The latest Carolina Journal investigation into potential government corruption attracted attention this morning from the News & Observer. Executive Editor Don Carrington uncovered a state Commerce Department official’s attempt to divert $2 million in federal funds to a “sustainability” group he chaired as recently as last year. The Beaufort Observer and Free North Carolina blog also picked up Carrington’s article on the donor and “aircraft provider” for Democratic Gov.
Beverly Perdue who is now running for the state Senate as a Republican. As political candidates debate the proper level of taxation in North Carolina, the John Locke Foundation’s Roy Cordato urged in a new report this week that state policymakers replace the state’s current income tax with a flat-rate consumed income tax. Cordato, the Vice President for Research and Resident Scholar, discussed his tax recommendations with Matt Mittan on the “Take A Stand Show.”  Cordato explored “Saving, Investment, and the Income Tax” in an article for The Freeman. Cordato also returned to the WLTT Radio morning program to discuss air quality issues with Chad Adams.  Carolina Journal Managing Editor Rick Henderson shared insights with Curtis Media Group’s “People In Politics” about the case of Ruffin Poole, the former gubernatorial adviser imprisoned on corruption-related charges. JLF Director of Communications Mitch Kokai discussed the latest state government news this morning with Curtis Wright on WAAV/WFNC. Vice President for Outreach Becki Gray will offer WTSB Radio listeners this afternoon a recap of the week’s top state government and political news. She delivered a preview of the week’s events Monday morning on WTSB. The News & Observer‘s “Under the Dome” column promoted Gray’s speech this week to the Republican Women of Cary and Southwestern Wake. Gray also delivered a policy briefing to electoral candidates this week in Goldsboro. She serves as a guest panelist this weekend on N.C. Spin. Director of Research and Local Government Studies Michael Sanera critiqued Wake County’s transit plan during a public presentation for the Holly Springs Town Council. JLF President John Hood headed to Mooresville to address the Stand Up North Carolina group, a fact noted by the Mooresville Tribune. The Tribune also promoted Director of Education Studies Terry Stoops‘ upcoming appearance in a May 2 forum featuring two public school superintendents and a prep school administrator. The Gaston Gazette quoted Hood in an article about laws designed to limit distracted driving. N.C. Senate Republicans promoted Hood’s columns this week on Democrats’ budget exaggerations, differences between the two Carolinas, merit pay for public school teachers, and the return of the Occupy movement. The Senate GOP also highlighted contributor Dan Way‘s article on North Carolina’s debate over hydraulic fracturing — fracking — for natural gas, along with contributor Barry Smith‘s recap of the fallout from the Hoke County “chicken nugget” controversy. JLF Director of Fiscal Policy Studies Fergus Hodgson published an article in La Conexion on competitive governance and the Honduran example. Hodgson discussed government indebtedness and monetary policy during an interview with Expat Daily News on the Overseas Radio Network.