Popular Government

Gideon vs. Wainwright and subsequent cases have established the right of poor people to representation by counsel in felony cases in state courts, in many misdemeanor cases, and in all critical stages of criminal proceedings. But what assures poor people of quality representation in such cases?

North Carolina counties may adopt either an one-quarter-cent sales tax or a 0.4 percent land transfer tax as a new source of revenue. A School economist examines the economic implications of the two taxes and compares them on six dimensions.

Organizational barriers have tended to make the balanced scorecard, a management tool that links departmental performance and organizational goals, an option only for large local governments. A School faculty member and a North Carolina town manager present a case study of how the manager's town, Hillsborough, adopted the balanced scorecard.

An immigration specialist at the School reports some basic facts about immigrants in North Carolina, such as how many live here, whether they pay taxes and receive public benefits, and what kind of impact they ahve on the state's economy.

This issue of N.C. Journal contains eight articles:

• Local Government Service Corps to Help Rural Communities in Need
• Assistance Available in Meeting New Federal Funding Rules Related to Sexual Assault Prevention and Intervention
• Local Elected Leaders Academy Announces Winter 2008 Offerings
• School Sponsors Information Sharing on Workforce and Succession Planning
• Judicial College Inaugurates Advanced Criminal Evidence Course for North Carolina Judges
• Wayne County Moved to Four-Day Workweek
• School Graduates First Class of National Certified Government Chief Information Officers
• School Receives Grant to Document Hunger in North Carolina