Legislative reformers and Gov. Pat McCrory been the subject of intense criticism from those who disagree with their decision to exit the federal extended unemployment benefits program. But John Locke Foundation President John Hood explains that factual data firmly refutes claims by progressives. He discusses those claims and he recounts how a well known liberal economist reacted when his Wall Street Journal piece on the subject was published. Then we turn to education policy. After weeks of haggling, North Carolina legislators agreed on a plan to replace the controversial Common Core public school standards. You’ll hear highlights from the N.C. House’s final debate on the bill, along with reaction from Terry Stoops, John Locke Foundation director of research and education studies. Common Core changes represented just one of the recent legislative debates. Lawmakers have also focused on the merits of forcing riders to register and insure their mopeds. While registration has raised few concerns, legislators have split on the issue of insurance. Supporters say insurance will help protect drivers involved in accidents caused by moped riders. Critics say an insurance requirement would be too expensive for most moped riders. That’s followed by a look at societal concerns over the diminished role of father. Conservative analysts often emphasize the importance of family-oriented policies, but it was a Democratic legislator who recently drew attention to the work of a group focusing on fathers. Rep. Garland Pierce, D-Scotland, and Milton McCoy of Every Father Counts recently discussed their efforts to scrap or amend state policies that block dads from playing a role in their children’s lives. And finally, two federal Court of Appeals rulings about Obamacare subsidies have reached opposite conclusions. John Locke Foundation Health and Human Services Policy Analyst Katherine Restrepo explains the issue at the heart of both rulings – whether or not subsidies can be given to those residing in states that did not set up state exchanges – and what it could mean for the health care law. She also offers recommendations for changing Obamacare should Congress find the law before it once again for a rewrite.