With an unemployment rate hovering at 11 percent, North Carolina lawmakers are looking for ways to foster job creation. What they often turn to, much to the chagrin of the John Locke Foundation’s Roy Cordato, are targeted corporate subsidies and tax credits. Cordato explains the myths behind incentives, which are clearly illustrated in a 2009 report that many state legislators have simply ignored. He also explains the key difference between policies that promote economic “development” and those that promote economic growth. Then we turn to public education. As state lawmakers look for ways to help boost the number of students graduating from North Carolina’s public schools, some people are pushing an increased emphasis on career and technical education. State Superintendent of Public Instruction June Atkinson recently presented findings from her “Career-Ready” task force. You’ll hear her comments, along with observations from task force member Becki Gray, Vice President for Outreach at the John Locke Foundation. Next up is a discussion of a new idea for yet another tobacco tax. Legislators have shelved – for now – proposals to boost the tax on a tobacco product dubbed the “little cigar.” Legislative staffer Cindy Avrette recently explained the difficulty in defining the little cigar for tax purposes. You’ll hear her explanation, along with reaction from Sen. Josh Stein, D-Wake, who’s still interested in raising the tax. Joseph Coletti, John Locke Foundation Director of Health and Fiscal Policy Studies, will explain why Stein and his colleagues should scrap the idea. That’s followed by a look at local reaction to the new health insurance law. Congress approved ObamaCare in Washington, D.C., but some people hope the General Assembly in Raleigh can take steps to limit its impact. Protesters associated with the group N.C. Freedom rallied recently outside the state Legislative Building. You’ll hear their comments, included featured remarks from Michael Flynn, editor-in-chief of the national website BigGovernment.com. And finally, we take up the issue of whether restaurant owners should be allowed to welcome dogs and cats into their establishments. John Locke Foundation Director of Legal and Regulatory Studies Daren Bakst examines the debate and concludes it should be discussed as a property rights concern, not a public health issue. Bakst makes his case for a rule that would leave the question up to owners, not the government.