Research experts offer insights

Critics who hope to reform North Carolina’s annexation law are gathering this weekend in Raleigh. Those participating in the Annexation Law and Reform 2010 Conference will hear from presenter Daren Bakst, John Locke Foundation Director of Legal and Regulatory Studies. Mountain Xpress mentioned Bakst in its preview coverage of the conference. Speaking of Bakst, both the Beaufort Observer and Lincoln Tribune published his column about new research calling on North Carolina lawmakers to rein in state regulators. The Heritage Foundation’s Insider Online promoted that research as well, and WPTF Radio broadcast news stories on the topic. Speaking of radio, Terry Stoops, Director of Education Studies, joined Lockwood Phillips on WTKF’s “Viewpoints Radio” one week ago to discuss North Carolina charter schools. Stoops will appear this afternoon on WPTF Radio to discuss the ongoing controversy surrounding the change in leadership of the Wake County public school system. Meanwhile, Research Director Michael Sanera offered the Duke Chronicle a critique of government plans to fund high-speed rail projects. The N.C. Institute for Constitutional Law quoted Joseph Coletti, JLF Director of Health Care and Fiscal Policy Studies, in a recent addition of “Corporate Welfare Weekly.”