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Health Care
Decade of Medicaid Expansion in Other States Throws Up Plenty of Red Flags for North Carolina
Expanding Medicaid in North Carolina was a big mistake, and the harshest consequences will be felt by the state's neediest population.
Elections & Public Integrity
Brunswick and Forsyth Election Boards Withdraw from “Zuck Bucks 2.0”
Almost exactly a year ago, I noted how a left-wing organization called the Center for Tech and Civic Life (CTCL) influenced election administration in North Carolina and nationwide through funds…
Education
It’s That Time of Year. . .
It’s late January. That means we’re nearing National School Choice Week, the annual celebration of empowering parents to choose the best educational option for their children. This year National School…
Freedom Focus
Budget, Taxation & Economy
Buc-ee’s and EVs: How the Private and Public Sectors Differ in Meeting People’s Needs
While the Cooper and Biden administrations try to find more ways that government can install EV charging stations, in the private sector Buc-ee’s has announced it’s going to create 120…
Education
Yes, State Government Can Help Improve Local Educational Outcomes
Last year, 115 school districts in North Carolina spent almost $17 billion in state, local, and federal funding to educate children in grades kindergarten through 12. The overwhelming majority of…
Education
You Can Help Improve North Carolina Schools’ Healthful Living Standards. Here’s How.
Earlier this week, I described some of the changes that were incorporated into the second draft of the proposed content standards for Healthful Living, which covers both Physical Education and…
Research Brief
Budget, Taxation & Economy
The Jobs Report Before Christmas
North Carolina’s labor market has largely recovered from Covid lockdowns, but there is still room for improvement. The unemployment rate is slightly below pre-Covid levels (3.8 percent) at 3.5 percent.…
Research Brief
Budget, Taxation & Economy
Reservations for 7 Billion: The General Assembly’s Budgetary Reserve Shell Game
In addition to the $30 billion of General Fund spending in the 2023 budget, the General Assembly also appropriated over $7 billion that’s hardly being reported. Setting aside money in…
Elections & Public Integrity
Public Comment: Proposed Voter ID Rules Are at Odds with State Law
Below is my public comment on the North Carolina State Board of Elections’ proposed voter ID rules. A link to the proposed rules is below the comment. You can submit…
Liberty
Election 2024: Unpacking North Carolina’s Significant Voter Registration Shifts
The race to the White House is heating up as the pivotal Iowa Caucus looms less than a week away. Historically, the Iowa Caucus has been a crucial barometer for…
Research Brief
Education
Second Draft of North Carolina’s Healthful Living Standards Shows Some Improvement, but Work Remains
The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction posted the second draft of proposed Healthful Living standards on Dec. 14. The new draft incorporates aspects of the John Locke Foundation’s recommended…
Education
Seeing Past the Spin on Learning Loss
In the last few days North Carolinians have received quite a bit of news regarding how our students are doing in recovering from learning loss. The short answer is better…