John Locke Foundation analysts continue to offer their expertise to media outlets covering the ongoing story of North Carolina’s budget woes. President John Hood appeared twice this week on WTVD Television, first discussing the likelihood of state tax increases, then responding to Gov. Beverly Perdue’s plans to seize the state’s “rainy day” reserve funds to help plug state government’s gaping budget hole. The Rocky Mount Telegram also cited Hood’s thoughts about tax increases, and the Kinston Free Press referenced him in an editorial about Perdue’s plans to use lottery proceeds to address the budget shortfall. Hood also made the radio rounds this week, discussing Perdue’s State of the State address during a Tuesday morning appearance on the WPTF morning show and recording today with Curtis Media Group’s Scott Carr for weekend programming that airs on WPTF and WSJS. Hood was not alone in analyzing Perdue’s State of the State remarks; N.C. Education Alliance Director Lindalyn Kakadelis assessed Perdue’s statements about education spending, bureaucratic organization, and testing during an appearance with Lockwood Phillips on WTKF’s “Viewpoints Radio.” The Huntersville Herald also quoted JLF Fiscal Policy Analyst Joseph Coletti in a recent article about university budget issues. ([W]hile state and university officials have
long championed the federal government’s $790 billion stimulus package
as a way to plug economic holes, John Locke Foundation
financial analyst Joe Coletti cautioned against expecting too much.
“Some of that money will be directed toward schools and universities,
but how much of that will offset the current budget problems, I’m not
sure,” Coletti said. “In most of the (package), it’s specified for a
lot of new stuff, new construction. It doesn’t do anything for
operating costs.”) In related news, the Durham Herald-Sun cited Coletti and his work on a recent report detailing Orange County’s rate of tax growth.