$300 Million of Wasteful and Frivolous Spending Included in FY 2009-10 Budget

“There is no pork in this budget.”
House Speaker Joe Hackney (D – Orange) commenting on the FY 2009-10 budget

North Carolina’s budget will spend $20.68 billion dollars (including federal funds), so declaring “no pork” is quite a bold statement. Granted, the definition of the term “pork” can be in dispute. After all, some recipients of state spending might consider every dollar they receive to be worthwhile.

But put into proper context, most reasonable observers would deem much of the spending included in the FY 2009-10 state budget to be questionable. In the midst of a recession and one of the largest budget deficits in state history, Raleigh lawmakers introduced $1.1 billion in new taxes in order to help balance the budget. Indeed, Hackney announced that, in part, the new taxes "saved public education and its core mission in North Carolina."

But what else are state leaders “saving”? While higher taxes will inevitably lead to lost jobs, a closer look at the final state budget reveals that the state continues to waste millions of taxpayer dollars for animals, plants, public television, walking trails, tourist attractions and corporate welfare.

A review of the attached spending list (see below) reveals spending that was not cut. It should call into question the priorities of Raleigh politicians. Is it really necessary to destroy private sector jobs via tax hikes in order to finance more than $40 million on museums, art councils and symphonies? In this “deepest recession since the great depression,” is it appropriate for the state to spend $14 million on state-run television and more than a million dollars for state government planes?

Furthermore, the budget calls for $12 million in state support to be cut from the nearly 300 research centers and institutes at UNC campuses. Several million in taxpayer dollars, however, remains dedicated to financing such centers as the Injury Prevention Research Center at UNC Chapel Hill, the Maya Angelou Institute at Winston-Salem State and the Ergonomics Center at N.C. State. Unfortunately, the final budget does not specify the total amount of state support to the various specific centers, but Civitas was able to obtain spending amounts to five such centers at N.C. State to include in the chart below.

A little investigation makes it readily apparent that Raleigh lawmakers are more concerned about a budget that protects frivolous “wants” and new, unproven programs than protecting the jobs of its citizens.

Item	’09-’10 Appropriation
Community Colleges
NC Research Center at Kannapolis. (See explanation under UNC system entry)	$3.3 M
E-learning initiative; online classes	$750 K
Natural and Economic Resources
Future Farmers of America (nonprofit)	$48 K
NC Biotechnology Center. A state funded nonprofit "dedicated to developing the biotechnology industry	$14.8 M
Welcome centers	$1.94 M
Rural Economic Development Center	$24 M
Marine fisheries research	$9.4 M
Biofuels Center of NC. New spending to implement the NC "strategic plan for biofuels leadership"	$1 M
Land loss prevention	$761 K
E-Nc Authority (subsidized internet)	$475 K
DENR: special zoo fund, grassroots initiative, adopt-a-trail	$4.7 M
Tourism, Film & Sport Development	$11.1 M
Local planning & management	$2.9 M
Public Affairs	$457 K
Commerical Feed & Pet Analysis	$778 K
Commerical Fertilizer Analysis	$741 K
Pesticide Control Analysis	$1.3 M
Veterinary Services	$10.1 M
Plant Protection	$3.55 M
Aquariums	$10.3 M
Museum of Natural Science	$8.2 M
Shellfish Sanitation	$1.9 M
"Got to be NC" marketing funds for NC farmers	$300 K
State marketing funds	$ 204 K
Wine & Grape Growers Council	$828 K
"Main Street Solutions" – new program for small town "economic development"	$2 M
High Point Furniture market	$849 K
Cemetery Commission	$252 K
K-12
Learn & Earn High Schools. Created in 2005, allows HS students to take college courses for credit for free	$22.8 M
Learn & Earn Online program. Allows for Learn & Earn credits to be taken online ($3.5M expansion)	$4.9 M
Child & Family "Support Teams"	$11.75 M
Virtual Public Schools	$4.7 M
Public School Forum (nonprofit)	$2.1 M
Communities in Schools (nonprofit)	$1.45 M
Teacher Cadet (nonprofit)	$340 K
Science Olympiad (nonprofit)	$123 K
Teach for America (nonprofit)	$900 K
General Government
NC Maritime Museum	$1.2 M
Historic Preservation	$1.05 M
Museum of Art	$5.6 M
NC Arts Council	$8.6 M
NC Symphony	$2.9 M
Historically Underutilized Business	$882 K
Tryon Palace	$2.6 M
Human Relations Commission	$753 K
Youth Involvement Office	$994 K
Commission on Indian affairs	$560 K
State Historic Sites	$8.7 M
Statewide program & Grants. Funding for local cultural activities	$17.5 M
Museum of History	$6.8 M
U.N.C. System
Public TV	$13.9 M
Kannapolis Research Center. Created in 2006 as public/private partnership, public funding has far exceeded original promises	$22.5 M
Subsidize in-state tuition rate for out-of-state athletic scholarships	$10 M
Strategic Initiative Reserve. UNC president’s slush fund, discretionary money without clear purpose	$2.3 M
Botanical Garden at UNC-CH	$1.1 M
UNC School of Arts, School of Filmmaking: upgrade their theatre and soundstage	$1 M
2+2 Elearning Initiative. Created in 2005 to develop online college coursework	$750 K
General Hugh Shelton Leadership Ctr. at NCSU	$152 K
Center for Family and Community Engagement at NCSU	$184 K
Center for Urban Affairs & Community Services at NCSU	$146 K
Furniture Manufacturing & Management Center at NCSU	$492 K
Nonwovens Institute and Research Center at NCSU	$306 K
The Ergonomics Center at NCSU	$563 K
Animal & Poultry Waste Management Ctr. At NCSU	$82 K
Commerce
One NC Fund – corporate welfare money, availability as of Dec. 31, 08	$18 M
Executive Aircraft Division	$1.1 M
Wanchese Industrial Seafood Park	$437 K
TOTAL:	$297.1 M

Click Here for PDF Version of the Spending Chart