Budget, Taxation & Economy
At the state legislature, Locke advocates for limiting the expenditure of tax dollars and strictly limiting its tax burdens on families and businesses.
New Report Shows NC Lags Other States in Tax Treatment of Remote Workers
NC ranks poorly in its tax treatment of remote workers.
Share of Union Workers at All-Time Low
Headlines detailing pro-union pushes at Amazon, Starbucks, and other big companies, coupled with President Biden’s vow to be the “most pro-union President leading the most pro-union administration in American history,” may lead us to…
Job Data Diverges Nationally and in North Carolina
After increasing for four consecutive months, North Carolina’s unemployment rate plateaued in December at 3.9%, according to the latest release from the North Carolina Department of Commerce. North Carolina’s unemployment rate moved above the…
North Carolina Among Many Other States Pursuing Lower Taxes
Though the national media often fails to give them attention, state tax reforms are underway across the country. Over the past decade, North Carolina has led the way in state…
Six Fiscal Priorities for North Carolina in 2023
North Carolina’s decade of economic success deserves celebration. Even more so, however, it is worth applauding the important steps toward reform that state lawmakers have undertaken over the past decade. Limiting government…
North Carolina’s Members of Congress Load Omnibus Spending Bill with Pork
North Carolina’s representatives in Congress secured almost $250 million in pork spending in the latest federal spending omnibus bill. While the process for finding federal earmarks is cumbersome and far…
Some Inflation Slows in December, Yet Real Wages are Down and Recession Looms
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) fell 0.1% in December after increasing 0.1% in November, according to the latest release from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. On an annual basis, prices have increased…
When Welfare Pays More Than Work, Many Choose Welfare
Economists with the Committee to Unleash Prosperity released a new study last month highlighting our nation’s expansive welfare state. The study shows that welfare pays more than or nearly as much as…
New-Normaling: How They Try to Get You to Accept Bad Policy Outcomes
Preface: The political class has drifted far from Lincoln’s vision of a government “of the people, by the people, for the people” — something that those words and the solemn…
Beware of the Coming Pork-Barrel Spending
The 2022 General Election has come and gone. And while the oft-prophesied national “red wave” failed to materialize, North Carolina Republicans had a successful election season. Republican Congressman Ted Budd…
What Changes Can North Carolina Taxpayers Expect in 2023?
The 2021 long session brought North Carolina a “First in Freedom” budget, with pro-growth tax cuts which will continue to reward taxpayers in 2023 and beyond. The 2022 short-session budget, signed into law in…
2022 Saw Both Economic Recovery and Downturn, What’s Next?
It’s been quite a year for the state and national economy. Looking back on 2022, North Carolina saw economic growth and recovery from lockdowns but also indications of a recession. …