RALEIGH — The textbooks used to teach physical science in North Carolina’s middle schools “contain factual errors and irrelevant information,” according to a study published today by the North Carolina Education Alliance. Dr. John Hubisz, a nationally known expert on science instruction and physicist at North Carolina State University, conducted the study for the Raleigh-based...
RALEIGH — Even after much-publicized budget “cuts” in each of the past three fiscal years, North Carolina state spending this year is up 80 percent from what it was 10 years ago and continues to challenge state politicians to show leadership, according to research published today by the John Locke Foundation. Dr. Roy Cordato, vice...
RALEIGH — Local taxes and fees in Charlotte totaled more than $1,920 per resident in 2001, ranking North Carolina’s largest city No. 1 for local government costs among major cities for the second year in a row, according to a new report from the Center for Local Innovation. Hickory, Durham, Wilmington, Cary, and High Point...
RALEIGH — As President Bush prepares to announce his $600 billion economic-growth package today at the Chicago Economic Club, local economists are pointing to proposed changes in the taxation of corporate dividends and capital investment that could boost growth and job creation in North Carolina. Among such analysts is Dr. Roy Cordato, vice president for...
RALEIGH — A preliminary analysis of state and local results from North Carolina’s 2002 elections suggests that North Carolina is continuing its move toward political parity, said John Hood, president of the John Locke Foundation. “Republicans made significant gains on Tuesday, but the end result was to catch up to, but not pass, the Democrats,”...
RALEIGH — There is no foundation for a widely suggested link between ground-level ozone, or “smog,” and asthma among children, according to a new study by the John Locke Foundation that cautions policymakers and the news media to “check the facts” before coming to conclusions about scientific issues. In the study, Dr. Roy Cordato, vice...
RALEIGH — How far do free speech rights extend on university campuses primarily funded by taxpayers? How should North Carolina’s teachers be trained to meet the educational challenges of the 21st century? These are among the many issues to be discussed at the Pope Center for Higher Education Policy’s upcoming Academic Issues Forum, an annual...
RALEIGH — Republican nominee Elizabeth Dole maintains a clear lead in her U.S. Senate race against Democrat Erskine Bowles, according to a public opinion poll released today by the John Locke Foundation. The survey found that 45 percent of likely North Carolina voters said they would vote for Dole, compared with 37 percent who favored...
RALEIGH — With pivotal legislative elections just weeks away, likely voters in North Carolina are critical of recent actions by Gov. Mike Easley and the General Assembly on taxes, local reimbursements, and other issues, according to a public opinion poll released Oct. 17 by the John Locke Foundation. The survey found that 51 percent of...
RALEIGH — Gov. Mike Easley and the state legislature have approved a revised budget for the current fiscal year that will likely result in hundreds of millions of dollars in new taxes on North Carolina businesses and families, further damaging an already weakened state economy, according to a preliminary analysis by the John Locke Foundation....
RALEIGH — Two new studies from the North Carolina Education Alliance shed light on the state’s national ranking in teacher compensation and differences among state school districts in student performance. Both written by Sherri Joyner, a policy analyst with the NCEA, the reports are intended to provide “valuable and helpful information to North Carolina lawmakers,...
RALEIGH — Delays may have put North Carolina lawmakers in the unfamiliar position of facing primary challengers in the midst of a legislative session, but candidates’ attempts to use support for a state lottery and a local-option sales tax increase to defeat primary opponents largely failed, according to a preliminary analysis of Tuesday’s election results....