INSIDE THIS ISSUE: DEPARTMENTS Mountain North Carolina 2 CAROLINA Quick Takes 8 Faith Band From Page 1 12 Education 16 promoting Interview 18 music, Opinion 20 Parting Shot 24 literacy/2 JOURNALA MONTHLY JOURNAL OF NEWS, ANALYSIS, AND OPINION FROM THE JOHN LOCKE FOUNDATION May 2017 Vol. 26 No. 5 STATEWIDE EDITION Check daily for updates at carolinajournal.com UNC campuses no longer free-speech zones? Legislation seeks to hold universities more accountable in accommodating open debate

By Kari Travis mit code for noncommercial speech. Associate Editor In July, the university settled the RALEIGH lawsuit, paying $72,500 to cover Grace hat started with a simple con- Christian Life’s legal fees. The univer- versation among three stu- sity also scrapped its permit policy. dents at North Carolina State The group was excited and re- WUniversity ended in a lawsuit. lieved. Some feelings were hurt, too. Hannalee Alrutz wanted some- “I never set out to run up against thing different, but actions by the ad- N.C. State,” Alrutz said. “I believe in ministration left her little choice. a lot of the things that they promote. Alrutz is president of Grace And they promote diversity and a Christian Life, an evangelical campus marketplace of ideas, and everyone group at N.C. State with roughly 100 has a voice. And they love that, and members, who distributed pamphlets they promote that, so the fact we were and talked to students on campus. in this situation didn’t make sense.” In October 2015, administrators Most North Carolina lawmak- targeted Alrutz and her group. ers agree with Alrutz. It doesn’t make “Two of our members walked up sense to violate free speech on UNC to a student and asked if they could campuses. Public university students pray for the student. We pray for stu- and faculty members should be able dents. We also draw out a diagram of to speak their minds without heckling, how you can get to know God through suppression, or harassment. Jesus Christ’s sacrifice,” Alrutz told After all, that’s the point of the Carolina Journal. First Amendment. An administrator interrupted By an 88-32 vote, in late April the what was, to Alrutz and her group, a state House passed House Bill 527, Re- routine process of practicing their free- store/Preserve Campus Free Speech. speech rights. All 74 Republicans backed the mea- The Grace Christian Life mem- Incoming UNC system president Margaret Spellings was greeted last year with vocal sure. Only 14 Democrats agreed. The protests from students and faculty members. (CJ Photo by Kari Travis) bers were breaking an N.C. State policy, bill would fortify free expression at said the administrator. Under univer- all 16 schools in the UNC system. The sity code, the group needed a campus gious freedom, and the lawyers sent a “I love N.C. State. I support N.C. measure isn’t breaking new ground, permit for almost any type of noncom- letter to university leaders asking them State, right? So I think that was hard. It say the policy advisers and politicians mercial communication. to revise the unconstitutional policy. was hard for me to go up against some- who wrote it. It’s a maintenance effort, “We were shocked because we The university refused. thing that I loved,” she said. a way to ensure UNC administrators had never heard of such a policy,” Al- In April 2016, Alrutz and her During a preliminary injunction are following the law. rutz said. “We didn’t really know which group decided to sue. in June 2016, the U.S. District Court for But the Democratic lawmak- one it was. It put fear into the hearts of a The decision was anything but the Eastern District of North Carolina ers against it are asking one question: lot of students in the organization.” easy. issued a stay against N.C. State’s per- Does campus speech, already covered Tough times followed. Some by the First Amendment, need more members were hesitant to continue, protections from the state? fearful of the consequences. Supporters of H.B. 527 have Members talked about what to do Currituck County is fed up founded their arguments on a recent next. Grace Christian Life hired law- report from the Foundation for Individ- yers from the Alliance Defending Free- with solar/11 dom, a nonprofit group defending reli- Continued as “UNC,” Page 12

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The John Locke Foundation Locke John The [email protected] PAGE 2 MAY 2017 | CAROLINA JOURNAL North Carolina Mountain Faith Band makes play to inspire youth

By Lisa Snedeker Contributor Rick Henderson SYLVA Editor-in-Chief ountain Faith Band, which has graced the stage of the John Trump Grand Ole Opry and Radio Managing Editor CityM Music Hall, wants to bring its Don Carrington unique blend of Americana/roots mu- Executive Editor sic to a school near you. It’s all in the name of promoting Mitch Kokai, literacy and writing, sans government Kari Travis, Dan Way funding or related mandates. Associate Editors The bluegrass, folk, and gospel family band from Sylva has been play- Greg de Deugd ing its unique brand of music since Designer 2000. Named the 2016 International Kristen Blair, Roy Cordato Bluegrass Music Association Emerging Becki Gray, Sam A. Hieb Artist of the Year, the group’s mem- Lindalyn Kakadelis bers are Summer McMahan, Brayden Stephanie Keveaney McMahan, Sam McMahan, Cory Piatt, George Leef, Michael Lowrey and Nick Dauphinais. Donna Martinez, Harry Painter In 2015, Mountain Faith made it Jenna Ashley Robinson to the semifinal round on the popular TV show “America’s Got Talent,” pro- Marc Rotterman, Jesse Saffron pelled by a unique cover of the OneRe- Jay Schalin,Terry Stoops public hit “Counting Stars.” The same Andy Taylor, Michael Walden year the band traveled to the Persian Contributors Gulf and performed six concerts for Mountain Faith Band plays to promote literacy, writing. (Photo courtesy of Mountain Published by the troops. Faith Band) The John Locke Foundation Mountain Faith Band is now in 200 W. Morgan St., # 200 the studio working on a new CD. The Raleigh, N.C. 27601 band’s most recent work, "That Which highlighting songwriting, McMahan (919) 828-3876 • Fax: 821-5117 Matters," landed atop the Billboard ROOTS MUSIC: MerleFest reaches hopes students will embrace a fun, www.JohnLocke.org Bluegrass chart. out to students, schools musical experience that incorporates But when Mountain Faith Band’s personal stories through poetry, story Kory Swanson tour schedule allows, the members are Page 10 writing, and song. President & Publisher taking to a different sort of stage, one “It’s that simple,” she explains. “I they hope will inspire youngsters to want it to be profound, but in a simple John Hood tell their own story, in their own words. She was inspired, in part, because way.” Chairman The members are promoting literacy she has seen, firsthand, high school “Students,” the nonprofit says, Bill Graham, John M. Hood and character education at elementary grads who can’t write a paragraph or “will be provided a personal writing Ted Hicks, Christine Mele and high schools along their route, try- format a paper. journal to encourage their creativity. Brad Muller, Paul Slobodian ing to fill a gap schools — both public “My mission is guided by the de- They will hear an inspiring message David Stover, J.M Bryan Taylor and private — sometimes struggle to sire to inspire students to be lifelong from the program that will assist in Edwin Thomas fill. writers. Without writing we lose gen- introducing students to ways of being Board of Directors “I Write My Story” is a literacy erations of stories and thoughts. I want creative both in the classroom and at initiative and a 501(c)3 nonprofit orga- to bring to the forefront the importance home. The broader message empha- Carolina Journal is a monthly jour- nization. of sharing their stories in any writing sizes that writing is a critical compo- nal of news, analysis, and commentary The project is dedicated to pro- format possible. My focus is to get nent and a necessary skill to compete on state and local government and public moting the benefits of writing among them ready for college. I am anxious to effectively in life in order to fulfill po- policy issues in North Carolina. all students to ensure future successes see where this goes.” tentials and reach goals toward a suc- ©2017 by The John Locke Founda- in any career path, says Sandra Mc- Programs like this offer innova- cessful path.” tion Inc. All opinions ex- Mahan, band wife and mother, and a tive teaching techniques outside of gov- The nonprofit status will help teacher. ernment programs and the subsequent buy journals and defray some of the pressed in bylined articles For McMahan, the seeds for the government funding. President Trump, band’s travel expenses when it goes to are those of the authors program began to sprout as she studied in fact, has proposed eliminating the en- schools. and do not necessarily for her master’s in school administra- tire $148 million National Endowment Every student attending a Moun- reflect the views of the tion and her family was on tour. It start- of the Arts budget, giving these types of tain Faith school performance receives editors of CJ or the staff ed with a band promoter who asked if programs added importance. a journal, pen, and pencil to begin and board of the John Locke Founda- they would play en route to a gig at his It’s based on the idea of a civil so- their writing journeys. Many students tion. Material published herein may be alma mater. That grew into performanc- ciety, which the Cato Institute’s David for the first time will get to experience reprinted as long as appropriate credit is es at more than 30 schools since 2015 Boaz defines as a spirit of cooperation a musical concert performed by a na- given. Submissions and letters are wel- in North Carolina, Florida, Tennessee, so we all have a chance to flourish. tionally recognized band. come and should be directed to the editor. Georgia, Kentucky, and Ohio. Sandra McMahan has taken a Rae Parker is the instructional To subscribe, call 919-828-3876. “Summer wrote a song about year’s leave of absence to travel with technology facilitator at Rosman Mid- Readers also can request Carolina Jour- her grandfather’s 1969 red Ford truck, her family’s band and take the non- dle/Rosman Elementary/ TC Hender- nal Weekly Report, delivered each week- which is now used in a Universal Ford profit’s mission to motivate students son Elementary schools and a big fan end by e-mail, or visit CarolinaJournal. commercial,” Sandra McMahan ex- to write creatively and discover the of Mountain Faith’s literacy efforts. com for news, links, and exclusive content plains. “There’s a story behind every importance and benefits of quality She has seen the results from the updated each weekday. Those interested in song you write. Every song isn’t about writing. All the while with the goal of band’s March visits. education, economics, higher education, chew, tobacco, spit. I thought we need improving their literacy skills, for as “I had one teacher tell me that she health care or local government also can a literacy foundation to buy writing many students in as many schools as had a student that hated writing. After ask to receive weekly e-letters covering journals for kids to brainstorm so that possible. Mountain Faith came to our school, these issues. any thought they had, they could write By providing students with a mo- down.” tivational, engaging musical program Continued as “Mountain,” Page 4 MAY 2017 | CAROLINA JOURNAL PAGE 3 North Carolina Cooper’s reaction to House Bill 2 reset a missed opportunity, analysts say

By Dan Way H.B. 2, McLennan said. Associate Editor “I think if Speaker Moore or RALEIGH President Pro Tem Berger can take oy Cooper was mending fenc- anything away from this it is the value es. Just not the ones you might of the legislative process,” McLen- have imagined. nan said. They could have spent more RThe governor spent most of his time treating H.B. 2 more like normal March 30 press conference, after he legislation last year when it was intro- signed the measure repealing House duced, he said. Bill 2, going after the Republican Gen- The legislative process in late eral Assembly, the lawmakers with March also was ill-advised, he said. whom he had spent the previous day “It was rushed, not fully vet- trying to hold together the tenuous ted, not fully debated, witnesses not deal. brought in to committee hearings,” He said the Republican legisla- McLennan said. “If they don’t learn tors were the bad guys and tried to this lesson now, we may be forced to reassure progressive activists that the repeat it on other policy issues.” law he just signed, at best, was neces- Lt. Gov. Dan Forest, a staunch sary but unfortunate. supporter of H.B. 2, told The News & “In a perfect world, with a good Observer that “there’s a good oppor- General Assembly, we would have re- tunity” some Republicans could draw pealed House Bill 2 fully today and primary opponents in the next legisla- added full statewide protections for tive session over their votes to repeal. LGBT North Carolinians,” the gover- “He stands by what he said,” nor said after signing House Bill 142 Forest spokesman Jamey Falkenbury into law, eradicating H.B. 2. told Carolina Journal. “I can let you “Unfortunately, our superma- know that he is not planning in any jority Republican legislature will not way to recruit people for primaries.” pass these protections,” Cooper said, Gov. Roy Cooper used his March 30 press conference just after signing the measure Forest also told the N&O “there’s not long after he reached an agreement repealing House Bill 2 to excoriate Republicans. (CJ photo by Kari Travis) going to be some hard feelings.” They with Republican and Democratic leg- were on display, especially March 30, islative leaders that had eluded them during a two-hour House floor debate. since his January inauguration. Rep. Jeff Collins, R-Nash, bristled Cooper said he hoped the fight from the floor about the “dirty politics” over rights for transgender people that were employed to reach repeal. would result in legislative gains for Yes, he missed an opportunity “We’ve had members of our cau- Democrats in 2018. He said local gov- cus threatened in various ways,” Col- ernments should push legal limits and ... Even though this is a political lins said. Sometimes the Senate was the implement broader nondiscrimination source of the threats, and other times ordinances, and repeatedly vowed to issue for Gov. Cooper, it probably fellow House members stabbed H.B. 2 fight for a statewide bill. supporters in the back, he added. “I’ll sign it [statewide expansions “I think any bill that has to be of LGBT nondiscrimination laws] to- wasn’t an appropriate time to look passed by dirty tactics is a dirty bill,” day if they’ll pass it. But we know they said Collins, who is in his fourth term. won’t,” Cooper chided. forward to the next election cycle. “This is the saddest day of my ser- And he assailed Republicans’ vice.” character. Rep. Dana Bumgardner, R-Gas- Culturally conservative GOP - David McLennan, political science professor, Meredith College ton, said he has been called names lawmakers revolted when a previous and vilified by colleagues for -oppos compromise bill failed to pass in a spe- ing repeal, and chafed at the integrity cial session in December, Cooper said, of the process used to pass H.B. 142. and several spoke out March 30 on the wasn’t an appropriate time to look Finally reaching a compromise The Senate stripped language out of House floor. He said earlier compro- forward to the next election cycle,” could have led to a pivot in sour rela- an unrelated bill that already passed mise proposals “allowed people to use McLennan said. He likened it to the tions, Taylor said. the House, inserted the repeal bill, and religious beliefs to discriminate.” sort of misstep President Trump com- That might have helped Cooper sent that back to the House for concur- The environment between the mits in escalating political rhetoric and the General Assembly agree on rence, meaning it only could be voted branches of government has been tox- when a temperate approach would be some policy areas as budget and oth- up or down. ic for months. Cooper missed a rare more astute politically. er high-priority items move forward, “This is not going to go away,” chance to embrace a bipartisan com- Like McLennan, N.C. State Uni- Taylor said. “Obviously, the gover- Bumgardner said of the issues in play. promise and mollify his opponents, versity political science professor nor wanted to disabuse anybody who “It is a new beginning.” who also gave ground on H.B. 142, Andy Taylor thinks the tone of Coo- thought that was possibly the case.” McLennan agrees. He said the several political experts said. A brief per’s speech was in response to the Given the fractures on many language in H.B. 142 is vague and un- pause might have given both the gov- heat he was taking from the more pas- fronts, “it’s hard to see in the short certain about what municipalities may ernor and legislature an opportunity to sionate segments of his Democratic term if there are any winners” now or may not do with nondiscrimination agree on several key policy areas they’ll base, who protested the bill. that H.B. 2 is scrapped, McLennan ordinances. confront in the next few weeks. Instead, “This is sort of visceral,” Taylor said. Eventually the General Assem- Cooper turned up the volume, prod- said of the personal values embedded Cooper has been hit from the left, bly will challenge a local govern- ding both supporters and opponents of in H.B. 2. “For certain people, this ori- he said. But Senate leader Phil Berger, ment’s nondiscrimination ordinance, the compromise to keep fighting. entates their universe on both sides. R-Rockingham, and House Speaker McLennan said. Lawmakers then will “Yes, he missed an opportunity,” They are a minority, but they are vo- Tim Moore, R-Cleveland, faced an pass another law or file a lawsuit. David McLennan, a political science cal. I think Cooper probably felt a little onslaught from factions in the conser- “I think it has a lot of ramifica- professor at Meredith College, said of bit vulnerable to them in the aftermath vative movement, and the GOP must tions for the future of the relationship Cooper’s handling of the H.B. 2 reset. and possibly felt that having signed cope with infighting. The state’s na- of municipalities and the state govern- “Even though this is a politi- the bill he needed to do something to tional reputation will be slow to im- ment,” McLennan said, “and it’s not cal issue for Gov. Cooper, it probably placate them.” prove because it took so long to kill particularly good.” CJ PAGE 4 MAY 2017 | CAROLINA JOURNAL North Carolina Folwell pursuing fees from pension fund managers By Dan Way curring annual fees, he said. increase to help offset the drain. With Associate Editor By the end of his four-year term he the changes, the state will pick up 82 RALEIGH would have hit his $100 million target, percent of the health plan’s costs, with tate Treasurer Dale Folwell wants but he’s seeking even more, because it employees responsible for the rest. to know if Wall Street investors would represent only 5 percent of the Folwell said several large con- charged the state fees on $9 billion nearly $2.5 billion the state would pay tracts are coming due in the State ofS state pension plan money that never in fees during his term. Health Plan over the next 19 months. got invested. A substantial portion of the $25 He intends to use the state’s clout as In recent years, unfunded liabili- million savings came from investment the largest purchaser of health care ties in the retirement system grew to managers who did not deliver prom- in North Carolina to negotiate better more than $13 billion. ised returns. He said the state could deals. Folwell said some investment have earned more money if those in- He has initiated an eligibility au- fund managers collected all the fees State Treasurer Dale Folwell (File Photo) vestments had gone into an index fund. dit to root out fraud and abuse. The last they were entitled to receive from the His office also is looking -at in audit, conducted in 2012, found 7,103 $91.7 billion retirement system but left He’s trying to determine where vestment arrangements that are 10 to ineligible people on the State Health some of the money idle. Others didn’t fund managers made alternative in- 12 years old “to make sure that they’re Plan at a cost of $22 million. invest all of their obligations because vestments — investing in nontradition- even supposed to be charging us fees,” “I think this eligibility audit will they never withdrew it from the trea- al assets like real estate, hedge funds, or he said. be even more dramatic,” Folwell said, sury in the first place. derivatives contracts — and will exam- Folwell warned there is a loom- promising stiff penalties against indi- Folwell, who launched a 100-day ine the billions of dollars the state has ing financial problem with the State viduals who deliberately enrolled in- reform blitz after taking office in Janu- invested in what are known as a fund Health Plan. eligible spouses and dependents over ary, said he would seek repayment of of funds. Under that arrangement, one “We’re going to run out of reserves the past two or three years. any fees improperly paid on the $9 bil- investment manager gets a state con- sometime in the next 30 months,” Fol- Other State Health Plan reforms lion of uninvested money. tract but spreads the money around to well said. will deal with cleaning up enrollment He said he was disappointed the let multiple fund managers who do not The State Health Plan lost $125 processes, and eliminating other poorly state recently paid tens of thousands of have state contracts invest it. million in 2015 and is projected to come functioning programs and paperwork dollars for a compliance and fees report The state will begin shifting al- up short $160 million when 2016 fig- that gum up the system. commissioned under previous Treasur- ternative investments into indexed ures are finalized. Losses are projected The Senate is pushing a $1 bil- er Janet Cowell that was delivered in funds, Folwell said, which should be to be $300 million in 2017, $500 million lion tax cut package, and the House February. more transparent and generate higher in 2018, and $550 million in 2019. plan might end up with a larger pro- The project should have been de- returns. “There’s a very strong possibil- posed cut. Folwell said he has neither signed to examine every contract and Folwell said he is continuing to ity that the appropriation in the State reviewed the competing plans nor re- ensure that fees were paid according work with his investment management Health Plan this year is going to exceed ceived legislative feedback on them. to the terms, Folwell said. “That’s not division to whittle down other invest- the appropriation to the university sys- “This is like yoga for us. We are what occurred.” ment management fees, in keeping tem,” which would be a huge change, trying to breathe and pay attention to Folwell’s comments came in with a campaign promise to eliminate Folwell said. our own mat,” Folwell said. House Bill April, during his second monthly Ask $100 million in Wall Street payouts. The State Health Plan will charge 651 would create a State Health Plan Me Anything teleconference series He talked to 170 investment members a $25 monthly premium solvency fund. He said he’s curious to with reporters. He also was featured in agents with state contracts and imme- (they now pay nothing), and premiums see how that fits in with the tax pack- a recent Bloomberg Businessweek profile. diately saved almost $25 million in re- now charged by other state plans will age proposals. CJ Mountain Faith Band seeks to inspire Continued from Page 2 their own story. The students are us- ing their journals and are excited to this student will write if the teacher show me their stories.” plays one of Mountain Faith’s CDs. That is all the proof McMahan The students have also written beauti- needs to deem the program a success. ful letters to Summer thanking her and “Music goes hand in hand with writ- the band for coming to their school.” ing. I taught kindergarten through Among the three schools the first grade, and I can remember using band reached nearly 900 students who a lot of music videos to learn how to got to hear Mountain Faith perform count and read.” and learn what prompted the mem- Summer McMahan enjoys shar- bers to write their own stories. There ing her music and songs with students was also interactive time that includ- because, as she explains, “Writing has ed writing lessons, as well as an air always been a way for me to express band competition among the teachers exactly what I am feeling. I write in which students got to scream to de- things that I find difficult to articulate termine the winner. to others.” Parker adds, “I feel students “I Write My Story” isn’t limited need positive role models that encour- to North Carolina or the Southeast. age hard work, creativity, and the de- “The band is going to Utah in the fall sire to do their best. Mountain Faith for concerts,” she says, “and I plan to Band does that with their new ‘I Write reach out at some point to find out My Story’ literacy program. Many where we can go to schools there as students watched them on ‘Ameri- well.” CJ ca's Got Talent’ and look up to them. Through [the band’s] love of writing Lisa Snedeker is a music writer who Students at Rosman Elementary in Transylvania County write in their journals during and performing songs, they pass their lives in Madison. Visit her blog at musicre- visit from Mountain Faith Band. (Photo courtesy of Mountain Faith Band) love and passion to students to tell porterblog.com. MAY 2017 | CAROLINA JOURNAL PAGE 5 North Carolina High Point council OKs stadium, but where’s the team? By Sam A. Hieb luxury suites. And naming rights will Contributor be for sale, bringing in an estimated HIGH POINT $3 million over 10 years. reensboro has its downtown The stadium would be owned by baseball stadium. Winston- the city, but in theory would not re- Salem has its downtown base- quire any new taxes. The project debt Gball stadium. So why shouldn’t High — funded in part through “internal Point — the Triad’s least prominent loans” from the city’s landfill reserve city — have its own downtown base- and electricity funds — would be re- ball stadium? paid with proceeds from the team’s It should — or at least the City annual lease, facility fees, parking sur- Council said so April 3, when it ap- charges, naming rights, and increased proved $15 million toward a proposed property tax revenues from develop- $30 million stadium project that boost- ment around the stadium. ers call the Catalyst Development, in- Forward High Point, the city’s tended to revive High Point’s “Core public-private economic development City.” group, estimates $99 million in mixed- Among the problems raised use development surrounding the sta- by some critics — including coun- dium, which in turn would generate cil member Cynthia Davis, who cast $708 million in consumer spending. the lone dissenting vote on the nine- That project is now called Main member council — is the vote zipped Artist rendering of the High Point stadium complex approved in early April by the Street Station. It’s projected to house through with little notice, the public City Council. (Image from Odell Associates) 32,000 square feet in retail and restau- will have no direct say in funding for rant space, 20,000 square feet of office the project, and, crucially, High Point space, and 120-150 residential units. doesn’t have a team to occupy the sta- national home furnishings market the league team would be the goal. While the project sounds prom- dium. city hosts twice a year. In the presentation by Forward ising, some High Point residents are Davis believes the council vote A couple of years ago, down- High Point executive director Ray skeptical, starting with council mem- was rushed and lacked transparency. town booster organization Ignite High Gibbs, the plan is to attract an inde- ber Davis. “Constituents were left out of Point enlisted famed architect Andres pendent Atlantic League franchise For one thing, there was little the process entirely,” Davis told Caro- Duany to craft a plan for downtown. pending completion of the ballpark, notice of the plans or the vote. “We lina Journal in a phone interview. “I’m Duany’s report did contain practical although plans for a local ownership weren’t given a handout until Mon- just up in arms over the lack of citizen recommendations, such as easing the group are still being worked out. At- day night” of the meeting, she said. participation and knowledge. I’m not bureaucratic red tape for builders. lantic League teams each play 70 There are also a lot of unan- against any development, but trans- But the highlights were “sea-can de- home games. The Hi-Toms haven’t swered questions, Davis said. For ex- parency is No. 1.” velopments” around downtown us- been ruled out as a co-tenant. ample, the “internal loans” from city At the very least, Davis said, the ing empty shipping containers and a As for the stadium, it would sit departments are undefined, as is the project should be funded as part of a community “gathering space” next to on a tract of land bordering Elm, Gate- role Guilford County would play. bond referendum, as are other govern- the city library. wood, English, and Lindsey streets. As of yet, the county Board of ment projects involving public debt. Plans for a new baseball sta- The first $15 million approved by the Commissioners has no planned agen- “We have the audacity to ap- dium had been floating around High council would go toward preliminary da item to discuss the ballpark, al- prove this project, but we have to go Point for some time. Most of the talk design work and environmental stud- though Forward High Point’s presen- to the polls for facility needs?” Davis involved luring the Coastal Plain ies. Construction could begin as early tation mentions “county participation asked. League Thomasville Hi-Toms up as this fall and be completed in time regarding increased tax base.” For years High Point has been Business Interstate 85, but the Coastal for the 2019 season. “How can the council make such thinking of ways to attract people Plain is a summer college league with The capacity would be 5,000, a decision when we don’t even know downtown at times other than dur- fewer dates — 34 home games sched- with seating options ranging from what [the county’s] role is?” Davis ing the High Point Market, the inter- uled this season. A professional minor grass berm and picnic area seating to asked. CJ

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www.praeger.com PAGE 6 MAY 2017 | CAROLINA JOURNAL North Carolina Commentary North Carolina brewers exploring all options to raise barrel threshold

t would be hard to find a more freedom on the basis of those states’ wholesale distributor oligopoly? The The distribution cap grants the blatant example of cronyism constitutions. Because it’s such a law’s purported rationale is to “main- members of the wholesale distribu- than the North Carolina law that blatant example of cronyism, the tain … healthy competition,” but, in tion oligopoly the exclusive privilege forbidsI beer brewers who produce beer distribution cap is vulnerable fact, it does the opposite. It protects of distributing the beer produced more than 25,000 barrels per year to challenge based on several provi- the distributors from competition by by every brewer that exceeds the from selling their sions in the North Carolina Constitu- forcing brewers to distribute exclu- 25,000-barrel limit. Do they perform products directly tion, including: sively with them, and it protects the a public service in return for this con- to retailers. The big national and multinational brew- sideration? They do not! law serves no le- Article I, Section 1: ers from competition by encouraging gitimate purpose [A]ll persons... are endowed North Carolina’s craft breweries to Article I, Section 34: and exists for two by their Creator with certain remain small. This kind of economic Perpetuities and monopolies are reasons only: to inalienable rights... [including] protectionism is not a legitimate gov- contrary to the genius of a free protect the na- the enjoyment of the fruits of ernment interest. state and shall not be allowed. tional and inter- their own labor. The second right guaranteed national beverage by the “law of the land” clause has The distribution laws grant conglomerates JON Arbitrary interference with two parts: the right not to have one’s distributors the exclusive right to from local compe- private business and unnecessary property taken unless it is required distribute the breweries’ beer in tition, and to en- GUZE restrictions on lawful occupations for a valid public use; and the right perpetuity. While perhaps not tech- rich the members clearly violate the spirit of this to receive just compensation when it nically a monopoly, it is certainly of the wholesale clause. By forcing brewers to relin- is. The distribution laws violate both an oligopoly. As such, it is contrary distribution oligopoly to whom the quish the right to distribute their parts of this right. The state is not to the genius of a free state, and it craft brewers are forced to turn over own products as a condition for acquiring the craft brewers’ distribu- is forbidden by the North Carolina their distribution operations. obtaining essential business licenses tion operations for a public use; in- Constitution. The good news is that two bills and permits, the distribution laws stead, it is forcing them to turn those Any one of these constitutional to raise the cap on self-distribution deny them the right to enjoy the operations over to other private claims, if successful, could result in a have been filed. House Bill 67, which fruits of their labor. parties. Nor can it be argued that this declaratory judgment striking down was sponsored by Rep. Michael transfer of property from one private the distribution laws, a permanent Speciale, R-Craven, would raise it Article I, Section 19: party to another somehow achieves injunction blocking the enforcement to 100,000 barrels. House Bill 500, No person shall be … deprived a public purpose, because, as noted of those laws, and an award of mon- which was sponsored by Reps. of his life, liberty, or property, above, protecting the interests of ey damages and attorneys’ fees to the Chuck McGrady, R-Henderson; Wil- but by the law of the land. wholesale distributors and out-of- claimant. I’m sure those possibilities liam Brawley, R-Mecklenburg; Jon state beverage conglomerates is not are not lost on North Carolina’s craft Hardister, R-Guilford; and Pricey The North Carolina courts have a valid public purpose. All of this brewers. They have, after all, already Harrison, D-Guilford; would raise it consistently interpreted this clause would be bad enough if the craft proven themselves to be a particu- to 200,000. The bad news is that, be- to guarantee two kinds of rights. The brewers received just compensa- larly creative and determined group cause the wholesale distributors con- first is the right to due process. The tion for the loss of their distribution of entrepreneurs. stitute such a powerful lobby, there cap on self-distribution violates the operations, but they do not. They North Carolina should be doesn’t seem to be much chance that right to due process because it is arbi- receive nothing. encouraging such people rather than even this kind of limited reform will trary and capricious, and because it is actively holding them back. If the be approved. not rationally related to a legitimate Article I, Section 32: General Assembly won’t protect their The wholesalers and their government interest. Why permit a No person or set of persons is economic rights, don’t be surprised if friends in the legislature shouldn’t be brewer who produces 24,000 barrels entitled to exclusive or separate they turn to the courts! CJ too complacent, however. In recent a year to self-distribute while forcing emoluments or privileges from years, litigators in other states have one who produces 26,000 barrels to the community but in consider- Jon Guze is director of legal studies successfully defended economic distribute through a member of the ation of public services. for the John Locke Foundation. Free Choice for Workers: If you know high A History of the Right to Work Movement school students considering college...

Download the FREE “College Bound” pdf from By George C. Leef The Martin Center! ViceDirector President of Research for Research at the atJames the G. JohnMartin William Center Pope for Academic Center for Renewal Higher Education Policy

“He writes like a buccaneer... recording episodes of bravery, treachery, commitment and www.jamesgmartin.center vacillation.” Robert Huberty or call 919.828.1400 (Call Jameson Books, 1-800-426-1357, to order) Capital Research Center MAY 2017 | CAROLINA JOURNAL PAGE 7 North Carolina Bill to award teaching scholarships limits choices for recipients

By Kari Travis Associate Editor RALEIGH awmakers are trying to attract teachers to North Carolina in a couple of ways, each accompa- Lnied by a piece of legislation. One, a move to award scholar- ships to aspiring teachers, would limit options for recipients. Senate Bill 252, “North Carolina Teaching Fellows Program,” would provide future science, technology, engineering, math, and special educa- tion teachers with forgivable college loans of up to $8,250 annually for four years. But there’s a caveat. The pro- gram requires that students select among five teaching programs chosen by a state-appointed commission. The cap is meant to ensure students at- tend top education programs at either public or private institutions, says bill sponsor Sen. Chad Barefoot, R-Wake. State lawmakers also are trying to give schools more options in hiring teachers. With rural and low-performing schools struggling to keep teachers, legislators are inventing new ways to recruit them. House Bill 634, Pri- vate Alternative Teacher Preparation, North Carolina lawmakers also are trying to give schools more options in hiring qualified teachers. (CJ Photo By Kari ravis)T would let professionals begin teach- ing while meeting certification re- quirements through private colleges. The state has a similar program, Currently, lateral-entry teachers must complete but that route limits schools and teach- their licensure requirements through an approved ing candidates, said Terry Stoops, vice president of research and education postsecondary teacher education program or a Regional studies at the John Locke Foundation. “Currently, lateral-entry teach- Alternative Licensing Center. This much-needed bill ers must complete their licensure requirements through an approved would give lateral-entry teachers even more options for postsecondary teacher education program or a Regional Alternative those undertaking the demanding process of meeting Licensing Center. This much-needed bill would give lateral-entry teachers those requirements. even more options for those undertak- - Terry Stoops, John Locke Foundation ing the demanding process of meeting those requirements,” he said. Regarding S.B. 252, the limit the program into institutions not in- A potential issue with H.B. 634, Johnson, who supports the pro- may frustrate the program’s purpose, cluded in the original cohort.” said Rep. Jon Hardister, R-Guilford, gram, met with bill sponsors during which is to place teachers in low-per- Sen. Erica Smith-Ingram, D-Ber- the bill’s primary sponsor, is that the draft process, Hardister said. forming schools, Stoops said. tie, and Sen. Rick Horner, R-Johnston, only a few areas of the state are ap- The state board wasn’t consult- Universities with top education raised concerns about the geographic proved to hire lateral-entry teachers, ed, but the proposal is met with good programs don’t exist in areas with the impact of the scholarship plan. a problem for struggling schools out- will, said Chairman Bill Cobey. highest need for STEM and special ed- Limiting the number of univer- side those regions. “Even if we were not in des- ucation teachers, Stoops says, and that sity programs to five would ensure The bill removes regional limits, perate need of attracting more high- could be a problem because teaching quality of education, Barefoot said allowing any Local Education Au- ly qualified people to the teaching fellows are likely to take jobs close to during a committee meeting. thority in the state to decide wheth- profession, I would personally sup- their universities. The 160 teaching fellows select- er to accept lateral-entry teachers, port this type of innovation,” Cobey “If the five institutions selected ed annually would, he says, benefit Hardister said. told Carolina Journal. by the North Carolina Teaching Fel- from a tight-knit troop. People still would meet require- H.B. 634 only adds options for lows Commission are located in North “Would I like to see the program ments laid out by the State Board of schools that need more teachers, Carolina’s most populous areas, then grow? Absolutely, in the future,” Community Colleges and the State Hardister said. the Teaching Fellows Program would Barefoot said. “[But] rather than dis- Board of Education, but training “This would approve the lat- be absent from regions of the state that persing recipients around the state … could be completed at both public eral-entry organizations to operate have the greatest difficulty recruiting we are keeping them concentrated in and private colleges. statewide, but then it’s up to the LEAs and retaining high-quality STEM and a programmatic kind of way. It also State Superintendent Mark to decide if they want to participate, special education teachers,” he said. keeps the programming side of the Johnson would recruit eligible pri- so they’re not forced to do it. There “If the bill is passed as written, teaching fellows initiative. vate schools to participate in the pro- are some LEAs that have shortages of my hope is that the North Carolina “I think what we’ve attempted to gram, and the North Carolina State teachers, some more so than others. Teaching Fellows Commission will do with this bill is to establish the most Board of Education would approve …That’s the impetus of this bill, to ask the General Assembly to expand elite, distinguished program possible.” five. provide the LEAs options.” CJ Hed here

PAGE 8 MAY 2017 | CAROLINA JOURNAL Quick takes

Hog waste bill stripped Foxx asks feds to curb of provision helping education mandates

.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-5th Dis- Smithfield Foods trict, wants federal bureaucrats to quit swamping states with ed- ucationU mandates that are left over from ep. Jimmy Dixon, a retired Dup- the Obama administration. lin County hog farmer, pleaded In a recent interview, Foxx, the with fellow House members to new chairwoman of the House Educa- rememberR the people who put food on tion and Workforce Committee, told the table. McClatchy media that federal education A handful of his Republican col- policies should come only from law- leagues (and several Democrats) said makers — not bureaucrats who make being faithful to the principles of com- rules outside of Congress. mon-law jurisprudence, separation of The Obama administration enact- powers, and property rights outweigh ed many of those mandates, under the the interests of any single industry, no guise of “dear colleague” letters from matter how important. the U.S. Department of Education and House Bill 467 — a measure the department’s Office of Civil Rights, limiting court damages in some nui- which shoveled out rules that had no sance lawsuits to the actual value of legislative authority. the property involved — passed the Such rules aren’t acceptable, Foxx House in mid-April, 68-47. But not spokeswoman Sheridan Watson told before an amendment by Rep. John Carolina Journal. Blust, R-Guilford, was added, block- As much as possible, decisions ing the law from applying to current should be left to states and local school federal lawsuits involving hundreds of Adopting the bobcat as the official state cat, the bill says, “would help bring about districts, Foxx said. plaintiffs and one major defendant — awareness of this magnificent and beneficial animal.” “The congresswoman wants to Smithfield Foods, the world’s largest ensure no administration makes policy pork producer. unilaterally, but instead works with The amendment passed by a Congress in changing law and imple- 59-56 vote. The lower damage limits menting the law through the appropri- would apply to future cases, but not Bobcat gets claws into legislative agenda ate regulatory process,” Watson said. the massive litigation now before U.S. Foxx also told McClatchy that she District Court Judge Earl Britt. any North Carolinians can Senate, aims to make the bobcat North would sack the U.S. Department of Edu- Blust and Rep. Hugh Blackwell, relate to the roaring panther, Carolina’s official state cat. cation for good — if it were possible. R-Burke, warned their colleagues a sound that reverberates Adopting the bobcat as the of- Reforms will be tough, notwith- against intervening in existing law- throughoutM Charlotte’s Bank of Amer- ficial state cat, the bill says, “would standing Foxx’s clout in Congress. suits. Blust said the bill would encour- ica Stadium on Sunday afternoons in help bring about awareness of this Funding for the Education Depart- age more constituents to come forward the fall. magnificent and beneficial animal.” ment is decided outside her committee’s and ask lawmakers to change damage Seems like the obvious choice Western lawmakers promoted jurisdiction. House and Senate appro- amounts if they were likely to lose a for the state cat, if we’re going to have the catamount, the mascot for Western priations panels will choose how much lawsuit. one of those. Lawmakers, though, Carolina University, to no avail. money goes to the agency. Rep. Joe John, D-Wake, a former have nominated the elusive bobcat, So the bobcat is poised to join the However, Foxx and other educa- member of the North Carolina Court which also happened to be the nick- cardinal, the plott hound, the Eastern tion reformers may use Congressional of Appeals, argued that the bill would name of an unsuccessful and now- box turtle, and the Virginia opossum Review Acts to scrap some of the man- violate separation of powers, placing defunct basketball team in the Queen (don’t quite get that one), among oth- dates that are cramping state-based edu- the legislative branch in the center of City. That team is now the Hornets, of ers, on the list of official state animals. cation policies. Such action also would an ongoing judicial dispute. course. The silk spider, looking to be- squelch those rules permanently. At press time, the bill was in the House Bill 74, which passed the come the state’s official arachnid, fac- A Congressional Review Act has Senate. House on April 11 and was sent to the es a much tougher battle, it appears. been used once this year. Cooper’s Cabinet picks sail through Amazon Wind Meter ov. Roy Cooper and the Gen- »» Secretary of Commerce: Tony Copeland The 208-megawatt Amazon Wind Farm near Elizabeth City has said it eral Assembly are still locked »» Secretary of Environmental Quality: must generate 670,000 megawatt hours annually, about 1,836 MWh each in a court battle over whether Michael Regan day, to meet its goal. February was its first full month of operation. Gthe legislature can subject the gover- »» Secretary of Health and Human Services: nor’s Cabinet appointments to con- Mandy Cohen firmation hearings. »» Secretary of Military and Veterans Af- FEBRUARY OUTPUT: PERCENTAGE And yet, all of those choices fairs: Larry Hall OF GOAL: sailed through their Senate hear- »» Secretary of Natural and Cultural Re- sources: Susi Hamilton 43,127 MWh ings — most of them by unanimous 1,540 MWh per day 84% votes. »» Secretary of Public Safety: Erik Hooks The members of Cooper’s Cab- »» Secretary of Transportation: Jim Trogdon inet confirmed by the Senate at press time are: *Revenue chief Ron Penny and Chief Informa- tion Officer Danny Lineberry had not gone »» Secretary of Administration: Machelle through the confirmation process at press time Carolina Journal will report the wind farm’s Sanders and were serving as temporary agency heads. production monthly. Visit http://bit.ly/2oMzco6 SOURCE: U. S. Energy Information Administration SOURCE: U. S. Energy Information MAY 2017 | CAROLINA JOURNAL PAGE 9 North Carolina House backs measure to study safety of outdated solar facilities

By Dan Way Associate Editor RALEIGH orth Carolina has no plan for disposing of millions of tons of material from solar instal- Nlations dotting the state. Rep. Jimmy Dixon, R-Duplin, has asked the legisla- ture to study the environmental safety issues associated with closing the fa- cilities. After a contentious committee discussion of the measure, House Bill 319 passed the full body April 19 by a 70-45 vote. At press time, the bill was in the Senate. As Dixon, a retired hog farmer, presented the bill to the House Envi- ronment Committee, he said the man- ner in which the state handles remov- ing the steel, glass, wiring, lubricants, and other components of utility-scale solar projects must be “economically feasible, environmentally safe, cost-ef- fective, and a benefit to the ratepayers of North Carolina.” Dixon said H.B. 319 raises six is- sues for the state Environmental Re- view Commission because “taxpayers, citizens of North Carolina, local gov- ernments, and everybody concerned need comprehensive, accurate, data- Rep. Jimmy Dixon, R-Duplin, seen here making a presentation in April at the John Locke Foundation, sponsored House Bill 319 because the state lacks any rules to determine proper disposal of materials used when solar installations no longer work. based information.” A report would (Courtesy John Locke Foundation) be delivered in 2018 to the General As- sembly. The six provisions to be studied in H.B. 319 are: • Whether performance bonds should be required to ensure proper decommissioning and clos- Taxpayers, citizens of North Carolina, ing of solar facilities. • If solar panels, fluids, and other related components could be clas- local governments, and everybody sified as hazardous materials. • Whether solar panels and materi- als in them can be disposed of concerned need comprehensive, safely in landfills. • The economic feasibility and accurate, data-based information. availability of recycling solar panels. - Rep. Jimmy Dixon, R-Duplin • Whether land housing solar proj- ects could be placed back into use for agricultural crop production after a project ceases operation. issues to the General Assembly was a environmental implications was akin any rules right now,” said Rep. Jeff • The anticipated economically pro- full study by the Environmental Re- to slander. Collins, R-Nash. ductive life cycle for various types view Commission. “An accusation, even if your “I don’t understand how any- of solar panels. “I’m concerned about witch name is cleared down the line, is body could be opposed to making sure In exchange for his concerns over hunts as well when it comes to renew- damaging to your reputation,” Miller we leave property environmentally the regulatory void, and potential fu- able energy,” Steinburg said, later as- said. “An indication that the Gener- safe after any kind of business” closes ture effects on land and groundwater, serting that Dixon probably is on one. al Assembly is considering onerous shop, Collins said. “I think we’re being Dixon was accused of being on a witch North Carolina hosts 60 percent overregulation of a particular indus- delinquent in our responsibilities if we hunt by a solar-friendly Republican of the nation’s utility-scale solar proj- try is damaging to the confidence of don’t at least study it and see what we colleague. ects. Carolina Journal broke the story in investors.” need to do.” Rep. Bob Steinburg, R-Chowan, 2015 that the state has no environmen- “I think this committee and the Apple has one of several large an ardent renewable energy advocate, tal rules for shutting down those solar General Assembly are interested in solar projects in his district, said Rep. repeatedly complained that an Envi- sites safely at the end of their useful stability also, but it is not necessarily Jay Adams, R-Catawba, and the com- ronmental Review Commission study life. of out-of-state investors that we are pany should be responsible for decom- would be redundant because solar rep- Dixon then called a legislative concerned about the stability of. It’s missioning them. resentatives and industry-provided ex- hearing to bring the affected parties to- the very citizens of North Carolina,” However, he said, some land- perts already told some House mem- gether to learn about the situation. Dixon said. owners entered into long-term leases bers there are no environmental safety Alex Miller, who represents “I’m really puzzled by some of of their property for solar facilities. concerns involving utility-scale solar North Carolina’s three largest solar the comments I’ve just heard. It was “They don’t know the answers to projects. energy developers, urged commit- mentioned that we might dampen the the questions that this bill poses, and Dixon said “the proper vehicle” tee members to reject H.B. 319. He enthusiasm by changing the rules in they need to know those answers,” for reporting critical environmental seemed to imply even studying the the middle of the game. We don’t have Adams said. CJ PAGE 10 MAY 2017 | CAROLINA JOURNAL North Carolina

The deal was arranged by Cus- tomerFirst Renewables, a Maryland- based company launched in 2010, that allows businesses to “switch to renew- able energy” without physically switch- MIT’s ing. Responding to written questions, MIT Director of Sustainability Julie Newman said that Summit Farms is estimated to produce 146,000 MWh green per year. She said that, due to contract terms, she was unable to disclose the price MIT and the other partners pay Dominion for electricity, how much they expect to sell it for, or the projected net loss on the arrangement. scheme “We believe our experience can help catalyze similar investments in hree parties are claiming energy clean energy, which will be vital to from the Summit Farms Solar achieving a zero-carbon global energy project in Currituck County will system within this century,” said Maria Toffset a portion of their “carbon foot- The 60 MW Summit Farms Solar facility in Currituck County covers more than 650 Zuber, MIT’s vice president for research print:” the Massachusetts Institute of acres. (CJ photo by Don Carrington) in an October news release. Zuber is Technology, the Boston Medical Center, leading the implementation of the MIT’s and the Post Office Square Redevelop- their facilities with electricity from a lo- ance to buy the electricity from Summit Plan for Action on Climate Change. ment Corporation. cal utility. Farms, “adding carbon-free energy to How reliable is the generation MIT says the solar power pur- Power from Summit Solar Farms, the grid and demonstrating a partner- from this solar facility? A 60 MW gen- chased from the Currituck facility will when it’s available, will go on the PJM ship model for other organizations in eration project running at full capacity equal 40 percent of the institute’s cur- power grid which serves the mid-At- climate-change mitigation efforts,” ac- for the full 8,760 hours in a year would rent electricity use. Boston Medical and lantic states. cording to a release from the MIT News produce 525,600 MWh, but solar proj- the redevelopment group say the Sum- The project, started in 2015 as a Office. Dominion Power will own and ects generate only when the sun is shin- mit Farm power will offset 100 percent project of Duke Energy, is in Domin- manage the facility and “assume re- ing. MIT’s estimate of 146,000 MWh of their electricity use. ion’s service territory. Duke sold it to sponsibility for the project’s full cost per year represents available usage, or But none of the electricity gener- SunEnergy, a North Carolina-based — with financing made possible by the capacity factor, of 27.7 percent. In other ated at Summit Solar Farms will supply solar company owned by Australian guaranteed power purchase.” words, the project sometimes will pro- energy to those Massachusetts facilities. race car driver Kenny Habul. In August “This agreement will enable the duce a full 60 MW, sometimes 0 MW, It will not even be on the electrical grid 2016, SunEnergy transferred ownership construction of a roughly 650-acre, but on balance it will produce about they use. MIT will continue to power its of the project to Dominion Solar Projects 60-megawatt solar farm on farmland 27.7 percent of the full capacity. campus with an on-campus natural gas LLC, a Dominion Power subsidiary, but in North Carolina,” according to MIT. According to MIT, the project generation system, supplemented by retained ownership of the real estate. MIT committed to buy 73 percent of the generated 5,312 MWh in January, 7,729 power from a local Massachusetts util- MIT, Boston Medical, and the MWh, Boston Medical 26 percent, and MWh in February, and 12,509 MWh in ity. The medical center and the redevel- redevelopment group announced in the redevelopment corporation 1 per- March. CJ opment group will continue to power October 2016 they had formed an alli- cent. - Don Carrington MerleFest reaches out to community in a variety of ways erleFest, the iconic festival students to enter the festival and enjoy each year in Wilkesboro, is all the music, activities, and local arts and about the music, in one form crafts.” Mor another. Joe Bullis is director of Federal Delivered in a variety of ways. Programs and Cultural Arts for Wil- Held at Wilkes Community Col- kes County Schools. The partnership lege the last weekend in April, Mer- with MerleFest, he said, can’t be dis- leFest attracts scores of legendary and counted. coming acts. Organizers also reach “The MerleFest Outreach pro- into and out to the community to ful- gram is a unique opportunity for our fill some the event’s core missions, students to personally experience the namely education and enlightenment. culturally rich tradition of Merlefest. Much like Mountain Faith, art- Yes, Merlefest is an integral part of ists including the Kruger Brothers, Wilkes County's history. and many of The Gravy Boys, and Steve and Ruth our students grow up hearing the an- Smith will visit schools this year as nouncements and seeing the banners part of the MerleFest Outreach Pro- MerleFest offers music showcases for youth each year. (Photo courtesy of MerleFest) throughout town during this time gram, which began in 1991. of the year. However, for some, this The Outreach Program started Shows come at no cost to the stu- MerleFest is the largest fundrais- would be their only exposure to this with a few performances at Wilkes dents. er for Wilkes Community College. awesome event if not for MerleFest County elementary schools and grew “The program has introduced Another outreach effort, Mer- Outreach and MerleFest Student Day. to as many as 30 performances over a tens of thousands of children to the leFest School Day, gives area children a We greatly appreciate the hard work two-day period, organizers say. rich musical heritage of this region,” a unique opportunity to visit the festival. of Merlefest Artist Relations and the Among the artists who have festival news release says. “It has en- Each year on the Friday of the festival, performers who put forth the extra ef- taken part are Béla Fleck and the riched their lives and exposed them the release says, more than 3,300 stu- fort to make sure that all our students Flecktones, The Avett Brothers, The to genres of music that many would dents arrive on buses to spend the day. have the opportunity to be a part of Waybacks, and Old Crow Medicine never have the opportunity to experi- “The experience, provided in this Wilkes County event.” CJ Show. ence.” partnership with area schools, allows - John Trump MAY 2017 | CAROLINA JOURNAL PAGE 11 North Carolina Currituck County fed up with solar

The North Carolina legislature in County imposes 2007 passed Senate Bill 3. It established a Renewable Energy Portfolio Stan- dard requiring electric utilities to meet moratorium after giant renewable energy purchase targets. Renewables, including wind and solar, MIT farm goes live must comprise 6 percent of the previ- ous year’s retail sales in 2015, 10 per- cent in 2018, and 12.5 percent in 2021. By Don Carrington For Summit Farms Solar to count Executive Editor toward a utility’s REPS requirement, RALEIGH the environmental attributes — or arge solar projects haven’t been a “greenness” — of the energy produced good deal for Currituck County at the site would have to be bought residents, says Bobby Hanig, the by a North Carolina power company. Lcounty commission’s chairman. The The attributes are measured in Renew- developers “have consistently tried to able Energy Certificates, or RECs. One go back on what has been agreed upon MWh equals one REC. The actual pow- in open meetings and brought on extra er and the RECs can be sold to different work for county staff to ensure they are parties. doing what is asked of them,” he said. James McLawhorn, director of the Concerns about the recently com- Electrical Division of the Public Staff of pleted 60-megawatt Summit Farms the N.C. Utilities Commission, moni- Solar energy facility, made possible tors utility company compliance with by a contract with the Massachusetts Currituck County residents (from left) James Decker, Mary Harper, and Gail Romich REPS. McLawhorn confirmed toCJ that Institute of Technology, was the final live across the road from the massive Summit Farms Solar facility, seen at rear. They electricity from the Summit Farms So- straw. In February, the county banned say the solar plant is a nuisance and have concerns about possible water contami- lar project doesn’t help North Carolina nation and the plant’s effect on their property values. (CJ photo by Don Carrington) new solar projects. The 650-acre proj- meet its renewable energy goals. ect, containing 255,000 individual solar Nor do counties collect the full panels, is five miles south of the Virgin- ects. Fresh Air Energy X, a Duke En- near Summit Farms Solar. Neighbors amount of property taxes from com- ia border, two miles south of Moyock, ergy subsidiary, owns a 20 MW solar John Decker, Mary Harper, and Gail mercial solar energy systems, as they N.C., and adjacent to three residential facility in the Shawboro community. It Romich live across the street. They are do from other commercial or industrial neighborhoods. started generating electricity in 2015. concerned about soil and groundwater users. In 2008, North Carolina enacted The project is owned and man- Across the road from an elementary contamination, as well as their prop- legislation exempting from local prop- aged by Richmond, Virginia-based school, there is no plant screening or erty values. Since construction started, erty taxes 80 percent of the appraised Dominion Power. MIT and two other earth berm blocking the view from the they have had to deal with dust clouds value of nonresidential solar energy Massachusetts businesses signed a 25- street. leaving dirt covering their homes and electric systems. Summit Farms Solar year contract with Dominion to buy Ecoplexus, a San Francisco-based decks. Decker said they had little ad- and similar projects are taxed at 20 per- all the power, estimated to be 146,000 solar developer, has been trying to vance notice about the project. “We cent of their actual value. MWh per year, which will then be re- build a 20 MW project named Sun- only had a few weeks to get ready for There’s no requirement that the sold and added to the regional electri- shine Farms on a former golf course the first public meeting,” he said. facility participate in the North Caro- cal grid. MIT’s investment in solar is in the Grandy community. Based on “It is a health hazard, and it is lina REC program to receive the tax part of the school’s effort to address concerns from neighbors of the project, ugly,” Romich told CJ. She questioned reduction. Currituck County Tax Ad- climate change. Currituck County denied Ecoplexus a why it was built next to three residen- ministrator Tracy Sample told CJ the The resolution declaring a ban on permit. The company filed a lawsuit tial neighborhoods. She is happy the preliminary assessed (taxable) value new solar projects stated the commis- and, in March, a Superior Court judge commissioners put a moratorium on of Summit Farms is $30,079,090. That sion wanted to prevent “incompatible sided with the county’s decision to solar projects but wishes they had done value is after depreciation and the 80 solar array projects from being estab- turn down the project. so before Summit Farms was built. percent exclusion in assessed value al- lished that could adversely impact the SunEnergy, based in Mooresville, lowed under state law. quality of life for county residents” wants to build an additional 60 MW REPS, tax abatements “Based on our current tax rate of and promote the “conservation of facility on a site adjacent to Summit [48 cents per $100 valuation], the [lat- farmland.” Farms. County Planning Director Ben Even though the Summit Farms est year] amount of tax due the county “We as a board felt the need to Woody told CJ the project already has Solar project is in North Carolina, the will be approximately $144,379,” he better protect the county in any future been approved by the county so it’s not electricity it generates doesn’t count said. Total property tax levies for Cur- solar array projects by reviewing our subject to the recent ban. toward the state’s renewable energy rituck County were about $30 million current standards and getting input County Commissioner Paul goals. for fiscal year 2015-16. CJ from our citizens as to where and how Beaumont told CJ that dealing with re- we approve future sites and what they newable energy facilities is a challenge will look like,” Hanig told Carolina for Currituck. “It is all new, and there “We as a board felt the need to Journal. are a lot of lessons to be learned. They Like the nearby Amazon Wind hit the region before we understood better protect the county in any Farm, Summit Farms Solar is not par- the ins and outs of solar and wind,” future solar array projects by ticipating in the North Carolina Re- he said, referring to the Amazon Wind newable Energy Certificate program, Farm west of Elizabeth City and 13 reviewing our current standards so the energy will not count toward miles from Currituck County. the state’s goal to produce 12.5 percent Beaumont said landfills might and getting input from our of electricity by 2021 from renewable not be equipped to handle discarded sources such as wind and solar. solar panels. He believes converting citizens as to where and how we the land back to agriculture is not prac- approve future sites and what Overwhelmed by solar tical because farm implements might projects run into buried conduit or wires that they will look like.” weren’t removed. - Bobby Hanig Currituck County officials have Beaumont and the other com- Currituck County Commission Chairman dealt with three other large solar proj- missioners heard from residents living PAGE 12 MAY 2017 | CAROLINA JOURNAL North Carolina UNC campuses no longer free-speech zones?

Continued from Page 1 Amendment policing from the bureau- cratic Board of Governors, she said. ual Rights in Education, a nonpartisan “We do believe that the UNC research and litigation organization. system and North Carolina colleges The study showed that 15 out of This is a problem that has been in general are effectively protecting 16 UNC schools violated speech rights speech on their campuses today and in some form. glossed over for so long it’s to that there are existing remedies that In 2016, FIRE rated 449 public are working well when they don’t do and private higher-ed institutions na- that.” tionwide in three categories: red light, the point that students are not But, said Alrutz, some university yellow light, and green light. Red- and speech policies, however well inten- yellow-light schools enforce unconsti- in touch with what free speech tioned, often carry unintended conse- tutional policies that violate or abuse quences. open speech. Green-light schools up- N.C. State’s speech policy was a hold First Amendment rights. actually is. nonissue until it was aimed at Grace The report scrutinizes a universi- - Anna Beavon Gravely Christian Life. ty's harassment, bullying, protest, and State director for Generation Opportunity “Everyone could be affected de- tolerance policies, among others. pending at the time on who is using When H.B. 527 passed, only one the policy. … We all have viewpoints, UNC campus, Chapel Hill, ranked as a and we all have opinions, so if there’s green-light school. Eleven others were UNC Board of Governors and Presi- Some of the legislation’s lan- an arbitrary policy, it’s going to be ranked yellow, and the remaining four dent Margaret Spellings. guage is too broad, and the bill ap- used unjustly.” were designated red. The school doesn’t need to bulk pears not to protect dissenting speech, Grace Christian Life just hap- During an April meeting of the up on its speech protections, Shanahan said Susanna Birdsong, a spokeswom- pened to be the group that brought House Committee on Education-Uni- told the House committee. an for the American Civil Liberties that policy to the surface, proving that versities, Democrats challenged the Lawmakers worked closely with Union. no one can anticipate when or how free validity of FIRE’s report. They asked UNC officials to reach a compromise “We think [the bill] simply leads speech may be threatened on a public why, if campus speech policies are on portions of the bill that would have to more litigation and ultimately less campus. indeed so constrictive, more people lawsuits against the university, Shana- clarity around what is and is not per- Which, she says, is why free- haven’t complained. han later told CJ. While that part of the missible,” she told CJ. speech protections are vital. Speech violations, while not bill was removed, the legislation isn’t The ACLU values the right to “There’s always a need. Always a widely publicized, are very real, said perfect, he said. speech, but universities don’t need First need for more.” CJ Anna Beavon Gravely, state director for Generation Opportunity, a nonpar- tisan Millennial group. For one, students fear the conse- quences of speaking out. UNC System Free Speech Rankings by Campus Gravely, who works extensively The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education, a nonpartisan research and litigation organization, in 2016 rated with UNC campuses across the state, 449 public and private higher-ed institutions nationwide in three categories: red light, yellow light, and green light. told CJ students often accept speech Red- and yellow-light schools enforce unconstitutional policies that violate or abuse open speech. Green-light suppression and fail to defend them- schools uphold First Amendment rights. selves because they don’t want to jeop- ardize their academic standing. UNC Chapel Hill For another, universities so en- trenched in social norms fail to inform UNC Greensboro North Carolina Central University students of their rights to speech. “People feel like this is a solution Winston-Salem State University North Carolina State University in search of a problem. … In reality this UNC School of the Arts is a problem that has been glossed over for so long it’s to the point that stu- Appalachian State University Elizabeth City State University dents are not in touch with what free speech actually is,” Gravely said. “Like going to campus and thinking that you can’t speak about issues you care about unless you’re in a specific space [on campus.]” A speech violation isn’t always as conspicuous as the Grace Chris- tian Life lawsuit. Sometimes a First Amendment violation can be as small as a professor dissuading stu- dents from voicing their opinions in UNC Asheville class. University professors and guest speakers face intimidation and ha- Western Carolina University UNC Charlotte rassment during public appearances, North Carolina A&T State University as well. East Carolina University UNC leaders aren’t exactly op- UNC Pembroke posed to H.B. 527, but they, too, see the legislature’s plan as unnecessary and Red-Light Schools complicated. UNC Wilmington Free speech is valued and pro- Yellow-Light Schools Fayetteville State University tected on each of the state’s 16 Univer- Green-Light Schools sity of North Carolina campuses, said Tom Shanahan, general counsel for the MAY 2017 | CAROLINA JOURNAL PAGE 13 North Carolina Case studies in ‘free speech’ What follows are examples of efforts to quell commentary at both public and private university campuses throughout North Carolina. 2009: The speaker 2017: Private universities and the Shannon Gilreath incident Shattered glass and pepper spray polluted the scene of a UNC-Chapel The First Amendment doesn’t Hill protest that shut down a 2009 govern private colleges and universi- speech from former U.S. Rep Tom Tan- ties, making it tough for professors and credo, R-Colo., who opposes illegal im- students to tout unpopular views. migration. Shannon Gilreath, a professor In a wild altercation with police, of law and of Women’s, Gender, and protesters yelled profanities, chanted Sexuality Studies at Wake Forest Uni- over Tancredo, and even blocked him versity, came under fire in January 2017 from view with a large banner held for penning a highly controversial op- across the stage. ed published by the Washington Blade, a Demonstrators outside the lecture national LGBT news source. hall pushed to breach the overflowing “Europe’s Islam problem and room. Police cleared the crowd using U.S. immigration policy” called Islam a pepper spray and taser threats. One threat to LGBT rights and stated that the protester shattered a window, forcing gay community “must not risk an open Tancredo from the room. door to an ideology that imperils our The speaker was invited back in most cherished values — and our lives.” 2010, and he made a 90-minute speech Outrage followed. without violent disruption. But nearly Gilreath, who is a self-professed 100 students staged a silent walkout a radical liberal, received hundreds of let- few minutes into the talk. Political commentator and author Ben Shapiro addresses a group of students at ters from members of the public, some UNC-Chapel Hill on March 30, 2016. (Photo by Kari Travis) of which contained death threats. 2015: The professor On campus, the pushback was less extreme. In 2015, Altha Cravey, geography On-campus protesters called Gil- professor at N.C. State University with reath racist. Two faculty members from a history of liberal activism, was told by the women’s studies department wrote campus police to remove a controver- an op-ed dubbing him an Islamophobe. sial protest sign from her office window. University administrators made no Law enforcers defended the ac- attempt to shut him up or stifle his views. tion based on a university policy that Anti-intellectualism reigned, Gil- mandates what can and can’t be posted reath told Carolina Journal, stating that around campus. However, officials later protests were a bandwagon faculty ef- conceded that the policy was taken too fort to enrage students without giving far and shouldn’t have been applied to them context for his philosophies. Cravey’s case. “I am well known as a leftist. … In my case in particular, I thought it 2016: The Ben Shapiro was extraordinarily unintelligent that incident faculty members would take a few hundred words of a newspaper op-ed Another UNC-Chapel Hill inci- as the universe of my work.” dent in 2016 saw conservative author Gilreath has written many con- and editor Ben Shapiro face protest from troversial articles, including one that Black Lives Matter and LGBT student called the Roman Catholic church a groups during his speech. Protesters Student protesters rallied against the selection of Margaret Spellings to lead the UNC terrorist organization. No one has ever stood up and silently walked out of the system. (Photo by Kari Travis) ripped into him about that, he said. meeting just five minutes into Shapiro’s “There is such a demand for or- talk on “the Left’s obsession with race.” of Governors elected former U.S. Sec- testers swarmed the board’s conference thodoxy, it seems, on the Left,” he said. Conservative audience members jeered retary of Education Margaret Spellings room table, chanting, shouting, and “Even though I’m predictably progres- as the other students left the room. president of the UNC system. banging the gavel until they were re- sive on most issues, when I dared to Chapel Hill’s Young Republicans After firing UNC President Tom moved forcibly by police. Four students step out of bounds, from their perspec- group, who sponsored the event, later Ross, a Democrat, the board hired were arrested. One was charged with tive I was immediately a pariah.” argued that heckling the other side was Spellings, a Republican, to replace him. assault against a law enforcer. Tenure provides security for pro- justifiable due to the Left’s lack of toler- Critics said the Board of Governors The altercation followed a Dec. fessors at private colleges, but students ance. trampled normal procedures when it 2015 faculty protest during which a have far fewer speech protections. Ad- “If [protesters] want to talk with us removed Ross. Then-board Chairman group of professors began shouting de- ditionally, most students who are edu- in a respectful tone, we’re open to that. John Fennebresque, who orchestrated mands during a board meeting. Those cated from a polarized viewpoint don’t If they don’t want to do that, we’re just Ross’ firing without the input of the full protesters were escorted from the room understand the importance of respect- going to yell right back,” Frank Pray, a board, resigned his post immediately peacefully by law enforcers. ful debate, he said. Republican group leader, told CJ. after Spellings’ election. Students and faculty members “When you put that sort of lid on The months following were filled claimed the board violated their right to discourse, you create a dangerous en- 2016: The Board of Governors with strife, which emanated from stu- protest, but the state’s Open Meetings vironment where the most extreme el- and President Spellings dents and faculty members. Laws stipulate that — while individuals ements of both Left and Right are the During one meeting in early 2016, have the right to demonstrate in silence only elements in the discussion. And Disruptive protests spiraled out a protest turned violent when students during public meetings — disrupting that’s not good for anybody. It’s cer- of control in 2016 after the UNC Board erupted during board proceedings. Pro- proceedings is prohibited. tainly not good for democracy.” CJ PAGE 14 MAY 2017 | CAROLINA JOURNAL Opinion No representation without affiliation

efore too long, unaffiliated vot- of Millennial voters were unaffili- ers are likely to surpass Republi- ated, the largest percentage of any cans as the second-largest voting age group. Moreover, 52 percent of blocB in North Carolina. But unaffili- unaffiliated voters first registered ated voters will not be represented in North Carolina in 2010 or later, on the newly created State Board of compared to 33 percent of first-time Elections and Eth- registrants who chose the Democrat- ics Enforcement ic, Libertarian, or Republican parties. (if it eventually But to steal from an old Ameri- survives inevitable can Express commercial, “Member- challenges from ship has its privileges.” If you reg- Gov. Roy Cooper). ister as a Democrat or a Republican, And that’s OK. you have some capacity to influence Senate Bill the direction of your party’s agenda 68 passed both and priorities. You also have the pros- the House and the pect of serving as a representative of Senate. It merges your party on any number of over- the state boards RICK sight boards, including your county of elections and HENDERSON or state elections/ethics board. ethics into that If you’re unaffiliated, you’re out new body. Cooper Voters choose not to join a political party for a host of reasons. Some, perhaps of luck. vetoed the bill. The General Assembly many, for example, think the two major parties are too rigid ideologically. (CJ photo And that’s OK, too. voted within days to override that by Kari Travis) Voters choose not to join a veto. Cooper has said he’ll sue to get political party for a host of reasons. it overturned as an unconstitutional The simple (and correct) answer registration (39.2 percent to 30.4 per- Some, perhaps many, think the two violation of the separation-of-powers is that there is not an Unaffiliated cent), last year Republicans won more major parties are too rigid ideo- doctrine. Party in North Carolina. It has no partisan statewide races than Demo- logically. Others want the freedom to I’m not going to get into the chairman, executive committee, staff, crats. The GOP won races involv- choose one party over the other dur- details about the merits of Cooper’s or headquarters. The governor could ing U.S. Sen. Richard Burr, six of the ing primary elections, when they’re arguments. They’re serious. not request a list of nominees from 10 seats on the Council of State, and allowed to request a Republican or Instead, what was silly was the nonexistent party officials. There’s no all five open seats on the state Court Democratic (or Libertarian) ballot consternation expressed, primarily one to take a call, receive an email, or of Appeals. without joining one of the parties. by Democrats during debate over the open a letter. If unaffiliated voters were di- Others may not want to be bombard- bill, about the absence of unaffiliated You may think this is fundamen- vided evenly, Democrats would have ed by political mailings from groups voters on the new state board. Several tally unfair. But guess what? That’s won many more of those contests. affiliated with the major parties and noted that — of roughly 6.7 million the way the current State Board of That said, there are unaffili- those issue-advocacy outfits that rent registered voters in North Carolina Elections operates. Unaffiliated voters ated voters who think the Democrats party mailing lists. — there are only 30,000 more Republi- aren’t guaranteed representation on aren’t left-wing enough, and the But here’s a thought. If you cans than unaffiliateds, 0.4 percent of the state board or on county boards. Green Party’s not on our ballot, so want to participate in electoral total registration. The new law would not change that those voters don’t have a home. politics, and are turned off by the And yet Republicans and Demo- situation. Other unaffiliateds think the GOP ideological rigidity of the political crats have equal representation on the Also, unlike a myth that swirls isn’t far enough to the right, and they parties, you’re more likely to modify new eight-member state board, four around the growing number of party- won’t register as Libertarians because a party’s thinking by working inside members nominated from each party. less voters, the unaffiliateds aren’t they disagree with that party’s stance it rather than shunning it. The adage If the GOP effectively became a necessarily moderates or centrists who on, say, social or national defense applies about it being better when third party in North Carolina, critics can’t find an ideological home. They issues. you’re inside the tent rather than asked, why should Republicans hold tend to vote Republican — for now. Still others aren’t “joiners,” at outside it. CJ equal sway with Democrats on a pan- You see that in election results. least not yet. The Carolina Population el charged with supervising elections While Democrats outnumber Re- Center’s survey of voter registration Rick Henderson is editor-in-chief while unaffiliated voters held none? publicans by nearly 10 points in total patterns by age showed 36 percent of Carolina Journal.

JONES STREET GEMS

You want wacky? I’ll show you op his own list of trusted nominees, raising comment that drew national view Commission to study whether Jackson asked, apparently hoping to ridicule: environmental regulations are needed wacky demonstrate the foolhardy nature of “I think we ought to suspend, for the solar energy industry’s utility- the bill. perhaps, elections for Congress for scale facilities to prevent ground and House Democratic Leader Dar- “I don’t believe the parties two years, and just tell them we won’t water damage. ren Jackson, D-Wake, was no fan of would have an interest in sabotaging hold it against them, whatever deci- “I’m concerned about witch Senate Bill 68. During House floor de- the election process,” said Rep. Da- sions they make, to just let them help hunts,” Steinburg said, at one point bate he strenuously objected to a pro- vid Lewis, R-Harnett, chairman of the this country recover.” accusing Dixon of such tactics. The vision requiring state political party Elections and Ethics Law Committee, solar industry already provided its chairmen to present a list of candidates noting that a similar process already is Casting spells and aspersions own hand-picked experts to assuage from which to nominate members to used. Then he turned the tables on his doubts about operation safety and de- the new North Carolina Bipartisan opposition party antagonist. Rep. Bob Steinburg, R-Chowan, commissioning, he said. State Board of Elections and Ethics En- “The only person I’ve heard ad- makes no bones about it. He is be- Dixon should remember because forcement. vocate for doing away with elections guiled by the solar energy industry. he was a member of an interim com- How could a governor ensure was former Gov. [Bev] Perdue,” Lewis And he was in high dudgeon mittee at which the reports were giv- the people being recommended to said. during a House Committee on Envi- en, Steinburg said. “You don’t recall?” him are competent, and would not In 2011, with the country mired ronment meeting at which state Rep. No, the slow-talking, sharp- be possessed of wacky ideas to inter- in economic doldrums, and Congress Jimmy Dixon, R-Duplin, presented tongued Dixon responded, he was fere with elections, if the governor at an impasse to work together on House Bill 319. The measure would not at that meeting. “I was on a witch does not have the authority to devel- jobs bills, Perdue made this eyebrow- authorize the state Environmental Re- hunt.” CJ MAY 2017 | CAROLINA JOURNAL PAGE 15 Opinion Rainy-day rules attract near-unanimous support

ost beneath headlines highlight- giving some of that money back to the ing the rancorous repeal of Members of both major parties in both legislative taxpayers? House Bill 2, N.C. lawmakers H.B. 7 covers that issue, albeit Ltook another vote on the same day chambers agree that North Carolina should in a somewhat complicated way. The that could produce major long-term governor’s Office of State Budget and positive benefits for state government establish significant restraints on spending. Management and the legislature’s finances. Fiscal Research Division will huddle With no million to the reserve. He included that which lawmakers can tap the fund. together and produce an annual evalu- fanfare, the N.C. provision even as he called on lawmak- North Carolina had been one of the ation “of the adequacy of the Savings House voted 111-2 ers to ramp up spending in other areas. few states across the nation with no Reserve.” It will be based on the vola- to accept the Sen- Lawmakers have exercised more limits on spending from savings re- tility of the state’s tax structure. ate’s version of frugality in recent years. The new serves. Taxpayers have been forced to The goal will be to stockpile a House Bill 7. It es- governor sees the benefits of boosting rely on legislators’ fiscal discipline. reserve that would “cover two years tablishes new rules reserves. So one might be forgiven for Now that discipline has an out- of need for nine out of 10 scenarios regarding North concluding that there is no compelling side enforcement mechanism. Under involving decline in General Fund Carolina’s savings need for House Bill 7. the new law, a simple majority of revenue” from one budget year to the reserve. The Senate But now is exactly the right time lawmakers in both chambers would be next. Advocates want to ensure North had approved the MITCH to make the change. Lawmakers face able to extract in a single year as much Carolina has the funds to cover a measure, 49-0. KOKAI no significant pressure to sacrifice long- as 7.5 percent of the prior year’s Gen- worst-case fiscal scenario. This means term fiscal health for short-term po- eral Fund budget (roughly equivalent Legislators developed that lan- members of litical benefits. Establish the restraints to $1.6 billion now) to address one of guage based on a model employed in both major parties in both legislative now, and they will help North Carolina four pressing needs. Minnesota. Supporters suggest that the chambers agree that North Carolina weather the next fiscal storm. (Yes, the The money could cover a decline formula would likely lead to a savings should establish significant restraints pun is intended.) in General Fund revenue from one reserve totaling roughly 13 percent of on spending. The legislation builds several year to the next. It could cover a gap the General Fund budget. That percent- The timing is commendable. Re- safeguards into the rainy-day reserve. between General Fund spending and age could change from year to year. cent legislative history explains why. First, the governor and legislative bud- revenue in a given year. It could pay Once North Carolina reaches its Since Republicans took control get writers must consider the reserve costs linked to a court or administra- goal, no more money would be added of the General Assembly after the 2010 any time state government expects to tive order. Or it could pay for disaster to the savings reserve. Not even the elections, they have focused special benefit from year-over-year tax rev- or emergency relief, such as the literal 15 percent of year-over-year revenue attention on building the reserve, also enue growth. At least 15 percent of that “rainy day” created by a hurricane. growth. Lawmakers would be free to known as the “rainy-day fund.” growth must go into the reserve. If lawmakers want to spend spend the additional money or return That focus proved fruitful when Lawmakers would be free to set more than the 7.5 percent annual it to taxpayers through tax cuts. lawmakers had resources available to aside more. They also would face no limit, or if they want to spend money It’s not surprising that this use in December. The savings reserve requirement to build the reserve if an for issues other than those listed in complex mix of numbers failed to covered roughly half of the first round economic downturn leads to a decline H.B. 7, they would need to secure generate the same buzz as the political of disaster relief related to Hurricane in year-over-year revenue growth. But votes from two-thirds of the members fight over H.B. 2. But it’s good to know Matthew and western wildfires. the 15 percent “default setting” would of both the House and Senate. That’s that lawmakers set aside time on their Even with a change in adminis- ensure that policymakers avoid the an even larger supermajority require- calendar to address this issue. tration from Republican Pat McCrory temptation to spend all of the money ment than the one tied to gubernato- Taxpayers should reap the re- to Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper in flowing into the state treasury during rial vetoes. wards in the years ahead. CJ January, an emphasis on building the good times. Fiscal hawks are likely to ask: savings reserve remained. Cooper’s As H.B. 7 sets rules for adding to How do we ensure the savings reserve Mitch Kokai is senior political ana- budget plan would add another $300 the reserve, it also limits the uses for doesn’t grow too large? What about lyst for the John Locke Foundation.

JONES STREET GEMS

What’s in a number? the relief bill for Hurricane Matthew mitted what seems to be a frequent ate a recognition program honoring was H.B. 2. I don’t ascribe meanings mispronunciation among lawmakers school attendance and replaced it What do Rep. Becky Carney, D- to numbers.” of the word “fiscal.” with a bill to merge the State Board Mecklenburg, and apparel hanging “Well, Mr. Chairman,” Carney “Sen. McKissick has been here a of Elections and State Ethics Com- from the rafters at sports arenas have said wryly, “maybe we ought to con- long time, and he’s had a good idea mission, a renewed effort to fix a pre- in common? Read on. sider, as they retire jerseys in sports, now and then. Could you tell me, viously passed law struck down in House Bill 2, a measure to ap- maybe we ought to retire H.B. 2 from is that a physical impact, or a fiscal court. prove state funding to help offset local bill filing.” impact? How do you spell that?” “No senator has, as far as I’m property tax abatements for disabled Tillman turned and asked Fiscal Re- aware, passed this language,” even veterans, and widows and orphans of Floyd and Jerry, Fred and search Division staff member Rodney though it is a Senate bill, Martin said. first responders, was being debated in Bizzell. Under legislative rules “the Senate the House Finance Committee. Car- Ginger “I believe it’s f-i-c,” Bizzell began will not have a chance to amend it. ney queried bill sponsor Nelson Dol- to say, at which point laughter erupted They’ll have a chance to vote up or lar, R-Wake, about the pejorative na- As a retired school administra- from the amused meeting room. down on concurrence,” he said. ture of the bill number that has taken tor, it is understandable that Sen. Jerry That prompted McKissick to re- “Now, generally, I don’t really on a toxic connotation in many circles. Tillman, R-Randolph, is a vocabulary tort with a line from a George Gersh- care for the Senate’s input on any- “Did you give this any serious watchdog. While conducting a Senate win cinematic tune made famous by thing. But unfortunately our consti- consideration of taking the number Finance Committee meeting on Senate Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers: “You tution does contemplate that they do H.B. 2?” she asked deadpan, with the Bill 325, the Republicans’ $1 billion tax say tomato, I say to-mah-toh, let’s call have a voice, whether they deserve it implication clearly being a reference to cut package, Tillman and his frequent the whole thing off.” or not,” Martin said. the so-called bathroom bill from 2016 Democratic foil, Sen. Floyd McKissick, Upon quick reflection, he said that rocked the state. D-Durham, engaged in some friendly On second thought with a sheepish smile, “I don’t think “I wanted to get this bill in ear- word play in the midst of tense debate. I have any chance of getting any bills ly,” Dollar said in a matter-of-fact tone. McKissick wanted to know the Rep. Grier Martin, D-Wake, was through the Senate now.” The bill didn’t “But just to answer that question, in financial impact of the tax cut on the in a huff that Republicans stripped have any chance of getting past Gov. the short session, back in December, state budget. In the process, he com- language out of Senate Bill 68 to cre- Roy Cooper, either. He vetoed it. CJ PAGE 16 MAY 2017 | CAROLINA JOURNAL Education Commentary Concerns raised over dual enrollment program, possible misconduct

ach year, roughly 1.4 million school’s problems, however, may go high school students take college beyond dual enrollment; they appear courses. This is made possible to extend to issues involving improper Eby dual enrollment programs, which college governance, lack of oversight, give those students opportunities to and lack of transparency. In one dual enrollment course, nine earn credits and work toward a college First, let’s look at the dual enroll- out of 14 high school students had degree or technical vocation. More ment program. All 58 of North Caroli- than 70 percent na’s community colleges participate in GPAs below 3.0; one GPA was a 1.7. of courses are of- a program called Career and College fered by commu- Promise. In the 2013-14 academic year, nity colleges. state funding for the program totaled Such nearly $57 million. programs were The program’s “Career and Tech- was denied both times. She is waiting “disgruntled employees.” Such accu- praised recently nical Education” pathway stipulates, to for CCC trustees to hear her case. sations should be taken seriously, and by the Depart- be eligible, a prospective student must As mentioned earlier, CCC’s the individuals making them should ment of Educa- have a 3.0 high school grade point issues may not be limited to those in- be protected as potential whistleblow- tion for expand- average or have permission from his volving the dual enrollment program. ers and given a fair hearing. ing higher or her principal. Additionally, students For example, a former IT employee, In the case of the state’s dual education “ac- SHANNON must take an assessment test (called Mike Falls, wrote a letter to CCC trust- enrollment program, such wrongdo- cess” and help- WATKINS PLAN) to demonstrate college readi- ees in December listing allegations of ing could impact more than school ing students in ness in English, math, and reading. fraud, employee intimidation, data employees such as Ginger Bullock. terms of “credit Now-former Cleveland Commu- security risks, and even illicit behavior High school students may be lulled accumulation.” But others have sug- nity College instructor Ginger Bullock, by the administration. into a false sense of academic accom- gested college administrators exploit in an interview, argued that many It seems that trustees were plishment, only to learn later they re- dual enrollment programs to increase ill-prepared high school students are mostly dismissive of Falls. The board ally aren’t prepared for more rigorous tuition revenue, and some argue the allowed to take college courses, and never interviewed him during its college coursework or career training. courses often are dumbed down. that leaders at her institution ignore review of his allegations. Ultimately, Those underprepared students are A report by City University of the problem because of an obsessive board members concluded Falls’ other most likely to drop out and struggle New York noted dual enrollment pro- focus on increasing enrollment. allegations were “resolved” or not with college loan debt. grams’ “limited oversight of academic Last summer, Bullock was as- true, but it appears that they heard If trustees aren’t willing to inves- rigor” and “low or uncertain academic signed to teach at a local high school. only one side of the story —the admin- tigate potential whistleblower claims quality.” After looking into the program, Bull- istration’s. fully, which seems to be the case now, Additionally, it seems many com- ock learned that, in one dual enroll- Another case of possible miscon- the onus is on North Carolina’s State munity college administrators view ment course, nine out of 14 high school duct involves a $13.2 million Depart- Board of Community Colleges and these programs mainly as revenue students had GPAs below 3.0; one GPA ment of Labor grant, awarded to CCC other higher-level policymakers to do generators. According to a 2016 study was a 1.7. in 2013. In a Martin Center interview, so. If that doesn’t happen, innocent by the American Association of Col- Bullock says she told several ad- the grant’s former project manager, college instructors may be mistreated, legiate Registrars and Admissions ministrators that she could not partici- Mitch Sepaugh, alleged that he was students may end up shortchanged, Officers, 59 percent of surveyed insti- pate in something she believes harms terminated after criticizing Executive and taxpayer funds may be wasted tutions said they use dual enrollment students. She claims that they brushed Vice President Shannon Kennedy for on questionable or poorly managed programs to meet their enrollment aside her concerns. misusing the grant. programs. CJ goals. Shortly after, Bullock was termi- Although it’s possible some of Recently, concerns over dual en- nated. The stated cause was “refusal these allegations may be unfounded, Shannon Watkins is a policy as- rollment have been raised at Cleveland to accept one’s work assignment.” She it’s troubling trustees seem to regard sociate at the James G. Martin Center for Community College in Shelby. The appealed her termination twice and them merely as the complaints of a few Academic Renewal.

The James G. Martin Center for The Decline of the Academic Renewal explores the General Education program at English Department Throughout much of the 20th century, English departments were the crown jewels of the humanities. Today, English departments have lost their position at the center of the American university. Read Jay Schalin’s newest report, Why? “General Eduaction at NC State” to discover the findings. Read “The Decline of the English Department” by Download the FREE pdf online! Jay Schalin FREE at: www.jamesgmartin.center

www.jamesgmartin.center Or call 919.828.1400 to receive your free copy. MAY 2017 | CAROLINA JOURNAL PAGE 17 Education

COMMENTARY How the academy is failing feminism

hristina Hoff Sommers, also systematically oppressed by a more women’s and gender studies students can Physical Society, women make known as YouTube’s “Factual powerful group (here, white men). recently attended a conference that up about 60 percent of biology ma- Feminist,” recently spoke at Intersectional feminism, accord- promoted “intersectional approaches” jors. Additionally, women made up UNC-ChapelC Hill. The former phi- ing to Sommers, does not educate to oppose “interlocking systems of between 45 to 50 percent of medical losophy professor and author of Who college women about their human oppression.” And UNC-Greensboro’s school graduates between 2012 and Stole Feminism: How Women Have dignity. Instead, its narrow focus on WGS department hosted an event on 2016. Clearly, women are not so op- Betrayed Women, systematic oppression encourages April 22 “dedicated to ... engaging pressed that they can’t enter difficult lamented how, in them to feel victimized and resentful in meaningful conversation around fields of scientific study. her view, the acad- toward men. systemic oppressions.” Although men greatly outnum- emy is radicaliz- It wasn’t until the early 1990s Nationally, this focus on how ber women in physics and engi- ing feminism and that Sommers became aware of the women are “systematically op- neering, perhaps women tend to be robbing women of dubious turn feminism had taken. pressed” may be causing students interested in different areas of study. their intellectual Around that time, she was asked to and academics to react with hostility But to even suggest this as a possi- freedom. teach a feminist theory class at Clark toward opposing views. bility provokes accusations of being Sommers, University. After reading the assigned As a guest speaker at Oberlin “anti-woman” or even “nonwoman,” now a resident textbooks, she said she realized they College, Sommers was provided as Sommers says she is sometimes scholar at the were one-sided and propagandistic. with a security escort due to student labeled. American Enter- SHANNON Sommers argues that today hostility. Such closed-mindedness It appears modern feminism prise Institute, WATKINS things have gotten worse. Only a is not limited to students, how- desperately needs greater intellectual believes in what “fanatical” form of feminism is being ever; Sommers said that when she freedom. It is now dominated by she calls “equity taught, and anyone who disagrees presented a paper at an American academics who aggressively promote feminism,” which “stands for the is demonized. Instead of encourag- Philosophical Association meeting, theories of oppression, giving short moral, legal, [and] social equality of ing students to think for themselves, audience members stomped their shrift to other concepts, such as equity the sexes.” the university is telling them what to feet and hissed at her. feminism, which Sommers says is now But Sommers argues the current think. Intersectional feminism’s op- “a relic of the past.” Until this climate feminism taught in most universi- It is evident universities are pression mania may be influencing changes, those who question intersec- ties is a radical distortion of equity heavily promoting intersectional femi- other aspects of higher education. tional feminism will either be silenced feminism known as “intersectional” nism. The National Women’s Studies Today, for example, universities urge or forced to look elsewhere for a more feminism. Association, for example, says it is women to enter fields in which they open intellectual environment. CJ This new brand of feminism fo- committed to intersectional scholar- allegedly are “underrepresented,” cuses on the intersection of race, class, ship and fighting “systems of privi- such as science, technology, engineer- Shannon Watkins is a policy as- and gender. Its overarching message is lege or structures that oppress.” ing, and math. sociate at the James G. Martin Center for that certain groups (here, women) are In North Carolina, Chapel Hill’s But according to the Ameri- Academic Renewal.

COMMENTARY Are smartphones making teens dumb and dumber?

martphones are teenagers’ alone: Teens now average nine hours daily smartphone use had significantly distractions. Some school districts have constant companions. The last daily with recreational media, accord- lower GPAs — even compared to stu- implemented “bring-your-own-device thing teens check at night before ing to Common Sense Media survey dents of similar academic ability. programs,” but scant evidence sup- driftingS off to sleep, phones occupy data. Most aren’t coding or blogging; Such studies extend earlier find- ports using personal devices such as pride of place in the morning routine, “content creation” consumes just 3 ings from psychologist Larry Rosen of smartphones in classroom learning. A too. Even pillow percent of teens’ digital media time. middle, high school, and college stu- recent London School of Economics talk — the digital The primary focus? Entertainment and dents. Texting was the top homework study found test performance in British kind — is common: connection. distractor; checking social media while schools actually rose following a ban Many teens sleep Many teens don’t even discon- studying was linked with a lower GPA, on phones. Overall, evidence supports with their phones, nect for schoolwork. Half use social Rosen found. technology integration in classrooms maintaining 24/7 media and 60 percent text while doing “Multitasking is a cognitive — but with an emphasis on quality, not accessibility for homework, found Common Sense impossibility,” says Melanie Hempe, quantity. Snapchats, texts, Media. A majority believe multitasking nurse, mother of four, and founder At home, parents can create time and status updates. doesn’t compromise their work quality. of the Charlotte-based organization and space for real learning. One simple Electronic blue Oh, but they’re wrong. A 2016 Families Managing Media. Hempe, strategy: Separate teens from their light is the 21st- study led by cognitive neuroscientist who conducts workshops for schools phones for homework. Younger teens century night-light. KRISTEN Matthew Cain, published in Psycho- featuring brain research on screens completing homework on tablets and Media mul- BLAIR nomic Bulletin & Review, linked heavy and learning, adds, “When a child has laptops may need regular monitoring titasking has thus media multitasking in adolescents with a phone on their desk, it puts them in to ensure they’re on task. Parents can become a near- lower standardized test scores. Fre- a different mind set. It puts them one also encourage timeless, brain-boosting universal part of quent multitaskers also demonstrated foot in and one foot out.” pursuits such as recreational reading. adolescence. There’s much to be said greater impulsivity and poorer working Rote work, such as folding And at bedtime? Phones and teens for encouraging technological savvy memory — showing less capacity to laundry, is ideal for multitasking. But recharge best apart. and agility. Teens face a lifetime of digi- retrieve recently-viewed information. complex tasks, such as learning the The mother of two teenagers, I can tal skills acquisition. Workers know: It A 2015 University of Connecti- quadratic formula, require sustained attest to the efficacy of these strategies pays to be nimble. Literally. cut study, published in Computers in attention. Attempting two complex for improving rest and learning. Out- Yet mounting evidence shows Human Behavior, found in-class college tasks simultaneously results in “task- raged teens might claim you’re ruining constant connection comes with a high multitaskers had lower grade point switching”, not “multitasking,” their lives. Mine did. But their bodies cognitive cost. It isn’t making teens averages; multitasking also increased research affirms. and brains will tell you otherwise. CJ smarter, and it’s crowding out things homework time. Another study from This is a critical cognitive real- that could. Kent State University researchers ity for informing learning, especially Kristen Blair is a Chapel Hill-based A reality check on time costs found that college students with higher since classrooms often teem with education writer. PAGE 18 MAY 2017 | CAROLINA JOURNAL Interview N.C. tax reforms offer national example for other states to follow

RALEIGH ty taxes, income taxes, sales taxes, cor- orth Carolina has seen signifi- porate income taxes. It’s not like Wyo- cant tax reform at the state level ming, which just doesn’t have taxes. in recent years. Policy experts So you have them all in North andN politicians outside the state are tak- Carolina, but they’re all broad-based ing note. Joseph Henchman, vice presi- and low. The goal being to try to get dent of legal and state projects at the Tax them to apply to as many people as pos- Foundation, touted N.C. reforms dur- sible, so everybody’s pitching in, but at ing a recent speech for the John Locke as low a rate as possible so that you’re Foundation. Henchman also discussed not picking winners and losers through state tax burdens with Mitch Kokai for the tax code. Instead, people are just Carolina Journal Radio. (Head to www. paying what they owe. And Indiana follows the same construct. So I think carolinajournal.com/radio/ to find re- a lot of states are looking at that type cent CJ Radio episodes.) of structural change in order improve First of all, remind us what is it their system. about North Carolina’s tax reforms And what’s also important about in recent years that really is note- North Carolina is how broad-based the worthy. reform was for different types of people. Of course, taxes matter for individuals a Sure. Well, if I could put it one lot, too. Not only because individuals, word, it would be “structure.” Lots what they buy and sell is subject to tax, of other states cut taxes. Lots of other but also a lot of businesses pay under states raise taxes. But what made North the individual code. In fact, the vast ma- Joseph Henchman, vice president of the Tax Foundation, praises North Carolina’s jority of businesses don’t pay corporate Carolina’s reform so special and so im- recent tax reforms during an April 17 speech at the John Locke Foundation. portant is that it was a structural reform. income tax. They pay through the indi- vidual code. So the reforms on the indi- The state really hadn’t updated its tax Now, the Tax Foundation looks at around Texas talking about what they vidual side, which North Carolina and code for decades. And, of course, the the state tax systems across the can do now. It’s tough to match Texas Indiana have done quite a bit of, have economy has changed. The people have country, ranks them, and North on abolishing your income tax. Usually, meant a lot for small businesses. changed. The direction the state was go- Carolina has actually seen some income taxes raise a lot of money for es- ing had changed, but the tax code had tangible benefits from these chang- sential services, so you can’t get rid of How do taxpayers, not only in North just not kept up. The reform tackled all es, hasn’t it? that completely — not without a lot of Carolina but across the country, areas of taxes in an attempt to reorient hard work. But [there are] other ways benefit when these various states the tax system toward what makes a Yeah. And it’s a ranking we do to make sure that, “Well, if you can’t are looking at ways to make their state competitive in today’s economy. annually in our State Business Tax Cli- match Texas on income tax, what can tax codes better? mate Index. It’s not perfect, but it’s an And why is such a structural you be competitive on? What can you attempt to gauge how competitive a do to build on a strength in the state, or Let’s look at the record on North change more important than just state’s tax system is. We look at over Carolina, just as one example. So the cutting taxes? at least overcome a weakness to make 100 different variables, in all the differ- sure that people aren’t fleeing the state overall tax change was a net revenue ent types of taxes, and compare them reduction. It was good that the state They’re both important, but I for tax purposes?” against each other. was in a position to be able to do that think structure is important because it So, for instance, Tennessee is tack- Before the reforms, North Caro- because it meant everybody ended up makes sure that you’re geared up for ling an old tax on dividends and in- lina was in the bottom 10 of states. And better off. Now, some people, like a the economy of the future and, really, vestment they have called the Hall tax. that just represents a historical, punitive middle-income family, maybe [were] the economy of the present, in fact. So They’re going to phase that out over tax system on investment, on wealth, only better off by a couple of dollars, North Carolina’s tax system, before time. Mississippi is looking at repealing that just went along with a lot of North but everybody ended up being better the change, was very much oriented franchise taxes, which are literal taxes Carolina’s neighbors back in the day. off, from the low-income to the high- around a textile manufacturing econo- on investment. So if you think there’s After the reforms, North Carolina income scale. my, which worked for the state when not a lot of investment and capital for- The benefit for that is that it’s a has jumped significantly on our index the economy actually looked that way. mation going on in Mississippi, it’s be- little bit easier to pass it. Some states, and this year is in 11th place. So from Those still remain important sec- cause they tax it pretty heavily. Louisi- they’re just not in a revenue situation 44th [place] up to 11th, which is the big- tors of the economy, but today there’s ana is looking at structural reform. We’ll like that, and they have to make theirs gest jump we’ve actually seen in the his- also the service sector. There’s the see what direction they go in. They’re to be revenue-neutral or revenue-pos- tory of our report in the 15 years we’ve health care sector. There’s the financial right now at a path, and they can go for itive. In which case, you do have to been doing it. the better or for the worse. And we’ll services sector. And all of those were make some hard choices. There’s an see what they do. And even Georgia, just kind of left out of the tax code. old saying that even a poker game is We, of course, in North Carolina which is a state that’s been pretty happy Why that matters is because if revenue-neutral, but that doesn’t mean have been talking about this quite a with a tax code that hasn’t changed for your tax code is geared toward an econ- there aren’t winners and losers at the bit in recent years. Are other states several decades, is looking at some sig- omy that doesn’t exist anymore, then table. So some interests that get a partic- talking at all about what’s happen- nificant changes. So we are seeing a lot there’s a danger that you’re harming ular tax credit, or particular tax benefit, ing in North Carolina? of activity all over the country. additional investment and additional they’ll lose a lot in that type of reform. So it’s a lot harder to do. job creation in those new sectors. They are, and I think it goes in And to some extent, are some of The worst example of that was two major tacks. One is the pressure these people saying, “Well, look Is there one particular thing you and is Michigan, which essentially de- for competitiveness. North Carolina, of at the success North Carolina has see in North Carolina’s tax code signed a tax code around the automo- course, is not the only state that’s wor- had. Let’s try to emulate that, or that you would say, “This is what bile industry. So it was very punitive to ried about its competitive environment. find our own way to get there?” you should tackle next?” all other types of business and all other We may or may not have a big debate at types of economic activity, in order to the national level about how competi- I think so. So the two big increases North Carolina still has a fran- benefit that industry and ensure that it tive our tax code is, later this year, when on our report — which, again, is an at- chise tax, similar to the one I mentioned stayed in Michigan — at least from a tax proposals for reforming the federal tax tempt to try to look at how states have about Mississippi, which is a literal tax perspective. But when other economic code come up. improved their tax systems, or wors- on investment. Now, it’s not as big as factors led to that industry’s decline … I think everybody is all worried ened their tax systems over time — it is in Mississippi. It’s a relatively light and collapse, Michigan was really left about Texas, and people moving to Tex- have been North Carolina and Indiana. tax. I think maybe tackling that might with nothing. And we wanted to make as, and businesses going to Texas. That North Carolina and Indiana are differ- be a good thing. North Carolina is one sure North Carolina wasn’t in that type certainly was a motivating factor in ent from other states in that they have of only about a dozen states that still of situation. North Carolina. So we see a lot of states all of the major taxes. You have proper- have that tax. CJ MAY 2017 | CAROLINA JOURNAL PAGE 19 Intervw ie Obamacare repeal, replacement should preserve best of U.S. health care RALEIGH t’s hard to read a newspaper, watch ‘I don’t want to go a television newscast, or listen to talk radio without hearing something back to the old Iabout the future of American health care. As policymakers debate the merits system. I don’t want of replacing the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare, Tevi Troy is watching close- to use the ACA. I ly. Troy is CEO of the American Health think we need a third Policy Institute, former deputy secretary in the U.S. Department of Health and way going forward.’ Human Services, and an aide in George W. Bush’s White House. After a recent - Tevi Troy speech for the John Locke Foundation, Troy discussed health care reform with Mitch Kokai for Carolina Journal Radio. (Head to www.carolinajournal.com/ra- dio/ to find recent CJ Radio episodes.) Kokai: This, obviously, is one of the big news items that we’ve been dealing with, really, ever since the elec- TEVI TROY CEO of the American Health tion, when we knew that Donald Trump Policy Institute would be the new president. What’s go- ing to happen in the future of govern- ment involvement in American health Troy: It really isn’t possible. The Democratic votes. In large part because ACA continues to cause problems going care? As you’re watching this debate, Affordable Care Act has a lot of- prob the Democrats say, “We absolutely re- forward. what are you focusing on? lems with it: huge premium increases; fuse to cooperate.” I would think that in Kokai: As the legislation moves I think a lot of incursions on liberty, in- President Trump, you’d have someone Troy: I’m focusing on making sure forward that would change, repeal, cluding the individual mandate and the who Democrats might look at and say, that we maintain the key building blocks replace Obamacare, does that mean employer mandate; limited choices in “This guy’s not a traditional Republi- of the American health policy system. So, there’s still going to need to be some its networks in terms of insurers falling can. Perhaps we can make deals with for example, 177 million people get their work done outside of that whole context out. So there are a lot of problems with him.” But there’s been no interest thus health care through their employers. You to deal with American health care and the ACA, but there were a lot of prob- far from the Democrats. want to make sure that that continues. government’s proper role? A lot of people get health care through lems with our system beforehand, in- So I would like to see a sensible Medicare and Medicaid. You want to cluding way too many people who were but also bipartisan approach, going for- Troy: Absolutely. But I think that make sure, to the extent that we’re com- uninsured. ward, that really allowed the American some of the key things that have to hap- mitting resources to meet our promises So I think there are ways to get to a people to say, “OK, both parties have pen could be led by the private sector. I to the elderly and to the impoverished, more value-driven system, a system that had their say. They’ve worked together think we need to move to a more value- that we have systems in place that are uses our heavy spending on health care. on this. This is the way we’re going to based health care system. maintaining those systems, but in a re- You know, we spend about 18 percent of work with our health system going for- What does that mean? It means sponsible way, obviously. our [gross domestic product] on health ward.” I’m not seeing evidence of that where people take cost and quality is- I think there is too much spending care, which is twice what our European right now. sues into account when they are making allies spend. And so we can use those their own decisions. Right now, with a and too much fraud in some of those Kokai: One of the things that has resources more effectively to get more heavily third-party-based payment sys- programs, and I think they can be reined struck me in talking to people who are care to more people. So I don’t want to tem, people don’t think about where in. But you put those together, and those experts in your field, the field of health go back to the old system. I don’t want they’re going to get their care, or where are the basic building blocks where the care, is some people saying, “The Af- to use the ACA. I think we need a third the doctors have the best prices, or where vast majority of Americans get their fordable Care Act spent a lot of time, a way going forward. the doctors provide the best value. coverage. And then you have to worry lot of political resources, a lot of money, If you had a more value-based about where are the people who’ve been Kokai: As we’ve heard the vari- and really dealt with health insurance, system, then you would potentially be falling through the cracks. ous debates about how to move for- but didn’t necessarily address some of able to drive down cost and drive qual- And that was the whole reason ward, are you mainly encouraged, dis- the key problems in health care itself.” ity up. We’ve seen this in every other for the ACA, the Obamacare debate, is couraged, [or] a mix [of the two] about Are we missing the boat if we’re focus- form of our economy. If you look at the that too many people have been falling what people are talking about? Are they ing only on the insurance aspect and not iPhones, or if you look at TV cameras, or through the cracks: people who aren’t focusing on the right things? on things like access to care and improv- even radio equipment, all these things, employed, or people who don’t have ing the care that we have? an employer that provides health in- Troy: I’m always discouraged the quality keeps going up, and the cost surance. You have to think about those when things are too focused on the Troy: Yeah. The ACA said it was keeps going down because of the power people and how to fit them in, but that politics, and does this party win or does going to be about bending the cost curve of consumerism. We have not unleashed doesn’t necessarily have to govern how that party win. I think it was unfortu- down, but it was really based on cover- the power of consumerism in our health the entire rest of the system operates. nate that the ACA went forward with age. And the ACA’s proponents say cor- care system largely because of third-par- I think it’s shortsighted to say only Democratic votes, and that meant rectly that more people are covered as a ty payments. that this unipartisan approach didn’t in- result of the ACA. But when you subsi- there’s a group of people who fall Kokai: How confident are you clude Republicans. dize something, and you make it illegal through the cracks, and we’re going to that once this debate on Capitol Hill is And that’s a problem because not to do that something, then you’re remake the entire system for that group. concluded, we’re going to end up with throughout our history, we’ve had con- going to have more of it. It is just a basic We need to focus a program, or a series something better than what we have troversies over social welfare legislation, fact of life. of programs, or policy approaches that now under the Affordable Care Act? help those specific people without nec- but all previous pieces of social welfare And so by doing this focus on cov- Troy: essarily upending the entire apple cart. legislation have passed with bipartisan erage only, I think the ACA did a dis- Once you have the political support, which meant that the Ameri- service and didn’t really look at ways process at work, I lose a lot of confidence Kokai: A lot of the debate these can people swallowed it afterwards and to improve the system. Now, when in the ability to get better things. I think days has been about repealing and/or moved on and said, “OK, this is some- Republicans are looking for their own the Affordable Care Act has been ex- replacing the Affordable Care Act, or thing that they agreed on in Washington, approach, they obviously have to deal tremely problematic. So I am somewhat Obamacare. And some people have said, and now we’re going forward.” with what they’ve been handed in the optimistic that we’ll have something bet- “Why not just repeal the law that was Given the unipartisan approach form of the ACA, and that shapes their ter than it, but I don’t think we’re going passed in 2010 and go back to what we of the ACA, there’s now a sense that the approach as well. So I think the prob- to solve all the problems in American had before 2010?” Is that even possible? Republicans are going to do it with no lems, the original sin, if you will, of the health care with government action. CJ PAGE 20 MAY 2017 | CAROLINA JOURNAL Opinion

COMMENTARY Sort through the numbers to learn the facts

here’s a lot of rhetoric out a break, the amount of income there, but numbers keep completely exempt from taxes policy discussions honest. has gone from $3,000 to $8,750 TWe’ve heard complaints for a single taxpayer. Under about teacher salaries, which current law, that single taxpayer have left us with a shortage. Not making $25,000 a year pays an true. Between 2010 and 2016, effective tax rate of 3.6 percent; a 11,936 out-of-state teachers came single taxpayer earning $120,000 here while 4,050 left for another a year pays an effective tax rate state. North Carolina had a net of 5.1 percent. So, the notion tax gain of nearly 8,000 breaks are only for the teachers. Efforts since wealthy is nonsense. EDITORIAL 2013 have resulted in The corporate bringing the annual av- income tax rate has erage pay in the $50,000 been reduced from 6.9 range, with promises to percent to 3 percent, the increase that to about lowest of any state that Border Adjustment Tax $55.000. imposes a corporate tax. Opponents of op- Further tax relief portunity scholarships under consideration and charter schools BECKI this session would low- a bill of goods say school choice hurts er the personal income education. But more GRAY rate to 5.35 percent, than 1,200 low-income increase the standard hat $10 pair of pants you find goods sold — that $6 — is going to students attended a private deduction for married taxpay- now at your local discount be added back in to your taxable school the first year opportunity ers filing jointly from $17,500 to store? Prepare to see the price income,” he explained. “So instead of scholarships were available. This $20,000, and reduce the corporate jumpT to $12. $1 of real profit being taxed, your net year, 6,200 students are being rate to 2.75 percent in 2017 and That’s if Congress follows income being taxed, they’re going to served, and nearly 23,000 stu- 2.5 percent in 2018. through on a proposal to institute a tax you at $7.” dents have submitted applica- The Senate tax plan pro- new national Border Adjustment Tax, Even with a lower proposed tions since 2014. Applications to poses $1 billion in tax relief over also known to friend and foe alike as corporate tax rate of 20 percent, the the 420 registered private schools the biennium. A report by the the BAT. It’s a tax that boosts exports actual tax would climb from 35 cents far outweigh available slots. General Assembly fiscal research at the expense of imports. per pair of pants to $1.40 per pair. Last year, the General Assembly staff predicted a budget crisis The extra $2 for the pants Meanwhile, the changing tax calcula- committed funding for 2,500 ad- with large revenue shortfalls — might not sound like a huge change. tion doesn’t change the fact that the ditional scholarships per year for $600 million in three of the five But consider the family of four that real profit from the sale is still $1. the next 10 years. Parents offer years — but the assumptions wants a new pair for each person “You have $1.40 of taxes on $1 the ultimate accountability. were flawed. in the household. That’s $8. What if of income, so you’re losing money New legislation reduces the It assumed that state gov- each person really needs to replace a on every pair of pants you sell,” seats on the state Court of Ap- ernment would continue provid- couple of pairs? $16. Pope added. “That’s what’s going to peals from 15 to 12. This would ing the same services the same Repeat the process for a range of force retailers to pass on a huge price not be the first time for changes. way to more people at higher cost regular household products affected increase to their customers, which The court had six members in over the next five years, leading by the BAT, and the numbers grow amounts to a huge sales tax increase.” 1967. That increased to nine in to 4.8 percent higher spending substantially. Critics estimate the tax Supporters counter that BAT, in 1969, and to 12 in 1977. In 2000, it each year. Due to fiscally respon- would increase costs by $1,700 per combination with other tax changes increased to 15. The court’s work- sible measures from 2013, the family per year. under consideration on Capitol Hill, load has decreased 22 percent budget growth is now based on The pants example helps ex- would have net positive economic between 2006 and 2016. available money, not assumed plain the BAT’s impact. “On a $10 impacts. They also argue the change Here’s another example. continuation of programs. In ad- sale, the cost of goods sold may be merely fixes a broken system, which Tax cuts implemented since 2011 dition, the annual growth for the $6,” explained Art Pope, CEO of “encourages the import of foreign- have benefited millionaires and two years ending June 30 is 2.6 Variety Wholesalers, during a re- made goods while penalizing prod- corporations at the expense of percent. If we assume leadership cent news conference. Pope is also ucts made in and exported from everyone else. False. keeps growth to 2.6 percent, the the founding chairman of the John America,” in the words of the Ameri- In 2011, the sales tax was projections change considerably. Locke Foundation. “And then you can Made Coalition. rolled back, giving everyone a Using the revised growth have your operating costs … sales Critics consider these arguments break — $1 billion of relief, ben- percentage, the projection under and general administration expenses a bill of goods. For one thing, many efiting low-income earners the the Senate tax plan would result … which is about $3. So you have a “American-made” goods feature im- most. in a $145 million revenue short- total cost of $9, and you have $1 in ported raw materials or component Since 2013, North Caro- fall in 2018-19, easily covered profit.” parts. Few of the products we make lina’s personal income tax has by unreserved cash from the Current federal law calls for and use today depend entirely on gone from three progressively previous year, and then revenue taxation only of that profit. Applying American resources. higher rates to a flat tax rate of surpluses of $800 million CJ the existing 35 percent corporate tax Sound tax analysis argues that 5.499 percent. In addition, the by 2021-22. rate to the dollar, the retailer ends all costs of production should be standard deduction, or zero tax up with 65 cents from the $10 pair of deductible. For taxation purposes, bracket, has expanded. While Becki Gray is senior vice presi- pants, Pope said. it shouldn’t matter whether those all categories of taxpayers get dent of the John Locke Foundation. “Under the Border Adjust- costs cover domestic or imported ment Tax, though, the cost of those inputs. CJ MAY 2017 | CAROLINA JOURNAL PAGE 21 Opinion

EDITORIALS COMMENTARY Impact fee policy Left doubles down on needs clarity double standard

f anything useful can be said to boozling voters rather than a serious r. James Otteson, a busi- the University of North Carolina have come out of the House Bill 2 claim. Most of the time, impact fees ness school professor at at Chapel Hill. Its law school has controversy, it would be a broader are passed along to the buyers of new Wake Forest University, housed the Center for Civil Rights Iunderstanding of how limited the homes, rather than eaten by develop- hadD an intriguing idea. What if he since 2001. According to its own powers of local governments are in ers as lower profits. brought together a group of fac- institutional history, the center our state. Is it reasonable to impose a ulty, students, and outside scholars has “pursued an aggressive social The state has a constitutional surcharge on buyers of new homes? In to explore how societies can best justice agenda combining litigation, obligation to protect the fundamental many cases, the answer is no. It would promote human welfare and hap- scholarly research, and grass-roots rights of North Carolinians, and to be more rational, though unpopular piness? activism.” Among other projects, balance local preferences with a legiti- and unwise, to charge residents school As befitting a seeker after the center has sued other divisions mate interest in statewide coherence impact fees according to the number classical wisdom, Otteson called of state government to compel and predictability. of children they have, rather than ac- the project the Eudaimonia Insti- changes in policy and even repre- For example, it’s time for law- cording to the age of their residences. tute, after a Greek term that trans- sented Moral Monday demonstra- makers to intervene in the longstand- Two groups of state lawmakers lates as “human flourishing.” He tors who were arrested for violating ing dispute about impact fees — an are acting. House Speaker Pro Tem gained the assistance of the rules of the Legislative alternative way of paying for water Sarah Stevens has filed House Bill supportive Wake For- Building during their pro- and sewer service, schools, and other 436, which would essentially get rid est colleagues from such tests against Republican local services. Rather than taxing or of impact fees, including those legally disciplines as medicine, policies. charging everyone, the locality lev- authorized for specific municipalities economics, religion, Steve Long, a ies a fee on the construction of new by past local acts of the General As- philosophy, languages, conservative lawyer and homes. It’s argued that such a fee sembly. A group led by freshman Sen. and communication. He member of the UNC makes growth “pay for itself,” be- Paul Newton is working on legislation secured the support of system’s Board of Gov- cause new construction creates new to standardize but not prohibit the use his administration at the ernors, argues the Center demands for services. of impact fees across the state. business school, and he for Civil Rights isn’t just It is also argued that impact fees Ambiguity can sometimes be secured funding for the a scholarly enterprise make “developers” rather than the helpful, but when it comes to charg- project from private dona- JOHN with a particular point public shoulder the cost, but this is ing North Carolinians for government tions that included $3.69 HOOD of view. It’s using the mainly a rhetorical device for bam- services, we need clarity. CJ million from the Charles law school as a platform Koch Foundation. from which to engage Shortly after the in clearly political activ- Eudaimonia Institute launched last ity, much as the same law school year, left-wing activists at Wake For- was used as a platform for former Don’t fear a robot invasion est tried to kill it. U.S. Sen. John Edwards to run for By now, this has become a higher office. common theme unifying recent For most of human history, total familiar story. So before I continue Regardless of your party or debates about tax reform in production per person stayed within the tale of the Eudaimonia Insti- political philosophy, it ought not to North Carolina and in Wash- a narrow band — sometimes rising tute, consider what it says about concern you if willing members of a Aington, D.C., is the idea that punitive because of expanding trade or stable modern progressivism that its ad- campus community, including will- tax treatment of business investment government, sometimes dropping herents now so often refuse simply ing donors, produce academic work is a bad idea — it discourages the pur- because of wars or other disruptions to engage in scholarly discourse with which you have disagree- chase of plants and equipment, and, of commerce. Until the 18th century, and the normal tussle of campus ments. That academic work might thus, job creation and income growth. then, economies got bigger mostly debate. Instead, they resort to cen- include research, books, confer- The usual response from the Left by adding more people, which didn’t sorship. ences, graduate seminars, or other is that taxes don’t affect business deci- necessarily leave the average person I don’t use that term lightly. scholarly products. sions as much as conservatives claim, in those societies much better off. After an “investigation” that con- But a line is crossed when the so tax reform won’t boost capital The Industrial Revolution sisted largely of recycling conspira- academic work becomes political investment. There’s a radically differ- changed all that. cy theories, members of Wake For- action. As a conservative, I have no ent objection now making the rounds, But what actually came first was est’s Faculty Senate recommended objection to someone using pri- and not just among the Democrats an Agricultural Revolution that vastly not only that the university refuse vate dollars to create a Center for currently out of power. Some Republi- increased the production of food and the Koch Foundation grant for the Marxist Studies. But I would have can populists raise the same objection. fiber per unit of investment. Vastly Eudaimonia Institute but also that an objection if the Center was used Here it is: Tax reform is a bad fewer people were needed to farm. Otteson be required to get specific as a vehicle for organizing labor idea precisely because it would They flooded into cities, helping to fa- permission from campus regulators protests, lobbying the legislature, or increase business investment in new cilitate industrialization. Then, as new before engaging in his daily work suing the state. technologies, plants, and machinery. technologies and practices increased as a university professor. In other Otteson’s Eudaimonia In- These critics argue the increasing the productivity of factories, workers words, if “academic freedom” were stitute is unambiguously a schol- automation across various industries were again displaced from their origi- a village, these faculty activists con- arly project. It has not and will not is destroying the American Dream. nal jobs and had to find others. cluded that in order to save it, they engage in anything remotely like Tasks once done by hand, or by the Workers and activists railed must destroy it. political activism. At UNC-Chapel application of the human brain, are against machinery, often trying to ban Should faculty members be Hill, the Center for Civil Rights now performed by machines or even or sabotage it. Fortunately for the hu- allowed to do whatever they want mixes scholarship and politics, robots. man race, they failed. on a college campus, as long as they again beyond any serious dispute. Claims that machines will sup- The problem of dislocated work- can get a private donor to pay for it? Faculty progressives may cling to plant labor and lead to stagnation, ers is very real, of course. They need Your answer to this question needs their double standard. But it won’t poverty, and social unrest have been education, training, and better mecha- to be coherent, not merely a reflec- save them from ridicule. CJ made for centuries. Many find such nisms for saving money for future tion of what “side” you are on in claims plausible or even persuasive, emergencies. But on the whole, in the any particular controversy. John Hood is chairman of the John despite the fact that they always turn long run, innovation and automation Consider what’s going on at Locke Foundation. out to be wrong. are good for us. CJ PAGE 22 MAY 2017 | CAROLINA JOURNAL Opinion MEDIA MANGLE Are North Carolina distillers simply ahead of the curve?

orth Carolina craft spirits are gaining a loyal following among North Carolinians who understand the distilling process and appreciateN quality spirits. And our distillers are trying to make inroads throughout the U.S., and internationally, with vary- ing degrees of success. But, as Peter Thornton points out, it’s’ a crowded mar- ketplace, and the brown, aged liquors are currently riding high on the export wave. Thornton is assistant director of International Mar- keting at the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. JOHN He’s keenly aware of the challenges of selling state TRUMP spirits globally, and even at home, where arcane rules and regulations inhibit growth and experimentation. No industry that’s expanding so rapidly is held What is your local economy? back so much, he says. “We have these great products, and we orth Carolina has a lot of local governments. no significant central place serving as a magnet, eco- should be able to export them.” To be exact, the state has 100 counties and 552 nomic interactions are more dispersed in rural areas He remains confident that big break will municipalities. North Carolina is one of only than in the metropolitan and micropolitan regions. come. In time. sevenN states with triple-digits in the number of coun- Based on these definitions, North Carolina But even now, North Carolina connoisseurs ties, with Texas taking the prize at 254. We’re 18th has 15 metropolitan areas and twenty-four micro- of great craft spirits, those who really get great craft among states in the number of municipalities but far politan areas. There are also three counties associated spirits, are invariably leaning toward liquor made below the record holder of Illinois, with 2,729. with metropolitan areas outside the state. Brunswick in North Carolina, as opposed to Russian vodkas or Many of us identify with our nearest lo- County in the southeast is part of the Myrtle Beach English gins or moonshines made anywhere other cal government, particularly when it comes to the metropolitan area, and Gates and Currituck Coun- than the Tar Heel State. economy. For example, an out-of-state friend may ties in the northeast are components of the Virginia Whiskey is a different matter, mostly because ask you how the economy is doing in Greensboro. Beach/Norfolk metropolitan region. of factors deeply embedded in American history Or a traveler eating at a diner in Richmond A total of 26 counties in North and the 75-year or so head start Kentucky got on County could inquire if local businesses are Carolina are not part of a metropolitan or North Carolina in regard to producing aged spirits. hiring. a micropolitan area and so are considered But, again, our time will come. Barrel-aged Politics and statistics also cause to be rural according to this classification whiskeys are just starting to trickle out of North us to focus on county and city boundaries. scheme. Carolina distilleries. Both entities have elected officials who are These classifications can change over The spirits movement in North Carolina is concerned about economic development time as residential and business patterns certainly a type of renaissance, despite the regula- in their jurisdictions. Also, many numbers evolve. For example, after the 2020 census I tory and legal handcuffs, and our spirits are getting and statistics — such as new business would expect to see Lee and Harnett coun- awards in international and U.S. competitions. starts — are regularly released describing ties become part of the Raleigh metropoli- Gentry Lassiter, who runs a distillery with economic conditions in counties and cities. tan region, partly due to the extension of his wife, Rebecca, says North Carolina spirits have But do local economies start and MICHAEL Interstate 540. Similarly, with the increased earned their rightful place among some of the best stop at county and municipal lines? Aren’t WALDEN cargo activity occurring in Norfolk as a in the world. there many people who live in one city or result of the expanded Panama Canal, more Distillers here aren’t making it on the top of a county but work in another? And what about buy- northeastern North Carolina counties could become worn-out flatbed or, as one distiller told me, are no ing? Even if you’re a fan of “buying local,” does this linked to that metropolitan area. longer forced to stop the process to remove a pos- mean you won’t hop over to the next county to visit a There are numerous private and public som from the mash tank. mall, shopping center, or restaurant? implications of thinking about local economies in this “I think this latest round of awards shows Economists observe all kinds of cross-county way. Advertisers and transportation planners can use that we’re not bootleggers making hooch out of the and cross-city transactions. This is why most econo- them to understand how and where people shop. back of a pickup,” says Gentry Lassiter, “but rather mists don’t think a county or city is the best descrip- Business recruiters — who are often county-based — we’re producing some award-winning, refined tion of a local economy. can utilize the categories to estimate how a new busi- products that North Carolina has the opportunity But then what is? While there are many pos- ness in one county or city can impact nearby counties to support and even embrace as part of our heri- sibilities, a system developed several decades ago by and cities. tage.” the U.S. Census Bureau seems — at least to me — to I don’t think many of us will give up emo- To distillers around the U.S., North Carolina make considerable sense. tional allegiances to our home county or city. I know rules governing distilled spirits are, well, unbeliev- The census has three categories of a local I haven’t. But economic linkages change over time. able. They say just that. economy. The first is ametropolitan area. A metro- The geographic region best describing current local As Thornton said, distilling in North Carolina politan area has a core city of 50,000 or more people economies can be quite different from those existing is growing exponentially, and the potential for tour- together with surrounding counties having a high decades ago. ism is tremendous. degree of social and economic interaction with that Still, is anyone going to say they’re from the “Are we just ahead of our time?” he asks. city, such as commuting for jobs and buying. Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton Metropolitan Statistical Could be. CJ The second local economy category is a Area, instead of simply Catawba County? Probably micropolitan area. This is a region having a core city of not. CJ Managing Editor John Trump is the author of between 10,000 and 50,000 people and nearby coun- Still and Barrel: Craft Spirits in the Old North ties with strong employment and purchasing ties. Michael Walden is a William Neal Reynolds Distin- State (Blair, 2017). The third category is termed rural because it guished Professor at North Carolina State University. He has no core cities of 10,000 population or more. With does not speak for the university. MAY 2017 | CAROLINA JOURNAL PAGE 23 Opinion Companies will flourish under free markets, not protectionism

lthough it has not received as corporations — including those owned made domestically would become lion in cash they are keeping offshore much attention as health care or by foreigners — to make things in more competitive as a result, but it’s and away from the IRS by providing the travel ban, one of the biggest America if they want to sell things to hard to imagine the American shop- a “tax holiday” or short-term reduc- Aissues being discussed in Washington, Americans. But, upon consideration, per benefitting when competition is tion in the rate at which these funds D.C., during the first few months of the it’s bad policy and will cause both constrained. are assessed. Rather than wishing Trump presidency is a “border adjust- economic and political harm. Political effects should be consid- back production that has long gone, ment” tax. Supporters, like key mem- Proponents believe the policy can ered, too. Advocates say the border we should nurture the conditions that bers of the House bring back the manufacturing jobs that adjustment tax actually provides an have given rise to the recent revolution Republican leader- began leaving our industrial heart- indirect subsidy to American exports in American manufacturing. Today, ship, view the land in earnest during the 1980s. Jobs (because they are not taxed) that U.S. companies and their workers pro- policy as a tax on making steel, consumer electronic will make them competitive. Butit’s duce the most sophisticated industrial the country’s huge equipment, appliances and cars can entirely plausible that, in response equipment, medical devices, intellec- trade deficit — be generated if we “level the playing to the new tax, other countries will tual property, chemical products, and about $500 billion field” with our international competi- retaliate with tariffs on American computer technology the world has in 2016. Essentially, tors by making the things they send goods. This could precipitate a trade ever seen. Free markets, not protection- they propose pre- here more expensive. Yet the plants war that no one can win and, what’s ism, will help them flourish. venting companies that produced this stuff 35 years ago more, threaten security arrangements There are positive effects of all this that import goods are gone, bulldozed, full of weeds and cemented by commercial interaction. negative talk about trade. Supporters from deduct- ANDY broken glass, or converted into parks Reacting to the anti-trade rhetoric of have shed the complacency they had ing those costs TAYLOR or condos. The border adjustment tax the Trump administration, many of during the many legislative victories from their taxable makes American production margin- our closest partners are already consid- of the 1990s and 2000s — such as on income. When ally more appealing by reducing dif- ering a “pivot” to the European Union NAFTA, WTO, and important trade Boeing imports titanium from Russia to ferences in labor costs. But with wage or, worse, China. America’s political agreements with Asian and Latin make aircraft fuselages, the value of the inflation, unionization, and political strength and competitive advantage in American countries. Led by an un- titanium is to be taxed and considered unrest raising the cost of the develop- the world economy — leading interna- popular Trump and a discredited far- profit rather than an expense. The cost ing world’s sub-standard workforce, tional organizations like the IMF and left, the protectionists are falling out to extract resources or produce goods in this was happening anyway. Besides, World Bank, minting the world’s re- of favor. Indeed, Americans currently the U.S. would be exempt. Not only is companies locate plants based upon serve currency — are contingent upon see foreign trade as an “opportunity” this policy intended to reduce the trade their position in the global supply its place at the center of global trade. rather than a “threat” — by a margin deficit, it will provide the revenue for a chain and proximity to markets, trans- This doesn’t mean that nothing of 58 percent to 34 percent in a recent simultaneous comprehensive reform of portation, and a quality labor force. should be done. The corporate compo- Gallup poll. This is the biggest differ- the tax code. Administration officials, The wholescale relocation of produc- nent of the American tax code is a mess ence since the survey was first taken for example, want to reduce the corpo- tion is incredibly expensive. A border and undermines our competitiveness. in 1992. CJ rate tax rate from its current 35 percent adjustment tax will affect these deci- Rates should be simplified and lowered to about 20 percent. sions only at the margins. — just as the current administration Andy Taylor is a professor of politi- On the surface, a border adjustment The tax would hurt consumers and even its predecessor have pro- cal science at the School of International tax sounds appealing. It will increase greatly. The cost of imports would rise posed. We can further encourage U.S. and Public Affairs at N.C. State Univer- revenue and create an incentive for markedly. Supporters argue that goods corporations to repatriate the $2.5 tril- sity. He does not speak for the university. Burr working quietly to keep North Carolina safe

recently had the opportunity to ing talk shows, and when he does he is a wide range of issues — including interview U.S. Sen. Richard Burr for precise and measured in his words. health care, tax reform, and the Trump my public affairs program “Front In his role as the chairman of the agenda. IRow” on UNC-TV. Senate Intelligence Committee, Burr We concluded by talking about In full receives a daily intelligence briefing his decision not to seek a fourth term in disclosure, I have — similar to the one prepared for the the U.S. Senate. Burr is 28th in senior- known Richard president. And in this day and time, ity in the Senate and now one of the since 1992 when there is very little good news in those longest-serving senators in North Caro- a mutual friend reports. One can only surmise how lina’s history. introduced us and sobering they are on a daily basis. At the end of his term, Burr will asked me to help During my interview with the You can watch the interview be 67. He believes it’s time for genera- with paid media in senator, he imparted that on every with Richard Burr at tional change. He also wants to spend the waning days of continent in the world today there is a www.bit.ly/2pN5B1L more time with his family. He proudly his campaign. The terrorist hot spot. told us he and wife Brooke now have race was close, but He outlined the situation in North grandchildren. Many politicians use incumbent Demo- MARC Korea, America’s options, and the the Syrian refugee problem, and our the family as a crutch, but in Burr’s cratic Rep. Steve ROTTERMAN very real threat that the North Korean ability to properly “vet” or do back- case I believe it’s genuine. And finally, Neal prevailed. regime poses for our allies in the region ground checks on those people who although he didn’t say it, I believe he’s Undeterred, Burr and to the homeland. have no paper trail. tired of the daily grind of Washington got up off the mat We discussed Russia and Syria at Burr made clear that as Senate and all that entails. and was elected to Congress in the some length. When I asked him if we’re Intelligence Committee chairman, he But for now, North Carolina is Gingrich wave of 1994. The rest, as they in a new cold war with Russia, he was was determined to leave no stone un- fortunate to have Richard Burr at the say, is history. unequivocal in saying, “Yes.” turned in the investigation of Russian helm of our nation’s Senate Intelligence As one who has observed and And when I asked Burr if Vladi- interference in our last election and any Committee, quietly working to keep worked with many politicians over the mir Putin and Russia were 100 percent possible ties to the Trump campaign. America safe. CJ last 35 years, Sen. Burr stands out for behind the dictator of Syria, Bashar Also during the interview, we numerous reasons. al-Assad, he again gave an unqualified discussed ISIS and al-Qaida, the wars in Marc Rotterman is a senior fellow Unlike many, Burr does not seek answer: “100 percent.” Afghanistan and Iraq, and the threats to at the John Locke Foundation and the host the limelight. In fact, he shuns it. He We also discussed Russia’s ex- the American homeland. of “Front Row with Marc Rotterman” on rarely if ever does the Sunday morn- panding footprint in the Middle East, On domestic policy, we discussed UNC-TV. PAGE 24 MAY 2017 | CAROLINA JOURNAL Parting Shot Jordan, NBA lead fight against state feline (a CJ parody)

By Hot Rod Hundley All-Star Game from Charlotte to New Sports Correspondent Orleans not long after the General As- CHARLOTTE sembly passed H.B. 2, a controversial proposal to name North Caro- 2016 law preventing local govern- lina’s state cat was purring to- ments from enacting nondiscrimina- ward passage. But the measure tion ordinances that are stronger than Adesignating the bobcat as the state fe- state laws. line became entwined in controversy It effectively nixed a Charlotte after basketball legend and Charlotte ordinance that allowed people to use Hornets owner Michael Jordan began bathrooms, changing rooms, and other a dogged campaign to stop it, with the public facilities based on their gender help of the NBA, Carolina Journal has identity rather than their biological learned. sex. LGBT activists claimed H.B. 2 dis- House Bill 74, Adopt Bobcat As criminated against transgender peo- State Cat, passed in early April with ple. The NBA, NCAA, Atlantic Coast little notice by a 107-5 margin. Then Conference, and various private and the Wilmington native, UNC-Chapel public organizations moved events out Hill legend, NBA all-time great, and of North Carolina while the law was basketball Hall of Famer found out on the books. about the bill. Legislation passed in March re- “When I first heard they were pealed H.B. 2, and the boycotts began thinking about using that name, it NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and Charlotte Hornets owner Michael Jordan on to end. The NBA had discussed holding brought back some bad memories, sad the hunt for bobcats. the 2019 All-Star Game in the Queen memories,” Jordan told CJ, shaking his City. But when Silver and the owners head. “I mean, when I got here, those 2002 and was adored by the city for A source close to Jordan told CJ learned of H.B. 74, they put those dis- [clowns] were so sorry I thought old much of its tenure. The Hornet fran- the Hornets owner, whose fiercely cussions on hold, the source said. No. 23 might have to unretire and show chise name returned to Charlotte in competitive nature and great talent “The league wants nothing to those [incompetents] how to play.” 2014, when the New Orleans Hornets have led many to consider him the do with Bobcats, ever,” he said. “If the Jordan was 47 in 2010 — six years changed their name to the Pelicans. greatest hoopster of all time, had to be legislature picks that cat, the All-Star after he retired from playing — when Charlotte never fully embraced “talked down off the ledge” when he Game is as good as gone. Forever.” he bought the team from Black Enter- the Bobcats, the expansion franchise heard about the state bobcat bill. Jordan suggested the state choose tainment Television founder Robert that began playing in 2004. The club “Mike was livid,” the source a domestic feline breed for the state cat. Johnson. was plagued by incompetent manage- said. “We called [NBA Commissioner “I don’t care what they pick — Persian, Jordan’s frustration with the ment and personnel decisions, win- Adam] Silver and asked what we could Siamese, Abyssinian, Devin Rex, Rus- young organization’s history was so ning a mere 36 percent of its games do. Then Silver reminded us about the sian Blue, Scottish Fold — it doesn’t pronounced that he pushed to get its and making the playoffs only twice whole House Bill 2 mess, and a plan matter to me,” he said. “Even the pan- name changed to the Hornets, the NBA during its decade as the Bobcats — one fell into place.” ther would work. Just no bobcats. No. club that played in Charlotte from 1988- of those times after Jordan took over. The league moved the 2017 NBA None.” CJ

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