Carolina Journal Radio No. 768: Triangle makes Amazon’s top 20 list for HQ2

The Triangle made Amazon’s cut for the list of 20 potential sites for the online retailer’s second headquarters. Rick Henderson, Carolina Journal editor-in-chief, analyzes the issues surrounding the local bid to land Amazon’s HQ2 and its promises of 50,000 jobs. The federal tax reform package has grabbed recent headlines, but advocates of better tax policy have seen recent gains at the state and local levels as well. Patrick Gleason, director of state affairs at Americans for Tax Reform, says his group has been happy to see recent victories against taxes on soda and plastic bags. Tighter security measures could be on the way soon for North Carolina’s legislative complex. Martin Brock, chief of the General Assembly Police, recently answered questions from lawmakers about the prospects for metal detectors in legislative buildings. Raleigh attorney Thomas Farr has been nominated four times since 2006 for the same seat as a federal District Court judge in North Carolina’s Eastern District. During a recent U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee meeting, Democratic members blasted Farr’s nomination. You’ll hear some of their comments, along with a defense from U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C. Plans to build large solar farms in rural North Carolina are pitting neighbor against neighbor. Dan Way, Carolina Journal associate editor, has reported on these property rights fights. He shares highlights from his coverage.