On the business side of things, Director of Local Innovation, Chad Adams, in conjunction with John Hood,
will be releasing the third climate survey of business leaders
statewide. The survey concluded, among other things, that current tax
rates are the “single biggest impediment to economic growth and
development.”  This issue was addressed by Hood at an Institute
for Emerging Issues working group on N.C. tax reform.  Adams took
his experience on the road, meeting with the Orange County FreeomWorks
chapter in Hillsborough and members of a citizens’ advisory council for
fiscal and policy matters in Rockingham County.  Aside from tax
reform, Adams highlighted property rights and taxes, as well as
performance management and competitive sourcing.  Speaking of
taxes and performance, Carolina Journal‘s settled lawsuit with the State Commerce Department over the public records law seems to be paying dividends.  Richard Wagner
reports that a lawyer representing the state School Board has asked for
a copy of the settlement papers in order to warn the Board against
withhold information.