Carolina Journal Editor-in-Chief Rick Henderson has noticed a big difference between North Carolina and other states.
North Carolinians had much to celebrate over the Independence Day weekend. Unlike residents of, say, New Jersey.
Even though the Garden State had no budget in place, Jerseyites saw Gov. Chris Christie luxuriate on a public beach that was closed to, well, the public. Unless you were the governor — who has a state-owned residence near the beach — or part of his family.
Folks living in 10 other states also could sit around the campfire and share tales of fiscal woe. Their states had no budget as of July 1. But Tar Heels had a big reason to party: Our state budget was in place and fully funded before the budget year ended June 30. And the new budget became law without increasing taxes, adding debt, or cutting programs.
Read on here.
