Like North Carolina, many states have faced budget holes. Some politicians seek to raise taxes to fill the hole, and that approach has led to a debate over whether and how tax rates and tax hikes impact a state’s economic prosperity. John Locke Foundation Director of Fiscal Policy Studies Fergus Hodgson addresses that question and refutes the argument from progressives that rates and hikes don’t impact behavior and, thus, prosperity. He explains that low and stable tax burdens set the stage for economic prosperity. Then we turn to disagreement among state legislators over scheduling of special sessions. The North Carolina General Assembly wrapped up the bulk of its work June 18, leaving Raleigh far earlier than most recent legislatures. But lawmakers returned to Raleigh in July to deal with redistricting, and they’re scheduled to come back in September for another week of work. Some N.C. House Democrats raised concerns about that type of drawn-out legislative schedule. You’ll hear highlights from a recent debate on the topic from the House floor. Next is a look at North Carolina history. Most of us remember learning about the Boston Tea Party during our American history classes in school. North Carolina’s Edenton Tea Party attracts much less attention. N.C. History Project Director Troy Kickler recently discussed the significance of that Edenton event for a John Locke Foundation audience. You’ll hear details. That’s followed by a look at energy policy. As the federal government searches for a sensible energy policy, the correct answer is not “all of the above” – coal, nuclear, and gas plus wind, solar, biomass, and every other possible option. That’s the assessment of David Schnare, director of the Center for Environmental Stewardship at the Thomas Jefferson Institute and director of the Environmental Law Center at the American Tradition Institute. Schnare outlines the problems associated with certain energy options. And finally, for the past few years, mainstream media has been filled with cries about saving the planet from global warming alarmists. Recently, however, those messages and stories have been muted. John Locke Foundation Vice President for Research Roy Cordato provides an update on the alarmism movement and federal policies that dovetail with the movement’s goals.
Tax Rates, Tax Hikes, and Economic Prosperity
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