Readers of the Washington Post and other publications across the country, including the San Antonio Express, recently encountered John Locke Foundation President John Hood‘s analysis of state budget issues in Michael Gerson’s syndicated column. WSOC Television viewers watched this week as Hood questioned the accuracy of job projections tied to state economic incentive announcements. Both the Fayetteville Observer and Elizabeth City Daily Advance quoted Hood in articles about the future of state funding for the Golden LEAF. The Wilson Daily Times interviewed him about the ongoing debate over the future of video gambling in North Carolina. (The governor’s change surprised many who were watching, including the John Locke Foundation. The John Locke Foundation is an independent, conservative, nonprofit think tank. “If you had asked me a few weeks ago I would have said video poker would have been in the budget,” said John Hood, executive director of the John Locke Foundation.”She (Perdue) decided to cut spending and raise taxes. But I wouldn’t rule it (video poker) out. I am sure it will come up later.”) The N.C. Senate’s daily press e-mails promoted Hood’s columns on congressional redistricting, criminal justice reform, and Democratic support for unions and large corporations. Hood’s latest contributions to National Review Online’s primary blog, “The Corner,” included observations about the latest popular uprisings in the Arab world and a discussion of the race for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination. The Commentary magazine blog highlighted Hood’s “Corner” entry on the purported links between global warming and popular unrest in Arab nations. The Virginia Right! blog promoted his analysis of the 2012 presidential contest.