Their names used to be known only to those with a keen interest in N.C. politics and power. But these days, the names Ruffin Poole, R.C. Soles, and Tony Rand are much more familiar to the general public. Carolina Journal managing editor Rick Henderson provides an update on scandals and allegations swirling around all three men. Poole is a former aide to Mike Easley, while Soles and Rand are longtime Democratic state legislators. Then we turn to issues of taxation and revenue. As North Carolina lawmakers look for new ways to raise money, many are interested in expanding the state sales tax to cover more services. Michael Mazerov, senior fellow at the Washington, D.C.-based Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, made the case for an expanded sales tax during a recent presentation to a tax-reform study group. You’ll hear his comments, along with reaction from economist Roy Cordato, John Locke Foundation vice president for research and resident scholar. Along with tax issues, Cordato has focused much of his recent attention on government policies designed to curb carbon-dioxide emissions. He joined Americans for Prosperity North Carolina state director Dallas Woodhouse in a recent event critiquing the Copenhagen climate summit. Woodhouse and Cordato outlined some of the flaws associated with CO2 policies that aim to fight global warming. That’s followed by a look at history. School kids learn that the battle of Yorktown paved the way for the end of the American Revolution. Many never learn that a North Carolina battle played a critical role in pushing the American and British armies toward Yorktown. Joshua Howard, research historian for the N.C. Office of Archives and History, explains key themes from a book he co-authored, Long, Obstinate, & Bloody: The Battle of Guilford Courthouse. And finally, Carolina Journal Radio co-hosts Mitch Kokai and Donna Martinez discuss the state’s Jan. 2 ban on smoking in most bars and restaurants – a ban the owner of a Chapel Hill hookah bar plans to defy – as well as the explosive growth in federal jobs.