Robbie Perkins’ urgency

As the debate over a proposed downtown Greensboro performing arts center rages on, the N&R publishes a Q&A with Mayor Robbie Perkins, the PAC’s biggest booster.

Urgency was the theme of the interview. Here’s what jumped out at me:

“I believe that, as a community, we can do this. It’s not far-fetched. It’s not something that I would call….(long pause)…..Well, it’s not an extra. This is something that needs to be a part of our community to attract the kind of jobs we want to attract.”

Good to see there is at least some recognition in the mayor’s mind that a downtown performing arts center is a want instead of a need. But that recognition was brief, and onward he presses.

Cmdr. Hood’s manifesto

Over the years I’ve picked up on the perception that the John Locke Foundation simply stand by and says by and speaks out against everything gov’t -related while offering no solutions.

Anyone who follows JLF knows that’s not true. Further proving the point, JLF President John Hood has unveiled his new book titled Our Best Foot Forward:

“In a 21st-century economy based on worldwide markets, North Carolina isn’t just competing with other states,” Hood said. “We are competing with other nations. Our political leaders have long recognized this fact. They have talked about making North Carolina a hot spot for investors, executives, and entrepreneurs from other lands. Our current economy falls short of that mark.”

Over the course of nearly 200 pages, Hood documents North Carolina’s current economic woes, then spells out an investment plan to help the state change course. That plan features a 10-point “Carolina Manifesto for Growth.”

“In this book, you will not read a thoroughgoing indictment of all government,” Hood explains. “Government performs indispensable tasks that make economic success possible. But many government programs don’t function as intended. Our Best Foot Forward presents a plan for promoting effective investment in the state’s economy and thus making the state more competitive.”

Indeed our state is competing in a worldwide market, which calls into question whether or not protectionist legislation supported by some in the state’s Congressional delegation is hindering North Carolina’s ability to compete in the worldwide market. As well take into consideration burdensome regulations that hinder North Carolina’s small businesses when exporting their products.

Hood does call for improving the state’s business climate by “abolishing all mandates to purchase high-cost energy and allowing offshore and onshore development of North Carolina’s energy reserves.”

No doubt that ruffles a few feathers.

Perdue punts on annexation bill

Gov. Bev Perdue will neither sign nor veto a bill giving residents the right to vote on whether or not they wish to be annexed. Just Bev being Bev.

The bill will now become law without the governor’s signature. Had Perdue vetoed the bill, it more than likely would have been overridden.

In her statement, Perdue said annexation reform “should neither stifle the natural growth — nor limit the role — of local governments.” The North Carolina League of Municipalities predictably criticized bill. High Point City Council member Latimer Alexander —who also serves as NCLM president — said the bill “hurts business, economic development and our taxpayers.”