2007

RALEIGH – Future road congestion could threaten North Carolina’s economy, and Fayetteville deserves just a C+ grade in preparing for congestion growth. That’s according to a new Policy Report…

RALEIGH – Goldsboro earns one of the best grades in the state for its efforts to fight traffic congestion, according to a new Policy Report from the John Locke…

RALEIGH – Future road congestion could threaten North Carolina’s economy, and the Greenville region deserves a B+ grade in preparing for congestion growth. That’s according to a new Policy…

RALEIGH – Future road congestion could threaten North Carolina’s economy, and the Hickory region deserves a B- grade in preparing for congestion growth. That’s according to a new Policy…

Traffic congestion is defined as the delay in urban travel caused by the presence of other vehicles. This study reviews traffic congestion in each of North Carolina's 17 metropolitan regions. The study determines the magnitude of present and future traffic congestion; the extent to which present plans will relieve or merely slow the growth of congestion; how traffic congestion affects the state's economy; and actions for significantly reducing congestion in the future.

Charlotte’s half-cent sales tax for transit, passed in 1998, has allowed the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) to become one of the least efficient bus systems in the state. Ridership increased 52 percent, but operating costs increased 234 percent from 1997 to 2005.

RALEIGH – Charlotte could focus on real transportation problems and improve its bus system’s efficiency by scrapping a special half-cent sales tax. That’s a key finding in a new John…

Over the past seven years, Lexington’s city owned and operated golf course experienced operational losses of over $1.3 million. The city unfairly competes with 18 private courses in the area.

Gov. Mike Easley proposed a $20 billion operating budget and $20.1 billion total spending plan for fiscal year (FY) 2007-08. The operating budget is $1.3 billion more than in FY 2006-07, a 7.2 percent increase.

Budgets reflect priorities. When families face a new expense, they must cut back on another expense. Governments do not have this limitation. When legislators find they have spent too much or that there are new activities worth funding, they can raise taxes to make sure the budget balances and pass along the tough decisions to businesses, entrepreneurs, and families.