2009

County and municipal governments provide many key services while taking in billions of dollars in revenue, but 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.

County and municipal governments provide many key services while taking in billions of dollars in revenue. Their roles grow as state government keeps more local funding sources and shifts more taxing power to localities. Still, finding comparative data is difficult. This report helps address that problem by providing information of how much local government costs in every city and county in North Carolina.

Click here to view and here to listen to Dr. Roy Cordato discussing this Spotlight report. RALEIGH — North Carolina’s centerpiece air-quality regulation is expected to cost electric…

In 2002 the State of North Carolina passed what was officially titled “Improve Air Quality/Electric Utilities,” which became better known as the Clean Smokestacks Bill (CSB). When the CSB was passed in 2002, it was estimated to cost $2.3 billion.

RALEIGH — North Carolina’s 10th straight month of double-digit unemployment should raise doubts about the president’s latest promise of economic stimulus. That’s the reaction from the John Locke Foundation’s top…

RALEIGH — Government agencies that shine light on their work use resources more wisely, find potential budget savings more easily, and give taxpayers more reasons to trust them. The John…

Governments have been seeking ways to adopt or advertise their efforts at open government, sunshine, and transparency. Recent history is rife, however, with examples of how they have failed - such as Gov. Mike Easley's financial dealings and the hole in the state health plan.

Open government is just as important in a modern republic as it was two centuries ago. Larger bureaucratic states threatened to overwhelm the ability of citizens and their representatives to keep track of government.

RALEIGH — For the second straight year, Pitt County schools earn a C- grade in the John Locke Foundation’s statewide assessment of public school administration, teachers safety, and…

RALEIGH — No area school system earns better than a C+ grade in the John Locke Foundation’s second-annual ranking of “parent-friendly” schools. The grades assess public school…