Research Division

If you read newspapers, listen to public affairs programs on the radio, or watch television news, you have seen or heard John Locke Foundation research — even if you didn’t know it! The Research Division, led by Vice President and Resident Scholar Dr. Roy Cordato, publishes lengthy Policy Reports on issues such as the state budget, taxes, health care, and regulation. It also publishes shorter papers called Spotlights on specific issues being debated by the General Assembly and other governmental bodies.

The JLF Research Division does more than just study public policy and issue reports. Its staffers participate in forums and conferences, testify before legislative committees, speak to civic clubs and academic audiences, make media appearances, and contribute to “The Locker Room,” JLF’s blog covering a variety of public-policy issues in North Carolina and beyond with insight, timeliness, and more than a little humor. JLF Policy Analysts also serve as resources for lawmakers and other policymakers, answering questions and fulfilling requests for information and analysis.

The JLF research team comprises scholars with graduate degrees in such fields as economics, law, education, international finance, management, government, engineering, and social work. Dr. Michael Sanera serves as Research Director, managing the assignment and editorial process, while also serving as Local Government Policy Analyst. Jon Sanders oversees the production of Policy Reports and Spotlights as Research Editor. Other in-house or adjunct Policy Analysts include Joseph Coletti (Fiscal Policy), Terry Stoops (Education), Daren Bakst (Law and Regulation), and David Hartgen (Transportation).

The News & Record of Greensboro observed that JLF’s research is taken seriously by state leaders and has become “a new political oracle.” The Charlotte Observer stated that Cordato’s recommendations for budgetary savings “should be part of the legislature’s debate.” And The News & Observer of Raleigh noted that Cordato’s environmental policy research had “made lawmakers reluctant” to impose costly new regulations with little benefit to the public.

Past Spotlights and Policy Reports have led to changes in state policy in such areas as unemployment insurance, health care, and public-records law. JLF’s work on local government finances played a key role in convincing members of the Charlotte city council not to raise taxes in 2005. And since 1995, state lawmakers have saved taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars by enacting budget savings recommended in JLF’s series of alternative state budgets.

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