When people tuned in to News 14 Carolina’s statewide coverage of newly elected Gov. Pat McCrory’s swearing-in ceremony, they heard live expert analysis from John Locke Foundation Vice President for Outreach Becki Gray. Gray also focused much of her attention on McCrory and the incoming General Assembly during her Monday morning appearance on WTSB Radio, and she will likely recap the week’s major developments this afternoon during her return to that Johnston County station. Gray and Executive Vice President Kory Swanson previewed key 2013 North Carolina political debates during a speech in Huntersville for the North Mecklenburg Republican Women.

Carolina Journal Associate Editor Barry Smith discussed the General Assembly’s return to work during an appearance on UNC Public Television’s “North Carolina Now.” Smith also recapped the week’s major state government news during a chat with Matt Mittan on WZGM/WHKP Radio.

News 14 Carolina highlighted two other JLF staffers during the past week. CJ Managing Editor Rick Henderson analyzed the McCrory administration‘s initial steps during an appearance Monday on “Capital Tonight.” JLF Director of Communications Mitch Kokai discussed on the following night’s “Capital Tonight” a legislative proposal to pay back the state’s unemployment insurance debt.

Kokai also offered News 14 Carolina a response to a proposal from two interest groups that McCrory recuse himself from making appointments to the N.C. Utilities Commission. Kokai previewed McCrory’s first week on the job during an appearance on Talk Radio WPTF’s morning program. 

Among the items the new General Assembly could address is the future of judicial elections in North Carolina. JLF President John Hood‘s column urging lawmakers to reform the judicial election process attracted attention from the News & Observer‘s “Under the Dome” blog, the Charlotte Observer‘s “O-pinion” blog, and N.C. Senate Republicans’ daily press email.

The Senate GOP also promoted CJ coverage of McCrory’s swearing-in ceremony; Gray’s column on the opportunity for reform in 2013; Smith’s articles on McCrory’s first news conference as governor, the unemployment insurance reform bill, and the opening of the 2013 legislative session; and Associate Editor Dan Way‘s reports on the politics surrounding a battle over training for bail agents and legislative proposals for health and human services programs.