The John Locke Foundation plays such an important role as a critic of North Carolina government policies that some politicians refuse to answer its questions. The News & Observer‘s “Under the Dome” reported on the Web and in print this week that Gov. Mike Easley’s press office instructed public relations officers throughout state government’s executive branch to avoid returning JLF phone calls. Regardless of cooperation from government agencies, JLF analysts continued to make news this week. Roy Cordato and Fiscal Policy Analyst Joseph Coletti crafted an op ed for the Fayetteville Observer urging taxpayers to secure a property tax cut before they consider a proposed sales tax increase. Coletti also discussed the North Carolina budget with the statewide radio North Carolina News Network. Coletti used his statewide spotlight to poke holes in budget proposals from the N.C. Justice Center. Meanwhile, Research Editor Jon Sanders‘ new report on government-funded job training programs generated a story in the Beaufort Observer.
