Opinion
Policy research has its limitations
The overwhelming consensus is that states and localities that subsidize ballparks and arenas do not derive enough economic return to justify the cost.
Opinion
Politicians play with fairy dust
It’s hard not to play along when children come up with cute untruths. Back when one of my now-grown sons was just an Opie Taylor-like tyke, for example, he used to tell me matter-of-factly that if he didn’t go to bed, the moon wouldn’t rise. It was a reasonable conclusion based on his experience at...
Opinion
Economic impact studies: How special interests tell public interest stories
Question 1: When are special interest subsidies not special interest subsidies? Answer: When the special interests hire consultants to do an economic impact study. Question 2: How often do economic impact studies show that the special interest subsidy will be good for the economy? Answer: Always. Economic impact studies have become part of the standard...
Podcast
Charlotte, Raleigh groups pursue different paths for new pro soccer team
From Carolina Journal Radio Program No. 741: Prospective owners are pushing competing plans to bring Major League Soccer to Charlotte or Raleigh. The Charlotte plan calls for taxpayers to foot the bill for most of the cost of a new stadium. Meanwhile, the Raleigh plan calls for private financing of a stadium that would sit...
Podcast
Carolina Journal Radio No. 741: Former ambassador’s daughter leads legal fight against Twitter
The daughter of North Carolina-based former Ambassador Jim Cain serves as lead plaintiff in a lawsuit against Twitter. Cameron Cain and a co-plaintiff contend that the social media giant has not taken adequate stops to block ISIS from using Twitter to plan its terrorist attacks. Jon Guze, the John Locke Foundation’s director of legal studies,...
Opinion
More Bad Ballpark News
A few weeks ago, I wrote about a ballpark proposal in High Point. Recently, I saw a Fayetteville Observer headline: “Fayetteville, Cumberland officials to visit Columbia, S.C. to tour baseball stadium.” Oh, no. I knew where this was going. And I was right. The city has met with the Houston Astros about bringing a minor...
