Posts Tagged ‘John Locke Foundation’
Regulatory sandbox bill moving through final hurdles in N.C. Senate
By David Bass, Carolina Journal A bill to establish a “regulatory sandbox” by waiving certain obstacles for a trial period for fast-emerging financial and insurance products and services is one step closer to becoming law. It cleared the Senate Commerce and Insurance Committee on Tuesday, Sep. 21. House Bill 642 would create the regulatory sandbox, which…
Read MoreMajor Anniversary Approaches for N.C. Right-To-Work Protections
By Mitch Kokai, Carolina Journal “The right to live includes the right to work.” That simple statement opens the text of a state law that has helped boost North Carolina’s economic competitiveness for nearly 75 years. The state will mark the milestone 75th anniversary of its right-to-work law on March 18, 2022. “Research continues to…
Read MoreOPINION: Got to Pick a Pocket?
June 28, 2021 by John Hood RALEIGH — Did Fagin’s pickpockets stimulate the economy of London? If you’ve read Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist or seen the musical derived from it, you’ll immediately recognize the name. Fagin is the rogue who takes in orphans and runaways, trains them to pick pockets and swindle marks, and then distributes the…
Read MoreLegislation would ease health care red tape, boost access to care
by Johnny Kampis, Carolina Journal News Service RALEIGH — Legislation introduced in this session of the General Assembly seeks to reduce restrictions created by certificate of need laws, which critics say reduce access to health care and increase costs. Bills in the General Assembly have been filed with the intention of doing everything from making minor changes…
Read MoreOPINION: Let’s Head Off Labor Shortages
by John Hood RALEIGH — It may sound preposterous at the moment, with North Carolina’s unemployment rate still significantly above its pre-COVID rate, but I think our leaders should be talking about the state’s coming labor shortage. No, I don’t necessarily mean that businesses will have a hard time finding young, low-skilled workers to do…
Read MoreNorth Carolina running out of room to borrow for road projects
by Andrew Dunn, Carolina Journal News Service RALEIGH — North Carolina may run out of room to borrow money for transportation projects in just a few years, according to a new report released this week by State Treasurer Dale Folwell. This puts in jeopardy the state’s Build NC Bonds, a $3 billion transportation package approved in 2018.…
Read MoreOpinion: Reduce Health Cost, Not Just Price
by John Hood, Carolina Journal RALEIGH — Too many North Carolinians lack access to the medical services they need. One possible response, as we have heard incessantly for more than a decade, would be to expand Medicaid under the terms of the Affordable Health Act, with most of the expense to be borne by the…
Read MoreN.C. looks to relax regulations on providers to speed up broadband access
by Johnny Kampis – Carolina News Journal Free-market advocates in North Carolina are optimistic the relaxing of regulations in the state will help promote the growth of broadband and help close the digital divide. Jon Sanders, research editor and senior fellow, Regulatory Studies, at the John Locke Foundation, told the Taxpayers Protection Alliance he’s optimistic…
Read MoreAG recommends lawmakers use Dish settlement money to expand access
By Johnny Kampis – Carolina Journal News Service RALEIGH — N.C. Attorney General Josh Stein wants lawmakers to use millions won from a settlement with Dish Network to expand internet access for students, but legislative leaders are so far noncommittal on the proposal. In December, a federal appeals court agreed with a trial court’s judgment that held…
Read MoreBroadband funding will capture lawmakers’ attention this session
By Johnny Kampis – Carolina Journal News Service RALEIGH — When the General Assembly reconvenes next week, broadband promises to be a hot topic. One of lawmakers’ first order of business, according to Senate leader Phil Berger, R-Rockingham, will be to pass legislation handling money in the rural broadband grant program. In December, legislative leaders and Gov.…
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