2007

The Stanly County commissioners are asking voters to approve a sales-tax increase on May 6. This report identifies $23 million in revenue and savings the county could use to meet its needs — over 16.7 times the amount that the proposed tax increase would produce.

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.

RALEIGH – Alexander County commissioners could free almost $5.3 million for high-priority county government functions, without raising tax rates. That’s the message in a new John Locke Foundation…

The UNC system has initiated few efforts to strengthen teacher-education programs. UNC universities should use their power as charter-school authorizers to create on-site demonstration or laboratory charter schools to improve teacher-education programs.

RALEIGH – The University of North Carolina could boost its teacher-training programs by starting charter schools at most UNC campuses. That’s the key recommendation in a new John Locke Foundation…

Water is a scarce resource and a commodity. Some water systems do not change water rates based on demand.

RALEIGH – Flexible water prices would help North Carolina communities do a better job dealing with the state’s drought, according to a new John Locke Foundation Spotlight report. Click…

RALEIGH – The Kannapolis City Council’s plan to borrow $168 million through tax increment financing exposes key problems with that type of funding scheme. That’s according to a new John…

RALEIGH – People who urge local governments to dig deeper into taxpayers’ pocketbooks seem unwilling to part with their own cash voluntarily. That’s the key conclusion in a new John…

Every county and school district in North Carolina will accept voluntary contributions. Few people donate to Wake County schools or county programs.