When U.S. Rep. Renee Ellmers decided to oppose tolling for Interstate 95, she cited in her press release John Locke Foundation research about the waste associated with current state transportation dollars. The Rocky Mount Telegram highlighted Ellmers’ use of JLF data. (She pointed out that according to studies from The John Locke Foundation, since 1990, a total of almost $4 billion in proceeds from gas and car taxes have been spent on transit or general fund programs.) Ellmers collected one of the John Locke Foundation’s two 2012 James Knox Polk Awards for leadership in public office. CarolinaPublicPress.org recently noted the other award winner, Buncombe County school board member Lisa Baldwin.