Welcoming free-market thinkers to North Carolina

The John Locke Foundation welcomed to Asheville this week more than 500 people from free-market think tank counterparts based across the country. JLF served as local host for the State Policy Network’s annual meeting. Vice President for Communications Jon Ham and Fiscal Policy Analyst Joseph Coletti spoke during panel discussions, while President John Hood delivered remarks on back-to-back nights to the entire assembled crowd. On Monday night, JLF sponsored a dinner presentation featuring remarks from The Weekly Standard‘s Fred Barnes. Hood highlighted the SPN event for National Review Online’s primary blog, “The Corner.” (Hood also offered “Corner” readers insights on food stamps, American relations with Europe, and the scandal surrounding former N.C. Gov. Mike Easley.) Vice President for Outreach Becki Gray discussed the SPN meeting and recent legislative news with Matt Mittan on WWNC Radio’s “Take a Stand Show.” Gray stayed in western North Carolina after the SPN meeting for presentations to the Blue Ridge Republican Women’s Group in Asheville and the Conservative Banquet in Ahoskie. The Charlotte Observer also noted Gray’s upcoming appearance at a GOP meeting in Huntersville.