Daily Archives: June 14, 2012
New at CJO: Former state Democratic Party employee files defamation lawsuit
The latest Carolina Journal news report covers a lawsuit filed by Adriadn Ortega, a former N.C. Democratic Party employee, who sued the party for libel and slander after party Chairman David Parker disclosed details of a confidential employment settlement in an April press conference.
Approach to unexpected tax revenues reveals legislator priorities
North Carolina’s General Fund revenues for this fiscal year are proving to be higher than anticipated. According to the legislature’s Fiscal Research Division, the 2012 surplus will be $232.5 million. Combine that with a $21 million higher projection for 2013, and legislators have $253.5 million to play with this session as they adjust their initial budget. IfContinue Reading
General Fund Nominal Percentage Expenditure Change, FY 2012 – FY 2013
How do state budget expenditures in North Carolina compare to those in other states? The National Association of State Budget Officers (NASBO) reports that North Carolina had the 31st highest percentage increase in nominal general fund expenditures from Fiscal Year 2011 (actual) to Fiscal Year 2012 (estimated). It was slightly higher than the national averageContinue Reading
Senate voting recap: Proposed sales tax increase
For Tax Increase Against Tax Increase Austin M. Allran Bob Atwater Doug Berger Phil Berger Stan Bingham Harris Blake Dan Blue Andrew C. Brock Harry Brown Peter S. Brunstetter Chris Carney Daniel G. Clodfelter Warren Daniel Charlie Smith Dannelly Jim Davis Don East Linda Garrou Thom Goolsby Malcolm Graham Rick Gunn Kathy Harrington Fletcher L.Continue Reading
Obamacare: not merely unconstitutional, but anti-constitutional
That summarizes the argument of Diane Cohen and Michael Cannon in a Cato Policy Analysis released today. In particular, the Independent Payment Advisory Board is outrageously, flabbergastingly incompatible with our system of government.
Surprise of the day: Media economists caught off-guard by yet another jobs report
Bloomberg provides the eminently expected and by now pretty much boilerplate headline: Jobless Claims in U.S. Unexpectedly Rose Last Week
Canaries in our own coal mine
In the 19th and 20th century coal miners would keep caged canaries with them in the mines to serve as a zoological warning system for toxic gases and fumes. Canaries would choke and die from the methane and other harmful toxins far earlier than the miners, leaving the miners with ample time to remove themselvesContinue Reading
New at CJO: Senate bill would finally outlaw ‘rescue funds’
In the latest Carolina Journal Online exclusive, Signè Thomas reports on Senate Bill 908, which would outlaw the state’s system of “rescue funds” for some elected offices. The U.S. Supreme Court last year declared a similar measure in Arizona an unconstitutional violation of free-speech rights. Last year, Harvard University Law professor Lawrence Lessig suggestedContinue Reading