Press Releases & Op-Eds
Letter to the Editor: Tasty subsidy
Jeanette Doran
Feb 15th, 2011
I read with interest the Feb. 6 article reporting on a proposal that would create a tax credit to help parents send their children to private schools. The most interesting part of the article, however, was not the discussion of the proposal, but rather the quotes from state Rep. Rick Glazier.
Incentives game time to put up or shut up
Jeanette Doran
Jan 9th, 2011
Imagine that the state of North Carolina gave millions of taxpayer dollars directly to companies in certain industries as an incentive to locate here. Imagine also that the state of North Carolina singled out certain industries and select businesses for special tax breaks that other taxpayers, both corporate and individual, do not get. It shouldn't be too hard to imagine. That is precisely what is going on. Just last summer, for example, the state gave a large incentive package to Caterpillar and passed new laws increasing incentives to the film industry that allow handouts to film companies of up to $20 million per movie.
Letter to the Editor: Reform's lead time
Jason Kay
Jan 5th, 2011
For years, Republican redistricting reform proposals have languished in various legislative committees without even a vote. Now the shoe is on the other foot, and it's the Democrats who see the merit in reform. They want a fix right now before the new districts are drawn in 2011.
NCICL's Jason Kay to Join Speaker’s Office
Elizabeth Lincicome
Jan 5th, 2011
House Speaker-Designate, Rep. Thom Tillis (R-Mecklenburg) announced that he has chosen NCICL Senior Staff Attorney Jason Kay to serve as General Counsel in his new administration. Tillis announced several members of his new team in a press statement issued late Tuesday afternoon. The General Assembly will reconvene on Wednesday, January 26th.
Redistricting reform: A good topic . . . for 2020
Jason Kay
Jan 2nd, 2011
Recently, Gov. Bev Perdue extolled the virtues of redistricting reform in North Carolina. While discussing reform is a step in the right direction, it's imperative that we learn from the lessons the state Senate first ignored in 1999, and explain why a quick fix in the short term isn't the right fix for the long term.
WAKE COUNTY JUDGE ORDERS STATE TO TURN OVER PUBLIC RECORDS, RULES FOR NCICL
Elizabeth Lincicome
Dec 21st, 2010
RALEIGH, NC—Today, the Wake County Superior Court under Presiding Judge Paul G. Gessner handed the North Carolina Institute for Constitutional Law (NCICL) a victory in its case against the State of North Carolina, the North Carolina Department of the Secretary of State, and Secretary of State Elaine F. Marshall, in her official capacity (Defendants).
Especially now, no way to justify incentives
Robert F. Orr
Dec 4th, 2010
Politicians talk about creating jobs for people as a rationale for giving incentives worth millions of dollars to selected corporations. Why give away huge chunks of our tax base at the state and local level in order to create jobs while cutting thousands of jobs in the public sector? Until the public gets a good answer to that question, state leaders should take a huge step back from the current incentives policy.
The folly of giving millions to business while axing teachers
Justice Robert F. Orr
Dec 3rd, 2010
Politicians talk about "creating jobs for people" as a rationale for giving incentives worth millions of dollars to selected corporations. Why give away huge chunks of our tax base in order to "create" jobs while cutting thousands of jobs in the public sector? Until the public gets a good answer to that question, state leaders should take a huge step back from the current incentives policy.
When 'creating' jobs costs jobs
Justice Robert F. Orr
Dec 3rd, 2010
Politicians talk about 'creating jobs for people' as a rationale for giving incentives worth millions of dollars to selected corporations. Why give away huge chunks of our tax base in order to 'create' jobs while cutting thousands of jobs in the public sector? Until the public gets a good answer to that question, state leaders should take a huge step back from the current incentives policy." — former N.C. Supreme Court Justice Bob Orr, writing in today's Charlotte Observer.
Dell Finally Shuts Down Forsyth County Computer Plant
Elizabeth Lincicome
Nov 22nd, 2010
RALEIGH, NOVEMBER 22, 2010- Computer maker Dell Inc. announced today it has shut down its 750,000-square-foot manufacturing plant in Forsyth County. The Winston-Salem Journal reported the company has closed its production line after a six-year period during which Dell failed to deliver on the economic promises it originally agreed to.