North Carolina legislators taking a closer look at the state’s occupational licensing rules called on the John Locke Foundation this week for expert insights. Vice President for Outreach Becki Gray and Director of Regulatory Studies Jon Sanders testified at a subcommittee meeting of the Joint Legislative Administrative Procedure Oversight group. Gray discussed prospects for N.C. offshore energy exploration during her latest appearance on Time Warner Cable News’ statewide “Capital Tonight” program. She tackles key political topics such as tax reform, the March statewide bond vote, and voter identification requirements this weekend on the syndicated “N.C. Spin” television program and continues twice-weekly politics and public policy updates for WTSB Radio. The Heartland Institute posted video of Gray’s recent participation in a Nashville panel discussion on budget and tax reforms.

Vice President for Marketing and Communications Donna Martinez analyzed presidential election developments during an appearance on WPTF Radio’s morning show. Martinez covers the week’s top political news for this weekend’s edition of Curtis Media Group’s syndicated “People In Politics” radio program. JLF Senior Political Analyst Mitch Kokai discussed on Time Warner Cable News’s “Capital Tonight” the potential political impact of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to review President Obama’s executive order on immigration. WGHP Television interviewed Director of Fiscal Policy Studies Sarah Curry about Winston-Salem’s use of targeted tax incentives.

The Greensboro News and Record‘s “Off The Record” blog cited Carolina Journal Executive Editor Don Carrington‘s article on the controversy surrounding a proposed CSX hub in Johnston County. The News and Record promoted Health and Human Services Policy Analyst Katherine Restrepo‘s upcoming appearance at a Medicaid forum at Wake Forest University. The Kernersville News published Gray’s column recapping positive N.C. government reforms in 2016, along with Director of Research and Education Studies Terry Stoops‘ column on the need for conservative reforms in Halifax County Schools.

A guest columnist in the High Point Enterprise and Thomasville Times based his arguments on reporting from CJ Associate Editor Dan Way about the potential cost of renewable energy tax credits for N.C. taxpayers. N.C. Senate Republicans’ daily press email promoted Way’s article on Obamacare premium increases, JLF Chairman John Hood‘s column on private arts funding, CJ Associate Editor Barry Smith‘s article on legal action surrounding the state’s Map Act, Kokai’s column on market-based pay for public school teachers, CJ Executive Editor Carrington’s report on Johnston County government opposition to the proposed CSX project near Selma, and Curry’s column on state transportation funding issues. The N.C. Spin website highlighted Gray’s column on lessons learned from an elementary school class election.