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Budget, Taxation & Economy
The $3 billion in hidden spending in the budget proposal
The recently introduced FY 2026–27 state budget proposal totals $34.37 billion in state spending. That’s the bottom line of General Fund appropriations universally being reported on. But is that figure…
Education
Fueling the discussion on open enrollment: study bill and model legislation
Parents want more educational options. While school choice has grown in recent years, 75 percent of all K–12 students still attend public schools in North Carolina. School choice has come…
Energy
Power in numbers: Land use for proposed new solar, natural gas plants
Two recently proposed power plants illustrate the stark difference in land use and efficiency in power generation. On June 17, the North Carolina Court of Appeals upheld the denial of a special-use…
NC 250
What’s 222 times 8?
One day when I was boy learning how to do multiplication, my mother asked me, “What’s 222 times 8?” I thought about it for a second and realized it would…
Research Brief
Budget, Taxation & Economy
Pay raises, tax cuts, earmarks, and much more in state budget proposal
At long last, a budget proposal has been presented by the North Carolina General Assembly. Ours was the only state to go the entire fiscal year of 2025–26 without a…
Education
Open enrollment model legislation
The following represents model legislation for North Carolina to establish within-district and cross-district open enrollment.
Education
Model within-district open enrollment policy for school districts
Within-district open enrollment is a form of school choice that lets parents choose any traditional public school within their child’s resident school district if there are open seats. The following…
Law & Public Safety
Final thoughts on birthright citizenship
In January 2025, President Trump signed an executive order denying birthright citizenship to the children of illegal aliens and temporary visitors. In a research brief published soon afterwards, I made a…
NC 250
Here’s how you can celebrate America’s 250th birthday
July 4, 2026, is just days away. It’s the semiquincentennial celebration of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, which marked the birth of our country 250 years ago. In…
Research Brief
Energy
What kept North Carolina cool during a recent heat emergency
The forecast in North Carolina for June 11–12, 2026, called for extreme heat. A heat advisory was issued for most of the state. WNCN reported that in Raleigh on June 12, the…
Elections & Public Integrity
Public comment on proposed voting site rules
The North Carolina State Board of Elections (SBE) has proposed changes to the rules governing voting sites, specifically addressing buffer zones next to voting sites, electioneering zones, and noise that…
Freedom Focus
Freedom Focus
The affordability crisis in one page
The “affordability crisis” is arguably shaping up to be the top issue for this election season. One can barely go five minutes on social media or television without hearing a…