Tune in to any discussion about education in North Carolina and you’re likely to hear someone say our state ranks at the bottom of spending students when compared with other states. John Locke Foundation Director of Education Studies Terry Stoops spending data released by the National Education Association (NEA) that shows North Carolina ranks 42nd, not 49th.  Stoops compares N.C.’s spending and outcomes to those of other states and other countries. Then we turn to discussion over changes to state agencies and departments that administer election law and functions. Some North Carolina lawmakers are interested in combining under one state agency the ethics, lobbying, and campaign finance compliance functions now handled by three separate agencies. You’ll hear highlights from a recent legislative discussion on the topic, including comments from Secretary of State Elaine Marshall, Ethics Commission director Perry Newson, and State Board of Elections chairman Larry Leake. Next is a look at an idea to save North Carolina taxpayers money.The General Assembly’s Program Evaluation Division believes North Carolina could save $2 million a year by closing two museums in Elizabeth City and Kinston and scaling back operations of other natural and cultural attractions. The recommendations have sparked a backlash from supporters of those attractions. You’ll hear a recent discussion of the topic. That’s followed by a look at North Carolina’s justice system. People hold varying views about the proper punishments for particular crimes, but no one wants to see an innocent person stuck in prison. Former state Supreme Court Chief Justice I. Beverly Lake Jr. discusses the impact of the Actual Innocence Commission he formed near the end of his judicial career. And finally, we hear about a $56 million expenditure designed to catalogue “green jobs” in North Carolina and other states, and at the federal level. Carolina Journal Managing Editor Rick Henderson explains the spending and why the reports are being created without standard definitions that would allow for a state-by-state, apples-to-apples job comparison. Henderson also explains the status of North Carolina’s report, which is behind schedule.