Carolina Journal Radio No. 713: New governor creates new dynamic for legislative session

The N.C. General Assembly returns for its long legislative session with a new sparring partner in the governor’s mansion. Becki Gray, John Locke Foundation senior vice president, examines the potential impact of new Gov. Roy Cooper on the 2017 session. She also highlights lawmakers’ top priorities for the new year. Much of the current energy debate in North Carolina and across the country involves solar power, wind, and natural gas. Much less attention has been paid to the future of nuclear energy. David McNelis, director of the Center for Sustainable Energy, Environment, and Economic Development at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, says changing technology ensures that nuclear energy could play a key role in the future. North Carolina legislators have focused much time and energy on the state’s long-term transportation needs. During a recent legislative meeting, Alison Premo Black of the American Road and Transportation Builders Association told lawmakers the average North Carolinian spends much less on the state’s transportation infrastructure than on other basic needs. You’ll hear her comments, along with lawmakers’ reactions. North Carolina state government might have “too many chiefs and not enough Indians.” That’s the way one lawmaker summarized a recent report on the size and scope of government bureaucracy. The report suggested government has more supervisors and decision-making layers than it needs. You’ll learn details. The head of North Carolina’s Rules Review Commission would like to see a change that would ensure even more of the state’s rules face regular scrutiny. Carolina Journal Associate Editor Dan Way explains why the RRC chairman hopes state lawmakers will amend a rules review process to ensure all rules go under the microscope on a regular basis.