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History

The N.C. Center for Public Policy Research was founded in 1977 and is still one of only six independent, state-level policy centers in the country. Our founders believed that most of the important issues in future decades would be decided at the state level, and they've been proved right over the 34 years of our existence.

The Center is dedicated to creating a better informed public, and more effective, accountable and responsive government. Our mission is to examine public policy issues that face North Carolina and enrich the dialogue among three constituencies -- the public, the media, and policymakers. Based on our research, we sometimes make recommendations for improving the way government serves the people of this state. Our mission also includes a statement of core values that have sustained the Center over 34 years.

  • the value of reliable and objective research as a basis for analyzing public policy;
  • the value of independence, both from partisan bias and political ideology;
  • the value of the richness of the state's diverse population; and
  • a belief in the importance of citizen involvement in public life.

The Center is governed by a 23-member Board of Directors designed to mirror the population of North Carolina in its proportions of men and women; African Americans, Caucasians, and Hispanics; Republicans, Democrats, and Independents; from the East, West, and Piedmont.  With our Board of Democrats, Republicans and Independents, there are no sacred cows in what we should study, and there are no predetermined results.

The Center publishes a citizen's guide to the legislature and biennial rankings of legislators' effectiveness, attendance, and roll call voting participation. It also publishes North Carolina Insight, which recently featured research on the future of community colleges in North Carolina, issues facing the elderly in N.C., and high school dropouts.  In addition to publishing Insight, the Center issues book-length research reports, including a study of the powers and selection of the statewide UNC Board of Governors.  Future studies are planned on issues affecting the aging, water policy, student financial aid, and mental health reform.

For more on the history of the Center, click here to read A Report on the First Ten Years, 1977-1987