Businesses need space to grow
I write today in praise of state employees who work in North Carolina’s regulatory agencies. Because of their due diligence, our state’s business climate is steadily improving — and North... Read More
NC SPIN Posts by John Hood
State economy getting more private
If we want North Carolina to grow and develop robustly, we have to raise taxes and use the money to “invest” in education, Medicaid, infrastructure, and other public services. That’s what left... Read More
How to pay teachers more
State lawmakers in Raleigh are about to release their budget plans for the 2016-17 fiscal year. Although they may not recommend the 5 percent average pay raise for public schoolteachers that Gov. Pat... Read More
Go play a serious game
The presidential contest is now set. It’s Hillary Clinton vs. Donald Trump (vs. likely Libertarian nominee Gary Johnson vs. likely Green nominee Jill Stein, both of whom will attract voters... Read More
N.C. joins the Magnificent Seven
When it comes to economic growth, North Carolina is one of the Magnificent Seven. No, I’m not going to make an argument that the Tar Heel State is somehow analogous to the characters played by the... Read More
Double down on conservative victories
Given Donald Trump’s manifest weaknesses, Hillary Clinton is likely to be the next president of the United States. I don’t say that with anything other than disappointment, apprehension, and... Read More
Tax choices define policy options
Relatively speaking, North Carolina has a low rate of property taxation. That’s a basic fact of public finance — but its implications are varied, significant, and underappreciated. Let’s run the... Read More
N.C. combats domestic violence
The city of High Point is making national headlines for its innovative approach to combating the scourge of domestic violence. Nearby Lexington has adopted the same model. Here’s hoping other... Read More
Road policies deserve attention
When you ask North Carolina voters to name the top election issue in state politics, the most common answer — unless we are in the midst of a recession — is education. That answer makes good sense... Read More
Budget restraint creates options
My problem,” the notoriously reckless actor Errol Flynn was once reported to have quipped, “lies in reconciling my gross habits with my net income.” When it comes to state budgeting, too many... Read More
