INSIDE THIS ISSUE: DEPARTMENTS Doctors see North Carolina 2 Local Government 10 direct care, CAROLINA Education 14 From Page 1 12 monthly fees Books & the Arts 18 as insurance Interview 19 alternative /3 Opinion 20 JOURNALA MONTHLY JOURNAL OF NEWS, ANALYSIS, AND OPINION Parting Shot 24 FROM THE JOHN LOCKE FOUNDATION December 2015 Vol. 24 No. 12 STATEWIDE EDITION Check us out online at carolinajournal.com and johnlocke.org Analysts Call Apple Renewable Energy Claims ‘Lies’ and will continue to purchase electric- ity from Dominion Power, the local Maiden data center Solar Farm 1 utility. The wind farm is not and can- not be connected directly to Amazon’s gets all of its power Virginia data center. Apple representatives have re- New data center fused to answer a series of queries from Duke Energy under construction By Don Carrington Original data center from Carolina Journal seeking details Executive Editor completed in 2010 about the company’s electricity con- RALEIGH sumption at the data center or details alifornia-based Apple promotes about the sources it uses to offset en- its 500,000-square-foot data cen- ergy purchased from Duke. ter in Maiden, N.C., by saying it Apple power arrangements Cruns “100 percent” on renewable en- ergy even though the facility continues Apple owns a 20-megawatt solar to get all of its electricity from Duke Fuel cell farm and a 10-megawatt fuel cell sys- Energy, a public utility that primarily installation tem adjacent to the data center, but the generates electricity using coal, nucle- Duke Energy electricity generated by the solar farm ar power, and natural gas. substation and fuel cell system is sold to Duke But an Austria-based researcher and does not provide power for the who is familiar with the project called building. Apple’s claim “a boldfaced lie” — a The fuel cell system runs on sentiment echoed by state House Ma- Apple’s data center in Maiden, North Carolina, opened in 2010 and continues to be natural gas purchased from Piedmont jority Leader Mike Hager, R-Ruther- served by Duke Energy. The fuel cell installation and solar farm were announced Natural Gas even though Apple has ford, who chairs the Joint Legislative two years later. They are not physically connected to the data center. (CJ photo by used promotional materials to sug- Commission on Energy Policy. And Don Carrington) gest it actually runs on biogas from a former economist with the Federal does not make it clear that the energy Apple is not alone in making nearby landfills. Apple has a second Energy Regulatory Commission called powering the Maiden facility comes such claims. Amazon Web Services has solar farm located about 11 miles away the claim “misleading.” from Duke Energy’s traditional mix of stated that the energy produced by a in Conover. A third solar farm is locat- Apple bases its claim on the con- fuels. There are no public records sup- 22,000-acre wind farm near Elizabeth ed six miles away, and a fourth solar cept that it “offsets” power purchased porting the details of Apple’s offset City will power a data center near farm is located nine miles away. They from Duke by generating power from concept as a way of measuring its par- Dulles International Airport in Virgin- renewable sources, even though Apple ticipation in renewable energy. ia. In fact, the data center is purchasing Continued as “Analysts,” Page 12 McCrory, Cooper Agree on Syrian Refugees PAID Cooper issued his Nov. 18 state- RALEIGH, NC U.S. POSTAGE

PERMIT NO. 1766 ment several hours after North Caroli- NONPROFIT ORG. Resettlement groups na Republican Party Executive Director Dallas Woodhouse called on Cooper call request for halt and Durham attorney Ken Spaulding, both Democratic candidates for gover- ‘small-minded panic’ nor, to make their positions known. Woodhouse asked if the Demo- By Dan Way crats “support[ed] what the gover- Associate Editor Gov. Pat McCrory A.G. Roy Cooper nor, 10 members of the congressional RALEIGH delegation, and the leadership of the he day after Gov. Pat McCrory “As chief law enforcement offi- General Assembly, as well as other joined more than 30 other U.S. cer of North Carolina, I support asking governors do,” freezing the refugee governors in seeking a halt in the federal government to pause refu- resettlement program while ensuring theT flow of Syrian refugees into their gee entries to make sure we have the screening procedures to keep potential states, N.C. Attorney General Roy most effective screening process pos- terrorists out. Cooper agreed with McCrory’s call for sible so our humanitarian efforts are “As a person who was born and a moratorium, citing security concerns not hijacked,” said Cooper, a Democrat raised in segregation, I know person- while angering refugee resettlement who’s running against Republican Mc- The John Locke Foundation 200 W. Morgan St., #200 Raleigh, NC 27601 groups. Crory in next year’s election. Continued as “McCrory,” Page 13 PAGE 2 DECEMBER 2015 | CAROLINA JOURNAL North Carolina C A R O L I N A Rouzer: EPA Water, Energy Rules Stifling Economy

By Dan Way selves from competitors,” Rouzer said. “And that’s in large JOURNAL Associate Editor part why the big guys get bigger and the small guys are WILMINGTON going out of business.” Rick Henderson .S. Rep. David Rouzer, a Johnston County Repub- A vibrant economy requires getting rid of “these stu- Managing Editor lican, says federal rules and regulations “are just pid rules and regulations that are making it so difficult on stifling this economy,” and the final Waters of the our small business owners and entrepreneurs, level the Don Carrington UUnited States rule proposed by the U.S. Environmental Pro- playing field for everybody, have a sound energy policy, Executive Editor tection Agency could be devastating for North Carolina. have a sound agriculture policy, and have good infrastruc-

Nearly his entire 7th Congressional District “will in es- ture,” Rouzer said. Mitch Kokai, Michael Lowrey sence become classified as a wetland” under jurisdiction of Noting that the price of energy is transferred to every Barry Smith, Kari Travis the EPA if the courts don’t reverse the law, said Rouzer. product and most services through the economy, Rouzer Dan Way “Imagine said a sound en- Associate Editors what that means ergy policy would in terms of per- lower electricity Kristen Blair, Roy Cordato mitting, what that costs. That would Becki Gray, Sam A. Hieb means in terms of be key to jolting Lindalyn Kakadelis, Troy Kickler George Leef, Donna Martinez extra costs,” the the economy into Harry Painter, Jenna Ashley Robinson freshman congress- higher productivity Marc Rotterman, Jesse Saffron man said Nov. 12 and reducing the Jay Schalin,Terry Stoops at Americans for $18 trillion national Andy Taylor, Michael Walden Prosperity North debt. Contributors Carolina’s Free the Yet the EPA’s Grid Tour event in Clean Power Plan Joseph Chesser, Zak Hasanin Wilmington. is designed to force Catherine Koniecsny, Charles Logan The EPA rule a reduction in use Austin Pruitt, Matt Shaeffer “will have very of the least expen- Interns dire consequences” sive fuel sources, for the homebuild- especially coal, at ing industry, con- an enormous cost Published by struction at large, The John Locke Foundation to the states and the and especially ag- 200 W. Morgan St., # 200 economy, he said. riculture, Rouzer Raleigh, N.C. 27601 Even residen- said. “That’s a sig- (919) 828-3876 • Fax: 821-5117 tial wood stoves www.JohnLocke.org nificant proportion are in the EPA’s of the economy not crosshairs, Rouzer only here in the 7th Seventh District Republican U.S. Rep. David Rouzer, at a Nov. 12 event in Wilm- Jon Ham said. A constituent District, but also in ington, said the federal Waters of the United States rule proposed by the Envi- Vice President & Publisher the state of North ronmental Protection Agency will enable nearly every part of his district to be in Wayne County Carolina.” declared off- limits as a wetland. (CJ photo by Dan Way) who manufactures Kory Swanson wood heaters alert- President While most Americans are aware of Obamacare, and its costly rules and ed him to a new EPA rule affecting those appliances. John Hood regulations, Rouzer said, attention needs to be paid to the “In essence, they’re trying to make it so much more Chairman EPA because of the impact its “idiotic rules” and regulatory costly to manufacture a wood heater that it prices it out of overreach are having on the economy. the marketplace,” Rouzer said. “Energy sector expenditures are going to go up” un- Charles S. Carter, Charles F. Fuller “The EPA alone, since this president took office, has is- Bill Graham, John M. Hood sued more than 3,100 new final regulations,” Rouzer said of der the Clean Power Plan, said Donald Bryson, state direc- Christine Mele, Baker A. Mitchell Jr. the Obama administration’s pattern of issuing regulations tor of AFPNC. Paul Slobodian, David Stover when Congress has not passed legislation the president pre- On average, a North Carolina residential energy bill J.M Bryan Taylor fers. would be $434 higher by 2020, representing a 22 percent Board of Directors “I’ve co-sponsored legislation to repeal the Waters of rate hike, Bryson said, affecting low-income people most the USA rule,” he said. “If we could just repeal every rule Carolina Journal is severely. a monthly journal of news, and regulation that this administration has put into place A study by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Institute analysis, and commentary on in the last seven years that would do more for the economy for 21st Century Energy of the Clean Power Plan concluded state and local government than anything I know of.” that one-fifth of job losses nationally — 59,700 — will be in and public policy issues in He noted that employment levels today are similar to the South-Atlantic region, which includes North Carolina. North Carolina. those of the stagnant period of the late 1970s. According to By a bipartisan vote Nov. 17, the U.S. Senate passed a ©2015 by The John Locke Foundation the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ October jobs report, only 62.4 Inc. All opinions expressed in bylined articles resolution opposing the Clean Power Plan. are those of the authors and do not necessarily percent of the U.S. labor force was employed. “This vote sends a clear signal to the international com- “That is an indictment all unto itself,” Rouzer said. reflect the views of the editors of CJ or the munity that the American people will not stand in support The number of U.S. businesses closing their doors has staff and board of the John Locke Foundation. for an agreement that would result in double-digit electric- Material published herein may be reprinted as exceeded the number of startup businesses, he said. A Gal- ity [price increases] in 40 states, put hundreds of thousands long as appropriate credit is given. Submis- lup report earlier this year said that trend has existed for the of people out of work, and have no meaningful impact on sions and letters are welcome and should be past eight years. directed to the editor. “And the reason why is we’ve created a climate in this global warming,” said Sen. James Inhofe, R-Okla., chairman To subscribe, call 919-828-3876. Readers country that is not conducive to the investment of capital,” of the Committee on the Environment and Public Works. also can request Carolina Journal Weekly The EPA rule would cost $292 billion and reduce Report, delivered each weekend by e-mail, passed piles of rules and regulations, and have the highest or visit CarolinaJournal.com for news, links, corporate tax rate in the industrialized world, Rouzer said. American household disposable income by roughly $79 bil- and exclusive content updated each weekday. That is why large businesses, weary of fighting the lion, Inhofe said in news release. Those interested in education, economics, government, give in to ever more federal regulation, then “In this country, it is Congress who writes the higher education, health care or local govern- work to manipulate it to their benefit, he said. laws, not EPA,” Inhofe said, noting 27 states, 24 nation- ment also can ask to receive weekly e-letters al trade associations, and 37 rural electric cooperatives covering these issues. “The consequence of that is they basically use the gov- ernment to help secure their market share, and shield them- are among those challenging the final rule in court. CJ DECEMBER 2015 | CAROLINA JOURNAL PAGE 3 North Carolina Doctors See Direct Care, Monthly Fees as Alternative to Insurance of which did little to help patients, dent, Walsh said. fer lower prices than insurance would Walsh said. “Primary care should be sepa- charge. Patients could file for insur- Under the new plan, “It’s not good for the doctors. It’s rated from [health] insurance because ance reimbursement for prescriptions. not good for the nurses. It’s not good that’s the most affordable part,” and “I didn’t find it exceedingly dif- routine visits covered for anybody,” she said. insurance should be used for specialty ficult in North Carolina to pass any of The most important partner a care, major medical issues, unexpected the rules and regulations … to get my doctor has is a patient, “not a hospital, surgeries, and the like, she said. practice up and going, “Walsh said. by a set monthly fee not a network, not an insurance com- She contacted doctors practicing “I actually found compared to some By Dan Way pany, none of that,” Walsh said. direct primary care in North Carolina other states that North Carolina was Associate Editor So she researched and in other states. “I pretty friendly.” talked with folks in RALEIGH alternative means of Although Medicare prohibits Seattle, and Denver, r. Amy Walsh remembers viv- fulfilling her quest for a payment for direct care services, Walsh in [Philadelphia], and idly the day she quit her job as stronger doctor-patient Georgia, and Kansas,” said Medicare patients likely would primary care doctor at a Wake relationship. When she Walsh said. She made pay less out of pocket for direct care DCounty medical practice to seek a bet- stumbled across the than they would by using their Medi- visits, taking notes, ter way to provide health care, and concept of direct pri- care at another doctor. mary care, “a light bulb studying fee sched- soon she will join nearly a dozen fam- ules and vendor lists Direct care also could be part of went off in my head, ily practices in North Carolina that de- for contracted lab ser- the solution to curb state Medicaid and my heart skipped liver primary services for a monthly vices, data that she tai- costs and reduce the shortage of doc- two beats,” she said. fee while eschewing insurance. lored into the design of tors who accept the government insur- “I didn’t necessarily want to give Jay Keese, execu- her own practice. ance program for the poor, elderly, and up my career, but didn’t want to prac- tive director of the na- She will open her disabled. tice that way,” she said of the “hamster tional Direct Primary Doctor Direct prac- Patients would have direct access wheel” of high-volume care she was Care Coalition, has de- tice in leased space on to a doctor “for a predictable amount scribed direct care as a Dr. Amy Walsh says the most providing as part of a large medical important partner a doctor has the second floor of the on a monthly basis. Why wouldn’t the no-insurance “defined network that may not have offered is a patient, “not a hospital, Raleigh Neurosurgi- state consider that?” Walsh said. set of high-functioning high-value treatment. not a network, not an insur- cal Clinic on Six Forks Keese also views direct care as a primary care and pre- “Over the last several years I ance company.” (CJ photo by Road. way to reduce Medicaid costs. vention services deliv- grew increasingly frustrated with Dan Way) Her monthly “By taking all of that insurance ered by a physician” what my job had become versus what membership contract expense out of it and paying the entire through an all-inclusive monthly fee I had envisioned when I left medical will be $15 for a child under 20; $50 health care piece in this monthly fee that could be viewed much like a re- school,” Walsh said. The traditional for patients 20-49; $75 for those 50-69; environment, we’re saving 40 cents on tainer. $85 for ages 70-plus; and $1 for anyone fee-for-service model asks “really good the dollar in the provision of primary Direct care offers an alternative over 100. That single fee entitles a pa- doctors to practice bad medicine.” care,” Keese said. Some of the savings “I felt like I wasn’t able to do a to “insurance that was ungodly expen- tient to unlimited monthly visits for all goes to the doctor and some to the sys- good job helping [patients] get healthy, sive,” brief visits after long waits in primary care. tem. to be healthy,” she said. “Some of it doctors’ offices, and unreturned phone The trade-off for patients? In ex- “So if it’s government-paid, you was just the landscape of health care. calls to patients, Walsh said. “Direct change for the lower rates, patients save the government that 40 cents on Some of it was the big networks that care solved all of these problems that cannot file their monthly visit fees un- the dollar,” he said. we were part of. Some of it was the di- everybody’s been screaming about.” der insurance plans. Direct care practices all over the rection family care was going as far as She compared direct primary “You take out all the layers of outpatient setting.” care to auto insurance. expense, and bureaucracy, and confu- country are talking to state Medicaid In addition to seeing patients, “You don’t pull out your auto in- sion” by eliminating insurance, Walsh directors about contracting for Med- doctors often face three hours or more surance card when you go get gas and said. icaid patients, he said, and Medicaid daily of charting notes, data points, an oil change or rotate your tires. You Lab work, though, will be billed managed care companies are contract- prior authorizations, “and all that cra- take care of the maintenance yourself,” separately, as will prescriptions from ing with direct primary care practices ziness” that insurance requires, most and use insurance in case of an acci- the on-site pharmacy, which may of- in Washington state. CJ

Books authored By JLF staFFers Keep Up With Selling the Dream State Government Why Advertising is Good Business Be sure to visit CarolinaJournal. com often for the latest on what’s go- ing on in state government. CJ writ- By John Hood ers are posting several news stories PresidentChairman of ofthe the John Locke Foundation daily. And for real-time coverage of John Locke Foundation “[Selling the Dream] provides a breaking events, be sure to follow us fascinating look into the world of advertising and beyond ... on Twitter (addresses below). Highly recommended.” Choice CAROLINA JOURNAL: http://www.twitter.com/CarolinaJournal April 2006 JOHN LOCKE FOUNDATION: http://www.twitter.com/JohnLockeNC www.praeger.com PAGE 4 DECEMBER 2015 | CAROLINA JOURNAL North Carolina Hager, Millis Say They’ll Continue Fighting Renewable Mandates and specific financial incentives that Renewable energy renewable energy gets in North Caro- lina,” Gray said. The handouts are so generous that a solar company can re- mandates, they say, coup 100 percent of its investment in six years, she said. raise consumer prices “I don’t blame the solar compa- By Dan Way nies” or investors, Gray said. “I’ll tell Associate Editor you who’s at fault: It’s the govern- WILMINGTON ment.” wo prominent state lawmakers Hager said the renewable energy pushing to make North Caroli- industry’s major players have taken na’s energy policy more friendly note of his opposition to renewable toT consumers say they will press vig- subsidies. orously for freezing or reducing state “I’ve been such a strong oppo- mandates to use more renewable ener- gy when the General Assembly returns nent of solar renewables [that solar for the 2016 short session. supporters are] spending money in “We are not a least-cost state any- my district trying to find a primary op- more” in the mix of fuel sources, large- ponent,” Hager said. Solar companies ly due to the legislature’s passage of From left, Reps. Chris Millis, R-Pender, and Mike Hager, R-Rutherford, and Americans for are taking ratepayers’ tax dollars, and Senate Bill 3 in 2007, said House Major- Prosperity state director Donald Bryson discuss the need to repeal renewable energy “they’re transforming into dollars to ity Leader Mike Hager, R-Rutherford. mandates at a Nov. 12 Free the Grid Tour event in Wilmington. (CJ photo by Dan Way) run against good conservatives. That is That law forces utility companies ate to act on H.B. 760 would be a top Millis said. what we’re up against.” to purchase increasingly higher levels priority in the short legislative session, “If we do not reform, if we do not Bryson said renewable compa- of renewable energy — which is more which opens April 25. halt the renewable energy mandate, nies are also redirecting taxpayer dol- expensive than fossil fuels or nuclear “That bill is not devastating to you will all have increasing power lars into preserving their advantage in power — or increase energy efficiency. anybody. That bill just freezes every- costs” that will become an economic the marketplace. Those measures must replace 12.5 per- thing in place … until we can figure detriment to the state, Millis said. “These people are making mon- cent of the total fuel mix that power out what’s going on” with renew- Becki Gray, vice president for ey, and then they’re taking that money plants use by 2020. ables’ financial outreach at the John Locke Foundation, and putting it back into lobbyists at the Hager and impact, Hager noted that the solar industry started General Assembly,” Bryson said. The state Rep. Chris said. “We’ve got receiving the 35 percent investment solar industry had 27 lobbyists at work Millis, R-Pender, Efforts being a window of op- tax credit in 1977. At the time, indus- in the last session. By contrast, Duke were among a se- portunity right try officials said, “We need this special made to get Energy, the nation’s largest power util- ries of speakers now between 2016 treatment, we just need a boost to get objecting to North legislature to and 2018,” when started,” but the tax-fueled carve-outs ity, had only eight. Carolina’s current the percentage of have increased, she said. “They burned through about energy policy di- work for state-required re- Over that time renewable com- $125,000 minimum a month on lobby- rection during a newable energy panies received not just the 35 percent ists” in the 2015 session, Hager said, Nov. 12 Free the least-cost energy purchase rises state tax credit, but also a 30 percent adding that companies spent nearly a Grid Tour event in from 6 to 10 per- federal tax credit, an 80 percent abate- half-million dollars to stop the bill in Wilmington host- cent. ment on property taxes, and acceler- the Senate. “That’s the kind of dollars ed by Americans for Prosperity North “Why is anyone scared of that?” ated depreciation. we’re talking about, folks. That’s what Carolina. Donald Bryson, AFP state director, “There are 111 different policies we’re fighting against.” CJ In the recently concluded legisla- asked of opposition to H.B. 760, which tive session, the House passed House would set up a study to determine if Bill 760 by a 77-32 margin. Hager called S.B. 3 has harmed ratepayers and tax- it “probably the most comprehensive payers by driving up power bills. energy bill out of the House.” It is de- The General Assembly needs signed to scale back the escalating use to shift to a philosophy of provid- Share your CJ of renewables and other mandates in ing least-cost energy for consumers, S.B. 3, Hager said. manufacturers, and the agriculture The Senate referred the bill to its industry, rather than artificially inflat- Agriculture/Environment/Natural ing electricity costs by granting special Finished reading all Resources Committee, where it sat at status to renewables at the expense of the end of the year’s legislative session. other industries, Bryson said. the great articles in this Senate leaders told Hager and Ending the forced purchase of ex- other House allies that the Senate pensive renewable energy would leave month’s Carolina Jour- would consider only only one renew- more money in consumers’ pockets, able-energy bill in 2015 — H.B. 760 or a reduce costs to businesses so they can nal? Don’t just throw it narrower measure placing a December hire more workers, and create a more 2015 sunset on new claims for the 35 prosperous North Carolina, Bryson in the recycling bin, pass percent state renewable investment tax said. credit, Hager said. “We are mandating by way of The tax credit has resulted in your power bills that you pay for a it along to a friend or payments to renewable-energy inves- more expensive and more unreliable tors of at least $224,508,181 since 2010, form of energy,” and that is unfair, Mil- neighbor, and ask them according to state Department of Rev- lis said. enue records. The General Assembly “We’re talking about hundreds of to do the same. passed the sunset measure, and Gov. millions of dollars a year that the state Pat McCrory signed it into law. is taking from you and giving by way Thanks. Hager said persuading the Sen- of a mandate [to] renewable energy,” DECEMBER 2015 | CAROLINA JOURNAL PAGE 5 North Carolina Rucho: Redistricting Reform Faces Long Odds in Short Session He defined a competitive district State University, where he and Martin Making compact, contiguous as one comprising Republicans, Demo- appeared on a panel discussing gerry- districts, and single-member districts Rucho says Senate crats, and unaffiliated voters in which, mandering. where possible, is “not always the for example, a Republican could not The bill would empower the non- same as continuity of interested groups sees no need for win election without crossover voting partisan Legislative Services Office to because people don’t live compactly from some Democrats and the support draft a plan for the General Assembly and contiguously,” Stam said. So of independent voters. to approve. while Pender County filed a landmark independent process He said congressional districts This is “not the thing that will lawsuit to be kept entirely in one leg- By Dan Way Associate Editor are a case in point. create the promised land of politics,” islative district, Apex prefers its three “There is not Stam said, but he legislators, which gives it greater clout RALEIGH one of the 13 dis- supports it because in legislative committees and votes on wo House bills intended to re- tricts that have a he doesn’t believe it legislation. duce political manipulation of majority Republican is fair for a majority While the nonpartisan process is legislative redistricting could be [voter percentage]. party to control the likely to create a few more competitive Tacted on in the short session starting in They’re somewhere levers of power that seats, “Campaigns will cost a whole April, though retiring Sen. Bob Rucho, around 35 to 42 or 43 enhance its own re- lot more, and you’ll have to deal with R-Mecklenburg, predicted the Senate [percent], matched election prospects. that,” Stam said. would not approve either. equally by Demo- “Goofy- “A lot of different states have “In essence, there really isn’t a crats,” Rucho said. Rep. Paul Rep. Grier looking maps will tried a lot of different methods with reason to do independent redistricting The 10 Republicans “Skip” Stam Martin not be solved by varying levels of success. The model because the law is clearly defined. It had to attract voters a better process,” that we’ve got is one way to do it,” tells you exactly what steps you take to outside their party “willing to say that he cautioned, because some bizarre Martin said. draw the districts,” said Rucho, chair- person’s issues and beliefs are more in boundaries are drawn to satisfy the “I think we need to get a read man of the Senate Redistricting Com- line with my interests.” requirements of the Voting Rights Act. from the Senate as to what they want mittee. “Therefore it should remain Those clamoring to remove re- He gave an example of pulling to do” before voting the bill out of the with the legislature to make those de- districting power from the General six households into his district, one of Committee on Elections, where it has cisions.” Assembly “aren’t happy with the re- which was his in-laws, who were get- been shelved since Feb. 18. He said lawmakers use, among sults,” Rucho said, and it has nothing ting old and feeble. It appeared Stam “I’d like to think we can still other tools, the “legislative guide to re- to do with confusion over procedural and his wife would have to move clos- get [passage] from the House, but … districting,” what Rucho called “a cook mechanisms. er to take care of them. Because they we’ve got important legislation to book, and it’s all based on what the le- But fellow Republicans have lived outside his district, he could not deal with,” Martin said. “My guess is gal precedents have been.” They make been in the forefront of redistricting move there and retain his House seat, Speaker [Tim] Moore [R-Cleveland] is sure they comply with the federal Vot- reform, and House Speaker Pro Tem so he brought them into his district. not going to want to deal with some- ing Rights Act and conform to the Ste- Paul “Skip” Stam, R-Wake, is a pri- While H.B. 92 is a nonpartisan thing difficult like redistricting reform phenson v. Bartlett state Supreme Court mary sponsor of House Bill 92, along proposal, “you will put a premium on legislation unless there are prospects decision ordering mapmakers drawing with Reps. Jon Hardister, R-Guilford, certain people trying to figure out how for its passage in the Senate.” legislative districts not to split counties Chuck McGrady, R-Henderson, and to get as many partisans on the non- He blamed GOP senators of play- when possible. Grier Martin, D-Wake. The bipartisan partisan staff as possible. Have you ing political tit for tat with redistrict- Rucho denies that political pay- bill has 59 other co-sponsors. thought about that?” Stam said. ing. back is assured when partisan control The other measure is House Bill A nonpartisan approach would “They have said that Democrats of the General Assembly switches from 49. Primary sponsors are state Reps. not end electoral litigation, he said. “If have done it for 100 years … now it’s one political party to the other. “Ab- Charles Jeter, R-Mecklenburg, Julia you think you can program a comput- our turn,” Martin said. solutely not, because of the fact that Howard, R-Davie, Paul Tine, U-Dare, er to produce maps based on [every] “My concern is, though, if the you now have competitive districts in and Mickey Michaux, D-Durham. Supreme Court [precedent] and you Democrats take over again that we’re there,” Rucho said. “That’s what you “This particular proposal we’ve won’t have litigation, you’re wrong, going to have the same mentality,” want to have, where people get to vote been working on for 26 years,” Stam because the U.S. Supreme Court con- Martin said. “If I get back in the major- for those who best represent their be- said of H.B. 92 on Nov. 11 at the Abe stantly changes its mind on redistrict- ity, I’m going to do my best to restrain liefs.” Holtzman Public Policy Forum at N.C. ing issues.” those base impulses.” CJ PAGE 6 DECEMBER 2015 | CAROLINA JOURNAL North Carolina McCrory: Unemployment Fund Reserve = $560 Million Tax Cut

By Barry Smith Associate Editor RALEIGH ov. Pat McCrory announced Nov. 12 that the state’s unem- ployment reserve fund has Gballooned to $1 billion, meaning that businesses across North Carolina will see the surcharges on their state unem- ployment taxes drop in January, result- ing in more than a half-billion dollars in tax relief. McCrory made the announce- ment to a group of Division of Employ- ment Security employees on the lawn behind the division’s office, noting this is the first time since 2001 the surplus has topped $1 billion. The state tries to build the unem- ployment insurance reserve fund dur- ing better economic times to act as a buffer when recessions hit. “I hope another downturn doesn’t come, but we should always be prepared for it,” McCrory said. In January 2013, when McCrory Gov. Pat McCrory, at lectern, touts a $1 billion unemployment insurance reserve at a Nov. 12 event in Raleigh. At far left is Com- became governor, North Carolina was merce Secretary John Skvarla; at near left is Employment Security Director Dale Folwell. (CJ photo by Barry Smith) $2.5 billion in debt to the federal gov- ernment for unemployment insurance statewide — would benefit from the and the unemployment rate dropped employers, particularly small business payments to workers who lost their savings. Folwell said the data report- significantly. people.” jobs during the Great Recession. ing the amount of relief that would go McCrory also credited employees “And there was absolutely no Dale Folwell, director of the Di- to specific companies was not avail- in his division for increasing efficiency plan whatsoever to pay back this debt vision of Employment Security, said able. in the system. He said the division has when I came into office, and no plan to that the $1 billion reserve triggers the In 2013, the General Assembly improved customer service, reducing reform the dysfunctional unemploy- end of a surcharge that North Carolina approved and McCrory signed a bill the time it takes for appeals to be re- ment insurance system,” McCrory con- solved. tinued. employers would have paid beginning codifying the surcharges and making He also lauded state employees McCrory said that he and the in January 2016 to the unemployment sweeping changes in the state’s unem- ployment insurance benefit program. for combating fraud in the system and General Assembly made the “hard de- trust fund. And since the state has re- tracking down employers who weren’t cisions” to reform the unemployment The new law reduced the maxi- tired the debt owed to the federal gov- paying their “fair share” of unemploy- system. He said the changes in benefits mum weekly amount a person could ernment, a federal surcharge will also ment taxes. aligned North Carolina with neighbor- come off, retroactive to January of this receive from $535 to $350. It also re- “Our unemployment insurance ing states. year. duced the maximum number of weeks system safety net for our workers “We caught a lot of heat on this,” “The [federal surcharge] is about a jobless worker could collect unem- was not in good shape, and it wasn’t McCrory said. “People were very, very $310 million; the [state surcharge] is ployment benefits from 26 weeks to sustainable for future generations of critical of this move without under- about $250 million,” Folwell said. He 20 weeks. Other triggers in the law workers in North Carolina,” McCrory standing that we needed a long-term added that every for-profit business reduced the number of weeks for ben- said. “The penalties being levied by the solution to protect the workers of in North Carolina — roughly 200,000 efits to 13 if the economy improved federal government were burdening North Carolina.” CJ Economist: Tax Collections On Track To Meet Projections

By Barry Smith $21.9 billion in General Fund revenue trouble come next April or next May,” ness, more jobs will come to our state,” Associate Editor during the fiscal year that began July 1 Boardman said during a break. Ebert said. DURHAM and ends June 30, 2016. Boardman said if collections Ebert said that some other states he General Assembly’s top econ- Boardman addressed the North “continue on our current trajectory,” have made bad moves with their bud- omist said Nov. 5 that, unlike last Carolina Chamber’s tax conference in the General Assembly would have get and tax policy, and that has helped year when state tax collections Durham. more options available to them on tax North Carolina. appearedT to suggest a shortfall in Gen- “I’d rather be on the plus side and budget policy. “I think North Carolina is prob- eral Fund revenues, state government than the negative side,” Boardman Lew Ebert, president and CEO ably in the best position it’s been in in is on track to meet its projections for said. He said that a year ago, state col- of the NC Chamber, said Boardman’s probably several decades to be the best projections represent good news. the current budget year. lections were running below projec- state for business,” Ebert said. He said “It’s a real exclamation point on Although he warned not to read tions, primarily because of a change in the state has had a “responsible tax re- pro-growth policies that improve the too much into just one quarter of fi- the way withholdings were being col- business climate, will grow the econo- duction strategy tied to growth.” nancial figures, Barry Boardman, the lected. The state still ended up with a my, and create more jobs,” Ebert said. Some states did too much too legislature’s chief economist, said that $450 million surplus last year. “You just heard a forecast here today of fast, Ebert said. “We’ve probably done collections are $40.3 million ahead of Wages and salary collections are 115,000 new jobs next year. We haven’t some of the smartest tax reforms in schedule for the first quarter. Board- coming in higher than expected, along seen that since the ’90s.” America,” he said. “And we’re seeing man said that the collections were “es- with corporate income tax collections, Ebert credited recent policy the benefit of it.” sentially on target.” Boardman said. changes for the improved business cli- Boardman noted that most of the The budget bill passed by the “There’s nothing out there, at mate. revenue for the General Fund — 51.7 General Assembly this past session least on the current horizon, that makes “The real point is, when you percent — comes from personal in- projected that the state would collect us say that we could find ourselves in make the state more attractive to busi- come taxes. CJ DECEMBER 2015 | CAROLINA JOURNAL PAGE 7 North Carolina N.C. Not Yet Joining N.Y. ‘Investigations’ of Oil, Coal Companies

By Dan Way ter Margaret Thatcher, has noted that man-caused climate change. Legates’ change debate. Associate Editor legal probes like those in New York offenses, in the view of the proponents White is the director of the Arm- RALEIGH abuse government power to silence of human-caused climate change, in- strong Center for Energy and the En- hile environmental activists scientists whose research conflicts with cluded his contention that there was vironment at the Texas Public Policy believe New York Attorney studies favored by government regu- no clear evidence of sea level rise in Foundation, and former chairwoman General Eric Schneiderman’s lators and environmentalists blaming Delaware. of the Texas Commission on Environ- investigationsW of oil giant Exxon Mo- changes in the planetary climate on Similarly, environmentalists mental Quality. bil and coal producer Peabody Energy human activity. harshly criticized North Carolina Re- “The empirical scientific method could develop into a multistate class- “This is the first time that a bad publican lawmakers and Gov. Pat Mc- is one of the few crown jewels of West- action matter similar to the lawsuit scientific propo- Crory after a law ern civilization, and it is now under against cigarette makers, North Caro- sition has been passed in 2012 assault by the academies that have lina has not joined Schneiderman’s relentlessly pur- barred the state’s evolved it,” White said. campaign. sued by a political Coastal Resources “It is a very startling turn” that Environmental groups have faction globally,” Commission and attacks on the scientific method are pushed Schneiderman to determine if Monckton told other policymak- “either tolerated, or encouraged by, the Exxon Mobil and Peabody Energy mis- Carolina Journal. ers from using highest levels of our government,” she led the public about the public health “There has sea-level-rise pro- said. risks from climate change. been no global jections based on Willie Soon, an astrophysicist at “It doesn’t seem that the New warming at all,” unreliable statisti- the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for York Attorney General’s Office has Monckton said, cal models. Astrophysics, is another skeptic of reached out to the North Carolina At- noting that it’s In a 2012 human-caused climate change. He be- torney General’s Office on this matter,” been more than Spotlight re- lieves effects from solar activity play a Samantha Cole, a spokeswoman for 18 years since port for the John much larger role in the Earth’s heating North Carolina Attorney General Roy any rise in global Locke Founda- and cooling cycles. Cooper, said in an email response. temperatures has tion, Patrick Mi- Critics accused Soon of failing Cooper’s office did not respond been found. chaels, director of to disclose all funding sources for his to questions asking if he endorses Monckton the Center for the research, which resulted in a February Schneiderman’s legal tactic, whether blamed the con- Study of Science letter from several U.S. Senate Demo- he would consider a similar filing in tinued warming at the Cato Insti- crats demanding 10 years of detailed North Carolina, or if he sees a legal narrative on ac- tute, found that funding data from the John Locke parallel between climate change re- tivists, academics, sea level increases Foundation, which co-sponsored a search and the multibillion-dollar To- and bureaucrats of the magnitude conference at which Soon made a pre- bacco Master Settlement Agreement in with financial in- the state commis- 1998 that North Carolina joined. centives to main- sion projected sentation. “We’re not involved in the in- tain tax-funded were “not very Soon told CJ that the intrusion vestigations of wrongdoing by Exxon research that con- likely at all.” of politicians into scientific inquiry is Mobil or Peabody so have no comment forms to a politi- Legates told nothing new, but the climate change about those investigations,” said Kath- cal agenda. CJ that climate movement “seems to be a very extreme In February, U.S. Senate Democrats de- case. I would say it’s unprecedented,” leen Sullivan, spokeswoman for the The absence manded 10 years of funding data from the research support- Southern Environmental Law Center of evidence has John Locke Foundation for involvement ing man-caused and becoming more of a threat to in Chapel Hill. not stopped those in events at which man-made climate warming is de- sound science. Dustin Chicurel-Bayard, spokes- who say man is change was questioned. The JLF refused volving into junk Rather than silencing global man for the North Carolina chapter of responsible for the demand. science among warming critics, Soon said, “You ought the Sierra Club, referred questions to a heating planet a government- to really have an open discussion of the national office, which was one of from going so far as to call for the use funded, scientific, technological elite. everything,” especially given the com- 40 environmental groups calling for a of laws created to punish organized At the Tenth International Con- plexity of the Earth and the “very un- federal investigation of Exxon Mobil’s crime to prosecute those conducting ference on Climate Change in Wash- certain area of science” regarding its climate research efforts. The national scientific inquiry that is skeptical of the ington, D.C., in June, Kathy Hartnett climate. office did not respond to messages. apocalyptic global-warming rhetoric. White warned about “the extent of Climate change activists want to Lord Christopher Monckton, David Legates, a professor of the witch hunts to ostracize or profes- create an atmosphere “where certain chief policy adviser to the Science and climatology at the University of Dela- sionally harm those valiant scientists facts cannot be challenged,” Soon said, Public Policy Institute and a former ware, was forced to quit as state clima- that have stood up for the integrity of “and many of the facts they cite should policy adviser to British Prime Minis- tologist over his skeptical views of hu- [the] scientific method” in the climate be challenged.” CJ FIRST IN FREEDOM Transforming Ideas into Consequences for North Carolina In First in Freedom the John Locke Foundation’s president and research staff apply the timeless ideas of 20th-century con- servative thinkers to such 21st-century challenges as economic stagnation, tax and regulatory burdens, and educational medi- ocrity. To get your copy, go to JohnLockeStore.com. Cost: $10.

The John Locke Foundation, 200 W. Morgan St. Suite 200, Raleigh, NC, 27601 919-828-3876 • JohnLocke.org • CarolinaJournal.com • [email protected] Hed here

PAGE 8 DECEMBER 2015 | CAROLINA JOURNAL North Carolina Lawmakers Grill Cabinet Officials About Prison Contract refer to getting something in return for tract. Perry said he disagreed but ex- a contract?” Hall asked Roberts. “Did his contributions too many times. He tended the contract with Keith’s com- you think about not continuing with Contractor reportedly characterized the comments as “inap- pany anyway. The contracts expire at the contract?” propriate.” the end of the year. “I think I said to Secretary Perry suggested quid pro quo Perry said there was “no quid pro Democratic Reps. Larry Hall of that that was certainly distasteful,” quo” connecting Durham County Roberts responded. “I agree with Sec- for contributions the contributions and Susi Hamilton retary Perry that didn’t seem to be to the contract ex- of New Hanover a reason to abrogate what’s a fairly By Barry Smith tension. Perry said County ques- structured process, the state purchas- Associate Editor Perry said he thought it was tioned Perry and ing contract process.” RALEIGH one of the Keith Roberts about eth- Hamilton questioned the appro- awmakers spent two hours on comments oc- appropriate for ical concerns aris- priateness of the Charlotte meeting. Nov. 18 questioning the state curred during ing out of state- Perry said he thought it was ap- budget director and the secre- an Oct. 28, 2014, the governor ments made by propriate for the governor to get in- taryL of public safety over the extension meeting in Char- to get involved Keith. volved. Perry noted that when Mc- of a prison maintenance contract with lotte called by Hall asked Crory was mayor of Charlotte, he often mediated such meetings. a contractor who kept mentioning that, Gov. Pat McCrory Perry if he ever “I would respectfully disagree as a campaign contributor, he thought to mediate the dis- considered not ex- that it was appropriate for the gover- he should get something from the state agreement between Keith and Perry tending the contract based on Keith’s nor to be there to mediate as if he were in return. over extending Keith’s maintenance conduct. participating in a recruitment pro- State Budget Director Lee Roberts contract. Perry said several conversa- “No, sir,” Perry responded. “That cess for a company outside the state,” and Public Safety Secretary Frank Per- tions were going on at the meeting, really wasn’t a motivator.” ry told the Joint Legislative Commis- Hamilton said. and never said that McCrory heard Roberts said he learned of Keith’s When Sen. Harry Brown, R-On- sion on Governmental Operations — Keith comment about campaign con- conversations about his political con- slow, questioned Perry about Prat- the General Assembly’s top oversight tributions. tributions during a phone conversa- er’s memo, Perry said that appar- commission — that they disagreed on Keith and McCrory have known tion with Perry ently Prater intended the memo as a whether maintenance at three prisons one another for years. And Keith con- “Did it make you pause or halt note to himself. He said that he had should be done in-house with state tributed to McCrory’s 2008 and 2012 what you were doing when you had a seen only a paper copy of the memo, employees or whether the state saves campaigns for governor. former FBI agent telling you that some- and that the original digital copy money by farming maintenance out to Several of Keith’s business as- one was making reference to their cam- apparently had been deleted from a a private company. sociates were at the meeting, along paign contributions in an effort to get state computer. CJ During the contract extension with other staff from the Department process, Perry said that the contractor, of Public Safety, including deputy Graeme Keith Sr., mentioned his cam- commissioner Joe Prater, whom Perry paign contributions four times. Keith identified as the author of a brief inter- also had asked for the contract to be ex- nal memo on the meeting. Roberts did panded to cover private maintenance not attend the meeting. E.A. MORRIS at all 57 state prisons. Perry said that he suggested that “I considered it perhaps a person- Roberts conduct a cost-benefit analysis FELLOWSHIP FOR EMERGING LEADERS ality style,” Perry said of Keith’s com- to determine whether the state would ments. “In fact, the first time I heard it I save money using in-house mainte- thought it was perhaps meant in jest or nance instead of a private contract. lighthearted.” Roberts analyzed the numbers The E.A. Morris Fellowship is seeking principled, But Perry said that he heard Keith and recommended the private con- energetic applicants for the 2016 Fellowship class.

Eligibility • Must be between the ages of 25 and 40, must be a resident of North Carolina and a U.S. citizen • Must be willing to complete a special project requiring leadership and innovative thinking on a local level • Must be willing to attend all program events associated with the fellowship • Must not be the spouse of a current or past Fellow.

Applications available online or at the John Locke Foundation. Application deadline is December 8, 2015

www.EAMorrisFellows.org [email protected]

200 W. Morgan St., Ste 200 Raleigh, NC 27601 1-866-553-4636 DECEMBER 2015 | CAROLINA JOURNAL PAGE 9 Local Government Expert: Salisbury’s Investment in 10-Gig Internet ‘Silly’ By Barry Smith Szoka said the speeds Fibrant fund. Failure to have a plan to repay Associate Editor offers are impressive but excessive principal to the water and sewer fund SALISBURY for the typical consumer’s demands. led Moody’s last year to downgrade he city of Salisbury’s website “Even on Google fiber, the average the city’s credit rating. Woodson said boasts that it is “America’s first Netflix stream speed for high defini- that downgrade was a surprise to city 10 gig city,” noting that anyone tion is still under 4 megabits per sec- officials. Twho connects to the municipal Fibrant ond,” Szoka said. “That’s 1-250th of a “This budget year, we’re hop- broadband network has access to In- gigabit, or 1-2,500th of 10 gigabits.” ing to maybe pay back $100,000 of the ternet connection speeds of up to 10 Szoka said a more reasonable use principal,” Woodson said. “We’ve got gigabits per second. But a technology of public funding might be to provide to take it year by year.” analyst questions the wisdom of city Internet connections to low-income Woodson said Fibrant has about leaders gambling with taxpayer fund- households. “But instead, [the city is] 3,300 subscribers. “We need 4,500 sub- ing over such a risky endeavor. pouring money into the most exciting, scribers,” he said. “If we make 4,500, Salisbury officials heralded the newsworthy thing. It’s the fad of the we make money, then we can really milestone in September at Catawba month,” he said. start paying it back.” College when local and state leaders, Gov. Pat McCrory (left) and Salisbury Salisbury Mayor Paul Woodson “These days, a lot of cities our including Catawba alumnus Gov. Pat Mayor Paul Woodson following the Sept. said the city is using the upgraded Fi- size have [unemployment rates of] 12 McCrory, trumpeted the launch of the 3 announcement of Fibrant’s upgrade brant network to target small engineer- percent, 10 percent,” Woodson said. latest Fibrant upgrades. While city to 10-gigabit broadband service. (Photo ing firms and telemarketers that might “We’ve got to do something, because leaders hope the move will pay off courtesy McCrory’s Flickr account) locate in Salisbury. The city is trying to the big companies are going to Cary, in future economic development and Szoka said a handful of business find replacements for the textile mills Raleigh, Charlotte, Winston-Salem, jobs, Berin Szoka, president of Tech clusters might be able to take advan- and other manufacturers that once op- Greensboro. So we’re trying to do Freedom, a Washington, D.C.-based erated there, employing thousands. something here to make ourselves a tage of those high Internet speeds, but nonpartisan technology think tank, “It’s very difficult for a town of little more prominent.” there’s no justification to pay for such said the city is wasting money paying 33,000 or 35,000 people to possibly go Woodson said the city offers po- costly service citywide. for a network with far more capacity out and get an IBM or to get some ma- tential employers solid amenities, in- than the vast majority of users would Moreover, the city has gone into jor operation,” Woodson said. “They’re cluding restaurants, shopping, and require. debt to build the network and does just going to go to other places.” cheap housing. “It’s just silly to say people need not have enough subscribers to cover Rather than attempting to lure “I think it’s going to pay off,” 10 gigabits of speed,” Szoka said. He operating costs. This has led the city to companies that employ several hundred Woodson said. compared it to a city building an eight- borrow money from its water and sew- people, the city is looking for high-tech At the September celebration, lane-wide highway reaching every er fund, which led Moody’s to down- businesses with 25 to 50 employees. McCrory brought his cultural resourc- home. grade Salisbury’s credit rating. The Fibrant broadband project is es secretary, former Salisbury Mayor financed through a $33 million bond Susan Kluttz. the city approved five years ago. It also McCrory noted that in the 1970s, Stay in the know with the JLF blogs has borrowed $7 million from its wa- when his parents dropped him off at ter and sewer reserves for operating Catawba College as a freshman, they Visit our family of weblogs for immediate analysis and commentary on issues great and small expenses. gave him a present. “We pay back approximately “The present was an electric $3 million a year,” Woodson said. He typewriter,” McCrory said to chuckles said the annual budget for Fibrant is from the audience. He used the story $6.8 million. “Right now, our goal is to to illustrate advances in technology break even.” since then. The Locker Room is the blog on the main JLF Web site. All JLF employees and many friends of the foundation post on this site every day: http://www.johnlocke.org/lockerroom/ While the city is repaying prin- “If we are not connected to the cipal and interest to BB&T on the $33 rest of the world, to the region, to other million borrowed, so far it has paid states, we won’t be competitive,” Mc- only interest to the water and sewer Crory said. CJ

The Meck Deck is the JLF’s blog in Charlotte. Jeff Taylor blogs on this site and has made it a must-read for anyone interested in issues in the Queen City: http://charlotte.johnlocke.org/blog/

Piedmont Publius is the JLF’s blog in the Triad. Greensboro blogger and writer Sam A. Hieb mans the controls to keeps citizens updated on issues in the Triad: http://triad.johnlocke.org/blog/

The Wild West is the JLF’s blog in Western North Carolina. Asheville’s Leslee Kulba blogs in this site, designed to keep track of issues in the mountains of N.C.: http://western.johnlocke.org/blog/

The John Locke Foundation, 200 W. Morgan St., Raleigh, NC 27601 | 919-828-3876 PAGE 10 DECEMBER 2015 | CAROLINA JOURNAL Local Government Both Sides Unsatisfied as Raleigh Relaxes Sidewalk Dining Rules

By Kari Travis seating permit, Medford said he sent Associate Editor multiple drawings to the city, applying RALEIGH four times before gaining approval. aleigh’s city council on Nov. 3 The process spanned several weeks loosened sidewalk-dining re- and required Medford to pay an archi- strictions it had imposed in Au- tect for each revision of his patio plan. gust.R Downtown restaurant and bar “I’ve heard nightmare story after owners said the regulations remain too nightmare story about business own- complicated, while some council mem- ers getting their plan approved,” Med- bers argued that the city should have ford said. “I’ve been doing this a long kept the tougher rules in place. time. I’m kind of the paperwork/city The council voted to move out- regulation guy for our business. I have door dining curfews back from 1 a.m. a very hard time with this. I can’t imag- to 2 a.m. on weekends. Council mem- ine how somebody else who has never bers also asked city staffers to con- had to jump through these hoops be- sider alternatives to maximum capac- fore would manage this.” ity rules of 15 square feet per person, Medford said he hopes that the and put the city’s Appearance Com- council will continue to exercise com- mission in charge of re-evaluating the mon sense in future decisions and that stanchion requirements that currently the city will consider revising its ap- block patios from public walkways. proach to zoning measurements for Pedestrian safety and traffic is- patio plans. sues were brought to the city’s atten- “Now everyone is starting to tion in mid-May, spurring a June 1 settle down and look at things from a proposal to revise the Private Use of realistic standpoint and come up with Public Spaces handbook. The proposed Zack Medford, owner of Paddy O’Beers on Fayetteville Street, says revenue at his solutions that are actually going to fix restaurant dropped 18 percent after the city put in place new restrictions on sidewalk change initially would have banned dining. (CJ file photo) the problem and help everybody un- outdoor dining for establishments that derstand how the process works and make less than 30 percent of their rev- sidewalk dining areas. and bar owners’ “willingness and un- still be successful in their businesses,” enue from food. Protests ensued from Bar owners predicted in August derstanding that this is about work- he said. owners of several downtown pubs — that the rules would hurt their busi- ing on this together, and their will- For council members Wayne many of whom felt the changes were nesses. Zack Medford, owner of Fay- ingness to take on that responsibility, Maiorano and Kay Crowder, the solu- sprung on them with little notice. etteville Street’s Paddy O’Beers, said and knowing that it really does fall to tion is not to ease up on the rules, but Heated discussions about pedes- that has proved to be true. them.” Also, she said she was glad to to continue enforcing the restrictions trian safety and traffic issues led to “Up until the ordinance went hear restaurant and bar owners “use as originally proposed. campaigns on social media and paid into effect, we were having a year of re- the word ‘privilege’ when they were “I think we recognized that this advertisements on traditional media cord sales at Paddy O’Beers,” Medford talking about using the sidewalk.” was an issue of rules, enforcement, and outlets arguing about the need for and said. “Then with the ordinance going Medford said he is encouraged ownership ... for city, business own- strictness of new outdoor dining regu- into effect, having tighter restrictions, by the mayor’s support and believes ers, and community,” Maiorano said. lations. losing about half of our seats, having that the council’s decision is headed “This 90-day exercise has shown that, In August, the council approved inspectors inside our businesses every in the right direction. But he said the together, we can do better. And we are a three-month pilot program — which day, our revenue dropped by 18 per- sidewalk-dining permit process is still doing better. I fail to appreciate why was modified Nov. 3 — establishing cent.” too confusing. we would [change the rules] now… patio curfews, maximum capacity lim- Raleigh Mayor Nancy McFarlane During his application this year and go in a direction that’s inconsistent its, and stanchion requirements for all said she appreciated the restaurant to renew Paddy O’Beers’ sidewalk with the lessons we’ve learned.” CJ Subscribe to JLF’s Research Department Newsletters Go to http://www.johnlocke.org/key_account/ to sign up

Vice President for Re- Director of Research and Director of Regulatory Director of Fiscal Policy Health Policy Analyst Legal Policy Analyst Jon search and Resident Education Studies Terry Studies Jon Sanders’ Studies Sarah Curry’s Katherine Restrepo’s Guze’s weekly newsletter, Scholar Roy Cordato’s Stoops’ weekly newslet- weekly newsletter, Rights weekly newsletter, Fiscal weekly newsletter, Health Legal Update, focuses weekly newsletter, Eco- ter, Education Update, & Regulation Update, Update, discusses issues Care Update, focuses on on legal, constitutional, nomics & Environment focuses on the latest local, discusses current issues concerning North Carolina state and national issues and public safety policy Update, focuses on state, national, and inter- concerning regulations, government’s revenues, concerning health and hu- issues affecting North environmental issues, national trends in pre-K-12 rights, and freedom in budgets, taxes, and fiscal man services, health care Carolinians. and highlights relevant education politics, policy, North Carolina. projections. policy, and reform toward analysis done by the John and practice. a consumer-driven health Locke Foundation and care market. other think tanks, as well as items in the news. DECEMBER 2015 | CAROLINA JOURNAL PAGE 11 Local Government JLF Brief Supports Landowners in Map Act Lawsuit

By Barry Smith Associate Editor RALEIGH he John Locke Foundation filed a friend-of-the-court brief Nov. 6 with the N.C. Supreme Court, urgingT the justices to uphold an Ap- peals Court ruling in the Map Act case, arguing that the N.C. Department of Transportation’s use of highway corri- dors under the Map Act is an unconsti- tutional taking of private property. “We’ve always felt that [the Map Act] was unfair, unnecessary, and un- constitutional,” said Jon Guze, director of legal studies at the John Locke Foun- dation. “We’ve been urging the Gen- eral Assembly to repeal it or at least reform it for a long time. We’d hoped that might happen this past term, but it didn’t.” Earlier this year, the N.C. Court of Appeals ruled that NCDOT owes property owners just compensation for their property when it includes that property in a highway corridor. The Map Act allows NCDOT to prevent building permits from being issued on property listed in those corridors. Residents of Forsyth County, who have been affected by the Map Act more than other residents of North Carolina, filed the suit The case specifically affects prop- to prevent their property values from being adversely affected by the N.C. Department of Transportation. (NCDOT map) erty owners in Forsyth County. How- ever, similar lawsuits and Map Act a total of several hundred million dol- who’ve been afflicted by the Map Act economic growth.” filings have been made in Guilford, lars depending on the outcome of the for many years,” Guze said. “This is The brief adds that, among South- Wake, Cleveland, Cumberland, and case. another way to get rid of this unfor- eastern states, only North Carolina Pender counties. The friend-of-the-court brief tunate piece of legislation and have it gives state government such far-reach- Matthew Bryant, the attorney (available at http://bit.ly/1Oc0J9I) declared unconstitutional.” ing power over highway corridors. representing plaintiffs in the Forsyth supports the plaintiffs’ claims. “We’re arguing in our brief that Only two adjacent states, Tennessee County case, said that the state could “The plaintiffs are a group of it’s … a taking and all these people and South Carolina, allow moratori- owe as many as 1,500 property owners property owners from Forsyth County are owed compensation for the years ums on development within highway they’ve been afflicted by back restric- corridors, but the development bans tions on using their property,” Guze are set locally. Five other Southeastern Help us keep said. states — Alabama, Florida, Georgia, The JLF brief counters points Mississippi, and Virginia — use tra- made by NCDOT, which argued that ditional zoning to regulate road con- our presses rolling the appeals court ruled incorrectly that struction and development. using the Map Act amounted to an The Court of Appeals found that Publishing a newspaper is an ex- eminent domain taking. Instead, NC- pensive proposition. Just ask the many the Map Act’s main purpose is not to DOT asserts that it is using the govern- daily newspapers that are having trouble provide for orderly growth and devel- ment’s police power, making it similar making ends meet these days. opment, but to reduce the cost of right- It takes a large team of editors, re- to zoning and land use regulations. of-way acquisition. porters, photographers and copy editors “Compared to the NCDOT, local “For years the NCDOT has at- to bring you the aggressive investigative governments are much more account- tempted to evade its duty to pay just reporting you have become accustomed able to the people directly affected by compensation for land it plans to use any resulting land-use regulations,” to seeing in Carolina Journal each for highway rights-of-way by impos- the brief says. “They are also in a much month. ing uncompensated, long-term devel- better position to gather the pertinent Putting their work on newsprint and opment moratoria on that land,” the then delivering it to more than 100,000 information about local conditions and local concerns, and to take that brief says. readers each month puts a sizeable dent If the plaintiffs win, Guze thinks in the John Locke Foundation’s budget. information into consideration in the development and application of those NCDOT won’t use the Map Act again. That’s why we’re asking you to help “There’s no point if they have to defray those costs with a donation. Just restrictions.” pay compensation,” Guze said. “The send a check to: Carolina Journal Fund, The brief continues: “Further- John Locke Foundation, 200 W. Morgan more, whereas the NCDOT has a vest- whole point of the Map Act is to re- St., Suite 200, Raleigh, NC 27601. ed interest in suppressing land values duce the cost to acquire land for high- We thank you for your support. within transportation corridors, local way right-of-ways. If they have to pay governments will generally want to for the privilege, they may as well just strike an appropriate balance between take the land in the first place, which is reducing right-of-way acquisition what they should have done all along.” costs and other goals such as maintain- The case may be heard in the John Locke Foundation | 200 W. Morgan St., Raleigh, NC 27601 | 919-828-3876 ing property values and promoting N.C. Supreme Court early next year. CJ PAGE 12 DECEMBER 2015 | CAROLINA JOURNAL From Page 1 Analysts Call Apple’s Renewable Energy Claims ‘Lies’

Continued from Page 1 tification from the U.S. Green Build- ing Council — the first data center of should be completed by the end of the its size to be so honored. On any giv- year. A second data center building is en day, between 60 and 100 percent under construction. of the energy it uses is generated on- Apple spokeswoman Alisha site through our biogas fuel cells and Johnson did not answer questions by two 20‑megawatt solar arrays — the phone or email from CJ regarding this nation’s largest privately owned re- report. Instead, Johnson referred CJ to newable energy installation. And Apple’s Environmental Responsibility we’ll finish another 17‑megawatt so- Report, which includes the renewable lar array later this year. We purchase energy claims about the solar farm and any remaining power we need from fuel cell array at Maiden. entirely clean sources located within She also refused to answer fol- North Carolina. low-up questions, instead giving this Additional details about the response: “As I mentioned to you be- Maiden data center from the 2015 En- fore, our 2015 Environmental Respon- vironmental Responsibility Report: sibility Report and our renewable re- “It generates 167 million kilo- sources page on our website have the watt-hours of renewable energy per latest data on our Maiden facility.” year, enough to power the equivalent ‘Why Is Apple Lying?’ Apple is constructing a second building at its data center in Maiden, N.C. (CJ photo of 12,700 North Carolina homes. And by Don Carrington) we’ll finish another 17-megawatt solar array, capable of producing 39 million In August, Truthout, a left-lean- Renewable’ Myth.” Fisher, a former in- legislators have tried to eliminate or kilowatt-hours per year, later in 2015.” ing California-based organization, tern with the John Locke Foundation, freeze North Carolina’s renewable A table stated that the Maiden fa- published a scathing criticism of Ap- spent seven years as an economist with energy standards, which they say are cility was 100 percent renewable since ple’s claims titled “Why Is Apple Ly- the Federal Energy Regulatory Com- costly to consumers. opening in June 2010, with “actual re- ing About Powering Its Data Centers mission before joining IER. He told CJ he was not shocked newable energy use” as follows: solar With Renewable Energy?” The author, “Many companies such as Apple by Apple’s misrepresentations regard- 39 percent (from two separate solar Nicki Lisa Cole, is a research fellow at and Google claim that they get their ing its 100 percent renewable claim. “If arrays); fuel cells, 37 percent; and NC the Institute for Advanced Studies on electricity from 100 percent renewable you tell a lie often enough, you start GreenPower, 24 percent. (NC Green Science and Technology and Society in sources. At best, this claim is mislead- believing it,” Hager said. Power is a nonprofit that allows con- Graz, Austria. A longtime Apple critic, ing and deceptive. We cannot find a “Misunderstandings and misin- sumers to support the production of Cole is writing a book about the popu- single instance of a large company ac- formation from renewable advocates renewable energy.) larity and hidden costs of Apple prod- tually going ‘100 percent renewable.’ have made the discussion over renew- ucts. The reality is that as long as these ables confusing. I think it is purpose- Details not disclosed Cole noted that Apple’s interest companies are connected to the elec- ful, because they want folks to think in investing in renewable energy sur- tric grid, they still get the vast majority that this [solar] is a lower-cost energy, Fully dissecting Apple’s claims faced after the Maiden facility opened of their electricity from conventional that it is dispatchable” — meaning it requires more information than Apple in 2010 and appears to be the result of sources such as coal, natural gas, and can be turned on or off in a short pe- will share. CJ asked Apple for the peak a critical report by Greenpeace dealing nuclear power, and are therefore not riod of time — “and that it is easily ob- megawatt load at the existing building with energy consumption at large data 100 percent renewable,” wrote Fisher. tained. But it is not dispatchable. You in Maiden and what it would be af- centers. don’t get it when you need it, and it is ter the new building is put in service. After Greenpeace commended Duke Energy costly,” Hager added. Apple did not respond. CJ also asked Apple for pledging in a May 2015 re- for the annual megawatt-hours used Duke Energy economic develop- port to power its data centers with re- Apple’s claims by the existing building and the antici- ment officials played a key role in re- newable energy, “countless headlines pated megawatt-hours required with cruiting the data center for North Car- Under the heading “Environ- praising Apple followed,” Cole wrote. the addition of the new building, but olina. Starting in 2006 they spent three mental Responsibility,” Apple’s web- “But dig below the slick PR sur- again Apple did not respond. years working on the project that was site says: face of Apple’s claims and celebratory A closer look at the company’s announced to the public in 2009. Since 2012, all our data cen- headlines, and one finds that the jewel claimed renewable energy sources for “Power costs and reliability are ters have been powered by 100 per- the data center reveals several gaps: of Apple’s data centers, its facility in a data center’s primary concerns. We cent renewable energy sources. That • Apple claims that two solar in- Maiden, N.C., is not powered by re- were able to convince Apple that we means no matter how much data stallations were responsible for 39 per- newable energy at all, though the com- were capable of providing the low cost they handle, there is a zero green- cent of its power. Apple fails to men- pany states in its 2014 Environmental and reliability they needed for their house gas impact on the environ- tion that they operate only at about 24 Responsibility Report that it has been operation,” Duke vice president Clark ment from their energy use. These percent of capacity because they pro- ‘100 percent renewable since opening Gillespy stated in a project summary data centers use renewable energy duce power only when the sun is out. in June 2010,’” wrote Cole. published by Duke. sources like solar, wind, biogas fuel Apple will not share the actual mega- “Purchasing offsets is not the “The great thing about a data cells, micro-hydro power, and geo- watt-hours produced by each solar same as actually powering something center is that they run full-out, 24/7, thermal power from onsite and local- installation and the time periods they with renewable energy,” she wrote. She with no shifts and no seasonality. It’s ly obtained resources. On any given were producing. The electricity pro- noted that Apple buys all of the energy the type of customer where the meter day, our data centers will use renew- duced by the solar installations is sold it needs from Duke Energy. “What all spins and spins at an exponential pace. able energy to serve tens of billions of to Duke Energy. of this amounts to is a boldfaced lie on It may be the most ideal customer we messages, more than a billion photos, • Apple claims fuel cells provid- Apple’s part,” she wrote. could have. We fully expect Apple to and tens of millions of FaceTime vid- ed 37 percent of its power. The fuel cell Apple spokeswoman Johnson be one of our top 10 customers in the eo calls. They also run services like installation is relatively new technol- did not respond to a request from CJ to Carolinas,” Duke’s director of business Siri, the iTunes Store, the App Store, ogy that produces electricity through comment on Cole’s story. development, Stu Heishman, wrote in and Maps. So every time a song is a chemical reaction. Apple’s system is The nonprofit Institute for En- the same project summary. downloaded from iTunes, an app is manufactured and operated by Bloom ergy Research in Washington, D.C., in House Majority Leader Mike installed from the Mac App Store, Energy. It runs on natural gas supplied March released a critique of corporate Hager, R-Rutherford, was a Duke En- or a book is downloaded from iBooks, by Piedmont Natural Gas even though renewable energy claims that included ergy engineering manager from 1995- the energy Apple uses is provided Apple has led people to believe that it Apple. 2003. He had the responsibility for by nature. runs on biogas extracted from nearby IER’s Travis Fisher published the the operation and maintenance of five Our Maiden, N.C., data center analysis titled “Busting the ‘100 Percent coal-burning units. Hager and other has earned the LEED Platinum cer- Continued as “Analysts,” Page 13 DECEMBER 2015 | CAROLINA JOURNAL PAGE 13 From Page 1 McCrory, Cooper Agree on Syrian Refugee Moratorium Continued from Page 1 they also must protect individual free- Governors in about a half dozen Center for Security Policy, acknowl- doms and laws to prevent racial and states have shut down their refugee as- edged governors “don’t have the pow- ally the hurt and pain that discrimina- ethnic discrimination. sistance in the past, Limon said. er in most cases to stop this” influx of tion can cause. I am therefore opposed “I find that the statements are not “There was never any rancor or Syrians. to all discrimination, [whether it is] only offensive but illegal and imprac- political reasons for this happening,” But governors took an oath of of- against white, black, brown, or Syr- tical” that some governors would pre- Limon said. Programs had become so fice to defend and protect their citizens ian,” Spaulding said in an email. “I do vent local education or social service small they no longer required state co- and are correct to make a powerful po- not agree with [calls] for a ‘pause’” in agencies from operation. litical statement, he said. refugee admissions. cooperating In those Hanson also lacks confidence in In response to an open-records with assistance cases the feder- the vetting process. request from Carolina Journal, the gov- programs for al government “I think there’s a difference be- ernor’s office reported Nov. 13 — sev- Syrian refugees, is required to tween a lot of screening and effec- eral hours before a wave of Islamist Limon said. contract with tive screening,” Hanson said. “It’s the terror attacks hit Paris, killing 130 and “The gov- another refu- difference between security theater, wounding at least 350 — that 44 Syrian ernors creating gee agency to which is the appearance of a rigorous refugees had been resettled in North this kind of poi- coordinate and screening process, and actual security, Carolina between Jan. 1, 2014, and sonous atmo- administer Oct. 1 of this year. Another 270 Syrian which is based on information that we sphere … is re- federal funds. don’t have, and we can’t get at this refugees may be headed to the state if ally disturbing,” The refu- the United States continues accepting point in time” because Syria is more of she said. gee assistance a lawless region than a sovereign state, them. Also on representatives At the Nov. 17 press conference Hanson said. the call, Kevin said those call- “All of the records of that state, in Charlotte when McCrory called for Appleby, direc- ing for a mor- a halt of resettlement, the governor up- Attorney General Roy Cooper announced his to the extent there were any, have been tor of Migration support of a moratorium on importing Syrian atorium are compromised because the government dated the number of refugees accepted Policy for the misleading the refugess shortly after North Carolina Repub- offices have been raided everywhere to 59. His office said the higher figure U.S. Confer- public by ques- lican Party Executive Director Dallas Wood- except Damascus,” Hanson said. While included refugees accepted in October. ence of Catholic house called on Cooper and Durham attorney tioning the the feds and refugee contractors insist Charities backing refugee relo- Bishops, said the Ken Spaulding, both Democratic candidates strength of the refugees are cross-checked on Syrian cation to the United States have been federal govern- for governor, to make their positions known vetting process unmoved by the requests for a tempo- ment has ple- on the issue. (CJ photo by Dan Way) for Syrian refu- databases, he said such systems don’t rary halt. If the Islamic State’s inten- nary power to gees. exist in the war-ravaged nation. tion in launching the Paris attacks was regulate who comes into the U.S. and Syrians “receive special scruti- “Tens of thousands of Syrian to provoke “small-minded panic, some has the authority to place refugees in ny,” Appleby said. “I don’t know what passports were looted from govern- governors are helping them to get their localities of its choosing. States do not else they could do” to make it more ment agencies” and easily could be wish,” Linda Hartke, president of the have a right of refusal, he said. rigorous. falsified by jihadists from anywhere, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee “I would think [in] any court But Hartke admitted refugee Hanson said. Service, said during a Nov. 17 confer- case, that the states would have a dif- agencies don’t know all the specifics It would be less expensive and ence call arranged by Refugee Council ficult time making the case that they about refugee screening. more humane to resettle refugees in USA. have the right to deny a legal resident” “The minute details of every step their home regions than allow them “It would be pretty amazing for travel or residence in their state, Ap- of the process are not disclosed by our to flood Europe or come to the United a governor to decide to discriminate in pleby said. government,” she said. States, he said. the provision of services based on eth- A governor could eliminate any Although Limon said refugee Hanson rejects claims that gover- nicity or racial makeup,” said Lavinia state funding for refugee programs, agencies closely monitor and work nors are creating a hostile environment Limon, president and CEO of the U.S. though nearly all refugee assistance is with refugees, when pressed for sta- that could result in a backlash against Committee for Refugees and Immi- federally funded. States could refuse to tistics showing criminal activity by Muslims. grants. accept federal flow-through dollars to refugees, she admitted, “We don’t keep “I wish that the acts of Islamic “I understand that the governors disallow state health department and those.” terror were as fictitious as these claims want to protect their citizens,” Limon social services agencies from partici- Jim Hanson, executive vice presi- of Islamophobia,” he said. “We have said during the conference call. But pating in the refugee program. dent of the Washington, D.C.-based dead bodies all around the globe.” CJ Analysts Call Apple’s Renewable Energy Claims ‘Lies’ Continued from Page 12 ing in the NC Green Power program, will not answer questions about an in- Before that, she spent four years with including Apple, “continue to receive dividual customer. the EPA, first as the press secretary and landfills. The electricity produced by electric service from their local util- Not included in Apple’s environ- then as deputy associate administrator the fuel cells is sold to Duke Energy. ity and pay for energy used under the mental reports is the company’s reli- for external affairs and environmental Initially, Apple contracted with utilities’ applicable rate schedules,” ance on diesel generators. According education. Element Markets, a Texas company according to NCGP’s current program to a state air quality permit, as a back- Lisa Jackson was EPA adminis- that processes landfill gas to obtain a plan. “The electric energy purchased up power source the data center has 24 trator from 2009 to May 2013, when quality that can be added to natural from the renewable resources through 2.25 MW diesel generators for a total she joined Apple as vice president for gas lines where it is metered and sold the NCGP program will not physically capacity of 54 MW. environmental initiatives. She reports to Apple or other entities. Apple does be delivered to the participating NCGP directly to Apple president Tim Cook. not share exactly how much natural customer but will displace electric en- Apple’s EPA ties In an April 2014 message about gas the fuel cell installation consumes ergy that would otherwise have been Two former senior officials with Apple’s environmental progress, Jack- or how much biogas is purchased to produced from traditional generating the U.S. Environmental Protection son stated, “Every one of our data cen- offset the natural gas usage. Piedmont facilities for delivery to customer.” Agency guide Apple’s messaging ters is powered entirely by clean sourc- Natural Gas gives Apple credit for its Apple and other NCGP custom- about renewable energy. es such as solar, wind, and geothermal biogas purchases on its gas bill. ers purchase “blocks” of energy from Spokeswoman Johnson joined energy. So whenever you download a • Apple claims that NC Green small solar or hydro producers. CJ was Apple in September after working song, update an app, or ask Siri a ques- Power was the source for 24 percent unable to determine how much Apple as a senior adviser on climate change tion, the energy Apple uses is provided of its power. Customers participat- has spent on the program, and NCGP for U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry. by nature.” CJ PAGE 14 DECEMBER 2015 | CAROLINA JOURNAL Higher Education UNC Board Concedes Lack of Transparency Law Knowledge

By Kari Travis into the system or into our [human resources] de- Associate Editor partment,’ I think is a pretty tenuous argument, and CHAPEL HILL pretty disingenuous. … It’s the public’s business. It he UNC Board of Governors rightly recogniz- ought to be done in public.” es gaps in its knowledge of the law and ad- The board has committed a few other offenses mits its need for coaching on the subject, said showing its interpretation of transparency laws is TJonathan Jones, director of the North Carolina Open suspect, Jones said. Government Coalition and Sunshine Center at Elon One example involves a February meeting dur- University. ing which loud protests from onlookers led the board Mistakes in recent proceedings — including to move its meeting to a smaller room, keeping out the closed-session votes to interview former U.S. the public and broadcasting the proceedings via vid- Education Secretary Margaret Spellings for the open eo instead. UNC system president position and to give 12 cam- While Jones said he understands the board’s pus chancellors pay hikes — have pushed the board reasoning in the case, he notes that the action itself to schedule discussions about transparency and may not have complied with the law. the state’s open meetings law on its Dec. 10 meet- Another example involves an “emergency” ing agenda, board Vice Chairman Lou Bissette told a Members of the UNC Board of Governors at the “emer- meeting on Oct. 16, where the board met in closed gency” Oct. 16 meeting at which former U.S. Education Nov. 18 hearing of the Joint Legislative Commission Secretary Margaret Spellings was interviewed in closed session to interview Spellings. on Governmental Operations. session. The meeting drew criticism from lawmakers and That meeting, reportedly held to keep Spell- The board also will hold an educational semi- open-government advocates. (CJ photo by Kari Travis) ings’ name from the public, did not fall under the nar on transparency issues — potentially led by the definition of “emergency” as outlined by the law, raise for chancellors. UNC School of Government — sometime in the near which requires “generally unexpected circumstances Members of the board called the discussion a future, according to Bissette. that need attention,” according to Jones. sensitive personnel issue, but that claim was chal- “I believe that the current Board of Governors Because of the meeting’s technical emergency lenged by Senate leader Phil Berger, R-Rockingham, and our new president recognize the importance of status, 48 hours notice was not given to the public, as focusing on policy and strategic issues facing the uni- and House Speaker Tim Moore, R-Cleveland, who is- would have been required if the session accurately versity and public higher education in general,” said sued a legal request to review minutes, agendas, and had been called a “special” meeting. He also noted Bissette, who recently stepped up as interim board audio recordings from the Oct. 30 meeting. Berger that the meeting was held at a location that closed its chairman following the controversial resignation of and Moore also called Bissette before the Govern- doors to the public before the board had adjourned John Fennebresque. “In that light, we are interested mental Operations committee to provide further ex- — another compliance failure. in looking carefully at our effectiveness as a working planation of the board’s actions. Ultimately, the problem comes back to the board, which includes encouraging more open dis- During his testimony, Bissette concluded that board’s lack of clarity regarding what is — or is not cussion and voting wherever possible.” the vote to raise chancellor salaries should have oc- — legal under open meetings and public records Lack of experience in how to deal with public curred in open session. But he defended the board’s laws, said Jones, who applauds Bissette’s proposal to information played a large part in recent problems delayed release of detailed information about raises, seek legal education for all board members. the board has encountered, but secrecy within the saying the reason for doing so was to notify affected “Getting some outside expertise to come in UNC system isn’t a new issue, said Jones. chancellors of their new salaries before those figures and give them assistance I think is precisely the “There’s a long history of the university be- were made public. right answer,” Jones said. “I hope that this experi- ing one of the least transparent public bodies in our Jones said the law does not protect such infor- ence of having some public discomfort with the state,” Jones said. “But this is [different] for the Board mation from immediate release. level of transparency on the Board of Governors of Governors to be debating [transparency] in the “My position is that the minute they voted to will help reinforce the idea that transparency is an way that we’ve seen over the last year.” raise public salaries, [those salaries] became public important part of establishing trust with your con- Months of questions about too much mystery record,” Jones said. “And the argument that ‘the new stituents. And in this case, the constituents are the within board operations came to a head recently salaries aren’t public record until we’ve notified [the people of North Carolina who see that this uni- following an Oct. 30 closed-session vote on the pay recipients], or until they have been implemented versity system remains our crown jewel.” CJ DECEMBER 2015 | CAROLINA JOURNAL PAGE 15 Education Professors: Success of Local Bonds May Not Translate Statewide

By Dan Way sures as ways to improve communi- sure are located in more densely popu- “The biggest takeaway I would Associate Editor ties, statewide issues may not inspire lated regions of the state. have from [Nov. 3] is people are will- RALEIGH the same kind of understanding and “For those of us who live in the ing to spend money if they see that: a) oters in five municipalities support, he said. Triangle, we know the projects that it’s a need, and b) it’s going to provide passed all 16 bond referendums “It will be incumbent on those were included in the bond. We may some benefits,” McLennan said. on the Nov. 3 ballot, mostly by supporting the bond package to make work near or at those places like uni- Dallas Woodhouse, executive di- wideV margins, but some political ob- a convincing public campaign and ar- versities. We see them,” McLennan rector of the North Carolina Republi- servers caution against assuming that gument across the state,” Bitzer said. said. can Party, said the party has taken no support for local measures will have Voters in But people in position on the state bond package, any bearing on the public’s sentiment Chapel Hill ap- more rural parts and he is not certain that it will. toward next year’s statewide bond proved 10 bonds of the state who He agrees with McLennan and package. worth $80.6 mil- aren’t as included Bitzer that voters tend to view local “I think I’d be a little hesitant to lion for street and in the bond proj- bond issues differently than statewide say that this means that the $2 billion sidewalk improve- ects may develop bonds. bond issue is going to pass” on the ments, stormwater a not-in-my-back- However, he said, “reading the March 15 ballot, said David McLen- and solid waste in- yard philosophy. tea leaves, I think it does bode well” nan, a visiting professor of political sci- frastructure, trails “Because it’s for the state bonds that all the local ence at Meredith College. “It’s a diffi- and greenways, not in my back ones passed Nov. 3, and economic cir- cult connection to make between local and recreational yard, I don’t nec- cumstances will play a role in voting bonds and state bonds.” facilities. None of essarily have the on the state package. The state infrastructure bond those bonds got same feeling as I “People can see the improved fis- championed by Gov. Pat McCrory and lower than 72.48 do for the street in cal health of the state, the better care- Republican leaders in the General As- percent approval, my neighborhood taking of taxpayer resources, the im- sembly would ask voters to approve and two received that needs a new proved employment situation, and the about $2 billion in borrowing for new more than 80 per- sewer put into it,” ability to borrow at a very low rate” This chart shows how the state pro- and refurbished buildings on UNC cent yes votes. McLennan said. without raising taxes, Woodhouse system campuses and at community Fuquay-Vari- poses to spend the money should the He’s not pre- said. That “will likely give the bond a colleges, improvements to state parks na passed three im- statewide bond package be approved. pared to say vot- (Source: connect.nc.gov) pretty good footing.” and the North Carolina Zoo, water and provement bonds ers’ enthusiasm He said voters will appreciate the sewer infrastructure, and agricultural worth $26 million for transportation, for the local bond projects suggests self-governance aspect of being able to research. water, and sewer, all with either 82 or they think the state is in a strong eco- Unlike local bond issues, with 83 percent approval. nomic position. vote on the bond, noting that there has closer connections between residents Greenville passed a $15.85 mil- Generally speaking, voters are not been a statewide bond referendum and the projects under consideration, lion street and pedestrian transporta- favorable to street, water, and sewer since 2000. McLennan said, “the difficulty with tion bond with 70.49 percent approval, projects regardless of the economic cli- “Under the Democrats, there was the large bond issue at the state level Apex passed a $15 million street and mate, he said. a lot of borrowing without taxpayer that’s going to be on the ballot is some sidewalk bond with an 84.6 percent af- And with many local bonds the approval. I think no matter how peo- communities aren’t going to see the di- firmative vote, and Bald Head Island case is made that passage is connected ple feel about the bond, the fact that it rect benefit from it,” McLennan said. passed a $10 million broadband bond, directly to a better economy, he said. will not raise taxes, you’re borrowing “Trying to predict what the mood 51.3 percent to 48.7 percent. “So I think it’s not necessarily a money at a low rate, and people will of the electorate will be in five months The only referendum that failed, sign that they are 100 percent feeling get a legitimate opportunity to weigh from very localized elections is pretty with a 68.49 percent no vote, was a good about the economy, but they may in on it, will all be things that voters much a guessing game,” said Michael property tax increase for recreation in see the connection between the money take into account,” Woodhouse said. Bitzer, provost and professor of politics Drexel. that is spent from the bond and the Democratic Party officials did not and history at Catawba College. McLennan also noted that many potential improvement to the local or respond to requests for comment on While voters may see local mea- of the projects on the March bond mea- state economies,” McLennan said. this story. CJ Keep Up With the General Assembly Be sure to visit CarolinaJournal.com often for the latest on what’s going on dur- ing the North Carolina General Assembly. CJ writers are posting several news sto- ries daily. And for real-time coverage of breaking events, be sure to follow us on Twitter:

CAROLINA JOURNAL: http://www.twitter.com/CarolinaJournal JOHN LOCKE FOUNDATION: http://www.twitter.com/JohnLockeNC PAGE 16 DECEMBER 2015 | CAROLINA JOURNAL Higher Education Opinion Why Should Taxpayers and Students Subsidize University Presses? any universities, public and books. Among value, although pad their CVs, thereby making them private, have an affiliated them we find many their importance more appealing to hiring and tenure press. Examples include so narrow and Issues is debatable. The committees. Those books are often on HarvardM University Press, University politicized that issue is whether some personal interest or pet peeve of Michigan Press, they would have in taxpayers and of the author. The presses sell a tiny and my focus here, minimal appeal or Higher Education students should be number of copies to university librar- the University of value even to other compelled to help ies, where most of them gather dust. North Carolina academics, much subsidize them. All of this is a poor use of time Press. less the public. Not every University Consider book deserves to and resources. presses exist to Nursing and Empire be published any Scholars who have truly useful publish scholarly by American studies professor Sujani more than every song or symphony research to publish will find ways of books that might Reddy. The book “demonstrates the deserves to be performed or every doing that even if university presses not be published urgency of understanding Indian painting exhibited. have to operate without government by a for-profit nurse migration to We live in subsidies. publishing house GEORGE the United States a world of scar- Nor are university presses the due to the small LEEF in relation to the city, and choices only game in town. market for most many reconfigura- People make have to be made. Academic works can be pub- academic books. tions of ‘Anglo- People make bet- lished by charitable organizations. The They require American capital- better choices ter choices when Russell Sage Foundation, for example, subsidies from willing donors and/or ist imperialism’ they have to oper- publishes books dealing with social presumably less-willing taxpayers and over two centu- with money they ate solely with and economic conditions. Other students. ries.” money they have independent publishers of academic For the 2014-15 fiscal year, UNC Then there have obtained from obtained from Press had expenses of $4.78 million, is Tales from the willing buyers or books include Rowman & Littlefield, revenues of $3.47 million, and an Haunted South willing donors donors. As Milton Bloomsbury Press, and Intellect operating deficit of $1.3 million. That by Tiya Miles. Friedman often Books. deficit was in part offset by $725,000 Professor Miles pointed out, “No The world of academic publish- from its $17.3 million endowment writes about “the popular yet trou- one spends other people’s money as ing is changing. One reason is that (which is separate from the universi- bling phenomenon” of ghost tours at carefully as he spends his own.” That most college and university budgets ty’s endowment). Sales revenues from old plantations and cemeteries in the applies just as much to book publish- are tighter than they were back when books and journals plus the funds South. The problem she sees is that ers as to everyone else. higher education was a growth in- from the endowment covered nearly these tours “appropriate and skew Without the annual subsidy, dustry. Libraries don’t buy nearly as 90 percent of the costs of running African-American history to produce UNC Press would have to alter the many books as they once did. Another UNC Press. representations of slavery for commer- mix of books it offers. Besides the aca- reason is the emergence of digital, But it also needed $518,500 in cial gain.” demic titles it publishes, UNC Press online publishing. support from the UNC General Ad- Another recent book is Liberated also sells many books for general Rapid change is upon us. Uni- ministration and UNC-Chapel Hill. Threads by Tanisha Ford, a professor of readers, including works on regional versity presses will discover the best Why shouldn’t the state drop women’s and gender studies. It “ex- food and cooking, geography, plant that $518,500 annual subsidy and let plores how and why black women in and animal life, and so on. Those ways of adapting more rapidly if they UNC Press management figure out places as far-flung as New York City, books tend to be profitable, whereas do not have the crutch of government how to balance costs with revenues Atlanta, London, and Johannesburg many of the scholarly titles lose subsidies. CJ without it? incorporated style and beauty into money. Before deciding, it would make their activism.” The availability of subsidized George Leef is director of research sense to look at the kind of work we’re The issue is not whether those university presses encourages faculty at the John W. Pope Center for Higher buying. UNC Press’ website lists its and other UNC Press books have any members to write books that help to Education Policy. DECEMBER 2015 | CAROLINA JOURNAL PAGE 17 Education

COMMENTARY COMMENTARY A Program That Classroom Technology: Makes No Sense Hope or Hype?

oliticians are usually eager That’s sad, but life is full of igital devices dominate log era? No, but the way forward to be generous with the trade-offs. hopes and headlines in should look different from the road money taken from taxpayers, It’s more than sad, says education today. They’re just traveled. Now we know better. especiallyP when it helps them gain NYFC. It could endanger our food Dheralded as a way to boost learn- First, a new credo: Less is favor with some interest group. supply. Unless we help young ing outcomes, sharpen 21st-century sometimes more, at least with A good illustration is the Public farmers out of student debt, we skills, and narrow achievement classroom computer time. On a Service Loan Forgiveness program might not be able to feed ourselves. gaps. But with great promise comes digital diet, disciplined, targeted passed in 2007. That’s the line that the sponsors great cost. Global spending on K-12 technology use trumps immersion. classroom technology hardware to- Under PSLF, students who of a bill to include farming under Optimal learning in OECD’s study taled $15 billion in 2014, according find jobs that are officially regard- the “public service” umbrella are was linked with “moderate” com- to U.K.-based research company ed as “public service” in nature can using. puter use at school; the OECD av- Futuresource Consulting ― much erage for time online, for example, get their college debts erased after You may be wondering why of it to purchase personal comput- was just 25 minutes daily. Com- 10 years of such work. farmers need costly college de- ing devices, such as tablets and pared to rare use, students’ moder- Does this make any sense? grees. Bob Young, chief economist notebooks. ate computer use was associated After all, public employment often for the American Farm Bureau Fed- What has been the return to with slightly higher achievement. pays better than jobs call- eration, says that farm- date on this multibillion- Too much time backfired, ing for the same skill lev- ing today is so technical dollar investment? Are and badly. Frequent els in the private sector. that a college degree is students browsing, swip- computer use was linked The notion that necessary to manage the ing, and clicking their with the worst perfor- it’s necessary to induce software, chemicals, and way to mastering content mance of all. people to go into “public other tasks on modern and 21st-century compe- There’s another tencies? service” with the promise farms. Emily Best racked reason to be judicious Hard data some- of student debt relief is up tens of thousands of about in-school computer times reveal hard reali- time. Adolescents spend badly mistaken — but it dollars in loans while ties. New research shows most of their nonschool certainly will be popular pursuing a grad school classroom technology hours staring at screens. with those who get to degree in environmental isn’t associated with GEORGE KRISTEN A new survey from Com- escape some of their debt. policy with a farming significantly higher stu- LEEF BLAIR mon Sense Media reveals Further, who’s to focus. dent achievement and, in American teens spend judge that some jobs The question is some cases, is linked with nearly seven hours daily diminished performance. involve “public service” whether farmers couldn’t with screen-based entertainment while others don’t? That was the learn all they need to know with- A study said to be the largest ever of learning in the digital world, media. Certainly, we shouldn’t nix question bothering New America out buying the whole, costly bun- opportunities for digital learn- policy analyst Alexander Holt in a dle of courses and experiences that released this fall by the Organiza- tion for Economic Cooperation and ing at school just because kids are recent CNN article. constitutes a bachelor’s or even Development, found that “over the binging on screen media else- Holt rightly observes that the graduate degree. Most of our older past 10 years, there has been no ap- where. But learning doesn’t occur current policy is flawed because farmers have, after all, managed preciable improvement in student in an in-school vacuum. Efforts it rewards many high-income to master the software, chemicals, achievement in reading, mathemat- to maximize the efficacy of class- individuals (such as lawyers work- and other things from learning ics, or science, on average, in coun- room technology should consider ing for the government) while it outside of college classrooms. tries that have invested heavily in overall consumption, as well as the excludes other people who work Returning to the policy information and communications growing body of research assessing at least as hard and clearly serve debate, Holt declares, “We either technologies for education.” OECD screen media’s impact on cogni- the public. He points to Emily Best, all deserve a special 10-year loan evaluated technology integration tion, mental health, attention, and who works on a farm and earns forgiveness program, or none of us and international PISA test scores sleep. Finally, content should serve only $1,600 monthly, which makes do.” for 60,000 15-year-olds in 32 coun- as a key differentiator in deter- it a strain to cover her student debt Between those alternatives, I tries, including the United States. (The U.S. participated in PISA and mining whether and when to use repayments. pick “none of us.” All participants was included in the report, but did computers. Particularly in mathe- “The question,” Holt says, in a market economy “serve” in not provide comprehensive data on matics, research often shows mixed “is whether farmers deserve PSLF one way or another. students’ technology exposure.) or negative effects of computers because they are uniquely serving Rather than debating which No appreciable improve- on learning. In the OECD study, the public.” jobs will be regarded as “public ment? This phrase boggles the students who didn’t use comput- Naturally, an organization service,” we should dispense mind of the average parent and ers in math class did better on both called the National Young Farmers with the idea of forgiving federal strikes fear into the heart of tech- paper-based and computer-based Coalition is already pushing for student loans at all. It’s wasteful to nology vendors. For educators, math assessments than students inclusion of farmers in PSLF. They lure students into high-cost degree it challenges popular trends in edu- who did use computers. don’t hesitate to play the usual programs with easy-to-get govern- cational practice. Some thus will Now that is something to sympathy and fear cards that help ment loans and then saddle the seek to ignore or dismiss it. That ponder. Nationwide, the shift to- manipulate lawmakers. In a survey taxpayers with the unpaid balance would be unwise. The study’s find- ward online assessments is acceler- NYFC conducted, 30 percent of the when the student later defaults or ings, though correlational in nature ating, and spending on K-12 tech- respondents said that they hadn’t manages to qualify for loan for- and unable to determine cause and nology continues to soar. Hopes are effect, are nonetheless “remarkably high, but outcomes aren’t. In our been able to expand their farms giveness. CJ similar to the emerging consensus conceptions of classroom technol- due to their student loan pay- in the research literature,” noted ogy use, it’s time for a reboot. CJ ments, and “nearly 6 percent said George Leef is director of re- OECD. their loans drove them to quit the search at the John W. Pope Center for Should schools trade tablets Kristen Blair is a Chapel Hill- field.” Higher Education Policy. for pencils, returning to an ana- based education writer. PAGE 18 DECEMBER 2015 | CAROLINA JOURNAL Books & the Arts Debates in N.C. Over Ratification Guaranteed the Bill of Rights s last month’s column noted, (Pennsylvania, 46-23, and South Caro- Spencer, questioned handing any paper money and religious oaths many political pundits now lina, 149-73). more power from the individuals and of office. Much debate centered on consider North Carolina a Widespread criticism and skepti- the states to the general government. questions regarding taxation. In many battlegroundA state. Some things, how- cism, however, remained in key states: Unlike other states, there were ways, the Regulator spirit remained ever, are not new. New York, Virginia, Rhode Island, two ratification conventions in North in many parts of North Carolina, and During the and North Carolina. In New York, the Carolina. One was in Hillsborough many delegates were concerned with 1787-89 debates recurring skepticism prompted Alex- (1788) and the other in Fayetteville local authority or wanted a declara- over ratifying the ander Hamilton, James Madison, and (1789). James Madison, the “Father tion of rights added to the submitted Constitution, for John Jay to pick up quills, dip them of the Constitution,” remarked more constitution. example, North into inkwells, and pen 85 essays that than once that the state ratifying con- In Hillsborough, the delegates Carolina’s popula- became known as The Federalist — ventions provide the key to unlocking voted neither to reject nor ratify the tion was divided one of the best commentaries regard- an understanding of the Constitution’s U.S. Constitution (184-84). Some over the necessity ing the Constitution’s meaning. meaning. That said, many historians historians have called this “the great of a U.S. Consti- In North Carolina, Edentonian consider North Carolina’s ratification refusal.” tution and what James Iredell, using the pseudonym convention minutes to be the most In subsequent months, debate became known as TROY Marcus, explained the Constitution’s revealing and balanced regarding the continued not only in North Carolina the Bill of Rights. KICKLER meaning and pointed out the necessity debate between Federalists and Anti- but also in other states regarding the After the of its adoption. Tar Heel Federalists, Federalists. necessity of the Bill of Rights. After be- framers drafted a such as Iredell and William Davie, (In most states, Federalists paid ing assured that a declaration of rights new constitution at the 1787 Philadel- believed the “general government” for transcribers, and many times con- would be added to the Constitution, phia Convention, the document was needed more “energy,” such as more vention minutes give the impression in November 1789 North Carolina submitted to respective state ratifica- authority to tax and be able to have an of erudite Federalists engaging Anti- ratified the Constitution by a vote of tion conventions for approval. Accord- army to defend the fledgling nation. Federalist ignorance; the Hillsborough 195 to 77 at the Fayetteville Conven- ing to Article 7 in the Constitution: A strong Anti-Federalist senti- minutes instead reveal a sophisticated tion. The Old North State finally had “The ratification of the conventions ment, however, remained in North exchange among delegates with op- joined the new Union. of nine states shall be sufficient for Carolina. Many North Carolinians posing beliefs.) In the end, North Carolina’s the establishment of this Constitution remembered the Parliamentary abuses At Hillsborough, Anti-Federal- heated political debate and strong between the states so ratifying the before the Revolutionary War and ists preferred a quick vote and dis- dissent contributed significantly to same.” questioned giving more authority to missal while the Federalists desired ensuring that Americans have a Bill of Nine states approved the Con- what would become the federal gov- opportunities to provide commentary Rights. CJ stitution, and the new Union was ernment. Tar Heel Anti-Federalists, for the record. Ultimately, the del- formed. In some, the vote was unani- including the influential yet somewhat egates debated and discussed such Dr. Troy Kickler is director of the mous (Georgia, 26-0, and New Jersey, reticent Willie Jones and the vocal and issues as defining local and state North Carolina History Project (northcar- 38-0). In others, the vote was divided somewhat bumbling Judge Samuel responsibilities and the necessity of olinahistory.org). BOOKS BY JOHN LOCKE FOUNDATION AUTHORS

If you don’t know about Edenton, North Carolina, your knowledge of U.S. history is incomplete and your knowledge of North Carolina insufficient. Organized women’s political activity in America was born in Eden- ton. The concept of judicial review—that courts can declare legislative acts unconstitutional—was champi- oned here. Ideas for a national navy and defense were implemented here. Many passages of the N.C. Con- stitution (1776) and the U.S. Constitution originated here. Leading proponents of the U.S. Constitution (a.k.a. Federalists) lived in this small place, and so did nationally known jurists and politicians. Dr. Troy Kickler, founding director of the North Carolina History Project, brings Edenton, its people, and its actions into proper and full focus in his book, The King’s Trouble Makers. Go to northcarolinahistory.org for more information. PAGE 19 DECEMBER 2015 | CAROLINA JOURNAL Interview Brooks: Conservatives Need to Fight For People, Not Against Things

By CJ Staff RALEIGH “The first thing to keep in mind is onservatives have great ideas for improving Americans’ lives, that if you’re always simply de- but too many people believe conservativesC care little about help- fending your point of view, you’re ing people other than “the rich.” That misperception prompted American losing. You need to be going on Enterprise Institute President Arthur the offense on behalf of people Brooks to write The Conservative Heart. During a recent visit to North Caro- who need you. This is the most lina for a luncheon co-sponsored by the John Locke Foundation, Brooks important thing to keep in mind.” discussed the book with Mitch Kokai for Carolina Journal Radio. (Head to Arthur Brooks http://www.carolinajournal.com/ President cjradio/ to find a station near you or to American Enterprise Institute learn about the weekly CJ Radio pod- cast.)

Kokai: Too many people just don’t seem to believe that conservative ideas will help them, do they?

Brooks: Conservative principles, we know, as a matter of fact, are the programs. We fight against the hous- orities straight. And that doesn’t mean that to have best for lifting of the poor and creat- ing policies. We fight against the pov- more community, to have people get Kokai: ing a good, strong, healthy society, but erty programs that look like they’re out You also focus in this along, you need to sacrifice your prin- people don’t believe that. And any time of control. book on emphasizing optimism and ciples. On the contrary. But you have you see that, where you believe that That’s the wrong approach. We happiness. Why is that so important? to remember that just because people you have the best product, but people actually have enough money, if we disagree with you doesn’t mean that Brooks: don’t believe it’s the best product, you wanted to. Idiotically, we could waste Because people want to they’re evil and stupid. have a big communications problem. money doing those things. The real follow happy people. People find hap- You know, I personalize it be- problem is not the money; it’s that py people appealing. They find unhap- cause my family are mostly political Kokai: You contend that conser- we’re hurting the people that we’re py, grumpy people not fun to be with. progressives, and they disagree with vatives should stop arguing against supposed to help. So fight for those This is the truth. If you think of all the me and I disagree with them on poli- something, and instead argue for people. people that we’re attracted to — I real- tics. But look, our faith is the same, and someone. I understand that a lot of people ize that negative advertising works in our family values are the same, and I who are in poverty either aren’t voting the very short term. If you have to get love them. And when people say that Brooks: The key thing to remem- or aren’t voting for Republicans. That from now until election day, and elec- liberals are stupid and evil, I under- ber is that when you hear a debate, doesn’t matter. Great leadership is not tion day is 10 days away, you might stand why they say it, but they’re talk- the side that’s losing is virtually al- about fighting for people who support want to attack and tear somebody ing about my family. I don’t like it. I you. It’s about fighting for people who down. ways fighting against something, and take it personally. need you. And people who are on wel- But if you want to have a strategy the side that’s winning is fighting for And we, on the conservative fare, people who are poor — in fact, the that’s going to work for a year, for five someone. Now that’s one of the key side, if we can actually stick up for our whole bottom half of the income distri- years, for a generation, you need to be things that the progressives in America liberal friends, that’s going to change have learned all too well. bution in America needs our conserva- the side that’s about happiness because tive ideas to help lift them up and give that magnetizes your movement. And the whole debate. And, by the way, all I mean, if you look, public opin- the people in the middle, what do you ion polling shows that about 20 per- them greater opportunity and earned that will get people to want to follow success. you because it’s just more fun. think they’re hearing? They’re hearing cent of Americans consider themselves a message of tolerance. They’re hear- politically liberal. Yet the liberals, they Kokai: Kokai: ing a message of acceptance and love. define themselves as the 99 percent. That could be a tough Let’s talk about Ronald message, calling on conservatives to Reagan. Many people remember the You know, they’re really onto some- Kokai: Some of what you’re say- thing here. They say they’re fighting focus on people who might never sup- 40th president as fighting big govern- port their ideas. ment, fighting the Soviet Union. ing applies to activists and people for everybody, except for the 1 percent who work in the conservative move- who they really don’t like. Brooks: ment. But what about the person out We need to remember that we Brooks: Indeed, but that’s what We are remembering leadership is all about. I mean, that’s him wrong. He was not fundamentally there who’s not overly political but is truly are fighting for all Americans, conservative? How does that person and for a greater opportunity for ev- what joyful leadership is all about, is a warrior against things. He was a war- change his approach to chatting with erybody, rich and poor alike. And if we fighting for people whether they sup- rior for people. His nomination speech, liberal or moderate friends about these remember that, and we fight for them port you or not. You fight for what’s before he was elected the first time, in issues? as opposed to [against] somebody right. That’s what it means to be a war- Detroit, used the world “people” 89 else’s ideas, we look like the majority rior in the marketplace of ideas — and, times. It’s extraordinary how much he Brooks: and we start to win. indeed, to be a real patriot. That’s what was fighting for people, and how hap- The first thing to keep the greatest leaders throughout history py he truly was. … in mind is that if you’re always simply Kokai: Some people might hear have always done. defending your point of view, you’re those words and say, “OK, give me And in America, look, we have a Kokai:You made a striking point losing. You need to be going on the an example.” So what about poverty? competition of ideas. And I hear these about people who bash liberals and offense on behalf of people who need What’s the right way for conservatives crazy arguments out there, as if, you progressives. You say that name-call- you. This is the most important thing to discuss poverty? know, the other side of the political ing is the wrong way to go. to keep in mind. debate is worse than ISIS. And that’s So, going on offense to say I have Brooks: We’ll start with the nuts. I mean, these people that we’re Brooks: It really is. I mean, if new ideas that are really going to lift up wrong way because let’s start with talking about who disagree with our you think about it, almost all of us poor people, are going to lift up people what we would naturally do. We fight policy, they’re Americans, too, and we have friends or family members or who are left behind, lift up people who against big government programs. We all have to be fighting for each other. I people that we know and people that are unhappy, people who are forgotten fight against sprawling food stamp mean, for Pete’s sake, let’s get our pri- we respect who don’t agree with us. in our society. CJ PAGE 20 DECEMBER 2015 | CAROLINA JOURNAL Opinion

COMMENTARY Medical Care Can Be Inexpensive bamacare’s third annual responsible for submitting claims to enrollment period for health insurance companies. Opting out of insurance is officially under insurance contracts allows solo di- Oway. Americans who do not have rect care practices to break even on access to employer-sponsored just four patients per day — rather health insurance, are self-employed, than 32 in today’s typical practice or have been dumped into the setting. individual marketplace by their Direct primary care heightens employers have the opportunity to providers’ professional satisfaction sign up for or renew their govern- because they can escape the corpo- ment-knows-best health insurance rate environment of the ever-con- plan. solidating health care industry and While low-income North instead hold fast to their autonomy. Carolinians benefit from plans paid Calling their own shots under this for by other taxpayers, business model allows middle-income residents them to practice the actual EDITORIAL are getting pummeled by art of medicine by sched- double-digit premium in- uling longer appointment creases, some of the high- times with patients if est in the United States. necessary, and even com- Reforms Are A recent article from mitting to house calls. The News & Observer tells For patients: the story of Janet Joyner, Because primary Producing Results a Raleigh resident who is care is relatively inex- struggling to make ends pensive to administer, lthough you may not have and structure, compares the states, meet when it comes to KATHERINE direct primary care is an read it in mainstream media and ranks them accordingly. paying for health insur- RESTREPO affordable option for the outlets, the series of reforms As the 2013 legislative session ance: masses. Just ask Dr. Brian inA taxation, regulation, and govern- opened, the state ranked 44th nation- Joyner said she’s Forrest, whose practice is ment operations that began in 2013, ally, much lower than any of our healthy and used only located in Apex. when conservatives took control of the neighbors — our direct economic about $500 in health care services He continues to emphasize executive and legislative branches of competitors — and the lowest of any last year, but paid Blue Cross this concept after seeing a Medicaid state government for the first time in Southern state. But the significant nearly $6,700 in monthly premi- patient and a CEO sitting next to decades, are delivering tangible ben- changes that have taken effect since ums. Her current plan would cost each other in his waiting room. For efits to North Carolina’s families and then have vaulted North Carolina nearly $9,500 in premiums for a monthly payment equivalent to a entrepreneurs. nearly 30 slots, to 16th in the 2015 the full year, gym member- Those benefits include lower, index and 15th in the newest rankings. plus a $3,500 ship (rather simpler taxes; regulations that are The changes that boosted North deductible that than the typical easier to understand and focused Carolina’s national standing resulted Joyner would It’s possible for amount equal on limiting excessive bureaucracy; from several tax reforms. have to pay to multiple car expanded educational choice, al- Personal income-tax changes in- before coverage your health care payments), lowing families more alternatives to cluded replacing graduated rates with kicked in. patients are choose among charter schools, pri- one flat rate; lowering the tax rate; “It’s costs to be entitled to vate schools, or home-based educa- broadening the tax base by closing or like 2 1/2 car around-the- tion; reduced public debt, led by the limiting many credits and deductions; payments for similar to a clock care. retirement of more than $2.5 billion in expanding the child tax credit and me,” she said. gym membership Despite unemployment insurance debt to the standard deduction; and repealing the “I’d be paying limited data federal government; and an overall estate tax. $9,500 a year on direct care, economic environment making it Business tax reforms were led for my an- existing litera- easier for individuals to invest their by lowering the corporate income tax nual physical and lower prescrip- ture concludes that patients enjoy financial and human capital into new rate over three years with a further cut tions.” an improvement in health outcomes or growing businesses. subject to a revenue trigger; broaden- As health insurance is becom- while saving on overall health We’ve seen steady job and ing the tax base by allowing many ing more expensive, curiously, some spending when compared to those income growth — in fact, North credits to expire; and eliminating local basic health care is becoming more navigating the traditional health in- Carolina is the only Southern state business privilege taxes. affordable because an increasing surance system. A study conducted to rank in the top 10 nationally in The sales tax changes included number of primary-care physicians by the University of North Carolina both factors, based on recent federal broadening the base to include some are breaking away from the status medical school and North Carolina statistics. Prudent fiscal policy has service contracts; eliminating state sales quo. By cutting the cord with insur- State University MBA students kept increases in state spending below tax holidays; and ending special sales ance companies, doctors can spend found that patients seeking treat- the combined rates of inflation and tax rates for electricity, piped natural gas, more time with their patients in ex- ment at Dr. Forrest’s practice, Ac- population growth. And retiring the amusements, and entertainment. change for upfront cash payments. cess Health Care, spent 85 percent federal unemployment debt will end a Tax Foundation scholars project This simple and effective strat- less and enjoyed an average of 35 business surcharge, resulting in nearly that, if scheduled tax cuts go forward, egy is known as direct primary care. minutes per visit compared to eight a half-billion dollars in tax relief this North Carolina should reach No. 13 It brings back the incredible value minutes in a traditional practice year and next — some of it retroactive nationally, and additional reforms of personalized medicine, and it’s a setting. Other studies have shown to January. could push us into the top 10. North win for both doctors and patients. similar results. CJ The Tax Foundation’s just-re- Carolinians hoping to see greater For doctors: leased 2016 State Business Tax Climate opportunities should be mindful of Imagine not having to spend Katherine Restrepo is health and Index underscores the improvements the reforms that have elevated our more than 40 percent of your human services policy analyst for the in North Carolina’s environment for economic prospects and push their practice’s revenue on personnel John Locke Foundation. entrepreneurship. The index considers elected representatives to stay on a host of factors relating to tax rates track. CJ DECEMBER 2015 | CAROLINA JOURNAL PAGE 21 Opinion

EDITORIALS COMMENTARY Population Shifts States Should GOP, Dems control different jurisdictions t may be hard to believe given certainly growing rapidly — and, as a Lighten Burden the results of this fall’s munici- result, the share of North Carolinians ver the past five years, relief to further reduce the double- pal elections, but not so long ago living in rural areas has declined. North Carolina has become taxation of savings and investment. IRepublicans competed effectively But many of the fastest-growing a more attractive place to But I would urge policymakers to with Democrats for political offices in neighborhoods in those metro areas work,O live, invest, and do business. make additional progress on regula- North Carolina’s largest cities. Indeed, are found in places such as Wake The state tax burden is lower tory reform, as well. Unneeded or there was a moment in the mid-1990s County’s Apex and Wake Forest, — by hundreds of millions of counterproductive regulations are when four of our five most-populous Mecklenburg County’s Huntersville dollars a year — and restructured indistinguishable from taxes in their cities had Republican mayors. and Mint Hill, and suburban counties in a way that reduces the double- effects on households, businesses, That’s not what our urban poli- that ring the major cities. taxation of investment in new and economic activity. They may tics looks like today. In the aftermath If you look across the state as a jobs, facilities, and enterprises. By not show up in the annual account- of the 2015 election cycle, the only whole, the two parties are much more allocating existing revenues more ing of state taxes and spending, but large city in North Carolina with a evenly matched than it might appear. efficiently, the state has increased they are just as present — and just Republican mayor is Fayetteville (Nat Of the 100 counties, 52 have Republi- spending on high-value roads and as significant, if not more so. can-majority commissions. This is not Robertson). In Raleigh, not a single bridges. And through a series of Overregulation particularly a case in which Democrats hold all the regulatory reform measures, poli- hurts small businesses, which lack registered Republican remains on the populous counties and Republicans cymakers have made it the scale that large firms (officially nonpartisan) city council. have majorities only in small, rural easier to start or expand possess to shoulder And in Charlotte, Democrat Jennifer ones. Many GOP strongholds are vote- private companies and compliance costs. A recent Roberts clinched that city’s mayoral rich counties such as Union, Gaston, comply with important report from the Pacific election despite having to win a tough and Johnston where GOP politicians health and safety rules at Research Institute ranked party primary and facing a Republi- hold many other local offices. the lowest possible cost. all 50 states according to can opponent, Ed Peacock, who drew In our opinion, while this sorting There is evidence the regulatory burdens the endorsement of the liberal Char- process may have been inevitable, it that these policy initia- they place on small busi- lotte Observer. has had lamentable costs. Like most tives are beginning to bear ness. North Carolina fared So, does the Democratic up- other fields of human endeavor, poli- fruit. Jobs and incomes somewhat worse than the swing in urban politics mean that the tics works best when it is competitive. are growing faster in national average, ranking GOP is in trouble in North Carolina? Races among politicians who share North Carolina than in JOHN 31st overall. Our worst Not really. To understand why, it’s similar views and partisan loyalties most other states. Indeed, HOOD category was occupational important to keep in mind that most are less interesting, less likely to at- over the most recent licensing, where North North Carolinians don’t live within tract high voter participation, and less 12-month period, our Carolina ranked 43rd. We the city limits of places such as Char- successful at screening out candidates state ranked ninth in the nation in require far too many pro- lotte, Raleigh, Durham, and Greens- who lack what it takes to be effective the rate of employment growth and fessionals to get permission from boro. The state’s metro areas are leaders. CJ 10th in per-capita income growth. state regulators to do business, and Still, we all know that North the licensure requirements cost far Carolina’s economy has not recov- too much. South Carolina, by com- parison, got the highest rank in the ered fully from the Great Recession. country on occupational licensing. There’s a lot more work to do. Insurance Hikes Another problem area is Regarding the three main energy regulation, where North services under the purview of state Healthy people shunning exchanges Carolina ranked 42nd. It’s the only government — law and order, edu- n 2010, when the Affordable Care ernment subsidies and reinsurance. state in the Southeast that forces cation, and infrastructure — Gov. customers to purchase high-cost Act passed Congress, government That hasn’t been the case. Pat McCrory and the General As- analysts estimated how many BCBSNC has asked the N.C. alternative energy such as wind and sembly should continue to reform, solar. North Carolina also ranked IAmericans would enroll in ACA- Department of Insurance to approve a restructure, and renew. Spending 39th on the filing costs for opening exchange plans in ensuing years. For 35 percent average increase in premi- on public safety is the most likely to a new business. Tennessee, Virginia, 2016, the projected enrollment was ums for its exchange plans for 2016. result in higher levels of economic Georgia, and Florida all fared better about 20 million. The underlying numbers are stark. In growth in the future, according to in this category. A few weeks ago, the Obama 2014, Blue Cross spent $1.65 billion empirical research, but education Embracing the need for more administration released its revised reimbursing expenses for its exchange and infrastructure expenditures can regulatory reform is not reject- projection for 2016. The figure is 10 customers. But it took in just $1.18 bil- be growth-enhancing, too, if done ing the value of state regulation. million, roughly half the original esti- lion in premiums, plus $343 million in wisely. Government has a clear role to play mate. Why have expectations failed to federal subsidies. That’s a $123 million On the revenue side, addi- in protecting the “commons” — the meet reality? The experience of Blue loss. All indications are that the com- tional tax cuts are coming in North air and water resources we all use. Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina is pany is running another substantial Carolina. Because the state has paid Government also should combat a good place to start. deficit in 2015. off its unemployment-insurance fraud, which requires a combination Large insurers like the Blues Essentially, the exchanges debt to the federal government, and of regulatory and judicial institu- supported Obamacare, albeit cau- haven’t attracted enough low-cost built its trust fund back up above $1 tions. tiously. They knew the initial burst of customers to make the math work. billion, state payroll taxes auto- North Carolina is headed enrollees would be the most highly Millions of Americans would rather matically will drop by hundreds of in the right direction. To keep the motivated consumers — people with remain uninsured than enter the millions of dollars a year. The state’s momentum going, let’s do more to pre-existing, expensive-to-treat condi- exchanges and pay inflated prices for corporate tax is also scheduled to reduce the indirect but costly taxes tions who were outside the employer- plans that don’t shield them from high drop to a highly competitive 3 per- that are embedded in overregula- based market. out-of-pocket expenses. cent rate by 2017. tion. CJ But the legislation contained sev- Obamacare remains an unneces- I favor additional progress eral provisions that insurers believed sary wrong turn for health reform, but on tax reform, to be sure, including John Hood is chairman of the would offset the financial hit from this it will take a new president and new provisions such as capital-gains tax John Locke Foundation. first wave of enrollees, including gov- Congress to get back on track. CJ PAGE 22 DECEMBER 2015 | CAROLINA JOURNAL Opinion MEDIA MANGLE When Journalism Becomes Propaganda n 1972, at the University of Georgia, our newspaper staff opposed the proposal to change the name of the Henry W. Grady ISchool of Journalism to the Henry W. Grady School of Mass Communications. Our reasoning was that journalism implies “truth” while “mass communications” does not. After all, the worst propagan- da is still “communications.” I think of that often these days, given what I see in the mainstream press every day, where the whole truth often is missing in action. Take, for example, the huge national story that en- sued when Republican presi- dential candidate Dr. Ben Carson suggested that people JON confronted by an armed mass HAM killer should do something more than “just stand there” waiting to be shot. The media reacted with feigned horror, Efficiency and Natural Resources accusing him of showing a lack of respect for the orth Carolina could add 3.5 million people However, there is another way of meeting our people killed in the campus shooting in Rose- over the next 40 years. That’s a 40 percent future water and fuel needs that many futurists burg, Ore., and saying that what he was suggest- jump from today’s total. While there are think will be a major part of the answer to serv- ing was totally outrageous and unreasonable. questionsN about where the new people will live and ing our larger population. This is to increase the But then, on its Nov. 22 show, “60 Minutes” what jobs they will have, a big issue is their impact efficiency of the water and fuel we use; that is, to interviewed Washington, D.C., police chief Cathy on our natural resources — specifically water and Lanier, who said killing or subduing a killer in stretch what we have to accommodate more people. energy. such situations would be the “best option for Actually, we already have been doing this. Wa- Of course, we need water to live, clean our saving lives before police can get there.” The ter usage (per dollar of income) in North Carolina clothes, raise our crops and livestock, run our facto- same nabobs who excoriated Carson for suggest- has been cut by 50 percent in the last 30 years. Also, ing the same thing strangely had no comment. ries, and for recreation like fishing and swimming. energy consumption per person in the state is down Even the “60 Minutes” correspondent never bat- The droughts that struck North 30 percent since 2000. ted an eye when Lanier suggested the identical Carolina a couple of years ago There are good reasons to think these resource advice offered by Carson six weeks earlier. showed us how limited water efficiency improvements can continue. Advances Here’s another example of truth being a affects so much of our lives. in sensors monitoring problems in electric trans- casualty in reporting. Republicans, joined by 47 While energy — specifical- mission lines and leaks in water pipes will reduce Democrats, voted in the U.S. House last month to ly electricity — isn’t a natural re- waste in moving resources to users. The appliances put a hold on the Syrian refugee program until it source, it is created from natural we use, the vehicles we drive, and the electronics resources like coal, oil, natural can be determined that the vetting process would we rely on for work and entertainment all will run gas, water (hydro power), ura- catch Islamist terrorists using the refugee crisis as on less power per hour of usage. Methods are also a means to enter the United States. nium (nuclear power), or solar being developed and applied to recycle and reuse President Obama and former Secretary of and wind sources. Questions MICHAEL water — perhaps even within our own homes. Early State Hillary Clinton, along with most media arise when any of these sources WALDEN applications show these techniques can reduce wa- commentators, criticized those urging caution of is expanded to generate more abandoning American values and being callous electricity for a growing popu- ter usage by up to one-third. toward “widows and orphans,” to use Obama’s lation. The carbon sources (coal, oil, natural gas) Improved pricing techniques also can help terms. create issues about pollution. Nuclear power raises improve efficiency. Peak-load pricing of electricity However, in 2011, it was Obama and the questions about safety. More hydro power requires would increase the amount we pay for each unit State Department, under Hillary Clinton’s more artificial lakes that can disturb the natural during times when more people use electricity, and leadership, who halted the processing of Iraqi ecology. Solar and wind power have limited storage we would pay less when fewer people use elec- refugees for six months after it was discovered capabilities. tricity. Implementing peak-load pricing motivates that terrorists had used the program to enter the So if North Carolina’s population grows by 3.5 consumers to shift use from peak times to off-peak country to commit terrorist attacks. million people by midcentury, then how are we go- times, reducing the capacity levels utilities must The media had a bout of amnesia again, ing to provide them water and fuel for their lives? build. never mentioning that Obama and Clinton had One option is to do what we’ve always done There are similar pricing innovations for water done exactly what they, and the media, were — build more capacity. For water, one big problem use. Tiered water rates charge consumers more per criticizing Republicans and others for wanting with this alternative is cost. Using current rates of gallon the more gallons they use. Communities to do with regard to the Syrians. They also failed implementing tiered water rates — including some to point out an ABC News report from 2013 that water usage and ranges of construction expendi- in North Carolina — have seen water use per per- found that “dozens of terrorists” had enterered tures, I estimate a total bill of between $25 billion the country under the Obama program for Iraqi and $60 billion (in today’s purchasing-power dol- son decline from between 10 percent and 20 percent. refugees. lars) for the construction of new reservoirs neces- North Carolina will continue to be one of the The media failed to put truth in the fore- sary to serve 3.5 million more people. fastest-growing states in the country, so making front in these reports. As a result, their selective The total cost would be equally high — if not sure we have the fuel and water for our expanding reporting seemed more like propaganda than higher — to build more electric power capacity population is more crucial here than in many other journalism. CJ using traditional fuel sources. While nontraditional areas. Efficiency may be the solution. CJ energy sources like solar, wind, and biomass will Jon Ham is a vice president of the John Locke be relied on more in the future, they likely won’t be Michael Walden is a Reynolds Distinguished Foundation and publisher of Carolina Journal. able to accommodate all the needs of our growing Professor at N.C. State University. He does not speak for population. the university. DECEMBER 2015 | CAROLINA JOURNAL PAGE 23 Opinion ‘Elephant’s Edge’ Remains, Even If It’s Not Obvious

t’s fair to say that America has not chief executive. Democratic presi- siastic donors. runner-up in the immediately previ- had a true majority party since dential candidates had a terrible time Democrats, on the other hand, ous open contest. This time around, about 1968. There have been times keeping together a national coalition have seen their machine disintegrate. the only candidates who have expe- ofI unified government, of course, but of southern conservatives, African- Today their fractured supporters are rienced some success in past cycles these have been fleeting, and when Americans, and northern urban eth- more enamored of identity politics — Mike Huckabee, Rick Perry, Rick one party has held both the White nics, but the party’s legislators were than their predecessors who held mid- Santorum — struggle. Jeb Bush, the House and the reins in Congress masters of pork-barrel spending and dle-class aspirations and pushed for scion of GOP royalty, is languishing. its grip has felt somewhat tenuous. constituency service citizens desired economic policies with appeal across Ron Paul’s support isn’t available Many talked of their congressional representation. demographic divisions. This helps to his son Rand. Contrast this with about impending Today, however, things look explain the strong support for Repub- the Democrats’ supposedly “open” realignment im- different. The Democrats have won licans among working-class whites. contest. It is dominated by two white mediately follow- four of the past six presidential elec- The Obama boomlet aside, the young, senior citizens, one of whom won sil- ing the 1980, 1992, tions. The Republican majority in the traditionally a Democratic cohort, are ver medal the last time the party had and 2008 elections, House is the largest since the Depres- tuned out; a result of polarization and a genuine race. If the GOP had a field but any such idea sion, and the party’s current Senate the “dirtiness” of politics, according like that, the media would lambast it was extinguished majority is only one seat off its health- to some, because of their focus on self, for being stagnant and grossly out of by the following iest of that period. What happened? according to others. touch. midterm. A decade The news for Republicans is At the top of the ticket, the The obstreperous House ago I wrote of the quite good. They currently occupy 32 party’s disadvantages are not as Republican conference and the rise “Elephant’s Edge” ANDY governorships and control both bodies apparent. Democrats tend to vote of Donald Trump have some Repub- — important pro- TAYLOR of the legislature in 30 states and one in presidential years, and recent licans worried that theirs is the party cedural, electoral, body in eight others. The dominance demographic shifts have some com- facing the more difficult challenges. and economic at this level has permitted the GOP to mentators talking about an emerging Its approval ratings are in the 30s. advantages enjoyed by Republicans redistrict most congressional and state Democratic “lock” on the Electoral Continued “failures” by the establish- as George W. Bush began his second legislative seats for two cycles now College as traditional swing states like ment — like a Bush defeat next year to term. The GOP’s upper hand, I noted, and, through patronage, to attract Florida, Ohio, and Pennsylvania ap- add to those of John McCain and Mitt however, did little to alter a basic par- committed, experienced, and wonk- pear increasingly blue. Romney — might open a debilitating ity that existed in party politics. ish leaders. The party has mobilized a But things are changing rift. But, as some even in left-of-center Between Nixon’s and Clin- grass-roots movement using the Inter- there, too. The Republican energy media outlets like Molly Ball of The ton’s first elections, divided govern- net and traditional media, including down ballot has generated perhaps Atlantic Monthly and Matt Yglesias of ment only took the form of a Repub- talk radio. Innovative right-of-center the most talented presidential field in Vox.com have written, it’s the Demo- lican presidency and Democratic ideas are generated by a wide array of recent history: nine former or sitting crats who currently face the stiffest congressional majorities. Republicans national and state-level think tanks. governors, five such senators, and headwinds. CJ were viewed by the public as exhibit- The promise of advancement up the three individuals with tremendously ing superior characteristics, like strong political career ladder produces a successful careers outside of politics. leadership, a robust foreign policy, deep pool of talented candidates who The party’s breadth and diversity Andy Taylor is a professor of Politi- and responsible management of the can count on significant support from have created real competition. The cal Science at the School of International macroeconomy, on matters Americans a well-organized party apparatus, GOP nominations in 1980, 1988, 1996, and Public Affairs at N.C. State Univer- thought were necessary in a successful local conservative activists, and enthu- 2008, and 2012 were all claimed by the sity. He does not speak for the university. Role of Military and Veterans in N.C.

lthough we celebrated Vet- On Union Square at the State Capitol, assigned to units in North Carolina, to look at granting course credit based eran’s Day last month, we the Veteran’s Monument honors those and more than 78,000 are expected on military training and experience. should not forget North Caro- who served in both World Wars and to leave the military in the next four SL2014-67 and SL2015-143 lina’sA rich military history and brave the Korean War. The Vietnam Vet- years. About 790,000 veterans now require occupational licensing boards men and women who fought to win eran’s Memorial honors the more than call this state home, including 225,000 to accept military specialty training, and preserve our freedom. 206,000 North Carolinians who served under the age of 50. You can find them experience, and proficiency in issuing From Bath, North Carolina’s first in that conflict. in every county. occupational licenses. town and site of colonial and Na- Today, North Carolina has the With their military training, vet- SL2013-201 waives the com- tive American conflicts, to Alamance fourth-largest military population in erans bring discipline, skills, leader- mercial skills test for a commercial Battleground, the United States. The Marine Corps ship, and a work ethic like no other. driver’s license for veterans with where back- and Army are the two largest branch- They have dedicated their lives and experience driving trucks, tanks, and country farmers es with a North Carolina presence; the careers to service and understand the military equipment. Veterans with called Regulators Air Force, Navy, and Coast Guard are price of freedom. military police experience get credit fought for freedom represented as well. In this year’s budget, Gov. Pat for training requirements to obtain a against the Brit- Fort Bragg has more general of- McCrory and the General Assembly state law enforcement certificate. ish, to Bentonville, ficers than any other Army installation created a new Cabinet-level Depart- By going to NC4Vets.com, veter- site of the largest in the country outside the Pentagon. ment of Military and Veteran Affairs ans can access and search all federal, battle ever fought North Carolina is home to five mili- to ensure that active-duty military state, local, and nonprofit programs, in North Caro- tary bases, a military ocean terminal, personnel and veterans have an im- benefits, and services in a one-stop lina and the last BECKI and a U.S. Coast Guard base. In addi- portant voice in state government, an skirmish where the tion, our National Guard has over 100 equal seat in the governor’s Cabinet, website. Resources are available on- Confederates were GRAY facilities across the state with 13,200 and a strong voice representing North line, in a hard-copy publication, and at able to hold back personnel. Carolina in Washington, D.C. telephone number 844-NC4-VETS. the Union Army, North Carolina has a According to a state Commerce The new law Session Law 2015- To all our veterans: Thank rich military history. Department study, the military sup- 116 waives the 12-month residency you for your service. Thank you for From the U.S. Army’s Wildcats ports 578,000 jobs (386,000 in the pri- requirement and allows veterans to keeping us safe and defending our in World War I, to those who defend- vate sector), generating $34 billion in attend North Carolina’s universities freedom. We’re honored that you call ed the U.S. in the Pacific on the battle- state personal income and $66 billion and community colleges at the in-state North Carolina home. CJ ship U.S.S. North Carolina in World in gross state product. tuition rate. War II, North Carolinians have a long As of June 2015, there were SL2014-67 directs the University Becki Gray is vice president for out- and proud history of military service. 102,000 active-duty military personnel of North Carolina Board of Governors reach at the John Locke Foundation. PAGE 24 DECEMBER 2015 | CAROLINA JOURNAL Parting Shot Amazon Introduces New Reader, the Ultra-Green Windle (a CJ parody)

By Bill Nye lar iPhone and iPad portable devices, The Not-Really Science Guy has shown interest in producing con- RALEIGH sumer products that operate solely on nline retailer Amazon has an- renewable energy, based on internal nounced the Windle, a new company documents published on the tablet computer powered en- MacRumors website. Otirely by renewable energy, Carolina “Everyone knows this green en- Journal has learned. ergy business is total hogwash,” wrote The Windle, which should be Apple vice president of technology available just in time for the Christ- Kevin Lynch in a memo to president mas shopping season, offers the same Tim Cook. “But Green perception is re- functions as Amazon’s popular Kindle ality for a global leader like Apple, so e-reader, but its operation will not use we need to design something that will carbon-based energy, and its produc- hoodwink enough of our loyal custom- tion will pose lower environmental ers so that they think they’re actually risks than traditional portable devices, making a planetary difference.” the company says. Observers noted that this view Windle owners can power their coincides with the way Amazon and tablets from a variety of sources: the Apple are engaging in renewable ener- “Windle Ray,” a solar receptor on the gy sleight of hand right here in North outside of the device; the “Windle Carolina. Both have renewable energy Prop,” a mini-turbine that can be con- installations that are not connected at nected to the unit through a USB port; Windle owners will face problems similar to those of Amazon and Apple, both of all to what the company says the en- and the “Windle Break,” a recharge- which have found that renewable energy is not reliable and must be augmented by ergy is powering. Instead, the two in- traditional energy sources such as fossil-fuel-generated power. (CJ spoof photo) able fuel cell that uses methane from stallations use power from traditional biogas produced from such natural recharged only so many times before prices ranging from $299 for the small- sources, which include the kinds of sources as bovine flatulence or landfill it’s no longer useful,” Amazon founder est Windle Prop and Windle Break to fossil fuels they claim to abhor. emissions, also connected to the device Jeff Bezos told CJ. “So we decided to $899 for the Windle Car Prop, a turbine CJ asked if Amazon was con- via USB cable. eliminate batteries entirely, ending the that can be attached to motor vehicles, cerned that consumers might stop buy- The main difference Windle own- need for disposal of their dangerous generating energy while motorists are ing traditional Kindle devices now that ers may notice is that their devices will materials. This makes the Windle the driving. the Windle is an option. operate only when a renewable power greenest consumer electronic device in “The Windle Car Prop will al- “Of course not,” Bezos said. “So- source is available. The tablets will history.” low vacationing families to stream the lar power is available only about 25 have no battery storage, making them With no power storage, Windle world’s best programming from Ama- percent of the time, and wind energy even more “green” than other portable owners will have to be outdoors on zon Instant Video on their Windles and is even less efficient. So you’d have to electronic devices. sunny days to use their devices un- be confident that their children are not be an idiot to think you could power “All batteries are made out of tox- less they purchase the optional exter- harming the planet,” Bezos said. anything with renewable energy full- ic materials, and every battery can be nal power sources, which will sell at Apple, which produces the popu- time.” CJ

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