substantial growth in recent years. Proposals in the General Assembly could pave the way for even more growth. Carolina Journal Managing Editor John Trump highlights key themes from his new book on N.C. distilleries. It’s titled Still & Barrel: Craft Spirits in the Old North State.