The old adage says money makes the world go around, but is money necessary in order for a special state commission to meet its goal of reviewing N.C.’s K-12 education standards? John Locke Foundation Director of Research and Education Studies, Terry Stoops, discusses concerns by Common Core Commission members that they don’t have money to bring in experts to help assess the state’s standards. Then we turn to the aftermath of an ongoing legal battle at a North Carolina university. For years, UNC-Wilmington professor Mike Adams waged a legal battle with the school over what Adams labeled a violation of his free-speech rights in the decision to deny him an academic promotion. Now that Adams and UNCW have settled the case, he shares his thoughts about the outcome. Next is a look at recwent political news. Just how big were Republican wins in the 2014 elections? Very big, according to Weekly Standard editor Bill Kristol. Kristol dissected GOP gains during a speech for a John Locke Foundation audience in Raleigh. That’s followed by a loo at a side of politics not often seen. Elections generate plenty of heated discussion and serious debate, but there’s also plenty of room for humor in the political process. Joe Stewart, executive director of the N.C. FreeEnterprise Foundation, shares funny anecdotes from his decades of work in North Carolina politics and public policy. And finally, John Locke Foundation Director of Fiscal Policy Studies, Sarah Curry, explains how the state budgeting process works and the direction state agencies have received from Gov. Pat McCrory as the process has gotten underway.