For the week of
September 14, 2012
- carolinajournal.com
Reaction of the Week
RALEIGH — A system based on “flex growth” makes more sense than
so-called “smart growth” as North Carolina and its local governments set
their development and transportation policies. That’s the conclusion in
a new John Locke Foundation Policy Report.
“Smart growth represents a backward-looking model for economic
development that attempts to turn North Carolina’s calendar back to the
19th century.” said report author Michael Lowrey, JLF economics and
regulatory policy analyst. “But the densely built, rail
transit-dependent cities promoted by smart growth do not represent how
most people want to live. In contrast, ‘flex growth’ is based on the
idea that people — not government bureaucrats and planners — know
what's best for themselves.”
Lowrey’s report outlines nine key aspects of flex growth. Together those
elements offer smarter options for North Carolina’s future than smart
growth, he said.
“Smart growth seeks more concentrated urban growth by increasing
government regulation of development, housing, and transportation,”
Lowrey explained. “Its policies restrict or eliminate development in new
areas, thus driving up the cost of land. Smart growth increases
government power and bureaucratic discretion. It ignores consumer
preferences. All in all, there's nothing smart about smart growth.”
Only a relatively small and constant percentage of Americans like the
type of communities promoted by smart growth policies, Lowrey said. “Most Americans still prefer single-family detached houses with yards,”
he said. “This is true even among a large plurality of Millennials, one
of the top targets of smart growth advocates.”
News Features
CJ: Increased graduation rates may not reflect better classroom performance
RALEIGH — When statistics came out in early
August that North Carolina high school graduation rates had topped 80
percent for the first time in memory, politicians from both sides of the
aisle were quick to claim credit and point fingers.
CJ: Braxton doesn’t need to set up fund for legal expenses
RALEIGH — Former state Rep. Van Braxton does not
have to set up a legal expense fund in an effort to raise money to
defray costs associated with a lawsuit filed by his 2010 opponent, the
state elections director has ruled.
CJ: Lawmakers ease regulations on food trucks
RALEIGH — A new law just cut through a chain
that has stopped countless food trucks in North Carolina from getting
out of the garage. Until now, the “commissary rule” had forced food truck operators either
to rent space in brick and mortar restaurants or commissaries or to buy
their own restaurant-quality kitchens to serve as home bases for their
mobile businesses.
CJ: Hillsdale College resists accreditation rule
RALEIGH — In 2007, Michigan state government
made a policy shift that may have ramifications around the country,
including in North Carolina. The state stopped accrediting Michigan’s
teacher education programs and required them to obtain accreditation
from a national professional organization. Romney and Obama in NC for the long haul
RALEIGH — After spending $56 million on a TV advertising barrage
unprecedented in North Carolina political history, the presidential
campaigns of Barack Obama and Mitt Romney are preparing for a two-month
sprint for the state’s 15 electoral votes. So far neither the summerlong
TV advertising blitz, nor the Democratic convention in Charlotte have
moved the needle on public opinion.
Upcoming Events
Monday, September 17, 2012 at 12:00 p.m.
Shaftesbury Society Luncheon
with our special guest Kory Swanson
Adams, Jefferson and the Myth of the Informed Voter Tuesday, September 18, 2012 at 11:30 am - 1:30 pm
Lunch & Learn: School Choice - The Road Ahead
with our special guests Paul Di Perna: Research Director, The Friedman Foundation Senator Jerry Tillman: Co-Chairman of the Senate Education/Higher Education Committee Lindsey Burke, Heritage Expert on Domestic Policy Studies Panel of policy experts and lawmakers
Lunch & Learn: School Choice - The Road Ahead Wednesday, September 19, 2012 at 12:00 p.m.
Election Preview 2012
with our special guests Byron York, Brad Crone, Marc Rotterman, and John Hood
What to Expect in the 2012 Election Wednesday, October 24, 2012 at 12:00 p.m.
A Headliner Luncheon
with our special guest Dr. Charles Murray
Coming Apart at the Seams: America's New Cultural Divide
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Capital Quotes
“This state had been looked at as an economic miracle. We’re not only not that anymore, we’re on the whole other side.”
— UNC-Charlotte economist John Connaughton, talking to the Charlotte Observer about the North Carolina economy. “This election is about who are the people going to trust.”
— Democratic gubernatorial candidate Walter Dalton, as quoted by the Raleigh News & Observer, while speaking to AFL-CIO members in Raleigh. “It’s time for an outsider to come in and fix our broken government right now, and that’s exactly what we’re going to do.”
— Republican gubernatorial candidate Pat McCrory, as quoted by the Associated Press, while speaking at Catawba College.
“I would love to see them do it.”
— Senior Republican strategist Charlie Black, talking to the Charlotte Observer about the prospects for holding the 2016 Republican National Convention in Charlotte.
On The Air This Week…
This week on C J Radio…
JLF’s Roy Cordato explains why an eastern N.C. wind energy project may be in trouble; Vice President Joe Biden & GOP vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan campaign in N.C.; Sen. Tommy Tucker responds to comments from acting HHS Secretary Al Delia about an unplanned cut to mental health funding; Libertarian Party VP candidate Jim Gray explains why his party is a better alternative; and JLF’s Fergus Hodgson recommends repeal of the Amazon tax.
This week on NC Spin…
Join moderator Tom Campbell
for another week of political discussion and debate on the most
intelligent television talk show in the state. Topics this week: Where we are and what can be done to provide and pay for healthcare for our citizens.. This week’s panelists: Bob Seligson, CEO of the North Carolina Medical Society; Bill Pully, President of the North Carolina Hospital Association; Brad Wilson, President and CEO of Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina; and State Treasurer Janet Cowell.
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