More like South Carolina than Kansas

by | Jun 12, 2017 | Budget, Editor's Blog | 4 comments

Last week, Kansas ended its disastrous conservative experiment when the legislature passed tax increases to start filling the massive budget hole caused by radical tax cuts. Gov. Sam Brownback came into office promising that huge tax cuts would spur enough growth to offset the loss of revenue. He was so wrong.

North Carolina followed a similar path, slashing taxes for corporations and the wealthy and promising a “powerful comeback.” That comeback never materialized. The state recovered from the Great Recession more slowly than many states and the jobs created so far have been lower paying than the ones that left.

North Carolina avoided debt that sunk the Kansas experiment, though, and, as Republicans like note, now the state is running a surplus. However, instead of seeing a big increase in revenue, the GOP slashed funding for the institutions that built the state. They cut funding to our public schools and universities. North Carolina now has among the stingiest unemployment benefits in the nation, ensuring that the next recession will be more painful for working families. They’ve ignored infrastructure needs, particularly in rural areas. They’ve cut funding for mental health services. They funded the tax cuts by undermining services that help the most vulnerable survive and increase social and economic mobility.

No, North Carolina is not Kansas. We won’t watch our state wallow in debt with no growth. We’re following the path South Carolina and Mississippi and Alabama did 50 years ago. Back then, North Carolina made a decision to invest in the state while our Southern neighbors did not. We built a world-class university system and one of the best community college systems in the nation. We created the Research Triangle Park to attract high-paying industries and became a leader in pharmaceuticals, communications and technology.  We built roads that connected the state and built water and sewer plants to support industry. We became one of the fastest growing states in the nation and became a destination for businesses, tourists and families.

The damage Republicans are doing to the state will play out over a longer period of time as our institutions lose their luster. Already our nationally recognized UNC School of Law has dropped in ranking from 22nd in the nation to 38th. We don’t need to see a long, slow decline in our schools and universities. And many of our rural areas need extensive upgrades in infrastructure like broadband if they hope to compete for the jobs of the 21st century.

When Gov. Roy Cooper says he wants to see more “vision” in the budget, he’s talking about the conscious decisions our leaders made twenty years ago and fifty years ago to invest in our state. He wants the foresight that brought about community colleges and investments in our universities. He wants to see the commitment that made North Carolina a leader in early childhood education. He’s looking new ways to restore North Carolina’s battered reputation, not small-minded policies that only put more money into the pockets of rich people.

4 Comments

  1. The Ghost of Elections Past

    I’m going to stick out my neck and make a prediction. The other day, I read an Op-ed from the Greensboro News and Record about the new stupid proposal to allow anyone to carry concealed weapons. Numerous law enforcement agencies and sheriffs who are not wing-nuts are against this proposal for obvious reasons. The News and Record advocated that Gov. Cooper veto this measure if it passes the General Assembly.

    I believe that this is similar to the HB2 business. If they can pass this nutty bill, and Gov. Cooper vetoes it, the Republicans will use gun issues to try to work up their ignorant base to turn out in the next election. They will not give up their ill-gained power without a fight.

    • david

      The Wild, Wild West (East)!

  2. David Scott

    If you’ve never read the classic “What’s the Matter with Kansas?,” don’t bother. Instead, now read “What’s the Matter with North Carolina?” Both states were driven to its knees by extremist Republicans and an overdose of supply side (voodoo) economics. And how did that work out? Republicans are a lot of things but quick studies they’re not!

  3. StopNCChamber

    Actually, this is Kansas all over again in North Carolina — led by Lew Ebert at the NC Chamber who was previously in the same role doing the same things in Kansas.

    Until Lew Ebert and the NC Chamber is stopped (aided by their funders at SAS, Duke Energy and Food Lion), the NC legislature will continue down this road.

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