Head Locke

State senators would reduce individual and business taxes in their latest reform proposal. Brooke Medina and Mitch Kokai address the Senate tax plan, a court case challenging North Carolina's COVID-19 emergency, and new evidence about inflation in the American economy.

Nearly six in 10 N.C. voters worry that President Joe Biden's administration will do too much to increase the size and role of government. Brooke Medina and Mitch Kokai assess that Civitas Poll result, analyze some advice about election redistricting criteria, and tout potential benefits of state student learning-loss grants.

The state Senate approves an important measure to protect privacy of donors to nonprofit groups. Brooke Medina and Mitch Kokai discuss the bill, along with misleading COVID-19 transmission information from federal officials, and a problem filling jobs throughout the economy.

Five days of school really are better than four, as new research shows. Brooke Medina and Mitch discuss that research, good news about N.C. business taxation, and a victory for property rights at the N.C. Court of Appeals.

The state of North Carolina promised Big Tech giant Apple almost $1 billion over 39 years. Brooke Medina and Mitch Kokai dissect the deal, along with new bills to rein in state executive authority, legislation to reduce housing barriers, and the bizarre court case of a woman who claimed she was too drunk to be convicted.

Sixty-five members of the N.C. House of Representatives want Gov. Roy Cooper to reject COVID-19 "vaccine passports." Brooke Medina and Mitch Kokai discuss the lawmakers' concerns. They also discuss a "vaccine against tyranny," along with a proposed N.C. Taxpayer Bill of Rights.

The judge in a long-running N.C. school funding lawsuit won't force state lawmakers to spend money. Brooke Medina and Mitch Kokai react to the judge's decision, along with a bogus complaint about voter ID and a proposed constitutional amendment linked to the governor's emergency powers.

The governor will soon consider a pair of bills tackling public school learning loss, as he and state lawmakers continue to take different approaches to opportunity scholarships. Brooke Medina and Mitch Kokai tackle that topic, along with a fiscal comparison of the governor and President Biden, and a new legal challenge involving an innovative drone video mapping service.

A new poll shows voters support measures that would fight election fraud, even though critics label those measures as examples of voter suppression. Brooke Medina and Mitch Kokai discuss the polling data, along with early childhood literacy, dubious tax credits, and a Muscadine grape juice mandate.

John Locke Foundation experts have critiqued Gov. Roy Cooper's latest spending plan. Brenée Goforth and Mitch Kokai discuss the Locke budget analysis, along with a new report on boosting broadband access and a new group promoting civics education.

North Carolina's new lieutenant governor wants to focus attention on ideological bias and indoctrination in public schools. Brooke Medina and Mitch Kokai address that topic, along with a proposal to return $5 billion in COVID-19 relief funds to the federal government. The program also highlights new data on entrepreneurial growth in the Tar Heel State.

North Carolina's governor and legislative leaders reach a deal to reopen public schools for in-person instruction. Brooke Medina and Mitch Kokai tackle that topic, along with the governor's misguided energy goals and a new proposal to rein in his emergency powers.

A school reopening measure hits political resistance and a Democratic governor's veto in North Carolina. Brooke Medina and Mitch Kokai address that topic, along with a shameful literacy requirement for voter registration within the N.C. Constitution and the latest evidence that human capital helps the world avoid natural resource shortages.

Those who've seen their businesses shuttered during the COVID-19 pandemic ought to have access to just compensation. Brooke Medina and Mitch Kokai tackle that topic, along with tutoring for learning loss and a new high ranking for Raleigh.

North Carolina's summer school options, the state's status as the "gold standard for pro-growth tax reform," and a noticeable increase in state PAC spending all generate discussion this week between Brooke Medina and Mitch Kokai.

Lingering questions about COVID-19 extend to vaccine distribution, price gouging, and election rule changes. Brooke Medina and Mitch Kokai address each of these topics.

A mainstream media outlet turns nasty as Republican members of the State Board of Education fight negative social studies standards. Brooke Medina and Mitch Kokai dissect the latest news. They also discuss new research about North Carolina's economic recovery from COVID-19, plus new developments in the campaign to open public schools.

Civitas Poll results show support for school choice in North Carolina. An executive with North Carolina's leading funder of left-wing causes joins Gov. Roy Cooper's administration. New research highlights problems caused by certificate-of-need restrictions. Brooke Medina and Mitch Kokai discuss these issues.

North Carolina's tax policy plays a positive role in attracting people to the state. A $15 per hour federal minimum wage would have negative consequences. N.C. lawmakers could close a loophole in a law against collusive lawsuit settlements. Brooke Medina and Mitch Kokai tackle these three topics.

COVID-19 will drive much of this year's legislative session in North Carolina. New Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson offers a stark contrast to Gov. Roy Cooper. The pandemic is sparking new interest in education innovation. Brooke Medina and Mitch Kokai tackle these three topics.

Brooke Medina joins the HeadLocke team for a discussion about N.C. Supreme Court politics, slow COVID-19 vaccine rollouts, and good business news for Cary.

One western state's recent experience with criminal justice and law enforcement issues could provide useful lessons.

N.C. voters have elected Catherine Truitt to serve as the new superintendent of public instruction, as the state continues to struggle with public education in the time of COVID-19.

The nation's governing document spells out a process for Congress and state legislatures to resolve the types of problems that arose in the 2020 presidential election.

Professor Wilfred McClay challenges false narratives embodied in the 1619 Project and other critiques of American history.

North Carolina defies pollsters' predictions of major electoral gains for progressive Democrats.

Only the U.S. Supreme Court can take steps to stop a flood of election-related lawsuits. North Carolina's current cases give the court a great opportunity.

Prominent public health experts have endorsed a one-page document that repudiates lockdowns and other restrictions tied to COVID-19. They advocate a new approach called "Focused Protection."

Four years after his death, a conservative U.S. Supreme Court justice continues to exercise major influence over constitutional law.

Making a COVID-19 vaccine widely available will require relaxation of state rules restricting pharmacists' work.

Every state features at least one inexplicable alcohol regulation. A new book highlights dozens of those restrictions in an attempt to highlight the need for reform.

A John Locke Foundation expert critiques a national article on conservatives' embrace of environmental issues.

A Superior Court judge's decision to endorse a major public school spending plan raises significant constitutional and public policy questions.

The U.S. chief justice plays the key role in major 2019-20 Supreme Court cases, according to an expert from the libertarian Cato Institute.

A coastal N.C. city tramples property rights while attempting to limit vacation rentals.

Three families are fighting a union-led effort to kill a school choice program. It benefits students from low-income households.

A high-profile adviser to Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden espouses dangerously wrong policy ideas for energy and the environment.

The retirement of a longtime government watchdog reminds North Carolinians about the challenges of reforming government from within existing agencies.

A new report indicates states with certificate-of-need laws see worse outcomes in several measures linked to rural health care access.

Five years after the state's highest court upheld a school voucher program, a new lawsuit challenges that program's implementation.

The newly redesigned Libertarianism.org aims to answer questions and spur discussion about an important strand of political thought.

The U.S. Supreme Court's decision against so-called "Blaine amendments" in the recent Espinoza case could open the door to more educational opportunities nationwide.

Gov. Roy Cooper has produced multiple executive orders connected to COVID-19. Those orders have generated questions about his constitutional authority, along with practical concerns about enforcement.

The COVID-19 pandemic focuses new attention on the need to reform a major piece of American health care.

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced policymakers to rethink rules that block innovation and hamper people's ability to earn a living.

As "HeadLocke" reaches a milestone, the John Locke Foundation's CEO reflects on the organization's future.

A new report urges N.C. lawmakers to protect nonprofit donors from having their names subjected to public scrutiny.

Policymakers can take steps to ensure that litigation doesn't derail efforts to climb out of the COVID-19 hole.

The John Locke Foundation's new Carolina Rebound project gives policymakers ideas for responding to COVID-19's challenges.

Even in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, author Matt Ridley maintains the nickname tied to his best-selling book, "The Rational Optimist." In his latest book, RIdley touts the need for innovation during our economic recovery.

A cost-benefit analysis of N.C. state government's approach to COVID-19 raises questions about Gov. Roy Cooper's economic lockdown.