Raleigh, NC:  Tuesday night’s Democratic gubernatorial debate on WRAL was classic political “bob and weave”. Unfortunately we heard virtually no details on how either Lieutenant Governor Perdue or State Treasurer Moore will deliver on their promises. However we did get a glimpse on how each would govern, and I believe what we saw shows a lack of courage to take a stand on the tough questions the next governor will face:

• Targeted Incentives: once again we saw the typical hand wringing “incentives are bad” response. But the other states are doing it so we have to “keep incentives in our economic development tool kit.” I thought leadership was about standing up and fixing things that are wrong. Pay attention North Carolina taxpayers, or your tax dollars will continue to go to a few selected global corporations, while the thousands of NC companies creating jobs get nothing but higher taxes. I have consistently opposed incentives as unfair, ineffective, and unnecessary (as most of these companies will move to NC without them). I have offered an alternative plan to invest in our people, businesses, and education infrastructure. Here’s a hint for Ms. Perdue: waiting for Congress to do something about incentives is like waiting for Congress to so something about illegal immigration, which brings us to:
• Illegal Immigration: yes, Ms. Perdue and Mr. Moore, this really is a problem that the next governor must deal with regardless of how long Congress takes to get around to it. Aside from the fundamental unfairness of having to provide services for people who are not here legally (in accordance with federal laws), our taxpayers are getting stuck with the $500 million annual bill. I support the expansion of 287(g) program to counties across North Carolina that have the need and capacity to participate. I have also proposed a comprehensive solution to determine the status of people we are providing services to, account for the cost, and petition and sue, if necessary, the Federal Government for reimbursement.
• Public Education Leadership: it was gratifying to hear both Moore and Perdue agree with a proposal I released on January 22, 2008 calling for, among other reforms, the Secretary of Public Instruction to be appointed by the Governor and not elected. Both said we need to do this but that “it will never happen.” What? I thought leaders were supposed to make things happen. Let’s be clear; this is about establishing a direct line of accountability for education to the governor. It’s unfortunate for our children that the State Board of Education (a committee that meets once a month) runs our public education system. It’s a good deal for the Lieutenant Governor and Treasurer though, because as sitting members of that committee, there are plenty of other people to blame for the failures of public education. I can see why as governor they would like to keep that plausible deniability.
• Taxes and Spending: Well we finally heard how we are going to pay for all the free education and free healthcare the Democrats have been promising for the past year. Mr. Moore is going to raid the Golden Leaf Fund. That would be appropriate since his predecessor, Governor Easley, has had no reservations raiding the Highway Trust Fund, the Mental Health Trust Fund, and the State Retirement Fund. Ms. Perdue says she is going to bring a BRAC Commission process (Base Realignment and Closure Commission—the federal process for determining which military bases to close) to North Carolina to cut $150 million from the state’s budget. As for Ms. Perdue’s BRAC idea, the illogic is stunning. First she says she went to Washington and “saved our bases” by influencing the BRAC process (an assertion which on its face is absurd), then she says she wants to bring the process here to cut our budget because it can’t be influenced? If Ms. Perdue believes that $150 million can be trimmed from the state’s budget—I happen to think it’s closer to $500 million—why hasn’t she exercised the power and influence of her office over the past seven years and taken the lead on this issue?

And finally:

·      Fetal Homicide Law: I support this bill. Moore and Perdue do not but they danced all over the television set trying to avoid giving a clear answer.

Our next governor will face some daunting challenges. There’s a lot to be done, and North Carolina cannot afford 4-8 more years of inaction. It’s time we elect a Republican Governor who has a clear vision for North Carolina and the leadership and dedication to make that vision a reality. I will do just that if I am elected.

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