RALEIGH – A new internet commercial from the Civitas Institute regarding tax reform has garnered thousands of views in less than two weeks.  The video touts the benefits to hard-working North Carolinians from the elimination of the state income tax.

The 30-second spot prompts citizens to imagine how they could improve their lives by keeping more of what they earn. The median North Carolina household pays nearly $2,200 a year in state income taxes, a significant amount of money that could help start a business, pay off debt or save for retirement.

As tax reform takes center stage at the state legislature, the Civitas Institute will continue to be a leading voice for pro-growth measures that will create job opportunities for those most in need and help North Carolina families achieve greater financial security.

More information on the Civitas Institute is available at www.nccivitas.org, or contact Jim Tynen at (919) 834-2099.

The post Trending Now: Thousands View Civitas Tax Reform Ad Online appeared first on Civitas Institute.

Part 1

Dr. William C. Padgett describes how an onerous state regulation is denying the elderly and frail in his community proper care that would enhance their comfort and quality of life. In this 2:30 minute video, Dr. Padgett discusses how North Carolina’s Certificate of Need (CON) Laws are the one thing standing in the way of a much-needed assisted living facility in Beaufort County.

Part 2

In the second and final part of this Civitas video interview with Dr. William C. Padgett regarding North Carolina’s Certificate of Need (CON) laws, Dr. Padgett discusses the multiple benefits an appropriate assisting living facility would bring to his community. These benefits are being denied, however, by the state’s CON laws. Dr. Padgett concludes by urging state lawmakers to form a study committee to seriously evaluate the negative impact CON laws have on the provision of appropriate facilities for North Carolina’s elderly and frail population.

The post The Unseen Victims of Certificate of Need Laws, Part II appeared first on Civitas Institute.

Dr. Arthur Laffer, former economic advisor to President Reagan and commonly referred to as the father of supply-side economics sits down with Civitas to discuss how cuts in tax rates bring prosperity. This 15-minute interview is packed with economic insights and experiences coming from one of the most influential economists of the last half century.

The post Interview with Dr. Art Laffer appeared first on Civitas Institute.

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The closing arguments in North Carolina’s initial Racial Justice Act (RJA) concluded a few weeks ago in Fayetteville, and the public will be waiting for another one or two months for the ruling.

Under the RJA, convicted murderers can appeal their sentence under the guise that race played a factor in their sentences. Curiously, appeals can be made regardless of the race of the convicted murderer or their victim.

While three convicted killers are getting publicity, the victims and their families are longing for loved ones who do not have a voice.

Senate Bill 416, passed last session over a Gov. Perdue veto, still allows for the death row appeals but limits the use of statistics in the appeals process.

Critics of the RJA believe SB 416 didn’t go far enough, and that the RJA should be repealed completely.

In the meantime, the families of the victims now have to painfully relive all the details of the deaths of their loved ones due to the appeals process allowed under the RJA.

Below is part one of a four part video series that explores the controversial and flawed Racial Justice Act. The intent is to not only expose the flaws of this legislation, but to remind viewers of the devastation these convicted murderers left behind.

The day their loved ones died will stay etched in their relatives’ minds forever. We often just hear the story about the murderer and of how they supposedly were not treated fairly; it is time to know who the real victims of the Racial Justice Act are.

Video by Alex Rector

Part 1 – This four minute video provides a brief introduction and background on the Racial Justice Act. Included is a discussion of SB 416 and interviews with district attorneys sharing their concerns about the RJA. Future videos in this series will include interviews with victims’ family members discussing their loss and their views of the ability of convicted murderers to appeal their sentence under RJA. 

In part 2 of this video series, we hear the compelling words of Marsha Howell, whose daughter was murdered by a man currently sitting on death row. Ms. Howell adamantly rejects the notion that race played a factor in the sentencing of her daugher’s killer – who also seriously injured her son. Ms. Howell also shares her thoughts on the NAACP’s and Gov. Perdue’s poor handling of the issue. This powerful and heartbreaking video reminds us about the horrific acts committed by those on death row and why the Racial Justice Act is unjustified.

Part 3 of this video series contains an interview with Crystal Davis, whose mother was murdered in 1999 by an inmate currently sitting on death row. Ms. Davis questions the legitimacy of the Racial Justice Act, especially the fact that a killer and victim can both be the same race but the killer can still appeal his sentence under the RJA under its flawed premise of racial bias in sentencing. Davis also discusses the difficulty of victims’ families having to relive the tragic killing of a loved one all over again during the sentence appeal hearings allowed by the RJA.

In the final installment of this four-part video series, we hear from District Attorneys who are concerned about the negative consequences of the Racial Justice Act. Included in the concerns are the high financial cost of re-opening high volumes of files from past cases as well as the inappropriate use of statistics allowed in the RJA appeals process.

The post True Victims of the Racial Justice Act appeared first on Civitas Institute.

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Among the statewide races to be decided this fall is State Superintendent of Public Instruction. June Atkinson has held the position since August 2005, and is the Democratic nominee for the office. Challenging Atkinson is Republican John Tedesco, a member of the Wake County Board of Education since 2009.

The Superintendent is a powerful spokesperson for education and can have a tremendous impact on policy and setting the education agenda. As part of their annual July conference, the North Carolina Alliance of Public Charter Schools held a debate between the two candidates for the Office of State Superintendent. The following are excerpted answers from candidate responses to selected questions.

The post NC Superintendent Debate appeared first on Civitas Institute.

The race for a seat on the State Supreme Court is under most radars but it could decide the state wide voting districts for the next ten years. Matt Willoughby has a video report.

The post The Pivotal Supreme Court Race appeared first on Civitas Institute.

The founder of the iconic lunch haven Snoopy’s in Raleigh was so infuriated by President Obama saying he hadn’t built the business by himself he put up a sign to answer the President.

Click on the video report…

The post Raleigh Businessman Gives the President A Sign appeared first on Civitas Institute.