Gutting Commerce
For years Republicans were largely ignored in legislative
decision-making. Democrats are learning that payback can be swift, ugly and not
always well reasoned.
Representative Tom Murry, a freshman Republican from Wake County introduced a bill that would essentially gut the Department of Commerce. In his “NC Jobs and Commerce Corporation” bill he takes aim at three sore spots for Republicans.
By moving the economic development functions of Commerce to the University of North Carolina Republicans take direct aim at the Governor, effectively removing our chief executive as chief recruitment officer. A new economic development board, not headed by the Governor, would presumably oversee that function. This bill would see the loss of jobs as fewer photographers, pilots and press people would be needed when photo-op ribbon cuttings are eliminated.
Republicans have never thought the regional economic partnerships a great idea and funding to them would be cut, essentially gutting them. The bill would set in motion an economic development program similar to that in Indiana.
One would think this was just another freshman introducing a far-fetched piece of legislation were it not for Danny McComas’ fingerprints all over the bill. McComas is one of the leadership team, a veteran legislator who is smart enough to get someone else to send up his trial balloon.
UNC heading up economic development? Patterning ourselves after Indiana? Taking the Governor out of economic development?
We’re not a fan of incentives and we believe the regional partnership concept needs revisiting but one of the big functions of our Governor is selling our state to potential industrial clients. They expect to see the Governor making the case and closing the deal. Sidelining her doesn’t make sense. And gutting Commerce doesn’t, either. This bill deserves careful consideration by the House Rules Committee.
Categories: uncategorized
Tags: Republicans North Carolina Department of Commerce Economic Development Legislature
I like that the General Assembly is having this discussion. I dislike your final conclusions. The Governor can still put on her cheerleader skirt and rah-rah with both pom-poms. And "gutting" the department? You should re-read their own words (http://www.nccommerce.com/en/AboutDOC/)about all the wonderful things they do besides bribing companies with wasted tax dollars and picking winners while ignoring similar in-state businesses.
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ya'll are sounding more like democrats and perdue pals every day;
~sensing liberal tendencies
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Doug, where were you all the times I disagreed with Democrats? Tell me you think this idea is well conceived. Having served on the Economic Development Board I can tell you the Governor makes a huge impact on a potential firm coming to our state, especially foreign ones. I said I don't like all these incentives and think the regional partnerships need more discussion.
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House Bill 800 by Rep. Murry deserves a fair hearing and I fully expect the Speaker and Majority Leader will allow that to happen.
Yes, the legislation will effectively gut the Department of Commerce and it will provide a stringent review of the state's incentive policies.
Yet, it's not a bad thing to look at how we can improve government operations. In Indiana, they have had a very positive private/public partnership lead their economic development effort. It won't be the end of the day if we eliminate a state government department.
Can and should the Governor play an important role in recruiting new businesses to North Carolina, absolutely. Should economic development policies be politically charged? No.
I see Mr. Murry's bill as a measure to get the discussion going on how the state approaches its economic development policies. There's no doubt that the state is lagging the rest of the nation in new job growth because our unemployment numbers continue to remain about one point above the national average.
So let's look at how we can improve our economic development. Let's look at smarter policies that will nurture and protect existing industries such as furniture and textiles. Let's look at ways to help small businesses grow.
That's how I see HB800 and truthfully, it's a discussion that is needed in North Carolina.
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I agree with Brad. A discussion about the overall economic development structure and process could yield very positive outcomes for the State and a dramatic bill certainly starts the conversation.
The Governor has to play a role, and the universities already do play a role. Should they house the functions? Is that their specialty? No. They are in the business of higher education, while playing a role in outreach and extension for economic development. They are not the policy leaders to develop and lead the strategy. That is the role of the chief executive, the Governor.
The regional partnerships deserve some scrutiny for the sake of the smaller communities they serve.
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