Election Day is less than two weeks away, and the John Locke Foundation continues to attract attention for its analysis and expertise. The Lincoln Tribune highlighted this week Carolina Journal staff reports on proposed sales-tax hikes for Alleghany and Columbus counties. Those reports are based on research from Michael Sanera, JLF Director of Research and Local Government Studies; Joseph Coletti, Director of Health and Fiscal Policy Studies; and Terry Stoops, Director of Education Studies. The Carrboro Citizen interviewed Coletti about Orange County’s proposed tax increase. The Lincoln Tribune also published two of CJ Associate Editor David Bass‘ reports on competitive legislative races. Bass profiled the N.C. House District 34 race and a half dozen surprising “second-tier” races. Senate Republicans also promoted Bass’ article on the second-tier races, along with contributor Sam Hieb‘s article on the Senate District 24 campaign. Meanwhile, two legislative campaign reports this week in the Greensboro News & Record referenced the John Locke Foundation. In the House District 57 race, Republican challenger Jon Hardister cited JLF research about the negative impact of state renewable energy mandates. In the House District 59 race, Republican challenger Theresa Yon turned to JLF research critiquing film industry incentives. Speaking of candidates supporting JLF positions, a Wilson Daily Times profile of candidates in the U.S. House District 2 campaign noted Libertarian candidate Tom Rose’s support for the John Locke Foundation. The Liberty Point blog also highlighted a candidate’s reliance on JLF research into public transit costs. Mitch Kokai, Director of Communications, earned television airtime this week on election-related issues. News 14 Carolina interviewed Kokai about Orange County’s proposed sales-tax increase, and he returned to the News 14 studios Thursday night to provide analysis for the last U.S. Senate debate between Richard Burr and Elaine Marshall. News 14 also interviewed Kokai this week for a story about federal stimulus opponents in Congress who now face charges of hypocrisy after agreeing to help local constituents pursue stimulus dollars.
