Legislative action continues to generate media and speaking opportunities for John Locke Foundation experts. Joseph Coletti, Director of Health and Fiscal Policy Studies, appeared on WNCN Television on the one-year anniversary of the federal health care reform law. Coletti highlighted some of the problems that law creates. He used the anniversary to push for Medicaid reform, highlighting a new Spotlight report co-written with Health Policy Fellow Nicole Fisher. Coletti discussed ObamaCare during an appearance with Matt Mittan on WWNC Radio and during an in-person presentation to the N.C. chapter of the Medical Group Management Association. Coletti also discussed the General Assembly’s voter identification bill in an interview with WSIC Radio. Senate Minority Leader Martin Nesbitt, D-Buncombe, waved Coletti’s budget plan for television cameras during a news conference this week at the state Legislative Building. Coletti offered the Greensboro News & Record his analysis of North
Carolina’s $461 million federal grant for the state’s rail system. Speaking of rail funding, Michael Sanera, Director of Research and Local Government Studies, discussed that topic during an appearance with Bill LuMaye on WPTF Radio. Daren Bakst, Director of Legal and Regulatory Studies, appeared on WNCN Television this week to discuss House Bill 33, a measure that would prohibit N.C. governments from recognizing the controversial Mexican matricula consular. WITN Television picked up that report. ConservativeNC.com, Ballot Access News, and DailyLibertarian.com all promoted Bakst’s latest column on efforts to loosen state ballot-access restrictions. Becki Gray, Vice President for Outreach, previewed this week’s legislative action during an appearance on WTSB Radio. Gray also discussed lobbying and think tanks during a presentation to the leadership program NC TeenPact. Speaking of public presentations, JLF President John Hood ventured west to address a FreedomWorks group in Mocksville and the Henderson County Republican Men’s Club in Hendersonville. Both the Transylvania Times and Hendersonville Times-News promoted the latter speech. Mitch Kokai, Director of Communications, discussed redistricting with the Down East Republican Club in Chocowinity. Kokai offered a legislative update for Curtis Wright’s listeners this morning on WAAV/WFNC Radio.