After President Trump announced plans to pull the United States out of the Paris climate agreement, N.C. Gov. Roy Cooper joined more than 1,000 public officials across the country in signing an open letter pledging continued support for the agreement. Rick Henderson, Carolina Journal editor-in-chief, analyzes Cooper’s action and the response from Republican legislative leaders. Henderson also discusses North Carolina’s ability to take any actions on its own that would affect global warming. North Carolina lawmakers continue to wrestle with the best way to handle taxation of sales made over the internet. One idea under discussion would force online vendors to collect sales tax in North Carolina if they have gross sales of at least $100,000 or at least 200 transactions within the state during the course of the year. You’ll hear highlights from a Senate committee debate on the issue. Members of the University of North Carolina system’s Board of Governors raised concerns recently about a proposed change in board policy. It would have forced them to report all conversations with state legislators to the board chairman and the chair of the board committee that handles legislative outreach. You’ll hear why BOG members objected to the proposal. You’ll also hear their concerns about lobbying from UNC staffers on issues directly affecting BOG work. Some N.C. lawmakers want to step up state efforts to fight human trafficking. Legislation moving through the General Assembly specifically targets sex trafficking. During a recent news conference, a sex trafficking survivor shared her story. Legislators also explained their proposal to help get more of these survivors off the streets. One of North Carolina’s most vocal advocates for public charter schools is taking a more direct interest in the topic. Terry Stoops, the John Locke Foundation’s vice president for research, is married to a public school teacher who just won approval to open the new Carolina Charter Academy in Wake County in 2018. Stoops describes the process his wife pursued to start the school. He also explains how CCA will offer an alternative to traditional school options in one of the fastest-growing parts of the state.