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.
Local Jobs Report: Decreasing Unemployment Yet Labor Force Participation Also in Decline
The monthly local jobs report reveals unemployment rates and related economic indicators at the county level. The local jobs report for February released Wednesday shows unemployment rates decreased in 74 counties, increased…
N.C. House Budget Would Increase K-12 Spending, Raise Teacher Pay, and Expand School Choice
Last Wednesday, North Carolina House leadership released a biennial budget proposal that over the next two years would, among other things, increase spending on public schools, raise average teacher pay…
How Progressive is Our Tax System? The Answer: More Than We Thought
The progressive left often argues that the rich do not pay enough in taxes. The tax code is not progressive enough, they say. But, the tax code is much more…
The Short-Run vs. The Long-Run in North Carolina
Did politicians learn their lesson from the Great Recession? It’s a question I pose in my latest piece at RealClearPolicy. Gov. Roy Cooper’s recent budget proposal would increase state spending by 18%. This shortsighted…
Highlights from the N.C. House Budget Reveal
The North Carolina House released its biennium budget proposal this week as scheduled, and the North Carolina Senate is scheduled to release its version next before the two chambers meet…
Why North Carolina Should Avoid Bringing Back Progressive Tax Rates
HIgher tax rates on additional income are particularly harmful to productivity.
State Unemployment Rate Drops, Matching Average National Rate
North Carolina’s unemployment rate dropped from 3.8% to 3.6% last month, according to the latest release from the North Carolina Department of Commerce. This rate is still above the state’s rate…
Michigan on Track to Repeal RTW, It’s Time for North Carolina to Solidify RTW in Constitution
Michigan could be the first state in nearly 60 years to repeal a “Right to Work” (RTW) law. The state’s House and Senate have already voted to repeal it, and the bill is now…
Local Jobs Report Reflects State and National Woes of Smaller Labor Force
Unemployment rates increased in all but one of North Carolina’s 100 counties in January, according to the latest release from the state’s Department of Commerce. These local rates are not seasonally adjusted…
North Carolina Ranked as 8th Most Burdensome State for Occupational Licensing
A new study released this week finds that North Carolina ranks as having the 8th highest occupational licensing burden in the nation.
Cooper Says We Have Enough Money for 18% Spending Increase, But Not Enough For Scheduled Tax Cuts
Governor Cooper released his recommended budget for the biennium today. The General Assembly has already begun budget writing, and the Governor’s recommendations, in this case, are purely political. Even so, it is…
Prices Remain High in February; Bank Drama Raises Interest Rate Concerns
The Federal Reserve has aggressively raised target interest rates over the past year to tamp down on rising prices. Even so, inflation persists at worrisome rates. According to today’s release from the…