The John Locke Foundation research staff’s new First in Freedom Index continues to generate interest and attract attention across the country. Reason.com highlighted FFI on its “Hit & Run” blog and as the headline item in an email sent to Reason subscribers. The Association of Mature American Citizens, a conservative alternative to AARP, publicized the index as well, along with the Dalton (Ga.) Daily Citizen, Alabama’s Yellow Hammer News, the Florida Libertarian Party, SaintPetersBlog, and BuzzPo.com. The New York Post plans to publicize FFI over the weekend.
In other news involving JLF researchers, two entries at National Review Online’s “Phi Beta Cons” blog highlighted Director of Regulatory Studies Jon Sanders‘ analysis of the dubious record of a controversial poverty center based at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The Triangle Business Journal quoted Director of Fiscal Policy Studies Sarah Curry in an article about state historic preservation tax credits. (“There is no justification for compelling state taxpayers to subsidize the preservation of historic properties in particular cities and towns,” says Sarah Curry, director of fiscal policy studies for the conservative-leaning John Locke foundation, in a recent report opposing the historic tax credit renewal. “The purpose of the tax code should be to raise revenue for core government services. It should not be used as a means to redistribute income, favor certain personal behaviors or discourage others, or force taxpayers to be in the economic-development game.”)
The Kernersville News and Laurinburg Exchange published Director of Research and Education Studies Terry Stoops‘ recent column explaining new A-F grades for N.C. public schools. The Sanford Herald promoted Stoops’ scheduled speech on major N.C. education issues for the Lee County Republican Men’s Club. The EducationNC website and N.C. Senate Republicans promoted his column on high-performing schools with large percentages of low-income students. The Raleigh News & Observer cited JLF participation in a coalition seeking new flexibility for local school calendars. A Durham Herald-Sun column also mentioned JLF and the school calendar coalition.
The Laurinburg Exchange published Health and Human Services Policy Analyst Katherine Restrepo‘s column on an upcoming U.S. Supreme Court hearing involving Obamacare. NCPoliticalNews.com promoted Restrepo’s research newsletter on the latest Obamacare enrollment period, along with Vice President for Research and Resident Scholar Roy Cordato‘s column on a flawed study measuring the economic impact of government transportation spending, and Curry’s research newsletters on the state’s debt outlook and shoring up Tryon Palace‘s finances.
Cordato will discuss an economic theory dubbed “public choice” during a presentation this evening to the Raleigh chapter of the America’s Future Foundation. The N.C. Spin website and N.C. Senate Republicans promoted Director of Legal Studies Jon Guze‘s research newsletter on a recent court ruling challenging the N.C. Department of Transportation’s use of the state Map Act.
