Until the General Assembly decides to look at the systemic problems inherent in Medicaid (the continued growth in the cost of the program due to waste, fraud, abuse and liberal eligibility requirements, and the local government’s role in paying for a program they have little-to-no oversight over), the problems will continue to get worse. Some think that by getting the government more involved with employer-based insurance, less people would depend on Medicaid. In the News & Observer, Joe Coletti debunks the myth. Subtracting the cost of health care and education from revenues, local governments have little wiggle room left. Adding the monetary requests of nonprofits to the list, while seemingly admirable, shouldn’t be considered, says Chad Adams in the Duplin Times. Local governments trying to squeeze the most out of their limited budget may think that Tax Increment Financing (TIF) is a good way to get a favorable return on their investment. But, Chad rightly argues in the New Bern Sun Journal and on State Government Radio, that to think this economic tool guarantees revenue growth and job creation is misguided.
Looking at Local Concerns