Next month state legislators are scheduled to convene in Raleigh to consider an array of constitutional amendments. Most believe the list will include a bill that would define marriage as between one man and one woman. John Locke Foundation Vice President for Outreach Becki Gray reviews the possible amendments, which range from the same-sex marriage ban to ensuring greater private property rights to limiting the terms of the legislative leadership. Then we turn to the always controversial effort to require North Carolinians to present a photo I.D. before voting. Polls regularly show that North Carolinians favor a proposal to mandate I.D. Republicans in the General Assembly approved a bill to institute Voter ID, but Democratic Gov. Beverly Perdue vetoed the plan. You’ll hear highlights from the N.C. House’s debate on a vote to override Perdue’s veto. Next is a look at fiscal policy with one of the most high-profile members of Congress during the recent debt-limit debate – North Carolina freshman Rep. Renee Ellmers, R-2nd District. Ellmers attracted publicity by urging colleagues to vote for a balanced budget amendment. She explained her support for the measure during a news conference with top U.S. House leaders. Speaking of federal debt, some observers question whether a certain level of government debt has negative consequences on economic growth. Thomas Grennes, professor of economics at N.C. State University, says research suggests the answer is yes. When debt consistently exceeds 77 percent of a nation’s Gross Domestic Product, economic growth tends to slow. And finally, we find out from a veteran analyst of state unemployment data what each month’s statistics mean and don’t mean. Carolina Journal Executive Editor Don Carrington discusses his background in the field and helps weed out the political spin that typically accompanies the release of data from the North Carolina Economic Security Commission.
Will Legislators Vote to Amend NC’s Constitution?
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