As reported in today's N&O, the NC House admitted that North Carolina's business climate is so bad that it has to bribe companies to locate here – or as the N&O reports:
The state House voted overwhelmingly Tuesday in favor of tax incentives designed
to lure Apple Computer to North Carolina.
The bill has already cleared the Senate, but needs one more vote in the House
before it would go to Gov. Beverly Perdue for her signature. The House voted
81-31 for the bill.
Turns out the multi-billion dollar computer giant Apple played NC lawmakers like a fiddle, suckering them into a bidding war with Virginia.
Supporters said the tax incentives are necessary to outbid Virginia.
"The company has indicated its desire to come to North Carolina. However,
unless we modify our tax it will not locate here without these changes," said
Rep. William Wainwright, a Havelock Democrat.
Time and again, our elected officials insist on granting special tax breaks and handouts to large corporations claiming that such moves are necessary to "attract jobs." But in so doing, they play favorites and put some companies at a competitive advantage over others. In the end, those companies that lack the political connections or the lobbying clout lose out.
Why not level the playing field for all businesses by ending the corporate bribery game and treating all businesses equally? With politicians jumping in bed with big businesses so frequently, is it any wonder there is so much corruption in NC politics?
Chris Hayes says
The taxpayers of NC are paying $41.5 million for 100 jobs.
Or $415,000 per job.
Why not just pay 100 people $400,000 to not work and save money?
Francis says
You forgot to give a link to our latest polling data on this topic. http://www.nccivitas.org/media/press-releases/voters-give-resounding-no-apple-giveaway
The good people of NC know a scam when they see one.
Jason Sutton says
I read an interesting blog post about actions like this. Link is below:
http://conservativecritique.blogspot.com/2009/05/how-competition-is-stifled-by.html