Taxation & Economy
Not all property tax levy limits are created equal
As the debate in North Carolina over how best to address property tax reform unfolds, levy limits are likely to take center stage as a viable policy option. Levy limits restrict the annual growth of total property tax…
Growth, Scarcity, and the Case for Deregulation
North Carolina enters 2025 with a housing market that is often described as “relatively affordable,” especially when compared to coastal states or Sun Belt peers like Florida and Arizona. But that framing masks a deeper and…
North Carolina designed a Medicaid program that it can’t afford
The North Carolina Medicaid program is on an unsustainable fiscal path. Data from state and national budget reports show that Medicaid expenditures have risen sharply, with growth evident across federal receipts, state…
Where are those manufacturing jobs we were promised?
Pres. Trump’s on-again, off-again, on-again tariff regime dominated the economic news in 2025. It was kicked off on April 2, a date Trump called “Liberation Day,” when the president announced his executive order imposing…
Possible Tariff War Over Trump’s Greenland Ambitions Would Hurt North Carolina Farmers
President Donald Trump’s stated desire to acquire the island of Greenland has caused tension with European nations that could result in a tariff war that would harm North Carolina farmers. Trump recently warned that eight…
North Carolina’s property tax reality
During the pandemic, property values surged across North Carolina, generating frustration among residents whose property tax bills have risen faster than their incomes. In response, the General Assembly established the House…
What is the role of a think tank?
Nonprofit think tanks serve a distinct role in public life by advancing enduring ideas and principled analysis — rather than engaging in partisan politics or short-term electoral strategy By educating both lawmakers and the…
Job announcements aren’t jobs
Gov. Josh Stein recently celebrated what his Commerce Secretary described as a “record-setting year for job creation” in North Carolina, citing tens of thousands of job announcements statewide. But announcements aren’t jobs —…
Thanksgiving costs dip, offering families a bit of relief
For the third year in a row, Americans heading into the holiday season will find a bit of good news at the grocery store. According to the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 40th annual Thanksgiving survey, the average cost of…
The budget failure and its consequences
Last month, I urged the North Carolina General Assembly to send a biennial budget to Gov. Josh Stein’s desk before Thanksgiving. I suggested that date for clear reasons: Since at least 1995, the General Assembly has always…
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