John Hood

2 weeks ago | elkintribune.com | John Hood

RALEIGH — After North Carolina conservatives won control of the General Assembly in 2010, they began a systematic application of supply-side principles to state policy. It’s been a phenomenal success — although you might disagree if you think that “supply side economics” is synonymous with a single proposition: cutting tax rates can result in more revenue collected. That’s not quite right.

2 weeks ago | lakegastongazette-observer.com | John Hood

RALEIGH — The North Carolina House and Senate have enacted very different versions of a 2025-27 state budget, even though two plans would authorize virtually the same amount of spending. The differences are so vast, in fact, that some insiders predict no comprehensive budget will pass this session. The two sides are far apart on capital projects, pay raises for public employees, policy changes, and other issues. But the fundamental difference involves taxes.

2 weeks ago | thepilot.com | John Hood

I wrote my first book — about what’s now called corporate ESG (for environmental, social and governance criteria) — in 1996. After six subsequent works of serious nonfiction, I redirected my energies in 2020 toward writing historical-fantasy novels set in early America. Patriot soldiers battle flying demons. Daniel Boone hunts fire-spitting salamanders. Shadowy mages ensorcell Washington politicians into committing grave errors. Get the picture? Well, I thought I was writing fantasy.

2 weeks ago | shelbystar.com | John Hood

The "Big, Beautiful Bill" passed by the U.S. House includes work requirements for Medicaid and SNAP recipients. The bill mandates at least 20 hours a week of work, training, or volunteering for able-bodied, childless recipients of these programs. The author supports these work requirements, citing the success of similar requirements in the 1996 welfare reform bill. Public support for work requirements for Medicaid and SNAP recipients is high.

2 weeks ago | fayobserver.com | John Hood

John HoodGuest ColumnistRALEIGH — There are good reasons to criticize the “Big, Beautiful Bill” the U.S. House just sent to the Senate. But its imposition of work requirements for able-bodied recipients of Medicaid — and more-comprehensive work requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) — are not among them. I pray North Carolina’s senators, Thom Tillis and Ted Budd, hold out for more budget savings.