RALEIGH — County governments across North Carolina should have an easier time sharing information about their privatization efforts, thanks to a first-of-its-kind survey from the John Locke Foundation. The report also lists county-by-county contact information for taxpayers and government officials seeking additional details.
RALEIGH — As local elected leaders prepared this spring for potential cuts in state funding, some legislators suggested that local governments look at their savings reserve accounts — or fund balances — to find money that would help cushion the blow. The General Assembly voted in June to override a gubernatorial veto and put a new state budget in place. Before that vote, Michael Sanera, John Locke Foundation Director of Research and Local Government Studies, discussed local governments’ fiscal outlooks with Donna Martinez for Carolina Journal Radio.
RALEIGH — Like their counterparts at the state, federal, and city level, county government leaders have been trying to cope with tight budgets in the wake of the recent economic downturn. Some North Carolina counties have tried to address their budget woes by seeking voter approval for tax hikes. Dr. Michael Sanera, John Locke Foundation Director of Research and Local Government Studies, discussed the issue with Donna Martinez for Carolina Journal Radio.
Some county commissioners are going off to Hawaii on the taxpayers’ dime. Others were planning to go, but backed out. The media coverage is copious.
County commission primaries in Buncombe and other western counties show the impact of economic concerns and conflicts about property rights on local politics and government.
RALEIGH—A bill aimed at strengthening the public health infrastructure in North Carolina is moving through the legislature toward likely passage this year. The measure calls for every county, through its public health agency, to develop local priorities that will serve as a basis for greater collaboration with the state. Sponsored by Sen. Fletcher Hartsell, R-Cabarrus, it seeks to “improve public health outcomes and reduce health disparities by the development and implementation of a State Plan for Public Health Services.”
Selections include: "Wreck the malls," "Go, blow it out your eardrum," "I saw Commies taxing Santa Claus," "Grandma got run over by a tax hike," and many more!
