Issues for newly elected leaders

Winners in the latest round of elections will face some significant challenges in the coming year. One of them is a state budget shortfall estimated at $1.5 billion to $2 billion. John Locke Foundation Fiscal Policy Analyst Joseph Coletti recorded an interview about budget issues with News 14 Carolina’s “Political Connections” program. The interview will air next weekend. JLF Legal and Regulatory Analyst Daren Bakst has drawn attention to a couple of major issues in recent weeks. In an interview with Matt Mittan on WWNC Radio’s “Take a Stand” show, Bakst discussed the impact of state renewable energy mandates (Senate Bill 3) on Progress Energy customers’ electric bills. The Lenoir News-Topic also recently picked up Bakst’s column on the role county governments play in hurting victims of forced annexation. Meanwhile, The Yancey Common Times Journal recently highlighted Education Policy Analyst Terry Stoops‘ research about North Carolina’s lack of “parent-friendly” school systems, and the Fayetteville Observer published communications director Mitch Kokai‘s op-ed on the problems associated with North Carolina’s road system.