John Locke Foundation: Charlotte

Charlotte
Headlines

Alma Adams has edge in race for Mel Watt’s seat

CHARLOTTE — With strong backing from women’s groups, state Rep. Alma Adams of Greensboro out-raised her Democratic rivals and holds a wide financial edge in the race to replace Mel Watt in Congress. New reports show Adams raised nearly $353,000 and has a 3-to-1 cash advantage over her nearest opponent heading into the May 6 primary in the 12th Congressional District.

Did city break law with private Panthers talks?

CHARLOTTE — This week, a Catawba County judge could settle a lingering debate in Charlotte: Did the City Council break the law by privately discussing and voting to offer millions of dollars in incentives to keep the Carolina Panthers in town? For almost two hours Tuesday, attorneys for the council and its four accusers offered different answers to Superior Court Judge Nathaniel Poovey.

Education officials: Charter schools must disclose salaries

CHARLOTTE — North Carolina’s top education officials now say charter schools must publicly reveal salaries, reversing a March announcement that the independent public schools are exempt from that requirement. “Public charter schools should disclose how they spend all tax dollars, including salaries paid,” N.C. Board of Education Chairman William Cobey said in a recent email.

Mitchell drops out of race to replace Watt

CHARLOTTE — Former Charlotte City Council member James “Smuggie” Mitchell dropped out of the 12th Congressional District race Monday, citing the crowded field and his inability to raise money. Mitchell’s departure follows the City Council’s decision last week to bypass him as a replacement for former Mayor Patrick Cannon. Cannon, who was arrested March 26 on public corruption charges, defeated Mitchell in the Democratic mayoral primary last year.

Charlotte's Greatest Hits

Black got sweetheart deal

As jailed former state House Speaker Jim Black mounts a campaign for early release, critics contend that the state justice system did favors for Black regarding the settlement of his $1 million fine.

Questions about Black settlement

Wake County officials say imprisoned former House Speaker Jim Black satisfied a $1 million fine by surrendering some Mecklenburg County real estate, but questions remain about the real market value of the property.

Black settlement may not add up

Imprisoned former House Speaker Jim Black used undeveloped land with a tax value of less than $150,000 to pay off an outstanding $500,000 state fine.

Fat CATS

Colleen Calvani writes that the Charlotte Area Transit system will scale back some routes in an attempt to counter three major decreases in funding.

McCrory’s failure

Jeff Taylor argues that Pat McCrory failed to carry Mecklenburg County because he failed to move its conservatives.

Lynx And Exploding Pipes

Jeff Taylor says there may be another factor to blame for CMUD’s recent series of water leaks.

Research

City and County Issue Guide 2014

Policymakers in the many local governments of North Carolina face a host of important challenges. This issue guide offers solutions to problems that confront North Carolinians at municipal and county levels. The common thread in these recommendations is freedom. By increasing individual freedom, local governments can foster the prosperity of all North Carolinians and keep open avenues to innovative solutions from enterprising citizens.

Carolina Cronyism: Introduction, Overview, and Reforms

Cronyism is an umbrella term covering a host of government activities by which an industry or even a single firm or speculator is given favors and support that they could not attain in market competition. This report explains what opens government to cronyism, gives a brief rundown of recent examples of cronyism in North Carolina, and offers several possible reforms.

By the Numbers: What Government Costs in North Carolina Cities and Counties FY 2010

County and municipal governments provide many key services while taking in billions of dollars in revenue, but finding comparative data is hard. That's why this report provides information of how much local government costs in every city and county in North Carolina.

Raleigh Convention Center: Throwing good money after bad

This report examines 52 contracts signed by the Raleigh Convention Center for the period of July–December 2011 and is a follow-up to the September 2008 John Locke Foundation report “The New Raleigh Convention Center: A taxpayer-funded money pit.”