Mitch Kokai, John Locke Foundation senior political analyst, discusses the North Carolina Senate budget’s approach toward NCInnovation. Kokai offered these comments during the April 18, 2025, edition of PBS North Carolina’s “State Lines.”
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NCInnovation’s board of directors is weighing how the nonprofit could survive and operate more like a private entity, potentially with some state money, if state lawmakers claw back most or all of its $500 million taxpayer-funded endowment.
NCInnovation faces $500 million clawback in Stein’s recommended budget
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As North Carolina’s budget stalemate drags on, the board of directors for NCInnovation met this week to confront the organization’s uncertain future and the growing threat of losing state support. This comes as NCInnovation’s CEO Bennet Waters announced that he is building out succession for his leadership tenure, with plans to step down within the...