Policy Report

Greenways are linear parks that benefit users with opportunities for exercise and enjoying nature. However, costs would be forced on homeowners by the City of Raleigh without any countervailing compensation. Users of the greenway, on the other hand, would receive benefits without incurring costs commensurate with the benefits received.

In 2006, North Carolina's Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) formed an advisory group called the Climate Action Plan Advisory Group (CAPAG). This group's task was to develop recommendations for specific actions to help reduce or prevent climate change.

County and municipal governments provide many key services while taking in billions of dollars in revenue. Their roles grow ever greater as state government shifts more taxing power to localities to make up for money kept by the state. Still, finding comparative data is hard. That's why this report provides information of how much local government costs in every city and county in North Carolina.

Long-term care in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, or an individual’s own home, is the largest portion of North Carolina’s Medicaid budget. It is also the fastest growing portion of that budget. As the state’s population ages, it will drive even more demand for these services. Medicaid was not meant to be inheritance insurance for baby boomers, but current policy in North Carolina allows it to be exactly this. Encouraging more people to rely on private payment options, such as reverse mortgages or long-term care insurance, will mean lower state costs for care and better results for individuals. This paper examines the state of long-term care in North Carolina, current abuses of the system, and private payment options.

The Alexander County commissioners are asking voters to approve a quarter-cent sales tax increase on January 8. But the county has nearly $5.3 million over and above its base budget to meet its needs.

Elected officials in Durham, Gaston, Macon, Mecklenburg, and Moore counties are asking voters to approve school construction bonds that will increase an already high tax burden on low and middle income homeowners in these counties. Local governments have failed to implement the full range of school facilities alternatives and strategies that could accommodate enrollment growth without imposing additional taxes and long-term debt on taxpayers.

The Columbus County commissioners are asking voters to approve a quarter-cent sales tax increase on November 6. But the county has about $15.6 million over and above its base budget to meet its needs.

The Martin County commissioners are asking voters to approve a quarter-cent sales tax increase on November 6. But the county has about $9 million over and above its base budget to meet its needs.

The Robeson County commissioners are asking voters to approve a quarter-cent sales tax increase on November 6. But the county has about $38.2 million over and above its base budget to meet its needs.

The Swain County commissioners are asking voters to approve a 200 percent increase in the real estate transfer tax on November 6. But the county has about $2.6 million over and above its base budget to meet its needs.