JLF President John Hood has authored a new book titled Our Best Foot Forward. It is a must-read for those seeking a reasoned, principled plan for putting North Carolina’s economy on track.
Over the course of nearly 200 pages, Hood documents North Carolina’s current economic woes, then spells out an investment plan to help the state change course. That plan features a 10-point “Carolina Manifesto for Growth.”
“In this book, you will not read a thoroughgoing indictment of all government,” Hood explains. “Government performs indispensable tasks that make economic success possible. But many government programs don’t function as intended. Our Best Foot Forward presents a plan for promoting effective investment in the state’s economy and thus making the state more competitive.”
Hood’s Carolina Manifesto draws its name from the 75-year-old Conservative Manifesto. Democratic U.S. Sen. Josiah Bailey of North Carolina played a key role in drafting that document to fight federal government overreach during the New Deal era. Like Bailey and his conservative colleagues, Hood spells out his manifesto in 10 points.
“First, rewrite North Carolina’s tax code to make it simpler, fairer, and more efficient, while reducing the bias against savings and investment,” Hood said. “Second, enact a Taxpayer Bill of Rights at both the state and local levels of government to cap annual spending growth. Require supermajority votes or public referenda to increase tax rates. Set aside larger rainy-day reserves.”
Copies of Our Best Foot Forward: An Investment Plan for North Carolina’s Economic Recovery will be available soon at the John Locke Foundation’s website, www.JohnLocke.org.
