Debate about the COVID-19 pandemic has featured plenty of data involving case numbers, deaths, and hospitalizations. Dig into the details, and you learn that the numbers might not be as useful as they first appear. They might even portray a misleading picture. Jon Sanders, John Locke Foundation director of regulatory studies, discusses key aspects of his research into key COVID-19 numbers. Americans are paying much more attention to China these days, largely because of that country’s role in the pandemic. Part of the discussion involves American trade with China. Scott Lincicome, senior fellow in economic studies at the Cato Institute, challenges one popular narrative surrounding trade with China. He shares highlights from his research. One reason voters should pay attention to this year’s N.C. Supreme Court elections involves school choice. A lawsuit challenging the state’s popular Opportunity Scholarship program is heading to a trial court. Most experts expect the case to head eventually to the state Supreme Court, which upheld the scholarships by a 4-3 vote in 2015. Terry Stoops, John Locke Foundation vice president for research and director of education studies, explains why the new lawsuit should raise concerns for school choice supporters. One of the state’s top government watchdogs recently retired. You’ll hear highlights from John Turcotte’s last meeting as head of the General Assembly’s internal Program Evaluation Division. If North Carolina moves forward with Medicaid expansion, ends its ban on collective bargaining, and adopts the types of spending increases Gov. Roy Cooper has proposed in his budget plans, the state budget could grow by 13%. That’s a key finding in a new report from John Locke Foundation Senior Fellow Joseph Coletti. Coletti discusses report and talks about the potential impact for taxpayers if North Carolina pursues ideas popular among Democratic policymakers and political candidates.
Carolina Journal Radio No. 910: Questions surround key COVID-19 data points
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