Jon Sanders

Cross-subsidization, unfair competition, and taxpayers being on the hook for service costs were particularly bad problems leading to the Level Playing Field Law in 2011. But look what HB 431 would do.

Being able to petition the board “at any time” is a particularly strong reform. For people whose conviction record would disqualify them from the license no matter what, being able to find out beforehand would save them a great deal of time and money, let alone heartbreak.

Could Orange County do anything to influence the world's climate, with or without resorting to higher taxes? Do the math; the answer is a clear no. But they can make things more expensive for residents.

Here is why the changes House Bill 770 would make to how licensing boards treat applicants with conviction records are important.

Since the end of Prohibition, NC distilleries have faced a very restrictive regulatory environment, even more so than wineries and breweries. The good news is that relaxing these restrictions can bring about catch-up growth in the distillery industry here.

In two reports this year, the John Locke Foundation has made the case for modernizing and adopting a license model for liquor sales in North Carolina. That's the kind of model North Carolina already has for beer and wine.

Carolina Journal reported that NC went over the $1 billion mark in renewable energy investment tax credits for solar. Here's a tip: something that doesn't cost you much more as consumers but costs you a great deal as taxpayers costs you a great deal, period.

The governor, his administration, and Wake County commissioners' silence on this is very troubling. Public officials cannot conduct themselves as if they aren't accountable to the people, not in a free state.