According to news accounts:
Gov. Pat McCrory’s commerce secretary faced skepticism Tuesday from state senators in a powerful committee as he outlined a request to reinvigorate jobs incentives spending — one of the governor’s signature goals of the legislative session…. The governor’s plan as adopted by the House would increase the JDIG cap from $22.5 million to $45 million. It also extends tax breaks for jet fuel and technology data centers. Comments from Republican senators Tuesday indicated that McCrory’s plan, called N.C. Competes, faces hurdles as it is — and as it has been administered — from members in that chamber.
Senators criticized the JDIG program’s record of concentrating its grants in high-income, urban centers like Wake and Mecklenburg County; and also voiced their preference for overall tax reform as a better means of growing the economy. One point of agreement, however, was on altering the state’s corporate tax formula to a “single sales factor“, meaning corporations would be taxed based on the amount of sales made in NC instead of the current method that factors sales, payroll and property in calculating the tax burden. Tax rates, subsidies, corporate welfare, and targeted tax credits are all hot topics in this year’s legislative session; with substantial disagreement between the GA and governor’s office. Commerce Secretary Skvarla told the committee:”We have three opportunities right now that are looking for JDIG awards in the next seven days, maybe sooner,” and that he is “convinced that they will not come to North Carolina if we don’t make the award.”
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