Senate

RALEIGH — The proposed N.C. Senate budget plan would shift money away from lower priorities to meet the goal of raising public school teacher pay across the state. John Locke…

RALEIGH — The most likely outcome of tax reform negotiations in the North Carolina General Assembly is a plan that would lead to average annual state revenue growth of 3.2…

RALEIGH — Spending slightly less than Gov. Pat McCrory’s General Fund budget plan, the N.C. Senate’s $20.56 billion proposal would move state government spending in the right direction. The John…

A bipartisan majority passed (30-16) a gimmick-laden budget that would increase spending by $100 million over the current budget plan and $900 million more than actual spending in fiscal year 2009. The budget relies on $3 billion in one-time fixes, including $1.6 billion in federal stimulus funds and more than $1.2 billion in temporary tax hikes.

In 2007, the passage of Senate Bill 3 (SB 3) in North Carolina required that all of the state's public electric utilities increase the percentage of electricity generated from new renewable energy sources. The Beacon Hill Institute in conjunction with the John Locke Foundation has set out to estimate the costs and benefits of SB 3 and its impact on the state's economy.

RALEIGH — North Carolina’s government mandates for renewable energy and energy efficiency will likely cost the state 3,600 jobs and $1.8 billion in higher electricity rates, while slashing the state’s…

RALEIGH — North Carolina lawmakers should reject many ideas now included in the state Senate’s budget plan, if they want a responsible blueprint for state government spending. That’s the assessment…

The North Carolina Senate approved $21.2 billion in appropriations for operating expenses in fiscal year (FY) 2009, which would be a 3.9 percent increase from FY 2008, which ends June 30. Senators would add $135 million in capital spending and $672 million in debt that would not face voter approval. Total appropriations would be 3.4 percent higher than in FY 2008.

RALEIGH – Final state budget negotiations could produce a document that’s more fiscally responsible than either the House or Senate budget plans, according to analysis by a John Locke…

RALEIGH – Legislators can adopt a final budget that’s more fiscally responsible than existing House and Senate plans, according to a new John Locke Foundation Spotlight report. Click…