Gov. Pat McCrory has been busy naming Cabinet secretaries and other key officials for his new administration. Carolina Journal Managing Editor Rick Henderson profiles several of the appointments, including those for budget, revenue, and public safety. Next, conservatives and libertarians spend much of their time talking about the principles that motivate them — free markets, liberty, personal responsibility — but often spend less time talking about how those principles translate into policies. Reihan Salam, author of National Review Online’s domestic policy blog, “The Agenda,” discusses the importance of developing conservative policy proposals. Then we turn to history. Discussions of the American political system often focus on the importance of an “informed citizenry.” Kory Swanson, executive vice president of the John Locke Foundation, discussed in a recent public presentation how that concept of informed citizens relates to the Glorious Revolution, a series of events more than 300 years ago across the Atlantic Ocean. That’s followed by a look at a controversial debate over transportation planning. Some Triangle-area politicians and pundits continue to push for new passenger rail service for the region. Adrian Moore, vice president for policy at the Reason Foundation, says the history of similar projects across the country shows they tend to cost far too much money for very little benefit. And finally, it is January, which means many of us are thinking about filing tax returns. Lawmakers are thinking about taxes too – reforming the system of taxation in our state. John Locke Foundation Vice President for Research, Roy Cordato, recommends reforming the system by moving to an Unlimited Savings Allowance tax (USA). Cordato explains what it means, what it would replace, and why this idea would spur economic growth.