Liberty
Criminal Code Reform
Introduction In The Federalist No. 62, James Madison warned, It will be of little avail to the people, that the laws are made by men of their own choice, if…
Legislative and Regulatory Reform Act 2006
Liberty
Update on Criminal Law Reform efforts*
*Updated with Sen Wells’ comments to the GSC. With everyone’s attention on COVID-19 for the last several weeks, you may have missed an important meeting of the General Statutes Commission. This is…
Law & Public Safety
One More Opportunity For N.C. To Lead The Way In Criminal Justice
North Carolina has made many strides in criminal justice reform over the past decade. From justice reinvestment legislation to juvenile justice reform to making it easier for former offenders to…
Budget, Taxation & Economy
A one-two punch for job creation?
My latest newsletter discusses what constitutes an actual job-creation bill and the two separate job-creation bills under discussion by the North Carolina General Assembly this week: Both chambers have passed…
Liberty
Annexation Commission Formed
House Speaker Hackney has formed a special commission to study annexation. This could be an absolute disaster if the committee doesn’t recommend real (i.e. substantial) reform. A watered down report…
Liberty
Legislative Reform and Budget Norm
Daren Bakst was on UNC-TV addressing government reform in the state. Discussion topics included: taxpayer financing of elections, term limits for the Speaker and Senate President Pro Temp, pay raises…
Liberty
GOP lawmakers respond to Easley
There’s no surprise that legislative Republicans are taking issue with the Democratic governor’s State of the State address. But this morning’s GOP press conference focused less on what the governor…
Liberty
Property Smoke Screens
On Tuesday, the House Select Committee on Eminent Domain Powers wrapped up their work before the short session. Normally, this would mean the committee’s work is done, but the…
Liberty
The king is dead?
Three Republicans from the Wake County delegation to the N.C. House are convinced Democratic Speaker Jim Black will leave the House’s top job soon. Reps. Russell Capps, Nelson Dollar, and…
Liberty
re: Making A Difference
John, Congrats on a successful endeavor in Charlotte. However, I have a follow-up question that is often overlooked in media reports about prop. tax rates. Does the City of Charlotte…