Viewers of News 14 Carolina’s “Political Connections” program will have a chance this evening to watch John Locke Foundation President John Hood assess the recently completed North Carolina state budget plan. Earlier in the week, Hood enlightened listeners of Bill LuMaye’s WPTF Radio program. Hood and LuMaye discussed UNC Public Television’s disappointing response to a legislative subpoena connected to the Alcoa property-rights dispute. N.C. Senate Republicans promoted Hood’s column on that topic. The Senate GOP also highlighted his column on ethics reform. Newspaper writers also called on Hood’s expertise again this week. The Winston-Salem Journal asked him about a targeted incentives deal for Caterpillar in Forsyth County, while Freedom Newspapers quoted him in a story about the winners and losers associated with this year’s state budget debate. The Burlington Times News, Gaston Gazette, Kinston Free Press, and New Bern Sun Journal all carried that story. Raleigh’s Metro Magazine also mentioned Hood in promoting an upcoming Heritage Foundation event featuring Steve Forbes.