Research experts offer insights

Public television viewers across North Carolina had a chance this week to see John Locke Foundation Vice President for Research and Resident Scholar Roy Cordato explain the “moral hazard” associated with government mortgage bailouts. A Locker Room blog entry from Cordato on the “peace booth” at the N.C. State Fair prompted an interview segment on Bill LuMaye’s WPTF Radio show. Meanwhile, Daren Bakst, Director of Legal and Regulatory Studies, appears this morning on WPTF to discuss the controversy over allowing ex-felons to run for sheriff in North Carolina. Bakst released a new Spotlight report this week on Gov. Beverly Perdue’s new executive order regarding regulation reform. Bakst also traveled to Greenville to speak to the Eastern N.C. Tea Party group about the constitutionality of ObamaCare. The Daily Reflector promoted that speech. The Wilmington Star-News published a column this week from Terry Stoops, Director of Education Studies, discussing the role charter schools can play in helping boost students from high-poverty backgrounds. The Corporation for Enterprise Development promoted that column. Joseph Coletti, Director of Health and Fiscal Policy Studies, spoke to State Government Radio about a new Tax Foundation report ranking North Carolina No. 41 for its business tax climate. The Beaufort Observer published a JLF press release on that topic, and a Greensboro News & Record editorial blog picked up the theme as well. Speaking of Coletti, the American Independent interviewed him about a pending Medicaid privatization proposal. The “I Help You With Taxes” blog highlighted a video clip of Coletti’s reaction to “mandatory combined reporting” for corporate taxpayers.