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Statewide Edition A Monthly Journal of News, Analysis, and Opinion from April 2007 • Vol. 16, No.4 the John Locke Foundation www.CarolinaJournal.com JOURNAL www.JohnLocke.org Easley Ends Lawsuit, Gets Deal on House — $77,000 less than a comparable home Bald Head Island on the same street, and sold at the same Bald Head Island Lim- time by the same developer. The Bald Head Island beach developer inks deal ited sold a home to erosion issues were detailed in a 1996 Easley and his brother Democracy North Carolina report, “The after suit settled Pollution Lobby: Shoreline for Sale, in 1996. Records Whatever Happened to the Year of the By DON CARRINGTON Coast?” The report claimed that political Executive Editor show a purchase pressure was behind the state’s settle- RALEIGH price of $250,000 ment with Davis. The organization is a n June 1996, one year after N.C. At- nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that torney General Mike Easley settled — $77,000 less than a studies the flow of political money. a lawsuit and granted exceptions to The report made no mention of the Istate beach-erosion laws for homeown- comparable home on Easleys’ real estate transaction. Bob Hall, ers at Bald Head Island, the island’s executive director of Democracy North developer sold Easley and his brother the same street. Carolina, told Carolina Journal recently a new home — for at least $70,000 less CJ photo by Don Carrington that he did not know about the Easleys’ than a comparable home. home purchase until he was told by a The Easleys’ $250,000 purchase is other beachfront homeowners, and de- low beach protection structures to be reporter. The 1996 report can be found now valued at $1,129,270. velopment company Bald Head Island installed. on the organization’s website. The lawsuit against the state Limited all benefited when the attorney Bald Head Island Limited sold In news stories published last was filed by millionaire Walter Davis, general’s office settled the lawsuit in the new home to Easley and his brother who was seeking to stop beach erosion 1995. The state made an exception to Henry and their wives. Public records at his Bald Head Island home. Davis, environmental laws and agreed to al- show a purchase price of $250,000 Continued as “Easley,” Page 2 Smithfield Man Scours Pacific for Buffalo Soldier Legacy By HAL YOUNG ancestor paid for Avery is a local business owner and called ‘Bell Town’ by the neighbors,” he Contributing Editor with bales of cot- vice chairman of the Republican Party said, in tribute to the family that lived RALEIGH ton. After moving for the 2nd Congressional District. He there for many years. n 1913, the highway from Smithfield his family 400 miles grew up in New Jersey, but his parents Some of the family’s memories, to Raleigh was a dirt road. One day to reclaim part of were from Johnston County and brought though, run deeper and more troubling. that year, Wesley Bell, a man who still his heritage, Joseph Joseph to visit family as a child. Just as many white Southerners have Ibore scars on his back from whippings Avery of Smithfield Like many others, Joseph Avery family traditions about relatives who he suffered as a slave, turned his mule- has crossed the Pa- Sr. left the farm he sharecropped and served with Gen. Robert E. Lee, or what drawn wagon off the road onto the land Joseph Avery on cific twice to help moved north after World War II, seek- happened when Gen. William T. Sher- he had just purchased. Picking a likely recent trip to the strangers reclaim ing higher-paying industrial jobs. In the man passed through the area, Joseph spot on high ground, he began clearing Philippines part of theirs — the mid-1980s, his son decided to return to said his family passed down traditions his own property to build a home for legacy of Ameri- the family’s old home in North Carolina. about the other side of that culture. himself and his family. can Buffalo Soldiers who stayed in the He purchased part of the 225 acres once Ninety years later, Bell’s great- Philippines after serving in the Spanish owned by Bell. grandson lives on part of the land his American War. “That part of the county is still Continued as “Smithfield,” Page 3

Do you support increasing the man- 80datory school attendance age from The John Locke Foundation NONPROFIT ORG. 16 to 18 years old? Contents 200 W. Morgan St., #200 U.S. POSTAGE Raleigh, NC 27601 PAID RALEIGH, NC North Carolina 3 PERMIT NO. 1766 Interview 7 Education 8 Higher Education 12 Yes 72% Local Government 16 No 21% Books & the Arts 20 Not Sure 7% Opinion 24 Parting Shot 28 John% William Respondents Pope Civitas in June Institute Civitas Poll, Institute March Poll 2007 CAROLINA C a r o l i n a North Carolina JOURNAL Journal Easley Settles Suit, Gets House Deal Richard Wagner Continued from Page 1 Editor year, CJ reported two other favorable Don Carrington real estate transactions that developers Executive Editor gave Easley. In 2001, shortly after Easley started Paul Chesser, Mitch Kokai, his first term as governor, Wilmington Michael Lowrey, Donna Martinez real estate developer and builder Charles Associate Editors “Nick” Garrett began remodeling the Chad Adams, David N. Bass Easleys’ home at Southport. Garrett or Shannon Blosser, Andrew Cline someone else provided construction fi- Roy Cordato, Paige Holland Hamp nancing for the $250,000 project. Builders David Hartgen, Sam A. Hieb normally do not finance the construc- Lindalyn Kakadelis, George Leef tion of projects that large. Easley took Karen McMahan, Karen Palasek out mortgages on the property, but not Above, on left, is Gov. Mike Easley’s home in Southport, which has a tax value of $1,149,510. Susan Robinson, Marc Rotterman until eight months after the project was At right is a sign for the Cannonsgate subdivision in Carteret County. Easley bought a Mike Rouse, Jim Stegall completed. The home has a current tax waterfront lot there in 2005 that has a current tax value of $1,198,245. (CJ Photos by Don George Stephens, Jeff Taylor value of $1,149,510. Carrington) Michael Walden, Karen Welsh Easley later appointed Garrett Hal Young cally patrol the connecting run along the erosion. The groins are large, sand- to the N.C. Board of Architecture and Contributing Editors beach, but signs warn private vehicles filled tubes stretching 300 feet from to the Clean Water Management Trust to stay away. the beach into the ocean. North Caro- Fund Board. The N.C. Department of Alyn Berry, Geoff Lawrence, It is considered one of North lina had banned sea walls and other Transportation awarded Garrett a fran- Michael Moore, Jonathan Murray, Carolina’s most exclusive resort areas. hard structures since 1985, and only a Kamen Nikolaev, Haley Wynn chise for a state license tag office, even Only 2,000 of its 12,000 acres are sched- few exceptions had been made. Editorial Interns though a DOT supervisor said a new • Frustrated with efforts to office was unnecessary. uled for development. The balance will remain natu- protect the beach in front of his In Decem- beach house, Davis sued the state in Published by ral areas. There ber 2005, the same 1994. Easley’s office led the state’s The John Locke Foundation year Easley started are no high-rise 200 W. Morgan St., # 200 Bald Head Island land- buildings and no defense. his second term as • The same year, Bald Head’s Raleigh, N.C. 27601 governor, coastal billboards. With (919) 828-3876 • Fax: 821-5117 owners gave Easley a government applied for a permit to real estate devel- the exception of a www.JohnLocke.org few construction renourish the beach. The state agreed oper Randy Al- total of $63,100 from to the renourishment, but not to the len sold Easley a and emergency Jon Ham 1989-95. vehicles, there are groins. Vice President & Publisher choice waterfront no cars allowed on • In early 1995, Davis met with lot in the Cannon- Hunt to make his case for the hard “Shoreline for Sale” the island. Trans- John Hood sgate community structures. Later, Davis met privately Democracy North Carolina portation is by Chairman & President in Carteret Coun- with the attorney general’s lawyer foot, bicycle, or ty. Public records leading the state’s defense. An agree- golf cart. Bruce Babcock, Herb Berkowitz show that Easley ment was worked out in which Davis In 1983 Bald Charlie Carter, James Culbertson paid $549,880. A agreed to drop the lawsuit and the Jim Fulghum, Chuck Fuller recorded deed of trust shows he secured Head Island Limited, owned by the state agreed to allow the groins along Bill Graham, Robert Luddy a $494,000 loan from Branch Banking George P. Mitchell Family, took control Assad Meymandi, Baker A. Mitchell Jr., the beach as well as to lobby the U.S. & Trust Company. One year later the of the island. The company has more Carl Mumpower, J. Arthur Pope Army Corps of Engineers to provide county tax office revalued the property than 300 employees involved in real the sand. Tula Robbins, Thomas A. Roberg estate development, sales, and island David Stover, Robert Stowe III to $1,198,245. Allen, whom Easley ap- • By May 1996 the sand and 16 operations. Andy Wells pointed to the Wildlife Resources Com- groins were in place. Periodic renour- Board of Directors mission earlier in 2005, has four large ishment continues today. coastal projects under development in 1995 environmental issues CJ asked the N. C. Department of North Carolina. According to Democracy North Justice for access to the file on the Davis Carolina Journal is a monthly journal Easley also owns a home in Ra- Carolina’s “Shoreline for Sale” report in lawsuit, but department officials said of news, analysis, and commentary on state leigh. He has mortgages on all proper- 1996, the following took place: they could not find the file. “From what and local government and public policy issues ties except the Bald Head Island home. • Campaign reports show that I have been able to find out, it appears in North Carolina. Easley’s press office will not make him Bald Head Island landowners do- the lawsuit was never filed, so our office available for an interview and will not would not have had a case file on it,” ©2007 by The John Locke Foundation nated at least $800,000 to state-level respond to questions from CJ about the spokeswoman Noelle Talley said after Inc. All opinions expressed in bylined articles politics from 1989 to 1995. Gov. Jim searching for the file. are those of the authors and do not necessarily governor’s real estate transactions. Hunt received $100,500 and Easley reflect the views of the editors of CJ or the received $50,600. Davis gave $169,500 staff and board of the John Locke Foundation. Bald Head Island during that period, including $12,500 1996 beach home sale Material published herein may be reprinted as to Easley. Bald Head Island is an incor- In April 1985 Easley and his wife, long as appropriate credit is given. Submis- • Bald Head Island Limited porated village in Brunswick County Mary, bought a waterfront home at the sions and letters are welcome and should be bought the undeveloped land from with its own municipal government. It mouth of the Cape Fear River in South- directed to the editor. Davis and his partner, James Har- is normally accessible only by private port. At the time, Easley was district boat or a private passenger ferry from rington, in 1983. CJ readers wanting more information attorney for Brunswick, Columbus, and • The southern beach of Bald between monthly issues can call 919-828-3876 Southport open to the public. Bladen counties. and ask for Carolina Journal Weekly Re- Bald Head was a separate island Head Island was rapidly eroding In 1993, after he was first elected port, delivered each weekend by e-mail, or visit until 1999 when Hurricane Floyd de- because of natural forces, possibly attorney general, Easley, and his wife CarolinaJournal.com for news, links, and ex- posited enough sand to turn it into an combined with the regular dredging bought a home in Raleigh. They consider clusive content updated each weekday. Those extension of the Fort Fisher State Rec- of Wilmington’s shipping channel. the Southport home their primary resi- interested in education, higher education, or reation Area. It is now connected to the Davis and other Bald Head leaders dence. Bald Head Island sits about two local government should also ask to receive southern end of New Hanover County advocated periodic sand renourish- miles across the river from the Easleys’ weekly e-letters covering these issues. by a thin strip of land. Four-wheel drive ment and the construction of hard Bald Head Island Police vehicles periodi- structures, or groins, to impede the Continued as “Easley,” Page 3 CAROLINA April 2007 JOURNAL North Carolina  Smithfield Man Scours Pacific for Buffalo Soldier Legacy

Continued from Page 1 But after the war, a number of the soldiers stayed in the Philippines and Some of his ancestors were likely raised families there. Curious about their among the last Africans brought to descendants, Joseph decided to visit the America at the end of slave trade. “When islands himself. Pricilla was just a girl, she and her two Joseph found signs the Buffalo sisters were stolen, crossed a ‘very big Soldiers had made a cultural impact pond’, and landed in Virginia,” he said. that was now submerged. When Joseph “They were all sold to different families, asked a Filipino associate whether there and she ended up in the Garner or Clay- was a local word for biracial children of ton area.” Bell’s father, Young Bell, told black American servicemen, he was told, his children to never forget they were “‘Oh, sure – we call them buffaloes.’” Ibo, from a tribe living on the Nigerian Joseph said that “there are no buffaloes coast; according to records at the John- in the Philippines.” ston County Heritage Center, Young Joseph found a monument com- Bell was married as early as 1835, so he memorating a Filipino victory in the might have been native African or first- war; the figure of a black soldier was generation American himself. chosen to represent the American army. Wesley himself was a slave in the In Leyte province he found bronze stat- Selma area, and was freed only at the end ues of black soldiers, set up before 1920, of the Civil War. “He said he was glad but with inscriptions so eroded from the that he would never have to get on the tropical rains they were illegible. auction block and be sold again,” Joseph Joseph Avery on a visit to MacArthur Landing Memorial National Park in Candahug, “No one remembered why they said. Although he was never literate, Palo, Leyte. The park commemorates Gen. Douglas MacArthur’s famous return to the were there,” he said. Wesley was considered prosperous as Philippines in 1944. (Submitted photo) He knew he had have to get off a black landowner, and reportedly was descendant of slave owners went to the cavalry units after the Civil War, were the tourist route to dig up this history, the first black man to serve on a jury in same school, got the same education, known for their service in the American so Joseph contacted U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Johnston County. both graduated with honors, and both West. The Plains Indians, impressed with Dole’s office and asked for a letter of Joseph’s elderly relatives could went to college. their tenacity, toughness, and fighting introduction to prove his bona fides to point to fields that their grandparents, or “I think that’s an example that spirit, named them after the animal they government officials. The senator’s of- even their parents, had cleared and cul- maybe we’re getting closer to what Dr. revered. The soldier’s curly hair, like fice did one better and connected him tivated while they were slaves. Joseph’s King was talking about.” the buffalo’s, only made the connection with their immigration counsel, Carol grandfather was the illegitimate son of more obvious. Armstrong, “because everyone wants to the slave owner himself. Joseph said he Buffalo Soldiers abroad They also have a North Carolina talk about immigration,” Joe said. had a chance encounter with one of the connection. One of the original units, Joseph used the letter, and Ms. planter’s white descendants who still A few years ago another door the 25th Infantry, was made up with Armstrong’s business cards, to open lives in the area, and cautiously men- opened for Joseph to pursue another sort soldiers from the 39th Colored Infantry, doors in the villages he visited. One tioned he’d heard a tradition that the two of heritage. He discovered the history a black regiment that served in final elderly official hastened to show him families, black and white, were related of black American soldiers who settled Carolina campaigns of the war, then his well-thumbed U.S. Army manual on at that point. To his surprise, the other in the Philippines after the Spanish- with the federal occupation of Raleigh counterinsurgency operations, given to man confirmed that his family had the American War, but he found that many afterward. him by an “advisor” decades before. It same story, and that his ancestor had a of their descendants are likely unaware Joe’s special interest lies in their was a trusted reference, still in use. reputation for chasing the slave women. of their own family’s history. later assignments. At the turn of the More typically, Joseph saw the He laughed it off, saying “it was just a Joseph’s son joined the Army century, all four units were deployed impermanence of records in villages. Re- roll in the hay to him,” Joseph said. in 2004, and when he came home for in the Spanish American War. The 25th searchers in America can draw on census “I could have hit him,” he said. Christmas after basic training, Joseph fought on San Juan Hill next to Theodore reports and other paper documentation, “How would it feel to have someone gave him Kai Wright’s book, Soldiers of Roosevelt’s Rough Riders—he mentions he said, but the Philippine government speak about your great-grandmother Freedom: An Illustrated History of African them with approval in his book about does not conduct a decennial census, that way?” Americans in the Armed Forces. the war—but all were eventually sent and the bamboo huts common in rural Still, Joseph takes satisfaction “When he returned to his unit after to the Philippines. areas deteriorate and need replacement observing how the cultural field has Christmas, he left the book behind,” Joe “This was the first deployment of every few years. Old photographs and leveled in the last century. said with a laugh. “I picked it up and black troops outside the U.S.,” Joseph manuscripts don’t have much chance of “The granddaughter of that man the more I read, the more intrigued I said. “The military sent them thinking survival in that environment, he said. was a classmate with my daughter at became.” that their African blood would give them “There are many people there Smithfield-Selma High School,” he The so-called Buffalo Soldiers, more resistance to tropical diseases like said. “The descendant of slaves and the members of four all-black infantry and malaria.” That was a mistake. Continued as “Smithfield,” Page 4 Easley Settles Lawsuit, Gets Deal on Beach House

Continued from Page 2 that no money was borrowed. Easley’s dent, Donald C. Kolasch of Maryland, value of the Kolasch home was set at a economic interest statements show no was filed. The 1,348 square-foot, four- nearly identical $1,124,750. Southport home. rental income from the property, indicat- bedroom Kolasch home was also new Last week Bald Head Island Lim- The Easleys’ home on Isle of Skye ing the property is strictly for the use of and situated on the same street as the ited’s Sales Director Jeff Leonard told CJ Crescent at Bald Head Island com- his and his brother’s families. Easley house. he would research the price difference prises 1,336 square feet and has four When the completed home was Records show Kolasch paid issue and try to provide an explanation. bedrooms. added to the tax records, the Brunswick $327,000. The tax value assigned to his He subsequently called and left It sits on a bluff and appears to have County Tax Office assigned a value home was $335,360, or $8,360 more than a voice message that said even though an ocean view. A state-owned maritime of $329,440, or $79,440 more than the he paid. the properties were the same size, the forest preserve adjoins the rear of the amount the Easleys paid for the home. As of Jan. 1, 2007, the tax office Easley property sold for a lower price property. The day after the Easleys’ deed conducted a countywide revaluation because it doesn’t have the same view. There is no recorded deed of trust was recorded, a deed from Bald Head and placed the market value of the “Our company will stand behind associated with the purchase, indicating Island Limited to another island resi- Easleys’ home at $1,129,270. The new anything we have done,” he added. CJ April 2007 CAROLINA  North Carolina JOURNAL Mecklenburg Sheriff Urges Law Agencies to Use 287(g) Program

By PAUL CHESSER Associate Editor RALEIGH Pendergraph said he ecklenburg County Sheriff Jim Pendergraph says a fed- had noticed increased eral enforcement program has numbers of suspected Menabled his department to deport 860 illegal immigrants. illegal immigrants among The four- t e r m s h e r i f f , suspects in Mecklenburg speaking Feb. 19 County about seven at a luncheon for the John Locke years ago. He said most Foundation, said about 600 addi- of them would enter the tional lawbreakers in custody await jail system unable to deportation. In the speak English, get fin- nine months that Mecklenburg has gerprinted, post a small Meckenburg County had the program, Sheriff Jim Pender- about 10 percent amount of bail, and then graph of the aliens have get released. been re-arrested. “What does that tell you about our border security?” Pendergraph asked and, Pendergraph said, officers in rhetorically. Hispanic immigrant workers crowd the Mexican consulate on Six Forks Road in Raleigh Alamance and Gaston counties have seeking services. (CJ file photo) The 287(g) program, named for the just completed training for their own section in the 1996 Federal Immigration programs. identify people. He learned about the “If 3,000 sheriffs in these United and Nationality Act where the program Pendergraph said he had noticed 287(g) program from Orange County, States did this,” Pendergraph said, is described, deputizes local and state increased numbers of suspected illegal Calif., Sheriff Michael Carona. “could we make a difference? You bet- police officers as agents of the U.S. Im- immigrants among suspects in Meck- Pendergraph, who said, “I’m a ter believe it.” migration and Customs Enforcement. lenburg County about seven years ago. taxpayer too,” reported that he has seen Still, the sheriff said he is frus- Local law enforcement agencies apply He said most of them would enter the the effect illegal immigration has had trated by the inaction of President to participate in the program, and those jail system unable to speak English, get on emergency rooms, education and Bush and Congress over the prob- accepted have their personnel trained fingerprinted, post a small amount of law enforcement, increasing costs and lem with lax U.S. border security. “to identify, process, and when appropri- bail, and then get released. straining public resources. He said he He said he has pleaded with ate, detain immigration offenders they Pendergraph said he was disturbed is “appalled” that the number of local both directly, but the 10 percent re- encounter during their regular, daily by the trend, and believing the only true law-enforcement organizations that cidivism he has seen of jailed aliens law-enforcement activity.” information he was getting about of- won’t sign on to the 287(g) program, demonstrates that national enforce- Mecklenburg County sheriff’s fenders was their photo and fingerprint, including one in his own county — the ment is not a priority for national po- deputies completed training last spring, thought there had to be a better way to Charlotte Police Department. litical leaders. CJ Smithfield Man Scours Pacific for Buffalo Soldier Legacy Continued from Page 3 When he made a wrong turn, $2 a day, he said. By comparison, even ful for what we’ve done,” Joseph said. though, he suddenly found himself a budget traveler from America is “an “They remember that Americans helped who look like my cousins,” Joseph escorted back to the roadway. instant millionaire.” them get free from the Spanish, and said. “There are obviously groups with “Police, and others, told me there “I decided whatever was good then we freed them from the Japanese African descent, and some of them are were very militant groups in the region, enough for them was good enough for later on.” descendants of the Buffalo Soldiers. and I fit the profile of someone who me. I spent many nights on bamboo In one place, people pointed to a I keep hoping to find someone with might be spying for the U.S.,” he said. beds that were pretty uncomfortable,” statue of Douglas McArthur and said, a photograph of ‘Grandfather’ in his “I didn’t want to be mistaken for that, he said, rapping the tabletop for illustra- “He told us he would come back. You American uniform, but it hasn’t hap- especially since I didn’t have the army tion, “but if they had electricity someone are coming back, too, fulfilling that same pened yet.” to back me up.” would bring me the luxury of a fan to promise.” He has been talking with Catholic Otherwise, Joseph said, the Fili- sleep under.” He plans to continue connecting clergy and building up a network of pinos “treated me like royalty.” When the dots to form a picture of the black friends among elderly schoolteachers. he heard Bob Marley’s song “Buffalo A different discovery Americans’ particular contributions to He is hoping their long contact with Soldiers” on the radio, he called the sta- the Philippines, and hopes to share a large numbers of families will bring tion to ask about it; he ended up with a To avoid attracting attention, new aspect of their heritage with the someone to light. guest appearance on the afternoon talk Joseph was advised to “dress down,” descendants they left. Joseph said the Filipinos were show. Villagers invited him to stay in leave his jewelry and valuables in the They are already thankful, uniformly friendly and interested in his their homes, though he was taken aback hotel safe, and downplay his American though. project, with one exception. the first time a host asked if he would citizenship. “Whenever I asked them, they On his return trip in January, Jo- mind buying the family’s groceries that He was surprised, however, at the never knew about the Buffaloes’ de- seph was near a heavily Muslim area in evening. number of T-shirts and hats he saw in scendants, but they always knew we the south. He was trying to avoid the When they reached the market, the Philippines expressing open support Americans had been there,” he said. mountain regions where antiterrorist Joseph realized that they lived on less for the United States. “It was more than “They have never forgotten the work forces include “advisors to the Ameri- than $4 a day. He said he learned some- you’d see on the Fourth of July here that was done.” can government” that are “cleverly thing about the definition of poverty in Smithfield,” he said. “They revere “I wonder if the same thing disguised as businessmen on vacation,” across economic and cultural lines. The Americans over there.” will be true in Iraq, years from now,” he said. average day laborer takes home about “The people there are very grate- he said. CJ CAROLINA April 2007 JOURNAL North Carolina  WFU Scientists Find Non-Embryonic Stem Cell Source By DAVID N. BASS adult stem-cell research, uses sources Atala has experienced other successes Contributing Editor such as bone marrow and cord blood in the field of regenerative medicine. RALEIGH rather than human embryos to retrieve He created the first laboratory-grown esearchers at the Institute for stem cells. bladders in 1999 and successfully im- Regenerative Medicine at Wake Despite the promises of amniotic planted them in patients suffering from Forest University School of Medi- stem cells, Atala has made clear that he poor bladder function. The organs were Rcine recently discovered a new source of still supports lift- created from the stem cells that avoids the ethical contro- ing federal fund- patients’ own cells versy surrounding human embryonic ing restrictions on in order to avoid stem-cell research. research involving “They grow in a simi- rejection. Atala de- Dr. Anthony Atala, a pediatric human embryos. scribed the newly surgeon and lead researcher at IRM, “It is essential that lar manner to human minted bladders said that his team has found a stem-cell National Institute as “functional” population in the placenta and the amni- of Health-funded embryonic stem cells and “durable,” ac- otic fluid that surrounds the developing researchers are — they double every 36 cording to an IRM fetus in the mother’s womb. Researchers able to fully pur- press release. have already used the new stem cells, sue embryonic hours.” The process called amniotic fluid-derived stem cells, stem cell research for growing the to create a variety of specific tissues, as a complement Dr. Anthony Atala bladders began including liver, muscle, cartilage, bone, to research into Wake Forest University with taking a biop- and nerve, Atala said. Dr. Anthony Atala in his lab at Wake For- other forms of stem Baptist Medical Center sy of the patient’s “We are extending that list of tis- est University Baptist Medical Center. cells,” Atala wrote tissue, Atala said. sues at this point and also advancing on to where we’ve gotten a specific specimens, and by doing so, you could in a Jan. 8 letter to The tissue was lineage of matching nodes as well,” supply potentially 99 percent of the U.S. U.S. Reps. Diana then teased apart Atala said. population with a perfect genetic match DeGette, D–Colo., and Michael Castle, into its individual cell components, and The discovery is particularly sig- for transplantation.” R–Del. Atala also pledged his support the cells were grown in culture until nificant since Atala thinks that amniotic Ever since scientists reported the for H.R. 3 and said that the bill “would enough existed to create a biodegrad- stem cells resemble the positive aspects creation of the first embryonic stem cells speed science in the regenerative medi- able “scaffold” in the shape of a bladder. of embryonic stem cells while avoiding in 1998, the battle over state and federal cine field.” The newly grown organ was implanted the unstable side. funding has been a growing schism in But Atala also believes that alterna- shortly afterward. “They grow in a similar manner American politics. The National Insti- tive stem-cell sources exist that side-step “The whole process from when to human embryonic stem cells — they tutes of Health reports that pluripotent the ethical quandary. “As a practice, I you take the biopsy to the time when double every 36 hours,” Atala said. “But human embryonic stem cells could support all research,” he said. “But there you put the organ back into the body is unlike the human embryonic stem cells, potentially offer a “renewable source are new ways now that are being devised about six weeks,” Atala said. they don’t form tumors when planted in of replacement cells and tissues” ca- to obtain human embryonic stem cells For the future, Atala hopes to tissue. They resemble human embryonic pable of treating illnesses. The issue is without sacrificing the embryo. So, per- expand the use of amniotic stem cells stem cells in the way they grow, but they expected to feature prominently in the sonally, I think that that would be a good and move beyond the experimental resemble adult stem cells in the fact that 2008 presidential election. venue, because it would solve some of phase. “We know the stem cells can go they don’t form tumors.” But prolife organizations say that the challenges that we have right now. to liver, bone, muscle, cartilage, blood The breakthrough comes while research on human embryos is unethical There are ways right now scientifically vessels, and other structures, but we Congress continues to push for lifting and unnecessary because of numerous that are being worked on where you want to keep pushing those so that we federal funding restrictions on embry- treatments developed by using stem can get a human embryonic stem cell can keep advancing,” he said. “Lots onic stem-cell research, which support- cells from the organs and tissues of without damaging the embryo.” of things have to happen before you ers say could lead to treatments for a host adult patients. This method, known as In addition to amniotic stem cells, can get [an organ] into a patient.” CJ of ailments. In early January, the U.S. House approved a measure, H.R. 3, that would overturn embryonic stem-cell funding restrictions established by the Bush administration in 2001. Advocates contend that such research could result in cures for diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. Atala, who is one of the top re- searchers in the regenerative medicine field, has high hopes for the practical use of amniotic stem cells, since they originate from a plentiful source. “It’s an easy resource to get cells,” he said. “In other words, there are over four million births per year, so every birth would be potentially a resource for stem cells.” Amniotic stem cells hold the poten- tial to serve as a life-long warehouse of treatment options, Atala said. “Basically, there are two ways to use the cells,” he said. “One way is to actually store the cells at the time of birth. Then you would have a natural repository from which stems could be obtained during the life of the child and the patient. But that doesn’t help us for our life now, so the concept there would be to Tao Xu, Ph.D. at work in the cell culture room, where cells are expanded and then coaxed into becoming a particular cell type. (Submit- start a bank of approximately 100,000 ted photo) April 2007 CAROLINA  Washington JOURNAL

NC Delegation Watch Bill would end secret ballots in union votes

Jones: Limit Mexico trucks NC Democrats Sponsor Union Card Check In a Feb. 26 letter to Depart- ment of Homeland Security Secre- By PAUL CHESSER negotiate with unions. tary Michael Chertoff and Depart- Associate Editor “The current system for form- ment of Transportation Secretary and JON HAM ing unions and bargaining is broken,” Mary Peters, Rep. Walter Jones, Publisher says a statement on the Web site of the R-3rd, expressed his opposition to RALEIGH AFL-CIO in support of the legislation. the Department of Transportation’s he U.S. House on March 1 passed “Every day, corporations deny workers recent announcement of a year- a bill that would simplify the the freedom to decide for themselves long pilot program to allow 100 process in which workers could whether to form unions to bargain for Mexican trucking companies un- Tindicate their desire to unionize, but op- a better life. They routinely intimidate, limited access to U.S. roads to haul ponents of the measure say the changes harass, coerce and even fire workers international cargo. The program would leave other employees vulnerable who try to form unions and bargain for to pro-union intimidation tactics. Rep. Mel Watt, D- Rep. Heath Shuler, economic well-being.” extends the Mexican companies’ 12th D-11th access beyond the currently per- The legislation, the Employee Free According to a report in the Wash- mitted 20 to 25 mile zones along Choice Act of 2007, would enable unions by the bill’s opponents. Radio advertise- ington Times on March 2, the legislation ments sponsored by the Coalition for a America’s Southwest border. to collect worker signatures on cards faces an uphill battle in the Senate and Democratic Workplace, an alliance of “This pilot program not — called a “card-check” — to determine the Bush administration has said it will hundreds of probusiness groups, were only poses a serious threat to our whether a majority in the workplace veto the bill if it gets that far. run in his district. Shuler defeated for- national security and the safety of want to unionize. “We will not allow the progress mer Republican Rep. Charles Taylor in American drivers on the road, but The change would replace the already made on behalf of U.S. workers November, in a campaign in which he endangers American jobs and our current secret ballot system, which to be undone, nor will we allow coercion emphasized a moderate-to-conservative economy,” Jones wrote. “Given maintains the anonymity of employees. by employers or unions,” Senate minor- agenda. Todd Harris, a spokesman for the serious concerns of American Virginia Rep. Eric Cantor, Republican ity leader Mitch McConnell, a Kentucky the Coalition, told The New York Times citizens who are troubled by our chief deputy whip, led the opposition Republican, said to the Times. that Shuler and some other recently weakly defended borders and the against the bill. He coined a nickname The N.C. Republicans who op- elected Democrats are in districts that threat of terrorism from Central for the bill, calling it “The American posed the bill were 3rd District Rep. Worker Compulsion Act.” are more conservative than they have Walter Jones; 5th District Rep. Virginia and South America, how can our “This bill is bad for America and claimed to be themselves. Foxx; 6th District Rep. Howard Coble; nation allow trucks from Mexico Americans don’t want it,” he said in a Organized labor says that without 8th District Rep. Robin Hayes; 9th Dis- to have unfettered access into our statement. “Nine in ten Americans agree a card-check, employees are subject to trict Rep. Sue Myrick; and 10th District country and onto our highways? that workers should have the right to threats by businesses that don’t want to Rep. Patrick McHenry. CJ “Any experiment that poses vote privately when deciding to organize a safety hazard to the American a union.” public – and could possibly aid The House passed the bill by a 241- terrorist activities, the entry of 185 vote, with most Democrats (except illegal drugs and illegal human for two) supporting it and all but 13 smuggling – is unacceptable. For Republicans opposing it. the sake of our national security “If they sign a card, everybody and the safety of our citizens, I urge knows,” said Rep. Buck McKeon, R- you to reconsider the implementa- Calif., “and that opens up intimidation tion of this pilot program.” from both sides, so we believe very strongly in the workers’ rights to have headliner series a secret ballot.” Votes on the bill by the N.C. del- marlo lEwIs, jr. Hayes: Expand Berry egation were divided along party lines. senior FelloW, CoMpetitive enterprise institute Rep. Robin Hayes, R-8th, re- Democrats supporting the bill were 1st District Rep. G. K. Butterfield; 2nd Dis- Will provide “A skeptiCAl tour oF Al Gore’s introduced the Berry Amendment trict Rep. Bob Etheridge; 4th District Rep. ‘inConvenient truth’” Extension Act to expand the Berry David Price; 7th District Rep. Mike Mc- Amendment to the Department noon, WednesdAy, April 11 Intyre; 11th District Rep. Heath Shuler; of Homeland Security (DHS). The Grove pArk inn, Asheville 12th District Rep. Mel Watt; and 13th legislation would prohibit the District Rep. Brad Miller. All of the state’s DHS from procuring certain items Democratic House members, except for “directly related to national secu- McIntyre, also were cosponsors. Edward h. bonEkEmpEr III rity” unless the items are domesti- Though co-sponsoring the legisla- Author And Civil WAr historiAn cally produced and manufactured tion, none of the Democrats featured products, most notably clothing, “Gen. GeorGe MCClellAn: linColn’s Worst their support on their Web sites. H.R. fabrics, and sewn products. Hayes niGhtMAre” 800, as the bill is called, does not show up succeeded in expanding and pro- on the “Co-sponsored Legislation” lists noon, tuesdAy, April 17 viding more transparency to the of Butterfield, Etheridge or Miller. Watt holidAy inn BroWnstone, rAleiGh Berry Amendment for Department has no list of co-sponsored legislation on of Defense purchases in December his site, and while it shows on the lists when his changes were approved of Price and Shuler, it is not mentioned in the fiscal 2006 Defense Autho- elsewhere on their sites. rization. FrEd barnEs “It is ironic that Democrats who exeCutive editor, The Weekly STandard And “We must expand this re- campaigned last November on promises Co-stAr oF Fox neWs’ “BeltWAy Boys” quirement to not only protect to protect America’s privacy rights are American jobs, but provide the now supporting a bill that will strip Gives “A WAshinGton updAte” assurance that terrorists and other workers of the right of secret ballot noon, MondAy, April 23 adversaries cannot obtain critical voting,” Cantor said. “This is clearly a Benton Convention Center, Winston-sAleM security uniforms to facilitate their Democrat payoff to unions instead of actions,” Hayes said. CJ good policy for America.” (Phone 919-828-3876 for ticket information) Shuler in particular was targeted CAROLINA April 2007 JOURNAL CJ Interview  National Review’s Byron York Handicaps the ’08 Primaries

yron York, White House cor- I think right now she is having a bit of respondent for National Review, a “down” cycle, because when David recently addressed a John Locke Geffen came out and talked, he was BFoundation Headliner luncheon in Ra- only saying the things that Democrats leigh. He also discussed the 2008 presi- are saying privately among themselves dential campaign with Mitch Kokai for about Sen. Clinton. So, you know, I think Carolina Journal Radio. (Go to http:// she’s in for a bit of a “down” cycle. www.carolinajournal.com/cjradio/ to Obama — his entire campaign has find a station near you or to learn about been an “up” cycle. He has had extraor- the weekly CJ Radio podcast.) dinarily good press. His approval rating is huge. The number of people who say Kokai: First, should we be sur- they don’t have an opinion of him has prised that this presidential race is so gone down a lot. It was 33 percent in hot in early 2007? December, and now it’s 16 percent, so people feel like they’re getting to know York: Well, you know, I’m a little him a little bit. So he’s very, very strong. surprised. I mean, it was funny — the And when he will have a “down” cycle, candidates who wanted to wait for a I don’t know. decent interval actually waited until And then the last one is John Ed- after the November 2006 elections. I wards, who is trailing the other two but mean, if it weren’t for that, this might has worked very hard in Iowa, where have been going last year. I mean, part he might do well, worked very hard of it is that George W. Bush is clearly a in Nevada, where he might do well, lame duck, and he’s not going to run popular with the service employees’ again, so it’s wide open on both sides. Byron York, White House correspondent for National Review, spoke at a John Locke Foun- unions out there, and he might do well And the other part of it is, I think, we’re dation Headliner event in Raleigh on March 14 and appeared on Carolina Journal Radio. in South Carolina, which he won in 2004. just in an increasingly fast cycle in which (CJ photo by Don Carrington) The thing about Edwards is I believe television, the Internet, all of these things he is a candidate who is addicted to lately, it seems. He’s been sliding in the saying, “No more Bushes. I’m never go- have come together to intensify people’s promising radical change. You know, polls. He’s looked tired a few times. ing to vote for another Bush, and I mean interest in politics. And the other thing the whole “Two Americas” thing, and People worry about his age, and he it.” OK, good speech. Mike Huckabee is there’s a lot going on. There’s a war now he’s big on the war and wanting would be 72 on Inauguration Day in was there, workmanlike speech, good to get out of the war immediately. It’s going on, there are a lot of questions to 2009, which is two years older than reception. Mitt Romney was there. He kind of a weird campaign when a can- be talked about, we have a new Demo- Ronald Reagan was when he took of- disappointed a lot of people, did not give didate is going around saying, “I made cratic majority in Congress, and so it’s fice. He’s trying to get his mojo back. a very good speech. Newt Gingrich was a very political time. He’s going on the campaign trail more. there and blew them away. I mean, the a mistake! I made a mistake! I made a He announced his candidacy on David crowd absolutely loved him. He is going mistake!”— which is what he’s doing at Kokai: Well, the topic is the presi- Letterman, and frankly I didn’t really get to be a factor in this race, no matter what every opportunity. dential contenders and their prospects, that one, but he did, and so, you know, he does. Staffers from two competing so let’s go ahead and start with the I think McCain — just like Giuliani is campaigns told me, “Look, if he enters Kokai: “But vote for me!” Republicans. What I seem to be hearing due for a “down” cycle, I think McCain the race, he will dominate the debates,” and reading is the big three, and then is due for an “up” cycle. because he’s very, very good. Now, they York: “But vote for me!” I think some others, with Newt as a wild card. And then the other one is Mitt don’t believe he can win, because he is voters really don’t want radical change, What can you tell us? Romney, who’s really far behind the in a situation kind of like Hillary Rod- and I think there’s a lot of research that other two. It’s not as if it’s a big three. ham Clinton: half the people who know shows they really don’t want radical York: The big three and the wild It’s kind of like a big two and another about him like him, and half the people change at any given moment, so I think card, that’s exactly right. Well, if you look guy way back. And he’s been having a don’t like him. So, you know, he’s got Edwards’ appeal will ultimately fail. The at the polls right now, Rudy Giuliani is “down” cycle as well, and his problem baggage galore from the 1990s, but he interesting thing about all these candi- pulling ahead, and I have to say he’s is that his past is catching up with him. is definitely going to shake up the race, dates is they’ve all got a problem. I mean, having one of the biggest and longest You know, he ran for the Senate in 1994 if he chooses to. McCain has his baggage, and Romney and best “up” cycles that I’ve ever seen. I in Massachusetts, and for governor, has his flip-flops, and Gingrich has his mean, he’s getting a lot of good coverage, successfully, of Massachusetts in 2002, Kokai: Okay, let’s flip to the other baggage, and Giuliani has his social posi- and he’s not getting much bad coverage. as a strong pro-choice candidate, and side of the ledger, then. For the Demo- tions, and Hillary has just being Hillary, People are focusing on his very impres- he went out of his way to stress his pro- crats, you hear Hillary Clinton, Obama, and Obama has inexperience. They’ve all sive record; I mean, he has a really, really choice credentials. And as he explains and the third name that I usually hear is got problems, but somebody’s going to impressive record as mayor of New it, he did not really change to a strong our own North Carolina former Senator win, and my guess is, on the Democratic York prior to Sept. 11, in dealing with pro-life position until November 2004. John Edwards. side, it will not be John Edwards. welfare, crime, and budget. So he has That’s very recent. I mean, it’s just re- a very good platform on which to run, ally recent, and for the portion of the York: Well, Mrs. Clinton is still Kokai: For the political junkies but he also, you know, he has troubles. primary electorate for whom abortion ahead in the polls. She has all the in the audience who like to follow this, He has a tumultuous personal life, he is a big deal, perhaps even a threshold strengths that we know about, which is what should we be watching in the next has all sorts of businesses that we don’t issue, there are serious questions now she has a lot of money, and she has the few weeks and months? know anything about, and as far as the about Romney. former president strongly on her side. Republican electorate in the primaries is And then, as you suggest, the wild But I think what we’ve seen lately, in this York: I think you should watch concerned, of course he has his position card is Newt Gingrich, who is polling whole thing with David Geffen, the Hol- how Hillary Clinton handles Obama. on social issues. He’s pro-choice. He’s much better than Romney right now, lywood mogul who criticized her, is that She’s got to find a better way to handle not pro-gay marriage, but he’s sort of and not that far behind McCain. And Obama has really gotten under her skin, him, and I think you need to watch that. pro-civil unions. He’s been in favor of the interesting thing about Newt is that and she is reverting to this kind of 1992 And then the next thing is to watch for gun control. So, you know, at some point he electrifies conservative audiences. We Clinton behavior. I guess the quickest scrutiny of Rudolph Giuliani. When he’s going to come down. It just has to had a meeting called “The Conservative way to summarize it is this: If somebody does that start, and how intense is that, happen. So Giuliani is doing, you know, Summit” in Washington a few weeks criticizes you, you knock them flat. And and especially how does he react to it? extremely well. ago, sponsored by National Review. Jeb I’m not sure that’s going to work with Does he react in a thin-skinned, angry The next is John McCain, who’s Bush came there, gave a good speech Obama. It has made Mrs. Clinton seem way, or does he take it in stride, like a having kind of a long “down” cycle. I — good reception. People like Jeb Bush, a little reactive and a little scared and a candidate who really is ready for the mean, he has not been the old McCain but a lot of the Republican electorate is little overly aggressive. So, you know, first tier of the presidential race? CJ April 2007 CAROLINA  Education JOURNAL

State School Briefs Good Bond Rating Spurs Talk of $2B Bond Issue

Forsyth vocational track By JIM STEGALL and additional revenue sources” to deal Contributing Editor with its rapidly expanding demand for In August 2009 if everything RALEIGH “The current revenue highways. goes according to plan, students hen State Treasurer Richard “The current revenue structure might be walking into a high school structure is not capable Moore released his 2007 “debt is not capable of meeting our growing with a program that is unlike any- affordability study” showing infrastructure need,” he said. “We’ve thing else in the Winston-Salem/ of meeting our growing Wthat North Carolina could afford to take got to do something different, unless we Forsyth County school system, the on a limited amount of new debt, a host infrastructure need.” want to see more potholes and traffic.” Winston-Salem Journal reports. of state agencies, civic organizations, He said that because of rising prices for The school would offer 400 stu- and special-interest groups were quick Beau Mills steel and concrete, highway construction dents the chance to take vocational to suggest worthy projects for any new North Carolina Go costs have risen by 45 percent in the last classes for all four years of high money the state might borrow. three years. school. Academic classes would be State lawmakers must now sort State agencies that would benefit offered at the same school, and some through the various spending propos- $2 billion plan being advanced by the from the governor’s proposal haven’t classes would revolve around the als this summer to decide which ones “Education: Everybody’s Business” been quiet about their needs, either. students’ chosen vocations. to place before the voters. As they do, coalition. The coalition is composed Erskine Bowles, president of the UNC “We want to make sure that the competition between these groups of organizations representing school system, told lawmakers during a hear- at the freshman level, at the earliest likely will grow intense. administrators, school boards, and busi- ing March 6 that the 12 new buildings level, kids can be taking hands- Moore’s report, released Feb. 1, ness groups such as the N.C. Chamber. the bond would fund are critical to the on lessons,” Superintendent Don said the state could afford to borrow The group cites a 2006 study by the system’s continued development. The Martin said. “I think we need more up to $384 million a year for the next 10 Department of Public Instruction that most expensive project would use $120 alternatives to keep kids in school. years without putting its triple-A bond showed more than $9 billion worth million of bond money to erect a “ge- There’s clearly an employment need rating in jeopardy. As one of only seven of school construction and renovation nomic sciences” building on the campus in this community for a number of states that maintain the highest bond needs across the state. of UNC-Chapel Hill. An additional $87 high-skilled jobs in various kinds of rating, North Carolina is able to borrow To dramatize their case, the coali- million would go to build a school of trade industries of all sorts.” money at a slightly lower interest rate tion has sponsored several public forums dentistry at East Carolina University. The new high school would than those with lower ratings. where speakers testify to the urgent need Department of Correction spokes- not replace the current career and The treasurer’s forecast is based for more school construction money. man Keith Acree makes an equally technical education classes, which on predictions of continued strong Lobbyists from several education groups compelling argument for directing $237 are offered at the Career Center in revenue growth and low interest rates. allied with the coalition have been carry- million in bond money to the prison 11th and 12th grades. The report concludes that even with ing portfolios and sporting stickers that system. “The inmate population is grow- The new high school might the new borrowing, debt repayments read “Crisis in the Classroom: Support ing by over a thousand a year,” he said. offer classes in health fields, hospi- will take up about 4 percent of general a $2 Billion School Bond” in the Legisla- Citing longer sentences mandated by tality industry, construction, design revenues, below the recommended cap tive Building. the legislature, he said, “the trend will or other fields, said Kay Rogers, the of 4.75 percent. Not to be outdone, transportation continue if the laws don’t change.” school system’s career-technical It didn’t take long for word of the enthusiasts have come up with their To make matters worse, the prison education director. new debt capacity to inspire plans for own bond proposal. North Carolina Go, using it. Three weeks after the treasurer’s population is getting older. The number a coalition of groups that includes local report became public, Gov. Mike Easley of prisoners over the age of 50 has grown governments, chambers of commerce, presented a budget calling for more than by 61 percent in the past five years, while and others concerned about the worsen- Lawsuit rejected $1.4 billion in general obligation bonds. the general inmate population is up only ing state of transportation infrastructure, The state Court of Appeals on Under Easley’s plan, voters would be 16 percent. is lobbying for a $1 billion bond to be March 20 affirmed a lower court’s asked to approve bonds to pay for new That’s a problem because older targeted on the worst bottlenecks. decision to reject a lawsuit from par- buildings at universities, new prisons, inmates tend to have more serious health Spokesman Beau Mills said North ents trying to bar the Wake County new state office buildings, and various problems. Two of the major projects in Carolina desperately needs “improve- school system from leasing land at water resource projects. the governor’s bond plan involve new ments in delivery, efficiency of projects, the DuBois Center in Wake Forest The announcement of his bond health facilities at state prisons. CJ for a modular school, The News & proposal disappointed educators and Observer of Raleigh reports. transportation officials, who had hoped The court ruled that the school to stake a claim to a substantial part of system did not violate state law by any new bond. Anticipating the negative signing the lease deal. The court reaction, the governor argued at his press also noted that the lawsuit is moot conference that state bond money must because the modular school has been go to pay for things that only the state in operation since August 2005. is responsible for, such as university In 2005, the school board buildings. agreed to use the DuBois Center to Education and transportation, he house temporarily Forest Pines Ele- said, have other dedicated sources of mentary School while its permanent income to pay for capital needs. building was under construction. For instance, local education headliner series Forest Pines’ permanent building capital needs are normally funded by in the Wakefield area is scheduled counties. If counties need more money, newt gingrich they can also authorize their own bonds. to open in August. Discusses ‘Pearl Harbor: a Novel of December 8tH’ Transportation needs generally are A number of Wakefield, Wild- His latest work of alterNative History wood Forest, and Wake Forest met using dedicated taxes such as the gas tax, and the Highway Trust Fund. NooN, tHursDay, may 17 Elementary parents whose chil- Certain transportation projects are also sisters’ GarDeN & cateriNG co. dren were reassigned to Forest eligible for federal money. By contrast, 2400 e. millbrook roaD, raleiGH Pines argued that the DuBois if the state doesn’t construct buildings $50 Per PersoN (luNcH iNcluDeD) Center site was unsafe. They filed on university campuses or state agency a lawsuit claiming that the lease GiNGricH, former sPeaker of tHe u.s. House of reP- office buildings, chances are they don’t deal was illegal because a school reseNtatives, is Now a Political coNtributor for tHe get built. foX News cHaNNel, a Prolific autHor, aND cHairmaN district can build schools only on Not everyone buys that argument, of tHe GiNGricH GrouP. land it owns. CJ however. The most visible competitor to the governor’s bond proposal is a (PHoNe 919-828-3876 for ticket iNformatioN) CAROLINA April 2007 JOURNAL Education  N.C. Supreme Court Widens Commentary NBPTS Eligibility in Schools Making Schools Safer By MICHAEL LOWREY from petitioner and we reverse the judg- any parents worry about substances has increased by 46 Associate Editor ment of the trial court.” school safety, more so percent, while possession of alcohol RALEIGH The NBPTS statute contains an in the wake of deadly has gone up 12 percent. Possession he N.C. Court of Appeals recently explicit statement of the state’s policy: Mattacks in Colorado, Wisconsin, of a weapon on school property has ruled that a career development “It is the goal of the State to provide and Pennsylvania. Despite these also increased 24 percent. education teaching coordinator opportunities and incentives for good incidents, most U.S. schools are The good news is that many Tat Onslow County Schools was eligible teachers to become excellent teach- relatively secure places to learn, sta- North Carolina schools are free for pay raises that are awarded to teach- ers and to retain them in the teaching tistics show. from violence: 43 ers after being certified by the National profession; to attain this goal, the State According to the percent (998 schools) Board for Profes- shall support the ef- National Center for Edu- of 2,322 public schools sional Standards. forts of teachers to cation Statistics’ report, reported no offenses in Under for- achieve national Indicators of School Crime 2005-06. Only 2 percent mer Gov. Jim Hunt, certification by pro- and Safety: 2006, victim- (54 schools) of public the state adopted a viding approved ization rates for students schools reported more policy of encour- paid leave time for ages 12-18 generally de- than 30 offenses. But aging teachers teachers participat- clined between 1992 and while these statistics to obtain NBPTS ing in the process, 2004. Between 2004 and are heartening to many certification. Left paying the par- 2005, 21 children were families, they’re cold unanswered was ticipation fee, and killed on U.S. elementary Lindalyn comfort to students and secondary school trapped in chronically a question of who paying a significant Kakadelis was eligible for the salary differential campuses, more than in troubled schools. higher salaries that to teachers who 2000-01, but less than What can we do to come with the cer- attain national cer- during most of the 1990s. make schools safer? For tification. tification from the National Board for But while national school starters, schools should have the Was it classroom teachers only? Professional Teaching Standards[.]” violence statistics are reassuring, flexibility to choose their own vio- Or were licensed teachers in career de- The key element to the three-judge they’re also overly optimistic. The lence prevention programs, rather velopment positions also eligible? The panel of the appeals court was that the federal No Child Left Behind Act than being forced to adopt a “one- answer, according to the state Court of Assembly used the phrase “teaching requires states to report school size-fits-all” approach. But that’s Appeals, is that career development profession,” not “classroom teachers.” violence, providing school choice to not enough. Parents also need coordinators were eligible, and that the “Although respondent maintained students who are victims of violent choices in their child’s education. Department of Public Instruction has throughout its brief that the purpose of crime or who attend “persistently Forced school assignments increase been wrong in not granting the higher the statute was to retain teachers in the dangerous” schools. Unfortunately, the likelihood of a mismatch be- pay since 2000. classroom, such a goal is not reflected in the law gives states free rein in set- tween school programs and student Madeline Tucker, the coordinator, the statutory language enacted by the ting “persistently dangerous” defi- needs, triggering boredom, detach- filed a lawsuit saying she was denied General Assembly. Rather, the goal is to nitions. Not surprisingly, it’s a label ment, and in some cases, violence. the pay raise although DPI officials had encourage excellence and retain excel- most states would rather avoid: School choice, on the other assured her that she would receive a 12 lent teachers in the ‘teaching profession.’ Last year, only 29 of the more than hand, reduces the likelihood of percent pay increase if she were certified. This language makes no mention of 90,000 public schools were classi- violence. Research shows that Tucker attended a seminar sponsored by ‘classroom teachers,’” Elmore wrote. fied as “persistently dangerous.” choice schools themselves are safer DPI in October 1999 on NBPTS certifica- The appeals court also noted that According to an article by Lisa schools, even in crime-prone urban tion. Tucker received the certification in the legislature created two distinct ways Snell of the Reason Public Policy areas. According to a March 2007 November 2000. of become eligible for the extra pay Institute in 2005, 44 states and the report from the National Charter Tucker is also licensed by the associated with NBPTS certification, a District of Columbia did not report School Research Project, “Urban Department of Public Instruction as a “classroom instruction” criterion and an a single unsafe school in 2003-04. public charter schools appear to be mentor, career development coordinator, “other than direct classroom instruction” North Carolina claims to be safer and experience fewer disci- and business education teacher in grades criterion. DPI argued that the other-than- one such bastion of school safety. pline problems than their tradition- nine through 12, and career exploration direct classroom instruction criterion But consider this caveat: Before vio- al public school counterparts.” teacher in grades six through nine. applied only to media specialists and lent offenses can be used to classify Choice also fosters competi- DPI officials refused to award school counselors. a school as “persistently danger- tion between schools, galvanizing Tucker a raise, claiming that the stipend “The National Board does not ous,” local districts must affirm administrators into action. After was available only to classroom teachers, classify its certification areas as ‘class- that “conditions that contributed to all, if they want to retain students, media specialists, and school counselors. room’ areas of certification and ‘other the commission of those offenses school leaders must work that Tucker and two others contested the than classroom instruction’ areas of are likely to continue into an- much harder to reduce violence. DPI decision. Though an administrative certification. Thus, placing areas of other school year.” In other words, And if they don’t get the job done, law judge ruled in favor of the school NBPTS certification in these categories something terrible can happen, but choice provides students with an employees, the department refused to must come, if at all, from the language of unless administrators think there’s escape hatch. a high probability of recurrence, the In the end, here’s what we adopt her ruling. our statute. We find no language which school isn’t labeled “persistently know for sure: If students are ever Tucker challenged DPI’s actions limits the ‘other than classroom instruc- dangerous.” With loopholes like to learn well, safe schools every- in the courts, including appealing to the tion’ to media and school counseling,” these, it’s no wonder we have so where are an imperative. Restoring Court of Appeals, after Superior Court the court wrote. many “safe” schools. peace on school campuses is not for Judge Howard Manning Jr. ruled in favor Court of Appeals rulings serve Fortunately, the 2005-06 the weak-willed, however. Parents of the department. as precedent; its interpretations of N.C. Annual Report on School Crime and must expect to fight back and fight The Court of Appeals ruled against law are binding upon lower courts and Violence from the North Carolina hard. And in the battle to reclaim the DPI. state agencies unless overturned by the Department of Public Instruction our schools, knowledge and choice “Respondent’s interpretation of N.C. Supreme Court. Because the ap- provides a reasonably accurate are the heavy artillery. CJ N.C. Gen. Stat. § 115C-296.2 conflicts peals court ruling was unanimous, the snapshot of school safety. Ac- with the language of the statute, as Supreme Court is not required to take cording to DPI, school substance enacted by the General Assembly,” the case should DPI ask it to review the abuse is on the rise: Since 1998-99, Lindalyn Kakadelis is director of Judge Rick Elmore wrote for the court. decision. statewide possession of controlled the North Carolina Education Alliance. “Accordingly, we hold that respondent The case is Rainey v. N.C. Dep’t improperly withheld the salary increase of Pub. Instruction, (05-1609). CJ April 2007 CAROLINA 10 Education JOURNAL

School Reform Notes Integrity, excellence valued

College for high-schoolers Colleges Recruiting Homeschool Graduates Beginning with the class of 2012, N.C. high school students By DAVID N. BASS thriving in higher will be required to complete a col- Contributing Editor education. Spencer lege-bound course of study, even RALEIGH and Debbie Mason if they have no plans for pursuing t first glance, UNC-Chapel Hill of Charlotte have higher education, the Citizen-Times sophomore Charissa Lloyd two homeschool of Asheville reports. might seem like a typical college graduates in the Astudent. Her schedule is crammed with university system. Members of the state Board of Education hope its new high school campus activities — everything from One child gradu- core course of study will make stu- participating in Intervarsity Christian ated with a four- dents better prepared to compete Fellowship to serving on the staff of Rival year degree from in a global economy. The board ap- Magazine. She enjoys academics, too, and Grove City College proved the plan in December. Some hopes to one day become a social worker in Pennsylvania parents have complained that not involved in pro-life causes. and now attends every child is college-bound and But at least one aspect makes Lloyd Regent University that the new requirements might unique from most of her classmates: By School of Law; the make it more difficult for some the time she graduated from high school other is enrolled as students to finish high school. in 2005, she had already accumulated 60 a junior at North N.C. high school students now credit hours and a 4.0 GPA from a local Carolina State Uni- Charissa’s mother, Teresa Lloyd, choose from four courses of study, community college. What gave her the versity and plans to begin work on his said that her daughter is actually “over- sometimes referred to as tracks or flexibility to pursue college-level courses master’s degree next year. involved” in campus activities. “When I pathways to graduation. Those in- while still in school? Another attribute Spencer Mason said that it’s no was in college, I was ready to get out of clude college and technical college differentiates her from most other longer necessary to be concerned about the dorms, but [Charissa] has enjoyed tracks. Students planning to enter students: She was homeschooled from homeschool graduates being turned that,” Lloyd said. “She really sees it as the workforce after graduation can kindergarten through the 12th grade. down by colleges. “There are some an opportunity to make a positive differ- pursue a career track. An occupa- With the increasing number of colleges that actually have admissions ence in people’s lives there, and it’s such tional course of study exists for parents pulling their children out of counselors that specialize in home- a big campus that she has been able to certain students with disabilities. traditional public schools in favor of schoolers,” Mason said. “You’ll find a find some like-minded individuals and The new curriculum will re- home education, Lloyd’s success story lot of the Ivy League and tier-one col- people who share her interests.” quire all students to take four units is quickly becoming commonplace. Each leges are very open to homeschoolers Academically, several universities of math and two units of a foreign year, colleges and universities across the coming.” have conducted internal research and language. nation enroll an increasing number of Hal Young, education vice presi- discovered that homeschool graduates home-school graduates. According to dent for North Carolinians for Home have GPAs above the college average, research conducted by Dr. Brian Ray of Education, said that some Ivy League Klicka said. One four-year study con- Faith leaders help schools the National Home Education Research schools are actually admitting home- ducted by Drs. Rhonda Galloway and Joe More than 400 school and Institute, 75 percent of all home-school school graduates at a higher percentage Sutton comparing homeschool college faith leaders came to Waddell graduates have at least some college ex- than students in the general popula- students with private and public school High SchoolMarch 19 to talk about perience, compared to about 50 percent tion. “A lot of colleges are saying that students found that homeschoolers helping high-poverty schools, the in the general population. [homeschoolers] are a good population ranked first in 10 out of 12 academic Charlotte Observer reports. That trend is indicative of the to pursue,” he said. “They’ve had posi- indicators. “We hear so much about the higher academic and moral values that tive results dealing with home-educated Such research, mixed with “an separation of church and state,” home-school students leave home with, students, and so they actively go out and unbroken track record” of success on Charlotte-Mecklenburg Superin- according to Christopher Klicka, senior look for them.” achievement tests including the SAT, tendent Peter Gorman said. “It’s counsel for the Homeschool Legal De- More college Web sites are employ- causes colleges to accept home-school time we talk about the connection fense Association. ing separate pages specifically designed graduates, Klicka said. of our faith community and our “Homeschoolers are head and for home-school applicants, and some public schools.” shoulders above the norm because private colleges in the state are actively Admissions discrimination? Gorman isn’t inviting religious they have mastered the tools of learn- recruiting, Young said. volunteers to preach or proselytize. ing,” Klicka said. “They tend to really Klicka, who has advocated for Today, college admission de- Instead, he wants an army of caring understand how to write and read and the legal rights of home-school families partments by and large are no longer adults reaching out to students who do math. You throw in self-discipline for 21 years, said representatives from “putting up barriers” for homeschool need hope. Churches already send and good character, and you can apply colleges are appearing at home-school graduates, Young said. “Some have volunteers, money, and supplies yourself to just about any subject that conventions to recruit. Given home in the past required additional testing into public-school classrooms. Gor- there is at the college level, even if you education’s academic track record, uni- simply to validate the kind of grade man wants to build on that. didn’t have access to the fancy laborato- versities view homeschool graduates as that students had on their transcripts, “We need you to help us lift ries and the other equipment that they a “good risk,” Klicka said. but if a student has college work from children over the barriers that pov- have in the public schools.” a community college or some other erty puts in the way of learning,” A major concern among home- Social and academic life kind of outside class, that would tend he told the crowd, which nearly school families in the early 1980s was to validate the transcript that is created filled the 600-seat auditorium in that colleges would refuse to admit One of the most common objec- by the parents,” he said. southwest Charlotte. About 150 home-educated graduates later in tions levied against home education is Klicka said that the last barrier were from CMS. life, but today that fear has been “tre- that homeschool students lack exposure was torn down when Congress passed The Rev. Tim Moore, pastor of mendously diminished,” Klicka said, to different social settings, but Young the Higher Education Act in 1997. Dis- Sardis Baptist Church and cochair- because universities no longer block said that graduates integrate well into crimination was fairly common 10 years man of CMS’s Interfaith Advisory homeschool graduates. the campus environment. “Homeschool- ago, Klicka said, but now it is as “rare Council, said helping schools holds “They are all receiving home- ing is individual, but it’s not isolated,” as a comet.” natural appeal. “To help a student schoolers with open arms,” he said. he said. “Most homeschoolers that we “We’ve had other issues that have learn to read, you’re giving that hear from are pretty well networked in popped up from time to time with dis- student a future — which, I’m tell- Admitting homeschoolers support groups, church activities, Scout- crimination, but pretty much it just takes ing you, beats handing out $5 on ing programs, and sports programs…so a phone call, a little bit of persuasion, a street corner any day.” CJ Many parents and home educa- when they get to the college campuses and a little bit of facts and figures, and tion experts agree that homeschool where there are other groups around, the colleges say we don’t need to keep graduates are not only surviving but that’s just another day in life.” this up,” Klicka said. CJ CAROLINA April 2007 JOURNAL Education 11 WakeCARES Group Sues Wake County School Board

By KAREN McMAHAN tional time of 10 percent to 15 percent Contributing Editor “would be expensive and would not be RALEIGH expected to produce appreciable gains ollowing the lead of parents in in academic achievement.” Among his California, Texas, Colorado, New conclusions were that “the productivity Mexico, and others, a coalition of schools is not a matter of time allocated Fof parents is suing the Wake County to them. Rather it is a matter of how they School Board over its plan to expand use the time they already have.” mandatory year-round conversions for Just as the system’s own figures 2007-2008. show that mandatory year-round con- Parents reached “their breaking versions in Wake County would not point,” said Kathleen Brennan, co- provide the promised capacity gains founder of WakeCARES, which filed or enrollment efficiency, a N.C. Depart- the lawsuit March 13. ment of Education study (McMillen, The lawsuit, filed in Wake County 2000) disputes claims of improved Superior Court, seeks an injunction educational outcomes. Findings from to stop the board from converting 22 Web site for WakeCARES is wakecares.com. The group’s blog is at wakecares.blogspot. the study of 345,000 students showed elementary and middle schools to a com. “no statistically significant difference year-round calendar. The lawsuit asserts portray those who opposed the manda- widened the achievement gap, created in reading or math scores” when com- that the 2007-2008 Growth Management tory year-round calendar as disgruntled inequities in educational opportunity, paring traditional calendar students Plan,” or GMP, is “an illegal attendance “parents wanting only to preserve their and failed to improve capacity or sig- with year-round students. While the system” that abridges the “parent’s right summer vacations,” Brennan said, but nificantly reduce costs. An unexpected study did find a statistically significant to direct their children’s education and the issues are much larger. She stressed outcome reported by officials in Los interaction for lower-achieving students to be in charge of decisions critical to that the aim of the lawsuit is to ensure Angeles was an increase in gang activity in year-round schools, McMillen said familial relationships.” educational excellence and opportu- because latchkey youths were left alone the effect was “probably educationally The board has a long history of nity by giving parents a greater voice and roamed the streets. insignificant by most standards.” breaking promises and ignoring parents’ in policies and practices that are in the Robert Hunter Jr., and Bill Peaslee, Even more revealing is that WCPSS concerns, the parents say. A major point best interest of “students and families lawyers for WakeCARES, also cited officials have been well-aware of the dis- of contention for parents before the of Wake County.” inequities in educational opportunity. ruption and ill effects from mandatory school bond vote in November was that Not all parents in WakeCARES The letter to the Wake County Board of year-round schools. In a letter posted “WCPSS officials and FOWC members are against a year-round calendar, Bren- Education dated Feb. 9 said that “the on SOS Wake County, Louise Lee, a promised to consider alternatives to the nan said, but rather they oppose forced year round calendar denies students in former Wake County schoolteacher and mandatory year-round conversions, if conversions. Proponents of year-round Wake County the enriching benefits of founder of Save Our Summers, excerpts only the voters would vote for the bond,” schools say, among other things, that extra-curricular opportunities of (sic) findings from a 2005 WCPSS PowerPoint Brennan said. students perform better academically afforded to students in Wake County presentation about mandatory year- Parents publicly and vigorously and that schools operate more efficiently which remain on a traditional school round schools. protested through letters, meetings, and and at a lower cost. A growing body of calendar.” By forcing some but not all Among them are “mandatory public hearings. They also presented evidence, however, disputes these claim elementary and middle school students year-round has not been successful in statistics to the board from the school and find that mandatory year-round has and their families to adapt to a year- other districts; the districts who use system’s own records and an indepen- profound negative effects. round calendar, the school system is fail- year-round as a choice option are the dent audit to show that the mandatory In 2004, parents in California ing to provide them the uniform school most successful; increased transpor- conversions were not necessary in order (Williams v. California) sued, forcing system guaranteed by North Carolina tation costs; child care problematic; to increase capacity. Yet the board con- the state to phase out multitrack, or law, Hunter and Peaslee said. difficulty scheduling extra-curricular tinued to implement its plans. year-round, schools by 2012. Sworn tes- A study by Gene Glass (2004) activities because one track is always Some people have attempted to timony showed that year-round schools reported that promised gains in instruc- out of school.” CJ

7
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Silly sexuality studies Flagship Universities’ PACs Coming Under Fire ive years ago CM noted the proposal of a “sexuality stud- By JANE S. SHAW ies” program at the University Contributing Editor Fof North Carolina at Chapel Hill. RALEIGH We highlighted the four justifica- he tacit agreement that underlies tions being made for it: It will make the unified structure of UNC homosexuals feel more comfortable; — the understanding that all cam- podunk colleges have sexuality Tpuses will speak with one voice to the studies; UNC-CH already has spe- state legislature through the university cial programs for women and blacks; administration — might be beginning and if you don’t study sexuality, to fray. you’re ignorant. Two political-action committees The program is apparently representing the flagship schools within struggling. Witness the following the University of North Carolina system online petition being circulated — North Carolina State University and among the UNC-CH communi- UNC-Chapel Hill — have been lobby- ty—and whoever else in the world ing for unique treatment of their own who’ll sign it without disclosing campuses for some years now. Some of Web site of Citizens for Higher Education, the political-action committee that works on their email or physical addresses those efforts have been chronicled, and behalf of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. or pledging financial support. CM criticized, in the media, but now the quotes it in full: PACs are beginning to get some heat approve all tuition increases. has the right to free speech.” from students. The fact that a campus does not We the undersigned stu- On Feb. 28, at least 20 students “Not Any Parity” have a PAC does not mean that it lacks dents at UNC-CH believe that the from four historically black colleges influence in the legislature, of course. The The students challenging the PACs University’s Program in Sexuality and universities went to Raleigh to ask proposed dental school at East Carolina attend North Carolina Central, Winston- University, the Center City campus Studies is an essential component of legislators to distance themselves from Salem State, North Carolina A&T, and at UNC-Charlotte, and the pharmacy UNC’s curriculum. The opportunity those two committees. One committee is for focused study in areas of gender Fayetteville State. They argued that the school at Elizabeth City State all show the Citizens for Higher Education, which and sexuality is a great benefit for PACs influence legislators to direct dol- that other campuses are able to wrest seeks support for UNC-Chapel Hill. many students at the University, and lars to the two flagships at the expense substantial funds from the General As- CHE officials say their goal is to ”build this Program also serves as a clear of other campuses in the system. sembly. political support for the University of demonstration to the entire UNC Jessica Hill, a student at N.C. Cen- Controversy is not new to the North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the community that the University is tral and president of the campus branch PACs, especially the CHE. (N.C. State’s state’s other research universities.” The committed to fostering a vibrant in- of Common Cause, said at a press confer- PAC has operated in more obscurity.) other is the Economic Development Co- tellectual community that welcomes ence that the historically black schools The News and Observer of Raleigh edi- alition 2000, which aims to do the same diversity. “have fewer alumni to finance PACs.” torialized in 2006 against the PAC on We are deeply concerned, how- for N.C. State. She doesn’t want to reduce quality at the grounds that it “insults the parent ever, about the lack of administrative CHE is better known, since it is the UNC-Chapel Hill or N.C. State, but university system by playing big-money support for the program in Sexuality second largest PAC in the state, trailing wants the other campuses “to be able to politics” and is “only too willing to cross Studies and about the current admin- only the political-action committee of the istration’s failure to fulfill previous rise to that same high standard through palms with silver.” North Carolina Association of Realtors. promises of support for that program. fair access to state resources.” In March, the newspaper wrote an We strongly urge the College of Arts (CHE also has its own Web site and re- Rep. Larry Womble, D-Forsyth, editorial favoring the position taken by and Sciences to restore the previously cently used former Chapel Hill athletic said in support of the students that the the students from historically black col- granted course release to the director coaches to recruit members in an adver- historically black schools don’t have of Sexuality Studies so that he or she leges and universities, saying that it was tisement in the Carolina Alumni Review.) hotels or businesses on their campuses, an “embarrassment” when members of will be able adequately to fulfill his or According to the State Board of Elections, her responsibilities of planning the as the other schools do. “A blind man one public institution think they must SXST curriculum, organizing the CHE gave $425,000 to legislative candi- can see that there’s not any parity,” he “cross the palms of members of another workshops and lecture series associ- dates in the 2006 election cycle. said. public institution, the legislature, in ated with the Program, coordinating Common Cause North Carolina, The students want the legislators order to get the attention and support with Student Advising, the LGBTQ which promoted the students’ position, to sign a statement calling individual of lawmakers.” Office and departments across - cam said the money went to 109 legislators. campus PACs “unhelpful” and “poten- The newspaper also said flatly that pus to promote the program, advising For 47 of the legislators, the CHE dona- minors, and working with alumni and tially harmful” and to urge the Board the Board of Governors will never agree donors to develop an endowment for tion was their largest. NC State’s PAC of Governors to bar members from do- to any conflict-of-interest rules, “because the Program. We also advocate grant- donated $84,050 in the 2006 election nating to PACs that support individual the members of that board tend to be ing the previously promised second cycle, according to the State Board of campuses. There are no restrictions on affluent and often socially connected to course release. Elections. political activities by members of the the boosters who started [the] PACs.” Finally, we are distressed that CHE has had its successes. Its lob- Board of Governors. Each PAC has a member on the board, the administration’s refusal to provide bying usually gets the credit for a 2005 sources say. promised support has meant the pro- state budget provision that changed gram was without a director for the CHE Responds Whatever the merits of the state- 2006-2007 school year. We encourage scholarships for out-of-state students to ments, PACs are legal. Stopping people the College to follow through on prom- equal in-state tuition. This means that David Rice, a spokesman for CHE, from joining together to make themselves ises and move quickly in their actions the same amount of scholarship money responded to the criticism with two ma- known to legislators would violate rights to provide support for the Sexuality can support many more out-of-state jor points. Rice noted that CHE supports free speech, petition, and assembly. The Studies program.” students with scholarships — but the greater funding for many projects that students recognize this, but they also taxpayer, not the scholarship donors, benefit all the schools as well as Chapel want the legislature to acknowledge Four silly justifications might must pay the extra costs of tuition. Reps. Hill, such as increasing faculty salaries what one student called the need for not be enough to save the program. George Cleveland, R-Onslow, and Pricey throughout the university system. “equity for all 16 campuses.” CJ Perhaps a fifth will. CJ Harrison, D-Guilford, are leading an ef- He also said PACs are vehicles for fort to overturn the provision. people to “aggregate their voices and try John Locke Foundation Research On the other hand, CHE failed to make themselves heard.” Any cam- Jane S. Shaw is the executive vice Editor Jon Sanders tracks down the in an effort to obtain freedom for the pus can start a PAC. Opposition to the president of the John William Pope Center monthly course of dubious value. two flagship campuses to set their own two PACs is tantamount to saying that for Higher Education Policy (shaw@pope- tuition. The Board of Governors must “anyone but the two largest institutions center.org). CAROLINA April 2007 JOURNAL Higher Education 13 Easley’s Plan Would Establish Commentary Statewide Scholarship Program N.C. Wesleyan Proposal’s By SHANNON BLOSSER administration started. Learn and Earn Impact May Be Overblown Contributing Editor is an initiative that allows a student, at CHAPEL HILL participating schools, to graduate from usiness and political lead- undergraduates, can’t erase pov- ollowing states such as Georgia and high school with both a high school ers from Rocky Mount and erty, it’s unlikely that “UNC-Rocky Tennessee, North Carolina is jump- degree and an associate’s degree, thus eastern North Carolina have Mount” would. ing into the statewide scholarship achieving the first two years of college championedB the idea of transform- Making NC Wesleyan public Fbusiness. Whether the program will without paying college tuition. If the ing North Carolina Wesleyan Col- and expanding it (currently it’s un- avoid some of the funding problems that student received the EARN scholarship, lege into a public institution within der 800 students) would bring more other states face remains to be seen. he or she could avoid paying tuition the UNC system. Supporters are state dollars into Rocky Mount. The In February, Gov. Mike Easley an- altogether and graduate “debt-free,” the already referring to the school as influx would benefit companies nounced plans to create the Education governor has emphasized. Learn and “UNC-Rocky Mount.” that do business with Access Rewards North Carolina Scholars Earn is expected to receive an increase Their argument is the university, such as program. The scholarship, based on in funding so that more campuses will that a public institution textbook suppliers, food financial need, would give two years of be added and, Easley hopes, ultimately would spur economic vendors, and construc- tuition to low-income students. it will become statewide. development in Rocky tion companies. More The only requirement to receive The EARN program would fund Mount and eastern North professors, students, and the scholarship, according to available only students within the UNC and Carolina and give more administrators would budget informa- community col- students access to higher probably drive up real tion, is that the stu- lege system. Two- education. estate values somewhat. dent comes from a thirds would go Before the state Some people would ben- family that earns to UNC students, “It [the Education Access commits to spending a Shannon efit, but not the whole less than 200 per- the rest to commu- substantial amount of Blosser town, much less the cent of the nation- Rewards N.C. scholars nity college stu- money making a private region. al poverty level. dents. However, college, affiliated with the United Now to the second question, Based upon the program] will make a Hope Williams, Methodist Church, into the 17th would many more students be able current poverty great difference in North president of the UNC campus, the costs and benefits to earn college degrees? levels, that would North Carolina should be carefully examined. The crux of the issue ap- mean that a fam- Carolina.” Independent and First, let’s look at economic pears to be tuition. Tuition at North ily of four making Private Colleges, development. Supporters claim Carolina Wesleyan is $17,600, sub- less than $40,800 Erskine Bowles wants the scholar- that the new university would stantially more than at most state would qualify for UNC President ships for students draw companies to Rocky Mount, institutions. If Wesleyan were a pub- the scholarship. at private colleges providing new jobs and opportuni- lic school, tuition would go down, Easley has said as well. At a March ties for residents. The Rocky Mount making education more affordable that students would also have to work meeting of the joint appropriations sub- Telegram quoted Charlie Harrell, for students — but adding a signifi- for 10 hours a week while receiving the committee on education, Williams said chairman of the Edgecombe County cant burden to taxpayers. scholarship, saying that it was not “a it would cost an additional $5 million Board of Commissioners, “Educa- It’s a mistake, however, to free lunch.” to fund private college students. “It’s tion is the only sure thing to pull think that students in the area who “You have to earn it,” Easley a great program,” Williams said. “We you out of poverty.” And it quoted can’t afford to go to N.C. Wesleyan said. would just like to be a part of it.” Nash-Rocky Mount Public Schools are without options. Easley included the scholarship Easley’s scholarship plan differs Superintendent Rick McMahon: “A There are five UNC schools in his budget recommendations for the from the state scholarships that prolif- university changes the whole com- in eastern North Carolina (East 2007-09 biennium to legislators. It was erated in the 1990s because they were munity.” Carolina, Elizabeth City State, not in the University of North Carolina primarily merit-based. The genesis of But promises of prosper- Fayetteville State, UNC-Pembroke, budget request, but UNC President the scholarships was the HOPE Scholar- ity stemming from a bigger col- and UNC-Wilmington), as well as Erskine Bowles has told legislators that ship, created by then Georgia Gov. Zell lege campus might be overblown. 25 community colleges, where the he supports the creation of the scholar- Miller, in 1993, which, unlike Easley’s Although it has been studied for cost is low. ship. plan, is available to all qualifying stu- years, economic development With all of these affordable “It will make a great difference in dents, regardless of income. It led to the remains a mystery. People know educational choices available to North Carolina,” Bowles told legisla- creation of similar plans in Tennessee, that high-tech industry grew up people in the eastern part of the tors. West Virginia, and other states. around Boston’s Route 128 area and state, it’s impossible to see that Easley seeks $50 million in fiscal But demand for the scholarships California’s Silicon Valley, and they the establishment of “UNC-Rocky 2008 and an additional $100 million in has led to funding problems. In 2005, give credit to the large numbers of Mount” would solve any problem. fiscal 2009 for the program. There is also the Hope Scholarship was sent into universities there. This is especially the case giv- $29.5 million in the governor’s budget financial crisis when lottery proceeds, But there’s even doubt about en UNC President Erskine Bowles’ for other need-based financial aid. which fund the scholarship, declined. that. A new report from the Brook- emphasis on online education. Al- The combined $150 million would To reduce costs, caps were set on what ings Institution points out that ready, N.C. Wesleyan is cooperating give eligible students $4,000 each year fees the scholarship would pay, and industrial towns as close as 35 miles with ECU and North Carolina State for two years of higher education, at the GPA requirement was tightened from Boston have not benefited University by opening the Gateway from Boston’s technology boom. Technology Center on its campus, either a community college or a UNC to a 3.0 average based on a 4.0 scale. Here in North Carolina, busi- which gives access to online courses campus. Presumably, the student would Other states have also changed program nesses are not flocking to other from ECU and NCSU. Other univer- still have to cover costs such as books, requirements. small towns with UNC schools, sities are doing the same. room, and board. If approved, the EARN Scholar- such as Elizabeth City or Pembroke. Given the costs, a “bricks and Representatives from Easley’s ship, although paid for by the General Why would Rocky Mount be any mortar” expansion in Rocky Mount administration have said that 25,000 Fund, could face similar funding prob- different? looks decidedly behind the times. CJ CJ students would be eligible for the schol- lems during lean budget years. You don’t have to travel far arship. That number is based on calcula- outside Greenville, the site of East Contributing Editor Shannon tions by UNC and the State Education Carolina University, to find very Blosser manages the Chapel Hill office Assistance Authority. Contributing Editor Shannon poor communities. If a large uni- of the John William Pope Center for Easley and others have touted the Blosser manages the Chapel Hill office of versity such as ECU, with 18,000 Higher Education Policy. program as a natural progression from the John William Pope Center for Higher the Learn and Earn program, which his Education Policy. April 2007 CAROLINA 14 Higher Education JOURNAL Bats in the Belltower Gov. Easley’s Bond Package ‘Greatest Love of All” Would Fund Higher Education

Sure Is Full of Itself By SHANNON BLOSSER More than $200 million of the Contributing Editor proposed bond package is connected earning to love yourself is the Twenge’s results were surprising. CHAPEL HILL to two projects at UNC-Chapel Hill and greatest love of all.” That’s About the only surprise surround- ome November, North Carolina East Carolina University. what anyone who was unable ing the study is that its findings voters may be asked to approve UNC-Chapel Hill would receive Lto escape pop radio in the 1980s haven’t been blamed on global the second higher-education $119 million for the construction of a would have heard, over and over warming—yet. After all, the popu- Cbond package in this decade. genomic sciences building. The 210,000- and over again, the summation lar navel-gazing web sites MySpace When introducing budget recom- square-foot building would house 400 of Whitney Houston’s anthem to and YouTube by themselves suffice mendations for the 2007-09 biennium, graduate and undergraduate students, narcissism. to demonstrate the problem. Then Gov. Mike Easley also proposed raising as well as laboratories, lecture halls, and That song, origi- there is the seemingly $1.4 billion in general obligation bonds seminar rooms. nally written by Michael inexhaustible supply of to pay for projects within the University The General Assembly has already Masser and Linda Creed self-impressed bozos of North Carolina system and other gov- approved $28 million for planning and and recorded by George willing to debase them- ernment agencies. The bond would fund UNC-Chapel Hill will contribute $12 Benson for a 1977 flick selves nationally, either projects for juvenile services, corrections, million. about Muhammed Ali, as the butts of “reality” and administration among others. East Carolina would receive $87 also begins with one of TV shows, as hooting- Easley’s administration opted for million in the bond package to con- the general obligation bond because the struct a school of dentistry. However, the most banal state- fodder for Jerry Spring- bonds are typically cheaper than other improvements to UNC-Chapel Hill’s ments ever in a genre er-esque talk shows, or bond options. The state has the highest dental school were left out. that prides itself on as voice-cracking early Jon bond ratings given out by most bond The Board of Governors had re- banality: “I believe the castaways on “American Sanders rating organizations. Easley’s recom- quested an additional $99 million for children are our future.” Idol” and other talent mendations for the bond package would improvements at UNC-Chapel Hill. Masser and Creed’s lyr- shows. include 24 projects, 12 of which would Those improvements were part of a joint ics put in song form a credo gallop- Also there are the self-pitying benefit the UNC system. effort between ECU and UNC-Chapel Above ing through education circles: parents on shows such as “Nanny It’s up to the General Assembly to Hill to increase dental education in North everything else, kids need to be taught 911” who aren’t satisfied with just decide, however, whether the projects Carolina — ECU would get the state’s to love themselves. embarrassing themselves but must will be placed before voters. The vote, if second dental school, while UNC-Cha- Which, when you think of it, is publicize their own children’s approved, would likely come in Novem- pel Hill would be able to expand. The about as silly as saying kids need to tantrums to the masses. It takes a ber. Because only municipal elections board approved the plan in November, be taught to love pizza and bath- special kind of self-absorbed sot to will be conducted this year, a lower voter and $7 million was appropriated last room humor. humiliate one’s own kids before turnout is expected, increasing chances year in planning funds that were to be At some point, once the haze millions of people for attention. for approval. In 2000, more than 1.8 mil- split between the schools. of pot smoke dissipated somewhat, Of course, being self-centered lion voters approved the higher-educa- Administration officials said the addled brains in the hippie cul- is, in the words of the song, “easy tion bond that provided $2.5 billion in the governor included in the bond tural vanguard that brought us the to achieve.” (By way of comparison, bonds for UNC projects and $600 million package programs that have already “Me Decade” and glommed onto learning to love others, especially for community colleges. received planning money and were the education system took stock of when they’re unlovable, is rather All 16 campuses were included listed as the school’s top priority. the upcoming generation and ap- difficult to achieve.) As Twenge told in the 2000 bond package. Only 12 Even though improvements to the parently were shocked to find the the Associated Press in February, campuses, however, are included in UNC-Chapel Hill dental school received youngsters less self-infatuated than criticizing the Self-Esteem Move- the governor’s proposed package. The planning funds last session, they were (hic!) they. In short, it was the fight ment’s teaching, “We need to stop four campuses left out are Elizabeth not the school’s top priority. The genomic they were born for. They launched endlessly repeating, ‘You’re special,’ City State, North Carolina Central, sciences building was UNC-Chapel the Self-Esteem Movement to com- and having children repeat that UNC-Charlotte, and UNC-Wilmington. Hill’s top priority. CJ bat that “problem.” back. Kids are self-centered enough Last year, the legislature authorized a A study released last week by already.” special indebtedness of $45.8 million for San Diego State psychology Profes- It’s patently clear that “our fu- UNC-Charlotte’s Center City classroom sor Jean Twenge and four other ture” have been taught “the greatest building, which will house the archi- Shannon Blosser is manager of the psychologists underscored the love of all.” It’s less clear that they tecture, economics, and engineering Chapel Hill office of the John William Pope movement’s overarching success. know its logical end. Whitney sang programs. Center for Higher Education Policy. Twenge et al. have polled college about it, in the seemingly trium- students annually since 1982 using phant climax of the song: Proposed Higher Education Bond Projects an assessment called the Narcis- SCHOOL PROJECT AMOUNT sistic Personality Inventory. The And if by chance, that special study has college students respond place Appalachian State College of Education Building $34 million to statements such as, “If I ruled the That you’ve been dreaming of East Carolina School of Dentistry $87 million world it would be a better place,” Leads you to a lonely place, Fayetteville State Science & Technology Complex $22.6 million “I think I am a special person,” and Find your strength in love N.C. A&T General Classroom Facility $25.8 million “I can live my life any way I want to.” Their responses are rated on a In other words, once your in- NCSA Library $24.9 million narcissism scale. sufferable self-infatuation drives off NCSU Companion Animal Hospital $38 million This year’s study measured everyone else in your life, at least UNC-Asheville Rhoads Hall, Tower Renovatioin $8.7 million the highest amount of narcissism you’ll have your love to keep you among college students since the warm. CJ UNC-CH Genomic Sciences Building $119.6 million studies began. Two-thirds of college UNC-G Academic Classrooms, Offices $45.2 million students scored above average on UNC-P Residence Hall $19 million the NPI, an increase of 30 percent since 1982. Jon Sanders is research editor for Western Carolina Gerontological Health Building $43.8 million This is not to say that the John Locke Foundation. Winston-Salem State Student Activities Center $18.7 million Source: Office of State Budget and Management CAROLINA April 2007 JOURNAL Higher Education 15 CELS could be new model Can the U.S. Have a Champagne Education on a Beer Budget?

By GEORGE C. LEEF that they have curriculum com- usually neither educationally necessary Contributing Editor meaningful out- prising about half nor beneficial; they simply drive up the RALEIGH of-class experi- of the credits needed cost tremendously. n a recent commentary, I lamented ences. for graduation, cov- CELS is a model for undergradu- the fact that when higher-education • Provide ering the social sci- ate education only; students wanting to types get together to talk about the students with the ences, humanities, do graduate studies would have to look Iproblem of affordability, they almost best value pos- and entrepreneur- elsewhere since graduate and profes- always conclude that the solution is sible. Those who ial leadership. The sional programs add to costs while dis- to spend more government money to want a “no frills” remaining courses tracting the institution from its mission. further subsidize college attendance. college won’t would be divided Furthermore, faculty research would Rarely do they consider ways of deliver- be interested in evenly between ma- be kept to “modest levels” because it ing education that will cost less. CELS and neither will students who jor requirements and electives. too raises costs and distracts from the At least one professor has given want the “fully loaded” version. For By sticking to its mission, a CELS- mission. this some serious thought, however. students in the mid-range target type college could, Fried said, “teach the Fried thinks this model would Vance Fried, the Brattain professor of market, however, this model will entire package of eight programs with work best for a fairly small student body management at Oklahoma State Univer- provide high educational value at about one-fourth the number of courses ranging from 600 to 2,000 students. It sity, has set forth a proposal that he thinks the lowest cost. that a top liberal arts college would use could be a free-standing institution, or it will enable students to get “champagne That brings us to the next crucial to provide a much narrower product could be established within an existing education on a beer budget.” question — what will the curriculum line.” Knowing what we do about the college or university. Fried suggests that Fried proposed the College of consist of? This is where the high cost of proliferation of niche courses at many CELS could be an attractive opportunity Entrepreneurial Leadership and Soci- most colleges and universities is rooted. colleges and universities and the corre- for a “social or for-profit entrepreneur ety as a new model for undergraduate If professors are allowed to teach just a sponding mushrooming of the faculty, interested in starting up a new inde- education that will give students more few small classes that they’re particu- that sounds entirely plausible. If a CELS pendent college,” and that it might also educational value for less money. His larly interested in, then labor costs will school were begun and if its leader- work as a radical design change for a idea caught my interest. go through the roof. Fried knows that ship could resist the almost inevitable struggling school that wants to become Fried begins by setting forth and envisions a curriculum that will pressure from faculty members to start more successful. the three-fold “value proposition” of serve the needs of the students rather adding pet courses for them to teach, Higher education in the United CELS: than the desires of the professors. The it could undoubtedly deliver a solid States seems to be about where the • It will provide useful educa- curriculum at CELS, he writes, would education at a significantly lower cost communications industry was in 1980 tion for a productive and balanced provide students with appropriate than is now typical. — poised for dramatic change. Dissatis- life. No college can be ideal for all technical skill for entry-level jobs along Well, it sounds nice in theory, but faction with the status quo is widespread students; the target market for CELS with foundational skills and knowledge could it work? Fried has some impressive and ideas for improvement are in the would be those who are interested in for life outside work. Program offerings data to support his idea. The National wind. The CELS model might prove professional success, but don’t want would include such fields as commu- Center for Academic Transformation, a to be the higher-education equivalent their education to be exclusively utili- nication arts, education, engineering, nonprofit organization funded by the of the cell phone. If some innovator tarian—in other words, those who information technology and science and Pew Charitable Trusts, has been study- takes this idea and runs with it, the want an educational experience that’s technology. The courses taught would ing the impact of course redesigns for results will be very interesting. CJ somewhere in between a vocational give students the skills they need, but several years. Based on 30 instances at school and the ivory tower. would be more than just “job training” a wide variety of institutions, it found • Much of the student’s learn- since students would also be exposed that costs were lowered by an average ing will be outside the traditional to the intellectual and social history of of 37 percent, while student learning George C. Leef is a contributing editor classroom. The kind of student sought the profession and questions of ethical increased. One of the fascinating conclu- of Carolina Journal and vice president for wants to be actively involved in his responsibility. sions drawn from those course redesign research at the John William Pope Center education, so professors will ensure The CELS model would have a core experiments is that small classes are for Higher Education Policy. April 2007 CAROLINA 16 Local Government JOURNAL Town and County JLF Report: Cities Should Focus on Congestion

Brunswick revaluation By MITCH KOKAI “Raleigh and Durham are al- Associate Editor locating 73 percent and 49 percent, Property values in Bruns- RALEIGH respectively, of their dollars to effective wick County, which reassesses riangle cities should change their projects. Does Durham really want to property every four years, have transportation priorities, unless spend half of their transportation dol- soared in recent years. they want future road congestion lars on 3 percent of commuters? I think “I’ve been the tax adminis- Tto threaten their economies, a recent not,” he said. trator for 10 months, and I’ve been Policy Report issued by the John Locke North Carolina does not need saying that the tax base is going Foundation and the Reason Founda- new funding to address the congestion to double,” Tax Administrator tion says. problem, Hartgen said. “The report Tom Bagby said to the Wilmington Raleigh earned a C grade and Dur- recommends using existing planned Star-News. “Never before have ham a C- for their congestion reduction funds for congestion relief,” he said. “In Brunswick County values more plans. Raleigh’s C ranked the city 14th some cities, ‘balance’ in transportation than doubled in four years.” out of the 17 N.C. metropolitan areas. funding needs to be redefined. Instead Bagby’s prediction has prov- Durham ranked 16th, just ahead of last- “Given the likelihood of of saying that transit programs should en to be correct: Property values place Charlotte’s D grade. In contrast, get 20 to 50 percent of funds, modes skyrocketed from $13.7 billion in Asheville, Goldsboro, and Jacksonville slowdowns in implemen- of transportation should get funds in 2003 to $31.2 billion this year. topped the list with A- grades. proportion to their demand.” The impact that higher “Raleigh’s transportation plans tation, increasing costs Hartgen’s report offers nearly property values will have upon have the potential, in total, to generate 20 recommendations for the state and individual taxpayers will vary. considerable savings in congestion delay of construction, and diffi- more targeted recommendations for the Brunswick County’s property that can offset the projected growth of culties with environmen- Raleigh and Durham regions. Raleigh tax rate is $0.54 per $100 of valu- the region,” said study author David recommendations include finishing ation. Hartgen, professor of transportation tal and other impacts, Interstate 540, developing a sensible County officials said they studies at the University of North Caro- widening plan for I-40, and reducing would like to cut that to a revenue- lina at Charlotte. “However, in order for it is more likely that the the focus on transit. neutral rate, which would be about these savings to be realized, the plan Durham recommendations in- 30 cents. In addition, municipali- must be rethought and be made more potential of these proj- clude immediately reviewing the long- ties charge property taxes on top objective, projects must be implemented ects to reduce projected range plan for realism, restructuring of what the county charges. in a timely fashion, regional growth must the plan to devote $750 million more to Still, a lot of property own- take advantage of them, and savings growth in congestion will road projects in the next 25 years, and ers will pay higher taxes even at a must accrue. rethinking the proper role of transit. revenue-neutral rate, some dras- “Given the likelihood of slow- not be realized fully.” The statewide proposals include: tically so, after the revaluation. downs in implementation, increasing changing the highway distribution The increase in property values costs of construction, and difficulties David Hartgen formulas to account for congestion; was sharply skewed toward land with environmental and other impacts, it UNC Charlotte appointing “congestion tsars” and values, which were up 214 percent. is more likely that the potential of these establishing congestion reduction The value of buildings increased projects to reduce projected growth in programs for each region; using in- by 41 percent. Land values on the congestion will not be realized fully,” he state’s economic future,” he said. “Yet novative highway and intersection coast increased most of all. said. “If that happens, then the ‘conges- many regions have ignored the problem designs; increasing the weight placed tion’ future will be bleak.” and propose spending limited transpor- on congestion in selecting projects; “While the Durham long-range tation funds on ineffective projects that implementing flex-time, ride-sharing, Buying crime reduction? plan means well and is in some respects will not likely affect congestion.” and work-at-home programs; remov- superior in analysis, it fails to achieve The new study builds on a 2006 ing bottlenecks; improving intersection Charlotte City Council has congestion reduction by: first, diverting report Hartgen prepared for the Los turns and signal systems; expanding put off consideration of a con- funds from projected highway revenues Angeles-based Reason Foundation, a incident management programs; using troversial proposal to buy out to transit projects; and second, by hugely nonpartisan, nonprofit organization. tolls and public-private partnerships; grocery stores in a neighborhood overspending on the transit side of the The Reason report showed traffic and planning land use and transporta- as a crime-fighting measure. The ledger,” he said. “At stake here is the delays would increase by 65 percent tion capacity jointly. delay follows Mayor Pat McCro- economic competitiveness of the region. across the United States by 2030. North The state cannot afford to ignore ry’s veto of the measure after The critical transportation issue in the Carolina needs to spend $12.4 billion to growing congestion problems, Hartgen council had originally approved it. Durham region is good accessibility of its clear congested urban roads and prepare said. “North Carolina is not generally Under the plan, $1.1 million in residents to high-quality jobs in Research for traffic growth in the next 25 years, recognized as one of the most congested city money would have gone via a Triangle Park and other employment according to that report. states, but it is,” he said. “My recent nonprofit organization to purchase centers. By spending $2 billion on a For the new report, Hartgen re- national assessment ranked North Caro- up to seven of the 12 grocery stores transit system that will not do that, the viewed more than 1,300 specific trans- lina 48th among the 50 states in urban in the Belmont neighborhood, region is dooming itself to rising conges- portation projects planned for each interstate congestion.” just outside Uptown Charlotte. tion and to weakened competitiveness North Carolina region’s transportation “Pulled by competing priorities, Charlotte City Council against its neighbors.” plan. Hartgen evaluated each project many communities appear to be fo- voted, 10-1, for the policy Feb. Congestion in North Carolina will based on its likely impact on conges- cusing largely on other objectives and 26. McCrory vetoed the pro- more than double over the next 25 years, tion relief and compared the impact to are de-emphasizing the congestion posal. Council reversed itself Hartgen said. “Raleigh’s delay will the congestion growth forecast for the problem,” Hartgen said. “Refocusing and voted, 10-1, to send the nearly double, to present-day Minne- region. efforts on relieving congestion could proposal back to committee. apolis levels, and Durham’s congestion Some regions are devoting too have a major economic impact by sav- “How far do we carry this will double, too,” he said. “Charlotte little money to the congestion problem, ing travel time. The report estimates the out?” the Charlotte Observer quoted drivers will face the same level of traffic Hartgen said. The state’s largest regions value of travel time saved at about $855 McCrory as asking when vetoing delays Chicago drivers face now. Even are spending significant chunks of trans- million annually.” CJ the proposal originally. “When smaller cities like Rocky Mount will see portation funding on transit instead. we close these stores, these people a significant increase in traffic delays.” “In the Charlotte region, 43 percent David Hartgen’s Policy Report, “Traf- are not going to quit drinking. State and local planners are not of available dollars are proposed for fic Congestion in North Carolina: Status, We’re replacing enforcing the targeting enough transportation dol- highway projects, and the road improve- Prospects, and Solutions,” is available at the law with economic development lars toward reducing those delays, said ments proposed would alleviate only JLF Web site. For more information, contact policy as if that’s the solution.” CJ Hartgen, a JLF adjunct policy analyst. one-third of the predicted increase in Hartgen at (704) 687-5917 or dthartge@ “That increased congestion threatens the congestion,” he said. email.uncc.edu. CAROLINA April 2007 JOURNAL Local Government 17

Rates vs. revenue Commentary Tax Assessors Face Challenge Moratorium Means Failure o concept of local govern- on residential subdivisions so the As Coastal Property Values Rise ment confounds conserva- community can take the time ... to tives and delights those develop a plan for sustainable and By KAREN WELSH have to be paid until the family sells Non the Left quite like the issue of desirable growth.” Contributing Editor the house.” zoning. In simplistic terms, zon- Again and again you will RALEIGH Carteret County Tax Assessor Carl ing regulations govern the types see people characterize growth embers of the General Assem- Tilghman said his county is currently in of activities that are acceptable on as undesirable. They’ll try to use bly are working to keep taxes the middle of a property tax evaluation people’s property, as well as the phrases such as “desirable growth,” stable for in-state residents cycle. The value of waterfront land and height of buildings, and the amount and they make allusions to the fact Malong the N.C. coast despite recent homes has increased by more than 200 of parking that must be provided that people moving into the area 80-percent-to-200-percent increases in percent since they were last evaluated for business endeavors. It sounds will “ruin our way of life.” Overall, property revaluations, an economist six years ago, he said. so innocent. After all, the moratoriums are says. However, Tilghman said, the who wants a chemi- usually either a first step Meanwhile, county officials also county Board of cal plant next to their or an intermediate step say they are low- Commissioners home? to make strict zoning ering tax rates to has responded to Zoning fits nicely look like a better option. mitigate the rise in “We’re not looking at the the dramatic in- into the environmental In Jackson County, the property values. crease by applying agenda as well, often commissioners really Mike Walden, rise in property taxes as a revenue-neutral juxtaposed with devel- needed a slope ordi- an North Caroliina rate to the prop- opment moratoriums nance but instead opted State University a windfall to the coffers erty. This means to let counties adjust for a more aggressive economist, said the of the county. The over- that residents who their regulations. In action that might affect skyrocketing tax paid 44 cents per truth, when moratori- more than 1,600 jobs in rates accompany all amount of money that $100 of value last ums are imposed, it is the area. a 25-year trend of year will now pay an admission that staff Environmentalists booming develop- is brought in will remain 22 cents per $100. has somehow failed. understand that people ment on the Outer “We’re not It is also a failure of elected officials are inherently resistant to change. Banks and other just the same.” looking at the rise to find solutions rather than to They coerce people into think- completely disrupt the economic ing that moratoriums, restrictive coastal properties. Carl Tilghman in property taxes Newspapers as a windfall to progress of their citizens. land-use planning, smart growth, across the state Tax Assessor the coffers of the Camden County, which has and strict zoning will protect the have reported the Carteret County county,” Tilgh- had zoning, has been under a environment. increases as caus- man said. “The development moratorium for three Environmental Defense, the ing “sticker shock” overall amount of money that is brought years. This year, county officials N.C. Coastal Federation, and the among retirees and longtime residents in will remain just the same.” decided to adopt strict “smart- Southern Environmental Law living on fixed incomes. Walden dis- The number of residents in Carteret growth” practices to slow down Center made it clear in 2003 with a counted the effects of the tax increases, County seeking homestead exemptions, growth and preserve the “rural press release that said, “ALL permit he said, because most of the affected which allows them to pay a lower tax nature” of the community. Sadly, for new development projects with- properties are second homes owned by rate on their property, also has increased, as nice as this sounds, it ultimately in the 100-year floodplain should be the wealthiest and most mobile genera- he said. hurts farmers and property owners placed on hold. ” tion in U.S. history. Currituck County Tax Assessor by limiting their freedom. Mini- Most areas east of Interstate 95 mum lot sizes for a single home in are in the 100-year floodplain. Such “We’ve got a very different econ- Tracy Sample said the revenue-neutral much of the county will now be an aggressive action would have omy now,” he said. “This is all being tax rate already applies to residents 10 acres. If you own 10 acres and been more economically disastrous fueled by Baby Boomers, high-income living in the county, where property want to divide it for two children to than the hurricanes that preceded households, and affluent retirees who values along the ocean and waterways build houses, that freedom has been such statements. have reaped the benefits of a global increased by 179 percent in last year’s forfeited to zoning. The Environmental Protection economy. They can afford to buy sec- assessment. In Carteret County, citizens Agency and the N.C. Department ond homes, and they’ve fueled a very Property owners who live out of wanted a development mora- of Environment and Natural Re- elastic increase in demand, especially in state are affected by the increase, he said, torium enacted last February to sources have strict guidelines that waterfront properties because water is but he downplayed the effect of revalu- allow “time for the communities to must be adhered to by developers. a very attractive feature.” ation on in-state residents. examine the issue and look at op- Removing the fear of environmen- As a result, Walden said, the “Personally, I live on a mainland tions for protecting down east from tal damage is simply the first step prices along the Outer and Inner Banks property, and the tax increase didn’t af- unwanted development that can toward enacting reasonable zoning. have risen dramatically in the past few fect me at all,” he said. “It mostly affected change the nature of the communi- Local officials should also resist years. commercial land and resort properties in ties and destroy water quality and pandering to the fear of change by The hardship on a few longtime our county. Other than that, the property natural resources.” thinking that zoning will preserve coastal residents and retirees living on tax increase didn’t affect anyone that I The commissioners of Jackson historical integrity or control fixed incomes hasn’t gone unnoticed in know of.” County just enacted a development growth. In truth, such actions are Raleigh. Walden said some members of In accordance with the law, Sample moratorium by a 4-1 vote. Part of simply suppressing freedom by the General Assembly are planning to said, Currituck County’s tax base de- the rationale was explained in the preventing job growth and hurting overhaul the taxes. One of the legislators’ creased from 60 cents to 32 cents per $100 Asheville Citizen Times, “We are wor- the local economy. The future can main concerns, he said, is providing tax of value. County residents’ property ried about people who would come be positive if you make friends with relief to those families. taxes will rise by two cents per $100 of into Jackson County and ruin our change. CJ “Many people don’t want the state value. County officials approved the rural way of life,” she said. “There to have a tax system that forces them out increase to help finance the building of are things at stake here larger than Chad Adams is director of the of the home,” Walden said. “I’m work- a new school. an economic hit.” Center for Local Innovation, vice presi- ing with a subcommittee right now on Onslow County Tax Assessor Cabarrus County Manager dent for development of the John Locke this very issue. We’re searching for the Harry Smith said the tax rate in his John Day had this to say on the Foundation, and former vice chairman middle ground. One of the proposals on county fell from 67 cents to 53 cents per subject: “I think it’s worth consid- of the Lee County Board of Commis- the table is providing a delay in taxes $100 of value after property revaluations ering a countywide moratorium sioners. or a lien on the property that won’t increased by 80 percent. CJ April 2007 CAROLINA 18 Local Government JOURNAL

Local Innovation Bulletin Board From Cherokee to Currituck Eastover Seeks to Incorporate Five Myths About Suburbia he Cumberland County com- munity of Eastover is seeking to uburban sprawl and automo- The chronic homeless, those who incorporate. Whether it will suc- biles are rapidly acquiring have lived on the streets for more Tceed depends in part on how Fayetteville a reputation as scourges of than a year, make up about 10 percent responds to its incorporation proposal. Smodern American society, authors of the about two million Americans So far, Eastover and Fayetteville have Ted Balaker and Sam Staley say. regarded as homeless. They consume not been able to come to an agreement, But of all the myths created by the a disproportionate amount of public The Fayetteville Observer reports. anti-suburbs culture about sprawl resources, sometimes hundreds of The dispute has focused on exactly and driving, a few deserve to be thousands of dollars per person. how big an incorporated Eastover would reconsidered: The new White House-spon- be, and by extension, how much sales • Americans are not addicted sored programs move away from tax revenue it would receive. Progress to driving, nor do Europeans have the traditional “bowl of soup and a Eastover, the committee organizing an enlightened culture about public blanket” methods, to provide better, the incorporation, has proposed that transit. In the United States, automo- more economically feasible results. Eastover cover an area of 18 square “I think the most impor- biles account for about 88 percent Supportive housing, as op- miles, which would give it about 4,800 of travel. In Europe, the figure is posed to shelters, is becoming popu- residents. The most recent town to in- tant thing is, it opens about 78 percent, and they are gain- lar. Studies show that a $12,000-per- corporate in Cumberland County was ing on us. year supportive housing unit was Hope Mills. Its population is more than the door for meaningful • Public transit does not reduce far more effective in keeping people 12,000 on less than a third as much of traffic congestion; even if the nation’s off the street than a $35,000-per-year the land area as the committee envisions discussion with the city transit system tripled in size and shelter bed. Eastover having. council.” filled up with riders, according to One example, Housing First, “I think the most important thing Anthony Downs of the Brookings does not require psychiatric or sub- is, it opens the door for meaningful Sara Piland Institution, it would not notably re- stance-abuse training as a qualifica- discussion with the city council, and Progress Eastover duce rush-hour congestion, primar- tion for housing, but it does require it’s a discussion that needs to occur as ily because transit would continue to strict rules of behavior. soon as possible,” said Sara Piland of account for only a small percentage Increased counseling has also Progress Eastover. of commuting trips. worked. One model — Ready, Will- Fayetteville officials have indi- ing the way was Holden Beach, where • Air quality is getting much ing and Able — counsels and trains cated that the proposed town is too property values increased by 218 percent better, not worse. Since 1970 the many that have previously been big. The move toward incorporating overall. Property values in Oak Island Environmental Protection Agency homeless for substantial periods Eastover comes in part in response to increased by 208 percent. reports a dramatic decrease in of time, most of whom are out of Fayetteville’s recent history of large an- The impact that higher property every major pollutant it measures, prison or jail, don’t have an educa- nexations. The larger a population Easto- values will have upon individual tax- although driving is increasing by 1 tion, and do have substance-abuse ver has, though, the larger its share of payers will vary. Brunswick County’s percent to 3 percent each year, aver- problems. sales tax collections in the county would current property tax rate is $0.54 per age vehicle emissions are dropping be, something Fayetteville officials are $100 of valuation. County officials have about 10 percent annually. keenly aware of. At its current projected said they would like to cut that to a • Most people already live in size, Eastover would get $730,000 a year revenue-neutral rate, which would be developed areas, so it’s easy to get the Crime predictors in sales tax revenue, $250,000 coming at about 30 cents. Still, a lot of property impression that humans are paving the expense of Fayetteville. owners will pay higher taxes even at a over the United States, yet only 5.4 “This is one of those issues that we revenue-neutral rate, some drastically A federal study on crime ap- percent of the nation’s land is devel- keep putting off and putting off, and I so, after the revaluation. In addition, pears to be ignoring the “huge go- oped. While the size of houses has think every member of council has pretty municipalities charge property taxes on rilla” in the midst of a violent-crime increased between 1970 and 2000, the much made up their mind with which top of what the county charges. increase: boys without fathers, says average lot size shrank from 14,000 direction they want to go,” said Fayette- Patrick Fagan, the William H. G. square feet to 10,000. ville Councilman Charles Evans. • Driving less will not help FitzGerald Fellow at the Heritage Buncombe slope limits combat global warming. If all the Foundation. According to a recent The Buncombe County Commis- Kyoto requirements were met, Tom National Review article, out-of-wed- Brunswick revaluation sion has tentatively adopted new guide- M. L. Wigley, chief scientist at the U.S. lock births account for 36.8 percent Every four years Brunswick Coun- lines on apartments and condominiums Center for Atmospheric Research, of all births, an increase of 3 percent ty reassesses the value of property in the built on slopes. The regulations both calculates that the Earth would be since the early 2000s. county. Property values have soared in limit the number of buildings that can only 0.07 degrees Centigrade cooler The statistics often correlate the county in recent years. be built and how tall they can be, the by 2050. into increased crime, particularly “I’ve been the tax administrator Asheville Citizen-Times reports. when fathers are absent in a family. for 10 months, and I’ve been saying that The ordinance would limit con- According to the U.S. Centers for the tax base is going to double,” Tax struction of apartments and condo- Disease Control, about 85 percent Administrator Tom Bagby said to the miniums based upon elevation above Change in homeless policy of all children exhibiting behav- Wilmington Star-News. “Never before sea level. At elevations of 2,500 to 3,000 ioral disorders come from fatherless have Brunswick County values more feet, buildings could not exceed 35 feet homes. Studies going back 25 years than doubled in four years.” in height. In addition, there could not be The Bush administration is show that 80 percent of rapists and Bagby’s prediction has proven more than one building per two acres of putting substantial effort and re- 70 percent of juveniles in state-oper- to be correct, as property values went land. Above 3,000 feet, the maximum sources into proving it can help ated institutions came from father- from $13.7 billion in 2003 to $31.2 bil- building height is only 25 feet, with urban street homelessness through less homes. lion this year. only one building being allowed per better programs, Julia Vitullo-Martin Sociologist Bradford Wilcox The increase in property values four acres of land. of the Manhattan Institute, says in said there are good reasons for the was sharply skewed toward land values, John Carroll, president of the Ashe- The Wall Street Journal. correlation. which were up 214 percent. The value ville-based Council of Independent Busi- The need to shift directions in “Boys that grow up in father- of buildings in the county increased by ness Owners, opposed the measure. strategy comes from the problems less homes engage in compensatory 41 percent. “We’ve had a lot of knee-jerk, homelessness continues to create. masculinity,” Wilcox said. CJ Property values on the coast ex- hodgepodge type of ordinances passed perienced the greatest increases. Lead- over the past few months,” he said. CJ CAROLINA April 2007 JOURNAL Local Government 19 Released Tapes Add Fuel to Greensboro Controversy By SAM A. HIEB without making available the informa- Contributing Editor tion,” Johnson said. “From a public GREENSBORO “People that swear an oath and policy standpoint, it seems inappropri- he release of tapes at a Greensboro ate that the taxpayers should be paying City Council meeting last month wear a badge find that to be one for someone for all those years — and added more controversy to an it’s not an inconsequential amount of Tinvestigation of former top officers of of the most horrendous conversa- money — just because they were able the city’s Police Department. tions they’ve ever heard.” to retire before we could complete an The controversy has been going investigation.” on since the resignation of Police Chief Mitchell Johnson Though Johnson admitted that David Wray in January 2006. The State there is no evidence illegal action was Bureau of Investigation is wrapping up Greensboro City Manager taken against the woman accused of its investigation of Wray and former stalking Wray, he defended the release Deputy Chief Randall Brady. The results of the tape. are due later this year. For the most part, “The whole conversation ended up the city has resisted calls from the public It was a conversation between Brady and when listening to the tapes, it’s difficult being unnecessary, but that’s irrelevant,” and the alternative media to release in- Officer Scott Sanders, who apparently to tell if he’s being sarcastic. Johnson said. “What that tape does, formation in the case, citing the ongoing recorded it without Brady’s knowledge. Since the city previously had re- in essence, is it shows you there was investigation. The tape, stored on the hard drive of sisted calls to release the RMA report, a willingness on the part of those two But during a meeting last month, Sanders’ computer, was seized as evi- citing the ongoing SBI investigation, the individuals to do things that I hope no- City Manager Mitchell Johnson, in the dence in the SBI’s investigation. sudden release of the tapes prompted body that believes in our justice system center of the storm since he changed On the tape, Brady is describing a charges the city was selectively releas- thinks are remotely appropriate. People the locks on the door to the police situation to Sanders in which a woman ing information to influence public that swear an oath and wear a badge find chief’s office before Wray offered his has been harassing Wray, going so far as opinion. that to be one of the most horrendous resignation, made a presentation to the to move into the condominium next to John Hammer, editor of the alterna- conversations they’ve ever heard. These City Council during which he released Wray. Brady describes the woman as a tive weekly The Rhinoceros Times, wrote are people that have the authority to put three tapes. Council members and the “nut,” but also describes her as highly in- that the city is “either horribly incom- you in jail. It’s pretty scary.” public heard three tapes, two of which telligent and articulate, traits that could petent or devastatingly clever when it Amanda Martin, general counsel were an interview between Brady and make outrageous claims against Wray comes to releasing public information … of the N.C. Press Association, said she agents with Risk Management Associ- seem credible. The woman had already It appears the only reason for releasing understands the legal situation public ates, the private agency commissioned told a detective in the department that the tapes was to embarrass Brady.” agencies often find themselves in regard- by the city to prepare a report based on Wray was soliciting prostitutes, a claim But the city was also involved in a ing the release of personnel information, its investigation. later proven to be false. federal case to deny Brady his supple- considering the statutes that govern the In those tapes, Brady acknowl- Brady tells Sanders to prepare a mental retirement benefits because he release of that type of information. Such edged he was aware of a “black book” “file” on the woman, telling him “you was engaged in activity that might have situations often result in policy deci- that is at the heart of the case against know what kind of file I’m looking for. triggered his termination. sions that might not be popular with Wray. I mean, where we can go up there and The problem was that Judge Carl- the public. The black book allegedly was used lay it down and say here’s the history ton Tilley had already ruled that the city “From a public policy standpoint, to target black officers in a secret internal of that woman, here’s what she’s done, had to pay Brady his benefits because he it’s a problem to have public officials investigation to check out allegations of and before it’s over with, you and I are legally had met the criteria. The city is manipulating the release of information inappropriate conduct. While question- going to figure out a way to get her considering an appeal, however. in a sort of halfway fashion,” Martin said. able activities have been reported by kicked out of that freaking place … even In a phone interview, Johnson “It’s appropriate to release information the local media, no official action has if we have to make it look like she’s done said the amount due Brady was almost when some issue has arisen that causes been taken. something. $250,000. alarm or concern about how a public of- But the third tape appeared to be “It’s amazing what I get paid for, “We couldn’t effectively explain ficial or a public employee is discharging totally out of context with the other two. isn’t it?” Brady concludes, although to the judge the basis for our concerns his public duties.” CJ

Since 1991, Carolina Journal has provided thousands of readers each month with in-depth reporting, informed analysis, and incisive commentary about the most pressing state and local issues in North Carolina. Now Carolina Journal has taken its trademark blend of news, analysis, and commentary to the airwaves with Carolina Journal Radio. A weekly, one-hour newsmagazine, Carolina Journal Radio is hosted by John Hood and Donna Martinez and features a diverse mix of guests and topics. The pro- gram is currently broadcast on 18 commercial stations – from the mountains to the coast. The Carolina Journal Radio Network includes these fine affiliates:

Albemarle/Concord WSPC AM 1010 Saturdays 11:00 AM Asheville WWNC AM 570 Sundays 7:00 PM Burlington WBAG AM 1150 Saturdays 9:00 AM Chapel Hill WCHL AM 1360 Sundays 6:00 PM Elizabeth City WGAI AM 560 Saturdays 6:00 AM Fayetteville WFNC AM 640 Saturdays 1:00 PM Gastonia/Charlotte WZRH AM 960 Saturdays 2:00 PM Goldsboro WGBR AM 1150 Saturdays 6:00 PM Greenville/Washington WDLX AM 930 Saturdays 10:00 AM Hendersonville WHKP AM 1450 Sundays 6:00 PM Jacksonville WJNC AM 1240 Sundays 7:00 PM Newport/New Bern WTKF FM 107.3 Sundays 7:00 PM Salisbury WSTP AM 1490 Saturdays 11:00 AM Siler City WNCA AM 1570 Sundays 6:00 AM Southern Pines WEEB AM 990 Wednesdays 8:00 AM Whiteville WTXY AM 1540 Tuesdays 10:00 AM Wilmington WAAV AM 980 Saturdays 1:00 PM Winston-Salem/Triad WSJS AM 600 Saturdays 12:00 PM For more information, visit www.CarolinaJournal.com/CJRadio April 2007 CAROLINA 20 The Learning Curve JOURNAL

From the Liberty Library Movie review

• S. Fred Singer and Dennis ‘Amazing Grace’ Is a Movie With a Mission Avery demonstrate, in popular language supported by in-depth • “Amazing Grace”; directed by Mi- Olaudah Equiano was a former scientific evidence, the concept chael Apted; produced by Jeanney Kim, slave who learned to read and write, that global temperatures have been Terrence Malick, Ed Pressman; starring recording first-hand accounts of the rising mostly or entirely because of Ioan Gruffudd, Albert Finney, Romola atrocities of the slave trade. And Wilber- a natural cycle. Using historic data Garal, Michael Gambon, Benedict Cum- force was deeply influenced to pursue from two millennia of recorded berbatch, Rufus Sewell, Ciaran Hinds, abolition by former slave ship captain history combined with the natural and Youssou N’Dour; rated PG. John Newton, played by Albert Finney physical records found in ice cores, (“Ocean’s Twelve”, “Big Fish”). In the seabed sediment, cave stalagmites, By SUSANNE ROBINSON film “Amazing Grace”, Newton speaks and tree rings, Unstoppable Global Contributing Editor of being haunted by 20,000 ghosts Warming argues that the 1,500-year RALEIGH — the souls of Africans whose lives he solar-driven cycle that has always n modern-day movies, heroes are of- destroyed before converting to Christi- controlled the Earth’s climate ten measured by the firepower they anity, renouncing the slave trade, and remains the driving force in the deploy or the sizzle they display on- penning the world-famous hymn after current warming trend. Trillions of Iscreen. But the real heroes of history are which the movie is named. dollars spent on reducing fossil fuel more interesting than Hollywood cari- Along with Wilberforce, most of use would have no effect on today’s catures, and when filmmakers choose these people were evangelical Christians rising temperatures. Learn more at to tell their stories with intelligence — derisively referred to as “lay saints” www.rowmanlittlefield.com. and authenticity, such movies have the by their contemporaries, yet each com- ability to transcend mere entertainment mitted to social justice at a depth rarely and exert real power. seen in our own time. The producers of • When Dwight Eisenhower The recently released film “Amaz- “Amazing Grace” hope to rekindle that sent the 101st Airborne into Little ing Grace” is a historical drama on a spirit of altruism. They want movie- Rock to integrate Central High, he modern-day mission. It tells the true goers to know that beneath the film’s didn’t know that he was fighting the story of William Wilberforce, the wealthy lush photography and lavish period last, great battle of his career…one young British dandy who was driven costumes beats a modern pulse—there that would change the nation. In by his sense of humanity and his deep is still much work to be done. Ike’s Final Battle: The Road to Little religious faith to fight the gritty, brutal, While “Amazing Grace” According to the movie’s Web Rock and the Challenge of Equal- and deeply entrenched institution of site, www.amazinggracemovie.com, ity, Kasey Pipes tells “how one of slavery in late 18th-century England. is never graphic in its more people (about 27 million world- America’s greatest leaders finally The release of the movie in February was depictions of the slave wide) live in bondage today than did in confronted America’s greatest sin.” timed intentionally to coincide with the Wilberforce’s time. These modern-day Here, for the first time, is the tale 200th anniversary of the abolition of the trade, it effectively con- slaves include African children who are of how Ike became a civil rights slave trade in Great Britain, and Bristol kidnapped and forced to fight as soldiers president. The road to Central High Bay Productions, the film’s producer, veys the brutality. in rebel armies, families who toil in rice actually began the moment Ike sent has linked its inspiring movie to a social mills and brick kilns in Asia, and women black troops to the front during justice campaign to end slavery in the and young girls who are forced into the the Battle of the Bulge in World world today. of an industry that held enormous clout sex trade around the globe. These people War II. Their performance formed Though not as well-known as 20th in the British Empire — proportionally live in fear and are often threatened and a connection between Eisenhower century social activists such as Dr. Martin equivalent to the defense industry in beaten, unable to escape lives of torment and the civil rights movement Luther King, Wilberforce was arguably the U.S. economy today. Wilberforce’s and despair. that reached its zenith when he the most successful social reformer in unrelenting public assaults on the evils The producers of “Amazing Grace” deployed the U.S. Army to Little history. At age 21, he won election to of the slave trade made him one of the want their movie to be relevant to mod- Rock. More information at www. the British Parliament. In 1785, he ex- most vilified men in England in certain ern times and have used Wilberforce’s worldaheadpublishing.com. perienced a conversion to Christianity circles. As Wilberforce, Ioan Gruffudd story in a very intentional way to call (what he later called “the great change”), (“King Arthur”, “Fantastic Four”) gives up a new generation of abolitionists. and nearly left the world of politics to a compelling portrayal of a man under They have launched the “Amazing • Why have there been no become an ordained minister. However, constant attack, yet unable to let go of his Change Campaign,” which has a link terrorist attacks in the United States friends persuaded Wilberforce that he cause, tormented by the unimaginable on the movie’s website. Through this since 9/11? Is it possible that there could do God’s will more effectively suffering of African slaves and the cold campaign, people can sign a petition, is a simple explanation for the in Parliament. After researching the indifference of members of his own educate themselves about modern-day peaceful American homefront? Is slave trade, Wilberforce stood before social class. slavery, and learn how to get involved it possible that the War on Terror the British House of Commons in 1787 He was not entirely alone in his in social justice organizations to end it. has been a radical over-reaction and made an audacious statement of campaign. “Amazing Grace” introduces Wilberforce’s passion paid off. to a rare event? John Mueller, in life purpose: modern movie-goers to some of history’s He lived to see the fruits of his efforts, Overblown: How Politicians and the “So enormous, so dreadful, so ir- most eclectic and effective social reform- but success did not come overnight. Terrorism Industry Inflate National remediable did the Trade’s wickedness ers, who also happened to be among Suppression of the British slave trade Security Threats, and Why We Believe appear that my own mind was com- Wilberforce’s closest friends. William took 20 years and full emancipation Them, says it is time to consider pletely made up for Abolition. Let the Pitt, who urged Wilberforce to bring took nearly 50. The abolition of the the hypothesis that dare not speak consequences be what they would, I from abolition bills before Parliament, was the slave trade in the British colonies its name: We have wildly over-re- this time determined that I would never youngest prime minister in British his- passed Parliament just three days before acted. The terrorism industry and rest until I had effected its abolition.” tory. Hannah More, the most important Wilberforce’s death in 1833, and opened its allies in the White House and As the movie shows, for the next female literary figure of her time, was the way for the eventual downfall of Congress have preyed on our fears, two decades Wilberforce did not rest. deeply involved in both the abolition African slavery in the United States. he says, and it is time to rethink the He committed his personal and politi- movement and in the campaign for The movie “Amazing Grace” pays entire enterprise and spend much cal life to the antislavery cause, locked the education of poor children in 18th- fitting tribute to this remarkable hero of smaller amounts on only those in a battle of words and wills against century England. Henry Thornton was history, and in an ambitious spirit Wil- things that do matter: intelligence, the most powerful political and social a banker and London economist who berforce himself would have applauded, law enforcement, and disruption forces of his day. routinely gave away 85 percent of his it seeks not only to inform and engage of radical groups overseas. At While “Amazing Grace” is never income to social justice causes: At one its audience, but to launch a modern- www.simonsays.com. CJ graphic in its depictions of the slave point his commitment to philanthropy day social justice movement of its own. trade, it effectively conveys the brutality placed him at the brink of bankruptcy. Amazing, indeed. CJ CAROLINA April 2007 JOURNAL The Learning Curve 21 Current Protesters Owe Much to Wilmington Women of 1775

ost readers are familiar with Act of 1773. Although the tea tax was Carolina Gazette, a Charleston paper burnt their tea in a solemn proces- the details of the Boston Tea minimal, it enraged many because that covered news across the eastern sion.” An appalled Schaw, however, Party of 1773, and prop- tea was the popular non-alcoholic Carolinas, encouraged such politi- questioned the extent of their patrio- Merly identify it as a key event in the drink of the era. Aware of a potential cal protests to take place in the Cape tism: “They had delayed however till radical movement that triggered the backlash, British leaders had limited Fear region. Such displays of “public the sacrifice was not very consider- American Revolution. Many North the tax amount in hopes of assuaging virtue,” the reporter claimed March able, as I do not think any one offered Carolinians also have heard of the disgruntled colonists. British enforce- 22, 1775, thwarted corrupt officials’ above a quarter of a pound.” Edenton Tea ment of trade policies, however, had designs to eradicate the indisputable Schaw, never passing up a Party of October angered Americans for some time. In rights of British citizens. As historian chance to criticize what she consid- 1774, when the short, the timing of the tea tax was Vernon O. Stumpf points out, this plea ered an unsophisticated spirit of leading women foolhardy, and it took on a symbolic must have been written before the liberty, did not realize that an eventful of the eastern value far in excess of its revenue im- Wilmington Tea Party took place and and unprecedented event occurred North Caro- plications. influenced the women’s decision. in Wilmington that day. Wilmington lina city did not Many colonial North Carolinians A well-born Scot loyal to her women had publicly opposed Brit- actually dump approved of the radical Boston Tea country and king, Janet Schaw, visited ish trade policies and swore never to tea in a nearby Party in 1773. After that “notable and relatives in the Cape Fear region buy tea again until such policies were sound but did striking” event, as John Adams called during early 1775. She arrived in the remanded. Their actions showed that, stage one of the Dr. Troy it, revolutionary tea parties occurred town of Brunswick on Feb. 14, and in the spring of 1775, many Wilming- nation’s earliest Kickler across the colonies. Months after the subsequent events soon shocked her. ton residents, like the counterparts in acts of political more-famous Edenton event, some- Wilmington was buzzing with politi- the other American colonies, opposed theater by women. But how many are time between March 25 and April 5, cal dissent, and Schaw unsurprisingly increased British taxation and trade familiar with the far more incendiary 1775, the women of Wilmington actu- disapproved. She contemptuously restrictions. Wilmington Tea Party of 1775, also led ally burned their tea to protest impos- criticized North Carolinians for clos- When we see contemporary by women? ing trade legislation and increased ing their port to British shipping, and examples of North Carolinians, of all Tea parties offered an effective taxation. Unfortunately, there are few for doing so, when they had an oppor- sexes and persuasions, demonstrating political arena to protest taxation. details known to historians about this tunity to corner the North American in favor of their cherished political After a period of benign neglect by event, a major reason for its relative tea market. Apparently, the “rusticks,” causes, we can rest assured that, at British authorities, American colonists obscurity in the popular understand- as Schaw called Tar Heels, loved lib- least in some ways, their behavior is grew increasingly frustrated after the ing of the times. erty more. extremely traditional. Protest is in our French and Indian War with Britain’s What we do know is that many The activities of Wilmington’s blood. CJ revived interest in regulating Ameri- were stoking the fires of political women undoubtedly bothered Schaw. can trade, exemplified by the passage agitation in the region. After the In Journal of a Lady of Quality, she re- Dr. Troy Kickler is director of the of the Stamp Act of 1765 and the Tea Edenton protest in late 1774, the South cords the following: “The Ladies have North Carolina History Project. Little League Heaven By Carolina Journal Editor Richard C. Wagner mmm$@e^dBeYa[$eh] 9"1,Ê" Ê" Ê/ Ê7 Ê",ÊÊ When Lillie Jo Sweeny threw out ",/Ê
,"
Ê*1  Ê*" 9 the first pitch of the game at Houston’s #REATINGYOUROWNPERSONALiÞÊ
VVœÕ˜ÌAT Astrodome in 1989, she joined the As- WWW*OHN,OCKEORGISAGREATSTARTINGPLACEFORTRACKING tros and thousands of boys and girls THECRITICALPUBLICPOLICYISSUESFACING.ORTH#AROLINA in celebrating the 50th anniversary of %ACHDAY YOURiÞÊ
VVœÕ˜ÌSEARCHESACOMPREHENSIVE Little League base- ball. The event also DATABASEOF*,&REPORTS BRIElNGPAPERS NEWSARTICLES saluted her de- PRESSRELEASES ANDEVENTSNOTICESTODISPLAYTIMELY ceased husband, Odie Sweeny, a INFORMATIONABOUTTHEISSUESOFYOURCHOICE)TSAN Little League leg- end who managed EXCELLENTTOOLFORTHOSEDRAFTINGLEGISLATION RESEARCHING a never-say-die POLICYISSUES PREPARINGNEWSSTORIES PLANNINGPOLITICAL team for 38 years — a record in ORLOBBYINGCAMPAIGNS ORSEEKINGINFORMATIONWITH Texas and one of the longest streaks WHICHTOBEANINFORMED in the nation. Little League Heav- VOTERANDCITIZEN en: The Legend of Odie Sweeny, 6ISITWWW*OHN,OCKEORG an inspirational biography, serves ANDCREATEYOURPERSONALIZED a generous slice iÞÊ
VVœÕ˜ÌTODAY
of Americana and traditional values.

Available at PublishAmerica.com, Amazon.com and at major bookstores. April 2007 CAROLINA 22 The Learning Curve JOURNAL

Short Takes on Culture Movie review ‘Borat’ is a Brat ‘An Inconvenient Truth’ Could Be • “Borat: Cultural Learnings of Jaden, plays Gardner’s son. Inconvenient Platform in 2008 America for Make Benefit Glorious Gardner took a six-month un- Nation of Kazakhstan” paid internship at Dean Witter after • “An Inconvenient Truth”; directed by Fox Home Video learning that the owner of a red Fer- Davis Guggenheim; starring Al Gore; Directed by Larry Charles rari was a stockbroker there. He and now out on DVD. his 5-year-old son spent nights in acha Baron Cohen’s game is homeless shelters and a subway sta- By SAM A HIEB finally up. He can no longer tion while Gardner competed against Contributing Editor fool unsuspecting Americans 19 other interns for the one available GREENSBORO Sinto thinking his alter-ago, “Borat” opening. n the wake of his triumphal appear- is a harmless journalist from Kazakh- The movie breaks a number ance at this year’s Academy Awards, stan. However, the same couldn’t be of other Hollywood conventions. let us pause for a moment to ponder said two years ago, when Cohen was Gardner’s wife leaves him, but he IAl Gore. filming “Borat: Cultural Learnings of keeps custody of their son. Capitalists For more than 30 years, Gore has America for Make Benefit Glorious are shown in the most positive light in been working to solve the modern crisis Nation of Kazakhstan.” Throughout a popular movie since George Bailey known as global warming. For eight of the mockumentary, Cohen fools in “It’s a Wonderful Life,” not like the those years, Gore was vice president of countless hapless citizens across the villainous Gordon Gecko in “Wall the United States, not a position with- country, sometimes in cruel, embar- Street” or Edward Lewis in “Pretty out influence. Exactly what happened rassing ways. Woman.” Most of all, the movie does to the environment during the course The best word that describes not dwell on Gardner’s race or his of those eight years depends on whom the film is “painful.” The humor is authenticity, but his success at Dean you ask. juvenile. The guise is shameless. And Witter provides a stark contrast with If you ask certain air-quality ex- Cohen routinely takes advantage the Eddie Murphy caricature, Billy perts, they might tell you the environ- of the good manners and forgiving Ray Valentine, in “Trading Places.” ment is getting cleaner. Thirty-plus years nature of the people he encounters Take a date. Take a socialist. Take a of state and federal regulations reducing in the film. The lowest moments of night to see this movie. emissions from automobiles and power warmer because of increased carbon the film include a hasty retreat from a — JOSEPH COLETTI plants have done their jobs. So if you emissions. The graph showing carbon Jewish-owned bed and breakfast and believe that, a reasonable person would emissions and rising temperatures fits his fake conversion at a Pentecostal think Gore should be taking bows not together like the east coast of South church. • “The Prestige” just for his performance in the Oscar- America and the west coast of Africa Most surprisingly, in the guise Buena Vista Home Entertainment winning “An Inconvenient Truth,” but did millions of years ago. of a traveling journalist and docu- Directed by Christopher Nolan for saving the environment as well. On the subject, Gore is probably mentarian, Cohen manages to inter- But that’s not the way the liberal the only man in America who can get a view ex-congressman Bob Barr and “The Prestige” is packed with politics of fear operate. The mission is to little political dig in on the issue of con- seasoned statesman candidate Alan a cast of talented actors, detailed convince Americans that we’re doomed, tinental drift. He recalls his sixth-grade Keyes, to whom he asks a rather costumes and obvious time period and Gore tries to do that in the Academy geography class when a fellow student graphic question about homosexual set design. This suspenseful film, Award-winner for best documentary asked whether those continents fit to- behavior. set in turn-of-the-century London, directed by Davis Guggenheim. gether at one time. No way, the teacher The movie is rated R for good slowly evolves into a story of two It’s really a documentary about told Gore’s classmate. The classmate reason: pervasive strong crude and young magicians striving for an act Gore, with significant parts of his life went on to become a drug addict and sexual content including some very and quickly turns into an unexpected weaving around his global warming a ne’er do well, while the teacher went graphic nudity, and foul language. saga of obsession and revenge. slideshow that, by his own estimate, on to become the lead science adviser Also, it totally lacks taste and discre- After a tragic onstage failure of he’s given 1,000 times around the world. in the present Bush administration, a tion. their best act, Robert Angier, (Hugh It’s interesting that Gore is constantly punch line that drew laughter from his The movie’s one redeeming fea- Jackman) and Alfred Borden (Chris- being shown walking through airports, audience. Evidence of yet another life ture is the hilarious (and completely tian Bale) part ways to begin separate boarding planes, getting in and out of ruined by the destructive policies of made-up) Kazakh national anthem: careers. However, Angier grows cars, working on laptops and talking on Bush and his cronies. “Kazakhstan, greatest country in the increasingly obsessed with Borden’s cell phones throughout the movie. You The hysteria surrounding global world/All other countries are run by secret to his best trick and uses Olivia don’t see the house with the $30,000 warming, much like the hysteria sur- little girls.” Wenscombe (Scarlett Johansson) to power bill, however. rounding poverty (as defined by — JENNA ASHLEY steal his covert act. We look back on his boyhood in presidential candidate John Edwards) ROBINSON The emerging tension between Tennessee, where three months out of will certainly be a major issue in the the two main characters captivates the year he helped raise the tobacco that 2008 election. and is realistically depicted through- would contribute to his sister’s death But the question candidates will • “The Pursuit of Happyness” out the film. Angier’s mounting from lung cancer. We see his efforts in have to answer, and one that Gore didn’t Sony Pictures Home Video madness is represented by his austere Congress to fight global warming, the answer in “An Inconvenient Truth,” is Directed by Gabriele Muccino demeanor and obsessive actions. near-death of his son in an automobile why more than 30 years of regulation, Borden’s emotional numbness to- accident, which gave him pause to pon- intervention, and spending on the part Graham and Dodd’s Security ward his wife illustrates the damage der life’s bigger mission, and, of course, of the federal government supposedly Analysis is an unlikely book to figure of well-kept secrets. Both characters’ his narrow loss to George W. Bush in the haven’t worked. prominently in one of the most inspir- burden of untold secrets becomes 2000 election, which prompted him to That not only says something ing movies ever, but “The Pursuit more and more apparent as their renew that mission. about the effectiveness of the policies, of Happyness” is an unlikely story. intimate relationships deepen. When watching Gore’s slideshow, but about the individuals putting forth Will Smith stars as Chris Gardner, a The movie itself portrays a per- entertaining as it is, you’re ready to just those policies, right? Yet the standard devoted father who could not earn formance that purposefully creates go ahead and pop the cyanide capsule, of living among average Americans enough to pay rent or taxes in 1981 an illusion for the viewer. It is a story because you don’t want to be around continues to steadily rise. but became a millionaire stockbroker that will keep you guessing until the for what’s coming. Gore’s slideshow is That’s indeed an inconvenient and launched his own investment last minute. a slick presentation of graphs, charts, truth for Democrats seeking the firm six years later. Smith’s own son, — JANA DUNKLEY CJ photographs, and illustrations with the presidency in 2008 with a platform simple premise that the Earth is getting built upon the politics of fear. CJ CAROLINA April 2007 JOURNAL The Learning Curve 23 Broadwater Illuminates Man Called ‘Forgotten Founder’

• Jeff Broadwater: George Mason, For- ral Rights, of which separate legislative, doing more that amending the Articles gotten Founder; University of North they can not by any executive, and ju- of Confederation, and the convention Carolina Press, Chapel Hill; 2006; 253 Compact, deprive or dicial departments voted to start from scratch. pp; $34.95 divest their Posterity; (a principle of Mon- Broadwater provides rich detail on among which are the tesquieu’s). All leg- the workings of the convention, prin- By GEORGE M. STEPHENS Enjoyment of Life islation originated ciples, opinions, debates, the changing Contributing Editor and Liberty, with the in the lower house. alliances, the political climates of the RALEIGH Means of acquiring There was a property states. It is certainly among the best eorge Mason (1725-1792) has and possessing Prop- qualification for the descriptions of it, ranking with Bowen’s not been accorded the laurels he erty, and pursuing suffrage. From the Miracle at Philadelphia. deserves as a leading founder, and obtaining Hap- Continental Con- Mason thought that the new Galthough Thomas Jefferson called him piness and Safety.” gress in Philadel- national government should operate “one of our truly great men, and of the This reflected Lock- phia, Jefferson sent directly on citizens, who should be repre- first order of greatness.” Fittingly, in Jeff ean principles. a similar constitu- sented in the lower house, with the state Broadwater’s biography, his crucial role Parts of the tion. legislatures choosing the Senate, with has been illuminated. Virginia Declaration During this pe- the proviso that money and salary bills Also, in his native Fairfax County, resembled a bill of riod the Revolution would originate in the House. Va., a university named for him has rights. One said “no was in peril. Wash- Late in the convention Mason become a national leader in libertarian part of a Man’s prop- ington had retreat- proposed a bill of rights and noted that studies, especially in economics, so he erty can be taken ed to Valley Forge. one could be prepared from state decla- is today much better known than he from him, or applied Details concerning rations in a few hours. Other delegates was. to public uses, without the Consent of Virginia’s participation occupied Ma- said that the national government would In the 1760s Mason became the himself, or his legal representatives.” son in the legislature, along with his have only the powers given it, so no bill leader in the House of Burgesses against Twelve years later similar language was running interest in whether his state or of rights was needed. Nevertheless, for the Stamp Act and other duties, and he incorporated into the Fifth Amendment the Confederation controlled western lack of a bill of rights and because of wrote a critique of slavery, focusing on of the U.S. Constitution’s Bill of Rights, lands. He battled against the issuance power to pass navigation acts by a simple its effect on Virginia’s development and but this plain stricture was violated of paper money because of the threat majority, instead of two-thirds, Mason on white morality. He later condemned recently in the Kelo decision of the U.S. of inflation. refused to sign the Constitution. slavery as a violation of human rights, Supreme Court, which corrupted “pub- In 1784 jurisdictional problems on After much debate the Virginia though he never freed his slaves. lic use” with “public purpose,” thereby the Potomac resulted in Mason being ratifying convention accepted the con- By 1775, royal government was col- giving the federal government broad appointed to a committee to meet with stitution without rights amendments but lapsing. In May 1776, Virginians asked powers to take a man’s property without Maryland. Annual meetings of the two had them drawn up and submitted to their congressional delegation to urge his consent. states expanded to all states, and in 1787 the convention. They showed Mason’s Congress to pass a declaration of inde- In Mason’s Declaration there were it became the convention to amend the influence. pendence, and its convention began to also provisions for religious tolerance, Articles of Confederation. At the conven- An early order of business in the prepare a bill of rights. Mason prepared for freedom of the press, banning ex post tion Mason was described by delegates First Congress was to submit a bill of his own, the document for which he is facto laws, and granting broad right of as “a man of remarkable strong powers.” rights to the states for ratification. Eight most famous. suffrage — 18 articles in all, trimmed by He was an elder statesman at 62. states had them and there was a promi- The first draft of his Declaration of committee to 16. His state brought to the convention nent set from the Virginia ratification Rights combined a succinct statement of Following his authorship of the the Virginia Plan, 15 resolutions drafted convention. North Carolina had refused the republican principles that underlay Declaration of Rights, Mason went to by Madison, which called for a bicameral to ratify without a bill of rights. From the Revolution with provisions designed work on a constitution for the new state legislature with a veto over state laws, these sources, in which Mason’s influ- to protect individual civil liberties. The of Virginia, with paramount power in a national executive and a judiciary. ence was plain, they drafted a set of 10 most notable statement was, “That all the legislature placed in a bicameral Smaller states did not like it that the amendments, which were ratified by men are born equally free and indepen- assembly, which would have frequent plan based both houses on population. the states and became a highly valued dent, and have certain inherent natu- elections and term limits. There were There was considerable sentiment for part of our Constitution. CJ Books authored By JLF staFFers Books authored By JLF staFFers Selling the Dream Free Choice for Workers: A History of the Right to Work Movement Why Advertising is Good Business

By John Hood President of the John Locke Foundation By George C. Leef Vice President for Research at the John William Pope Center for Higher “[Selling the Dream] provides a Education Policy fascinating look into the world of advertising and beyond ... “He writes like a buccaneer... Highly recommended.” recording episodes of bravery, Choice treachery, commitment and April 2006 vacillation.” Robert Huberty www.praeger.com (Call Jameson Books, 1-800-426-1357, to order) Capital Research Center April 2007 CAROLINA 24 Opinion JOURNAL

Commentary Myth of Black’s Good Works

ure, Jim Black broke the a horrible deal in state highway law, but that shouldn’t take funding? away from all the good The second likely objection Sthings he did for education, for involves my politics. Perhaps I’m the economy, and for the people piling on criticism just because of North Carolina.” I disagree with Black’s politics. If you’ve followed the saga Fine. For the sake of argument, of the former House speaker, let’s assume I agree completely you’ve undoubtedly heard that with every action the General As- argument. Black’s apologists sembly took during Black’s ten- trotted out those lines ure. I still would have as the public learned a hard time finding more about the bath- an instance in which room breaks, cash pay- Black took a stand on offs, and bribery scan- a major public policy dal that helped topple issue different from one of the state’s most other House Demo- powerful elected crats who could have Editorial leaders. We’ll hear the wielded the speaker’s argument again when gavel. Black heads back to Mitch Would education He’s Accustomed to the Place federal court to learn Kokai budgets be lower if his sentence on federal another House Demo- ith the media focused on the in order to break open the public piggy and state corruption crat ran the show? legal troubles of former House bank (for the likes of Dell and Merck) charges. Would the state have rejected tax Speaker Jim Black, who is • Thwarting the project develop- The appeal to Black’s record incentive packages? Would work- Wlikely to receive a prison sentence in May, ment efforts of businesses that refuse to is understandable. He can’t say ers still earn $5.15 an hour today? reporters and reformers have spilled “play ball” with them, such as ethanol now that he committed no crimes. Certainly there are House Demo- plenty of ink over the few ethics and company DFI Group Not only has he pleaded guilty crats who disagreed with Black’s rules changes made by his successor, • Misleading the electorate to vote to accepting cash from chiroprac- stances on education funding, Democrat Rep. Joe Hackney of Orange for allowing, through so-called “tax-in- tors seeking legislative favors, but corporate welfare, and the mini- County. crement financing,” for government to he has also decided to “clearly mum wage. But those Democrats Because of the media spotlight on incur public debt without authorizing take full responsibility” for that could not have won caucus sup- the House, State Senate President Pro it through a public vote as the constitu- crime—as he told a Superior port to serve as speaker. Just as Tem Marc Basnight has been able, for tion requires Court judge and a phalanx of TV important, the House is not the the most part, to avoid similar scrutiny. • Using special set-aside funds in cameras in court. only game in town. No Demo- Yet the Dare County Democrat has led various executive branch agencies to So now we’re left to as- cratic speaker could have accom- his chamber for eight consecutive terms fund the pork projects favored by legisla- sess the former speaker’s “good plished much without agreement of two years each, and let’s just say he’s tive leaders and their supporters works.” Didn’t he boost the from the Senate and governor. fond of his place, his position, and the • Steering public funds to their state’s education system? What If you look closely at Black’s privileges that power provides as cur- own enterprises, as former U.S. Sen. about all those new North Caro- major accomplishments — his rently constituted. Frank Ballance did with his nonprofit lina jobs? How about those state accomplishments, not those of Basnight admitted as much, one organization; or to projects favored by policies that made life better for the legislature as a whole — you day after Black resigned his House seat their friends, as Basnight did with the hard-working Tar Heels? find only those items that have in February and on the same day The unworkable Currituck Sound Ferry There’s one main problem contributed to his current legal News & Observer of Raleigh reported • Drawing themselves into safe with the appeal to Black’s legacy woes. He blocked a video poker that the former speaker would plead districts so as to protect their monopoly of good deeds: There is no such ban. He tried to force kindergar- guilty in federal court to a felony public on power. legacy. Black can take direct credit ten students to get unnecessary corruption charge. No wonder why Basnight, two for nothing good that has hap- eye exams. He rewrote state The ethics reform proposal that weeks after Black’s guilty plea, had pened in North Carolina in the laws to help chiropractors. He reporters asked about that day, thanks this to say about banning special provi- past eight years. created jobs for legislative allies to outward ponderings by Republicans, sions, which have nothing to do with Before I continue, let me who helped him keep power. He was the idea of term limits. Basnight the spending, from being added to the mention two possible objections. bent the rules to enact a state-run strangled the notion before it could take state budget bill: First, let’s throw out actions Black lottery, even as a potential lottery even its first breath. “Does that prevent somebody from has taken to benefit Charlotte and vendor employed his chief politi- “I know the way we operate,” he breaking the law?” he asked. “I’ve had Mecklenburg County directly. cal aide. told The N&O. “I like the way we oper- no problem with special provisions on Those in the Queen City who ben- Black’s supporters should ate. I believe the members like the way my side.” efited from the speaker’s largesse be careful before they ask people we operate.” According to The N&O Basnight must have valued that service. to think about all of his “good The reasons why Basnight’s, and said he supports special provisions But that’s different from works.” They’ll find that the his colleagues,’ affections for the General because they win passage for important touting Black’s general support record is as blank as the payee Assembly run so deep are numerous. laws, such as Smart Start and the Clean for education and other policy lines on those famous campaign Yet many of those motives seem to have Water Management Trust. But such leg- issues. Focusing on his local checks. CJ little to do with service or sacrifice for the islation, if it is so “important,” ought to impact also leads to some ques- common good. Consider the following be cleared in the light of day rather than tions: If Black did so much good behavioral peculiarities that blossomed sneaked through in the budget. for his home county, why do the on Basnight’s (and Black’s) watch: In Basnight’s world there is just no Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools • The proliferation of economic other way than to take short cuts and face ongoing challenges? Why Mitch Kokai is an associate edi- incentives via tax abatements to com- avoid accountability. At least Hackney does the Charlotte area get such tor of Carolina Journal. panies they favor, even to the point of has shown, in a few limited changes, that calling special sessions of the legislature there is another way. CJ CAROLINA April 2007 JOURNAL Opinion 25 Get Comfy for Transit Show Commentary Transit tax repeal effort causes panic among Charlotte leaders An Agenda for Legislative Reform harlotte-Mecklenburg is about to differently. The initial rail project, along have a spirited, consequential, the South Corridor, will cost about half hey took their own sour To regain the public trust, and and slightly silly debate about a billion dollars, or double the original time. But finally, leading to set right at least some of what Cmass transit and the local tax burden. estimate. The price tag for the entire plan members of the General has gone so horribly wrong, state It’s about time. is now pegged at $9 billion. Rather than TAssembly, the Democratic Party, policymakers must be forthright, It looks increasingly likely that take into consideration Charlotte-Meck- and North Carolina’s commentariat resolute, and bold. They should rec- voters this fall will have a chance to lenburg’s resulting higher government- have come out with more-or-less ognize that corruption has tainted say yea or nay about Mecklenburg’s cost structure, local elected officials have straightforward condemnations of past legislative action, and that in extra half-cent sales tax, which funds enacted a series of other tax increases, former House Speaker the future their work will controversial transit projects and pushes infuriating taxpayers. Jim Black and his criminal be judged not simply by the community’s combined tax burden Seeing a clear opportunity to co-conspirators for hijack- the intended ends but by well above that of any other urban transform public disaffection into policy ing state government and whether the means used area in North Carolina. You can tell the change, local activists created a Web using its power to extort to enact the legislation referendum is coming not just because site, StoptheTrain.com, and an effort to campaign cash, over- were just. the mathematics of the petition drive collect enough signatures to return the turn election results, and Here are some start- so far add up to enough signatures by transit tax to the ballot in November reward special interests ing points for reform, the deadline, but also because Char- 2007. Originally, local politicians dis- at the expense of average many of them endorsed lotte politicians and transit activists are missed the campaign. Then they saw North Carolinians. by Hackney and the clearly growing antsy, anxious, and, the numbers, panicked, and began a It sounds good. North Carolina Coali- again, slightly silly. hard-charging counterattack. Now, what are they going tion for Lobbying and The story begins in 1998, when They claimed that Mecklenburg to do about it? Government Reform (of a solid majority of voters approved a taxpayers didn’t understand the petition Obviously, the judi- which I am a member): half-cent increase in the local sales tax to language and didn’t realize what they ciary will decide the prop- • Ban special provi- fund a transit plan that included bus cor- were signing. They said that if the tax er correctional arrange- sions in the state budget, ridors and rail lines stretching across the repeal killed the rail lines, Charlotte’s air ments of those who have already “floating” committee members that county. At the time, voters were assured would get smoggier and the region could copped Black-Eye Pleas. And if law help ram bills through deliberative that the planned transit lines would bear lose federal transportation funds. enforcement continues along its committees, and “blank” bills used a modest price tag — about $1 billion So find a comfy spot and mi- current path, additional gang mem- to circumvent filing deadlines and for the whole shebang, including rail crowave some popcorn. This is going bers may materialize. But this is not hide legislative intent. and bus lines.The reality has turned out to be a long, fascinating show. CJ only a criminal case. It’s a case of • Truly do the public’s busi- gross abuse of legislative procedure ness in public. All committee votes and political power. Lawmakers should be recorded and posted on have the ability to reduce the risk of the Internet. Smoking and Freedom future abuses. • Take seriously the right of New Speaker Joe Hackney, a all elected legislators to represent Smoking issue a good test of one’s commitment to liberty longtime reform advocate, has pro- their constituents in legislative posed changes in the House rules. debate. That means the presiding or anyone still unsure how to personal consequences. It is based on They constitute a promising start officer must recognize any member distinguish warring political the principle that human beings ought on reducing such risks. Still, while for a legitimate motion or point of camps on the subject of individual to be free to discover these moral ab- the cocoon surrounding the Leg- order. Ffreedom, we’d suggest a close look at a solutes and personal consequences for islative Building has been pierced, • Ensure robust political proposal in the General Assembly to ban themselves, as long as their actions do many of its denizens have yet to competition, which may not be in smoking from virtually all buildings, not infringe on other individuals’ equal shake off their somnolence and the best interest of incumbents but public or private. rights to do the same. emerge into reality. They continue is very much in the best interest Rep. Hugh Holliman of Davidson In the case of smoking bans, ad- to believe that while Black may of North Carolina voters. That at County, the new House Majority Leader, vocates often make several arguments have strayed, the legislature under least means a limit of four years on has long supported state efforts to pro- designed to evade the fundamental issue his partial leadership “did a lot of the terms of House speakers and hibit tobacco use. A former smoker who of individual freedom. For example, they good” and that “we shouldn’t lose Senate presidents pro tem (though lost a sister to lung cancer, Holliman is argue that smoking is addictive and so sight of the big picture.” I would go further to limit total ser- sincere in his intentions. That doesn’t smokers are incapable of making free They are in denial. The big vice to six years each in the House make them any less illiberal (using the choices. But this misunderstands the picture is that the North Carolina and Senate). correct, older definition of the term). His meaning of “free choice.” A free choice legislature has not conducted its Robust political competition bill would not exempt restaurants, bars, in this context means simply that the ac- business efficiently and fairly, also means redistricting reform, or even cigar clubs from the prohibition tion was not taken under threat of legal and has devoted excessive time to which would set neutral rules for — unless the clubs are nonprofit. sanction or other physical force. overseeing the private affairs of drawing political maps and entrust (We’ll go out on a limb and suggest Another common argument is to North Carolinians while devoting the task to an independent commis- that if you ban cigar smoking from cigar suggest that the employees of restau- insufficient time to overseeing the sion. clubs, they won’t be profitable. That’s rants and bars lack the choice to avoid public affairs of state government. And it means applying the not what is meant, of course.) the tobacco smoke, and therefore must The bigger picture is that, for a same campaign-finance rules to po- The reason the smoking-ban issue be protected by government fiat. But they time at least, the Democratic Party litical-party caucuses, controlled by is an excellent test of one’s commitment are employees, not slaves. Of course they controlled the House not because legislative leaders, as are applied to to individual freedom is that smoking have the freedom to choose whether to the public elected them but because individuals. does, indeed, pose significant health work in a smoke-filled environment. Jim Black bribed Michael Decker to First, the political class in Ra- risks. It’s easy to endorse the freedom Holliman’s legislation makes no switch parties, thus creating a 60-60 leigh was obviously balking. of others to do what you prefer or think good-faith effort to accommodate the split and a subsequent co-speaker- Now it is talking. is good for them. What’s difficult is to thousands of North Carolinians who ship. This fact calls into question Let’s see some walking. CJ endorse the freedom of others to act might want to smoke in private bars the legitimacy of the resulting in ways you disapprove of or think is and clubs. The law ought to at least let legislation, including the current harmful to them. private businesses set up member-only electoral districts. Sorry, that’s part Hood is president of the John The case for freedom is not based enterprises that cater to those who of the current reality, too. Locke Foundation. on the absence of moral absolutes or want to actually be treated as adults. CJ April 2007 CAROLINA 26 Opinion JOURNAL

Editorial Briefs

Very, very big corn Despite the rhetoric about ethanol, it is not the economic and environmental solution to the United States’ energy problems, The Wall Street Journal says. The first problem is its inability to compete in the market. Federal and state subsidies for etha- nol ran to about $6 billion last year, equivalent to about half its wholesale market price. Ethanol gets a 51-cent a gallon domestic subsidy, and there’s a 54-cent a gallon tariff applied at the border against imported ethanol. While the subsidies and tariffs help corn farmers, it hurts most everyone else. The price of corn rose nearly 80 percent in 2006, forcing cattle, poultry, and hog farmers to adjust to suddenly exorbitant prices for feed corn. In Mexico, the price of corn tortillas, the dietary staple of the country’s poorest families, has risen by about 30 percent in recent months, leading to widespread protests and price controls. As for the environmental impact, the indica- tions aren’t any better. As an oxygenate, ethanol increases the level of nitrous oxides in the atmo- sphere and causes smog. Many scientists argue that ethanol energy inputs outweigh the output; even the most optimistic estimate says ethanol’s net energy output is a marginal improvement of only 1.3-1. By comparison, energy outputs from gasoline exceed inputs by an estimated 10-1. Is Economics Sabotaging Alternative Fuels? On the global-warming issue, ethanol barely makes a dent. Researchers also found that using n his State of the Union address, President Bush ethanol producers, but it will also affect food prices. ethanol to reduce greenhouse gases costs as much called for an increased use of alternative fuels Users of food products made directly from corn, as 16 times the optimal abatement cost for remov- by American drivers. But entrepreneurs haven’t such as tortillas, as well as food products using corn ing a ton of carbon from the atmosphere. Iwaited for this mandate. Across the United States, as an input, such as meat, will also feel the pinch of including North Carolina, alternative-fuel factories higher prices. are springing up almost everyday. So is this the hand that economics deals us Yet just when it looks like momentum is in — the availability of more fuel alternatives in ex- Palm oil might be an eco-nightmare favor of alternative fuels, economics, also known change for less affordable food? Can’t our economic A few years ago, politicians and environ- as the “dismal science,” rears its head. system give us both? mental groups in the Netherlands were thrilled Changes in two key prices have raised In the short term, the answer is by the early and rapid adoption of “sustainable questions about the viability of ethanol closer to “no.” Higher corn prices are energy,” achieved in part by coaxing electrical and other new fuels. likely here for a while as long as ethanol plants to use biofuel, in particular, palm oil from One change has been in the price of demand remains high. But over the lon- Southeast Asia. oil itself. Today, oil prices are well below ger term, our economy will adapt. More Spurred by government subsidies, energy their highs of last summer, due, in part, land will be put into corn production, companies became so enthusiastic that they de- to the calm 2006 hurricane season and, and as the supply expands, the price will signed generators that ran exclusively on palm until recently, the relatively mild winter. fall. However, this means less land will oil. The versatile and cheap oil is used in about 10 Although experts disagree on where oil be available for other uses, such as the percent of supermarket products, from chocolate prices are headed, one fact is clear. The Michael production of other crops or livestock or Walden to toothpaste, accounting for 21 percent of the lower oil prices are, the more gasoline simply unused open space. After all, eco- global market for edible oils. prices fall, and the less motivation driv- nomics is fundamentally about tradeoffs. Palm oil produces the most energy of all veg- ers have to switch to gas alternatives. The lesson here is that prices serve as signals. etable oils for each unit of volume when burned; in The second change has occurred in the price In our economic system, no central authority or much of Europe it is used as a substitute for diesel of the major input to the primary gasoline alterna- “economic czar” dictates what and how much is to fuel, though in the Netherlands, the government tive — ethanol. This input is corn, and corn prices be produced. These decisions are made by millions has encouraged its use for electricity. have almost doubled in the last 15 months. Higher of individual managers and companies. Higher But last year, when scientists studied corn prices reduce the profitability of ethanol and prices are the signal to produce more, while lower practices at palm plantations in Indonesia and threaten its long-run financial viability. prices say move on to something else. Malaysia, this green fairy tale began to look Why have corn prices risen so much? Is it part Which brings us back to where we started more like an environmental nightmare, The New of some plot to sabotage ethanol and tie us even — the price of oil. It’s been the movement of oil York Times says. Rising demand for palm oil in more to imported oil? prices from $10 a barrel a decade ago to more than Europe brought about the clearing of huge tracts The answer is more direct and much less sinis- $70 a barrel last summer that’s been at the base of of Southeast Asian rainforest and the overuse of ter. Anytime there’s a large and sustained increased the charge to fuel alternatives. Now, oil prices are chemical fertilizer there. in the desired use of some product, the price of the below their all-time high. What if they go lower? A Dutch study estimated that the draining product will rise. Actually, this price increase serves Will drivers still be interested in ethanol and other of peatland in Indonesia to make room for palm two useful purposes. It ensures the limited supply fuels? Or, will additional ethanol subsidies or gaso- oil plantations releases 660 million ton of carbon a of the product will go to those who place the most line taxes be needed to maintain the interest in fuel year into the atmosphere and that fires contributed value on it. Also, the higher price will motivate alternatives? 1.5 billion tons annually. The total is equivalent to producers to eventually increase its supply, which What will be the cost of energy independence? CJ 8 percent of all global emissions caused annually will cause some decline in the price. by burning fossil fuels. CJ In the case of corn, its higher price has paral- Michael L. Walden is a William Neal Reynolds dis- leled the heightened popularity of ethanol. Not only tinguished professor at North Carolina State University has this increased cost added to the expenses of and an adjunct scholar of the John Locke Foundation. CAROLINA April 2007 JOURNAL Opinion 27 Will Lawmakers Tackle Tough Issues Awaiting Them?

he General Assembly has begun textbooks, more buses, and more rent levels, which are not meeting close costs and obligations of health work for the 2007-2008 session. administrators. Now is the time the needs. Clearly identifying needs benefits of current and retired Before legislators adjourn in to seriously look at true education and providing services need to be employees. In an actuarial study Tlate summer or early fall, a budget reform to ensure that every child re-examined using business models prepared for the N.C. State Health of more than $20 billion will pass, receives the best education possible that work. Plan, as of Dec. 31, 2005, expected government will and every tax dollar devoted to • More demand for Medicaid. health-care costs for retirees are grow, and further education is spent on education. An Medicaid covers almost 20 percent $23.9 billion. This figure is essen- infringe on our increasing amount of money has of N.C. residents. As N.C. baby tially what the state “owes” today lives. There are been thrown at education with dis- boomers get older, expect Medicaid for future retiree health-care costs. long-term prob- appointing results, low test scores, costs to continue to increase. In the Only about $139 million has been lems that legisla- and high dropout rates.Creative op- past, legislators have expanded ser- set aside for those costs, the re- tors might address tions need to be explored. Charter vices and expanded the eligibility maining unfunded liability is $23.8 this session, or schools offer choices for parents requirements, increasing the num- billion. Either the fund must be they might delay and a break on school construction ber of people receiving services and replenished with taxpayers’ money the tough deci- costs for taxpayers. the services themselves. Proposals or benefits for retired government sions. One thing Becki • Mental Health, Develop- include extending some services to employees must be cut. The prob- Gray is certain, how- mentally Disabled and Substance families earning more than $60,000 lem gets worse each day as more ever, the problems Abuse Services: a year. Medicaid was established to teachers and state employees retire won’t go away. The most critical are: In 2001, the Assembly decided provide health care to low-income and tap into the plan. The prob- • Increased enrollment in to move services for the mentally categories of truly needy citizens. lem is exacerbated as government schools. According to U.S. Census ill, developmentally disabled, and Who receives Medicaid and what grows. Gov. Mike Easley proposes data, North Carolina will be the substance abusers out of state-run services are covered needs to be adding 5,800 government employ- seventh most populous state by institutions and into communi- re-examined to include the truly ees this year. 2010. As the population increases in ties across North Carolina. The needy. There are tough challenges North Carolina, school enrollment institutions were closed before the • Under-funded retiree before the legislature. Will lawmak- will increase as well. According to a community-based services were in health plan. The Teachers and State ers tackle the tough issues or simply 1982 U.S. Supreme Court decision, place. The jails, hospitals, and long- Employees’ health insurance plan smooth around the edges? CJ North Carolina must provide every term care facilities have become is under-funded. Pursuant to a child who lives in the state a sound ill-equipped resting places for those federal requirement by The Gov- basic education. More children to in need of mental health care. At ernmental Accounting Standards educate means more teachers, more least $500 million will be needed Board in Statement No. 45 (GASB Becki Gray is director of the State classrooms, more schools, more each year to provide services at cur- 45), all state governments must dis- Policy Resource Center. Kudos to CJ, Corruption Concerns and Edwards’ Home To the editor, Easley, are you listening? Even Missis- ity with the poor as a centerpiece of canned liberal New York speech. sippi and Alabama are ranked higher his campaign, was recently quoted as As one reporter was heard to say, I wanted to cheer when I read in the quality and safety of their roads, saying, ”I think that Jesus would be ”How does a country lawyer from a your commentary (by Editor Richard and South Carolina is ranked third, and disappointed in our ignoring the plight 28,000-square-foot house know about Wagner) in the March edition of the Georgia is fourth. of those around us who are suffering, and the problems in New York City?” And as Carolina Journal. “They” don’t get it on This is a heart-felt thank you for our focus on our own selfish short-term the pitch showed, his first event planned Jones Street, and they truly don’t get it on exposing the rot in our state govern- needs. I think he would be appalled, after he wins the presidential election Main Street, either. ment. I pray you will next direct your actually.” is to tour the world for three months to In this political attention to the sorry state of the N.C. In glaring conflict with those noble fund primary education and medical climate, nobody Department of Transportation, as it looks comments, it is interesting to note that care for the world’s underprivileged seems to care, re- Letters as if Speaker Black and his ilk are finally Edwards recently completed a new children. electing the “bad going to “get theirs.” 28,000-square-foot mega-mansion in This one might play in the big guys” out of lazi- to the I did the research on this for a letter North Carolina and also owns a lavish Liberal Apple but not in the coal min- ness, ignorance, or to the editor for the Charlotte Observer. oceanfront retreat on the North Carolina ing communities of West Virginia and ennui. Editor Naturally, they did not print it. coast. Kentucky. This review sees no steak and When we It is a safe bet that the only poor the speech had no sizzle. came to North Patricia S. Broderick people who ever set foot on either of Lance Armstrong is still looking Carolina in the Mooresville, N.C. Edwards’ opulent estates are maids, for a candidate to team up with , but so far early ‘50s, the N.C. Department of Trans- butlers, and gardeners. John Edards has missed the opportunity portation was even then a political plum, To the editor, of a lifetime to really do some good for overtly misusing state money, the crony John Eidson the country as well as his campaign. system feeding the corruption. Even As long as the Democrats control Marietta, GA Maybe it is a forest for the trees state employees admit the department the jobs in North Carolina from the local problem as your photo demonstrates. is rotten through and through. ABC stores to the Board of Elections and To the editor, The miasma of corruption has the judges, people will continue to vote Michael Koseruba spread through the state, being the them in for job security regardless of the It is interesting to see that [Caro- Florence, KY cause, most likely, of such weak inter- illegalities of their projects. Term limits lina Journal] is the first to take the aerial est in state politics with the exception and a real ”part time” legislature is the photo of the new Edwards home near To the editor, being the elected officials who benefit only solution to corrupt government. Chapel Hill. I was photographing him the most. [recently] in New York and the press Richard Wagner’s article on cor- The DOT obtains 99 percent of its Joyce King corps and audience of young Democrats ruption in North Carolina [March Caro- highway funds from drivers’ taxes, the Ruskin, FL were perplexed that he omitted cancer lina Journal] is excellent and deserves money to be used for building roads. research and funding to help Americans wider publication. This subject needs Yet North Carolina is ranked 42nd in To the editor, and others to fight this health issue. more public focus! condition of urban interstates, 44th Although he was wearing a in rural interstates, and 45th in rural Democratic presidential candidate ”LiveStrong” armband, he lost the bully Will Ferrell primary or farm to market roads. Gov. John Edwards, who has chosen solidar- pulpit opportunity rather than give a Kernersville, N.C. April 2007 C a r o l i n a 28 Parting Shot Journal ‘National Average’ State Worker Pay Plan Gains Support (a CJ parody)

By MICHELLE BEASLEY ees was $42,981, while North Carolina pay Dan Gerlach, Senate leader Marc Basnight said State Government Correspondent North Carolina work- as a percentage of Easley’s budget advi- he was skeptical of the plan but would RALEIGH ers averaged $35,576, the national average sor, offered a different agree to a two-year pilot project involv- ake County legislators are which computes to 83 perspective. He told ing a small division of employees. “I pushing a plan to raise state percent of the national CJ that cost-of-living propose that we try it with the workers employee pay to the national average. differences should be in the Department of Transportation’s Waverage for state government workers. A report issued by taken into account Ferry Division. Lots of those folks are The plan has a current annual price tag the General Assembly’s when comparing pay my friends. I will feel more comfort- of $500 million. Fiscal Research Division to the national average. able if we try it on them first,” he said. Raising public schoolteacher pay to put the 2004 price tag at He noted that for 2004 Basnight said he thinks there might the national average, first championed precisely $481,013,990. North Carolina’s $3.1 be a link between pay and performance. by Gov. Jim Hunt 12 years ago, has Analysts noted that million private-sec- “If we paid Ferry Division workers more, become a popular policy goal for state national averages are a tor workers averaged maybe they won’t do crazy things like politicians. The goal is also very popular moving target and that $34,632, or 88 percent illegally dredging channels in sensi- with teachers. budget writers should of the national aver- tive marine habitats, or running boats “If raising teacher pay makes for count on a price tag of age for private-sector for legislative booze cruises,” he said. better teachers, raising all state employee at least $500 million. Teachers Private State workers. State Employees Association of pay should produce the same results,” Gov. Mike Easley Sector Employees He said that Ea- N.C. Executive Director Dana Cope Rep. Dan Blue told Carolina Journal. said he would oppose sley sometimes isn’t said his members were “cautiously The plan is targeted to the 70,000 the plan. “Everyone knows that teach- very good with mathematical concepts. excited” about the plan. “We just hope state government workers not involved ers are special. We cannot afford to take “I told the governor that this national they don’t cut benefits by $500 million in public education. Data collected by other state employees to the national av- average teacher pay thing might backfire. to pay for it,” he said. “Many of our the federal government’s Bureau of erage,” he said. Earlier, Easley’s budget I warned him that other state workers members are already making plans Labor Statistics shows that in 2004 the proposed raises of 5 percent for teachers would eventually figure it out and de- as to how they can spend their extra national average pay for state employ- and 2.5 percent for state employees. mand the same.” $7,000!” he said. CJ

C a r o l i n a C a r o l i n a Journal Carolina Journal Reader Survey Journal The Carolina Journal staff would like your help in evaluating some of our programs and services. ____ Add a regular column on online media in North Carolina. Your responses to this brief survey will help CJ editors and reporters improve the newspaper’s ____ Replace “John Hood’s Daily Journal” with a rotating panel of columnists. design, organization, and coverage of state and local issues in North Carolina. Please help us ____ Other: by filling out the questionnaire and mailing the completed survey to the address below. We look forward to hearing from you. 8. “Carolina Journal Radio” is a weekly hour-long news and interview program broadcast on radio stations across North Carolina, distributed on compact disc, and podcast at 1. As you know, Carolina Journal is a monthly newspaper covering state and local gov- CarolinaJournal.com. How often do you listen to the show? ernment, politics, education, and other issues. How often do you read the print edition ____ Frequently of Carolina Journal? ____ Sometimes ____ Frequently ____ Rarely ____ Sometimes ____ I have never heard “Carolina Journal Radio” ____ Rarely 9. Please rank the following sources of information about state politics and policy issues 2. How many other individuals – in your family or among your friends and acquaintances in North Carolina according to how much you rely on them, from 1 (relied on the most) – also read the copy of Carolina Journal you receive? to 8 (relied on the least). ____ Local newspapers ____ Commercial television ____ None ____ One ____ Two ____ Three ____ Four or more ____ Commercial radio ____ Public television ____ Public radio ____ Web sites and blogs 3. Please rank the regular sections of Carolina Journal according to how often you read ____ Carolina Journal ____ Other public policy organizations them, from 1 (most often) to 10 (least often): ____ Cover stories ____ Higher education 10. Which category best describes you as a Carolina Journal reader? ____ State government ____ Local government ____ Elected or appointed public official ____ Work in government ____ Washington page ____ Learning Curve (Books & the Arts) ____ Lobbyist or trade association ____ Work in private business ____ In-depth interviews ____ Editorials and columns ____ Work in public-policy nonprofit ____ Work in news media ____ K-12 education ____ Parting Shot (back-page parody) ____ Work in political campaigns/parties ____ Interested citizen

4. What changes, if any, would you like to see in Carolina Journal’s print edition? 11. What is your telephone area code? ______Reduce pages devoted to the existing sections listed in Question 3, to free up space for more stories on health care, transportation, and the environment. 12. For analytical purposes, we need some additional information about you. This informa- If so, which existing CJ section(s) should be reduced in length? tion will be kept strictly confidential. ______Add four more pages to the CJ print edition to allow for more coverage a. Please choose your age range: of health care, transportation, and the environment. ___ 18-34 ___ 35-44 ___ 45-54 ___ 55-64 ___ 65+ ____ Publish the CJ print edition more than the current 12 times a year. ____ Publish it less than the current 12 times a year. b. Please choose your income range: ____ Put all CJ articles on the Internet so readers don’t need a print edition. ___ Under $25,000 ___ $25,000-$49,999 ___ $50,000-$74,999 ____ Other: ___ $75,000-$99,999 ___ $100,000+

5. Carolina Journal Online is a daily Web site of news headlines, exclusive reports, and 13. Please choose the political philosophy that best describes you. Give us your own label editorials at CarolinaJournal.com. How often do you visit this web site: if you prefer. ____ Frequently ____ Sometimes ____ Liberal ____ Conservative ____ Libertarian ____ Rarely ____ Populist ____ Moderate ____ Other: ____ I have never visited CarolinaJournal.com (please skip to question 8) Thank you for your participation in this survey. If you would like to update your contact informa- 6. Please rank the regular features of Carolina Journal Online according to how often you tion, please fill in the form below. Again, your survey responses will be kept strictly confidential. read them, from 1 (most often) to 6 (least often): ____ CJ Exclusive News Stories ____ Newspaper Editorials/Columns NAME ______John Hood’s Daily Journal ____ Media Mangle columns ADDRESS ______News Headlines ____ CJ Print Editions Online CITY/ZIP ______EMAIL ______PHONE______7. What changes, if any, would you like to see Carolina Journal Online? EMPLOYER ______Reduce the length of news summaries to allow for more of them. ____ Add a regular column on TV and radio media in North Carolina. MAIL TO: Carolina Journal Reader Survey, 200 W. Morgan St., Raleigh, NC 27601