Iowa State University

Why conservatives defend free enterprise

When conservatives advocate lower taxes and less regulation, their critics often retort that we’re just advancing the interest of business. That’s either a misunderstanding or a purposeful mischaracterization. I have nothing against the business sector — some of my best friends are business executives, to paraphrase the old rationalization — but what I and my...

Licensing laws shackle labor markets

North Carolina is one of the toughest places in the country to enter a new career — and that doesn’t auger well for our future economic performance. The issue is occupational licensing. For dozens of professions, North Carolina requires a prospective employee to possess a specified education credential, receive a specified amount of training, pass...

Why conservatives defend free enterprise

When conservatives advocate smaller government, they do it not because they are “pro-business” but because they are pro-progress.

N.C. farmers about to feel the crunch of retaliatory tariffs

As the trade dispute with China picks up, bigger farms in North Carolina are scrambling to cope with a shrinking market of customers. U.S. agriculture relies heavily on exporting its products overseas, where China is the world’s fastest-growing market and foreign consumers help keep farms in business. North Carolina is a growing part of the...

Julie Havlak

Look for the Party Label

Nine of the 10 most-taxed states have Democratic legislatures. Most of the 10 least-taxed states have Republican legislatures.

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Friday Interview: Report Documents Colleges Straying From Donors’ Intent

RALEIGH — It’s not uncommon for university boosters to donate money or property to the alma mater. It would be wrong to assume that the schools always honor the donors’ wishes. George Leef, director of research for the John W. Pope Center for Higher Education Policy, discussed the issue with Donna Martinez for Carolina Journal Radio.

CJ Staff

Review Blasts Price Earmark Waste

CARRBORO — UNC review of a program funded with an earmark obtained by Rep. David Price finds haphazard management and wasteful spending.

David N. Bass

Research Raises Questions about TIFs

CHARLOTTE—Whether tax increment financing really works as advertised is an empirical question. In recent years, several studies have examined the issue, reaching the general conclusion that TIFs as typically used produce few of the benefits claimed. Indeed, in some cases they may actually be counterproductive. One study found that Iowa’s TIF law “now has become a de facto entitlement for new industry and housing development in the state with little or no evidence of overall public benefit or meaningful discussion of the mean cost of the practice.” But supporters of Amendment One in North Carolina have been citing as part of this same study as supporting their position.

Michael Lowrey

No. 767: Amendment One Is Still a Bad Idea

Amendment One. It's name has been changed twice: from tax-increment financing to self-financing bonds. Even with its more innocuous title, Amendment One is still a bad idea.

Chad Adams