Katy's Conservative Corner

Lawson To Enter NC 4th Congressional District Primary

 In a surprising twist to an already crowded  North Carolina's 4th Congressional District primary, 2008 GOP nominee, B.J. Lawson, has committed to entering the field. 

 In a statement released on Tuesday, he wrote:

"Recent polling data suggests 2010 will be much different than 2008.  Specifically, 72% of North Carolina Republicans say they are "definitely voting" in 2010, while only 67% of Democrats say the same; furthermore, our district's turnout was greatly influenced by the Obama campaign. Our commitment to challenge Price has been further fueled by recent upsets across the country, numerous requests from our grassroots volunteers, and the stubborn refusal of our government to do the right thing even when confronted with overwhelming public opposition."

 Your blogger agrees completely.  Additionally, Lawson (left) stated that his campaign is focused on five issues:

1. Economic freedom to create our own jobs and businesses 
2. Health care freedom that returns medicine to patients and providers 
3. Zero tolerance for bailouts and corporate welfare 
4. A federal government that operates within the Constitution 
5. Honest and transparent government 

The official announcement and filing will come in Raleigh on Wednesday.  

Analysis

KCC feels that this shakes up the field a bit.  Lawson, is well-known throughout the 4th district as he won a bruising primary in 2008 and went on to face Price in the general election.  Though Congressman David Price won re-election easily in the gerrymandered district drawn just for him, conventional wisdom tells us that every member of Congress is vulnerable in 2010.  Anti-Obama backlash is high this year, as the President's missteps are following him where ever he goes.  

Lawson should now easily move into second place, behind front-runner Frank Roche and ahead of other challengers Greg Dority and the little known, non-serious George Hutchins.  

Roche has been in the race for more than a year but with Lawson's national fund-raising connections from the Republican Liberty Caucus, he should easily be able to out-raise everyone in the field, eventually moving ahead of Roche.  

Many 4th District and NC GOP activists only became involved after the election of President Barrack Obama angered and fired them up. Most of these might not remember Lawson and but they do know Roche.  Lawson, must now reach out to these new believers and share his story.

Price can always be counted on to vote the wrong way on any issue for a fiscal conservative.  In a year when the issues are tilted towards fiscal and financial, Price has never met a tax increase he didn't like.  But, he knows how to put a good spin on the issue.  

History from Your Blogger's Memory

Price was first elected to Congress in 1986, defeating then- Congressman and  former UNC Athletic Director Bill Cobey. Cobey went on to become NCGOP State Chairman and a candidate for Governor.  Cobey had defeated long-serving Democrat Congressman Ike Andrews in 1984, after Andrews received a DUI. (Your blogger volunteered for Cobey as a College Republican at the time.)

In 1994, in an off-year election during former President Bill Clinton's first term, former Raleigh Police Chief Fred Heineman surprisingly defeated Price. (The district then covered most, if not all of Raleigh, and was more Republican friendly.) 

The Heineman campaign had already scheduled to turn off all but one telephone line, beginning the day after the election, and reporters, volunteers, and well-wishers could not get through.  The Chief, as he insisted on being called, was as shocked as anyone.  Sadly, Price returned to Congress two years later and has kept his seat since.

However, anti-Obama sentiments are much stronger than any anti-Clinton feelings ever were.  If the GOP keeps working hard and rallies the faithful, Congress is ours for the taking.  However, KCC feels we must have no more "restroom incidents" or mistresses in Argentina!

Editor's Notes: 

Congressman Price is a fixture on the local Chamber of Commerce circuit.  During this blogger's tenure at the Cary Chamber of Commerce, she wrote their newsletter as part of her position as Director of Public and Governmental Affairs.  

Anytime KCC said anything negative about Rep. Price, his office was on the phone, wanting to schedule a speaking engagement, which he, naturally received.  

Price is always accessible but we have no doubt that the Republican who defeats him will be, as well!  

Reader Mail: The Obama-Congressional Dem Agenda

Hello Katy:

Something needs to be done to discredit and turn the American people against the Obama-Congressional Democratic agenda.

 

I believe an aggressive campaign that defines the Obama-Democratic agenda as “Not the American Way” would be an effective and succinct way to defeat their un-American plans. It would be a simple way to contrast their socialist agenda with the conservative American agenda that favors individual Americans as opposed to a bigger, more powerful government. It could help change public opinion against their agenda, their party and their candidates in 2010 and 2012. And it would provide a unified rallying cry that all conservatives could get behind and support.

 

EXAMPLES:

 

1. Bailouts For Corporations Is Not The American Way.

 

2. Earmarks (Pork Barrel Spending) For Politicians’ Special Projects Is Not The American Way.

 

3. Imposing Socialist Healthcare On The American People Through The Budget, Not By The Legislative Process, Is Not The American Way.

 

4. Imposing Excessively High Taxes On The American People Is Not The American Way.

 

5. Not Protecting American Citizens Against Terrorism Is Not The American Way.

 

6. Making The Federal Budget A Higher Priority Than The Individual Budgets of American Citizens Is Not The American Way.

 

7. Obama’s firing of General Motors Chief Executive Rick Wagoner Is Not The American Way.

 

If you agree this campaign has merit, I hope you will use the “Not The American Way” slogan at every opportunity.

 

I have no proprietary claims on this slogan. My only desire is for the Obama-Democratic agenda to be defeated and to be replaced by proven conservative principles.

 

Thank You,

Dennis Parker

Raleigh, NC 

 

Gov- Elect Perdue Refuses Biotech Bailout

Gov.-Elect Beverly Perdue is standing up against corporate welfare by refusing to give any tax dollars to the supposed ailing biotech sector in North Carolina.  KCC applauds this stance!

According to WRAL-TV in Raleigh, the RTP-based drug firms have been pressuring her to commit monies to for a taxpayer bailout to help keep them going, but she says she isn't budging.  Let us hope this is the beginning of a new trend and her fellow Democrats in the North Carolina General Assembly will follow her lead. 

KCC  would be thrilled if the Democratic leadership in Raleigh  gave up the idea of bailing out or giving corporate welfare/economic incentives to ANY company in North Carolina.  It's time to end the  handing out of freebies to the likes of Dell, Google, Goodyear, and others.  Let the free market take it's rightful place.

KCC congratulates our Democratic governor-elect for her stance against a biotech bailout and encourages her to lead us one step further, forever end the practice of economic incentives.  We hope this is a sign of things to come.

The Deal for Randy Parton? Even Better Than Before by Rob Benningfield

My wife and I were watching a report on our local evening news last night about the latest fallout from the money pit of Roanoke Rapids, the Randy Parton Theatre.

You recall that the venue was built with State incentives and $21.5 million from the city itself.  Carolina Journal and other conservative media have documented this waste of taxpayer money (http://www.carolinajournal.com/exclusives/display_exclusive.html?id=4031).

Anyway, the news says that the Theatre's budget is getting slashed to save money.  "Headliner" Randy Parton himself will have to take a pay cut in his salary from $1 million/year to $250 thousand/year.  "That's fair," I thought at first. 

Then the news said that Randy Parton's performance schedule would be slashed too, from four shows per week to 36 shows per year.

Wait a minute.  The math doesn't add up to me.  Sure he's getting a pay cut in annual salary from his namesake theatre. 

However, for a million dollars he would've at least performed 200 shows per year (at 4/week, and I'll give him two weeks off).  That would've been $5,000 per show.  Now he gets $250,000 for 36 shows.  That's $6,944 per show. 

So, Parton really gets paid more for each performance.  He's getting paid >25% more per show even as he works less.  Of course, as part of his contract, he still gets a free house and car.  Not a bad deal.

That's a better deal, really, than what the citizens of NC (at least $500 thousand in State funds spent on marketing for the Theatre) and especially Roanoke Rapids (which borrowed that $21.5 million) are getting.

Not bad for a famous country singer's little brother with one top 200 hit, ages ago.

Editor's Note: Rob Benningfield is a Systems Engineer with Alcatel-Lucent and resides in west Raleigh with your blogger and their son, and dog.

Orr: End Those Incentives and Replace with Worker Training

At a news conference this morning, former state Supreme Court Justice Bob Orr, released his proposal to reform North Carolina’s economic development structure.

Justice Orr expressed his desire to bring openness, accountability and fairness to the system. What he described as “just principles of a democratic society and a sound foundation in public policy.”

“Our current system for economic development in North Carolina is fundamentally flawed,” said Justice Orr. “My proposal will restructure the way we do business in North Carolina. We must stop the practice of handing out incentives based on the influence of corporate lobbyists, eliminate state discretionary incentive awards and end the competition to attract businesses among our counties.”

Key points of the proposal include the elimination of discretionary incentives programs like the Governor's One North Carolina Fund and the Job Development Investment Grant in favor of a new initiative to provide additional support for workforce training.

Orr also addressed change at the local level through his advocating additional reforms requiring local governments to develop structured incentive policies, eliminate targeted incentives to business considering relocation within the state, and increasing local disclosure through the mandatory publication of economic development agreements and by instituting a 45 day hold on any incentive vote following a public hearing.

Orr also recommended the adoption of a "unified development budget" as a means to hold public officials accountable and provide policy makers with essential data regarding all statewide economic development activities.

Orr stated his intention to bring the focus of North Carolina’s economic development programs “back to their intended goals.” “It is my intention to encourage job creation throughout North Carolina – while still preserving our constitutional and policy interests in providing a transparent government, a fair tax system, and accountability to our citizens for tax dollars expended.”

Alert - Contact Your State Legislators - Tell Them to Oppose $40 Million Taypayer-Funded Goodyear Giveaway

Sept 6, 2007: Alert - Contact Your State Legislators -

My friends at the North Carolina Chapter of Americans For Prosperity are asking for our help. They are urging all NC Citizens to take action and help prevent the NC General Assembly from overriding Governor Michael Easley's veto of state House Bill 1761. Ask your state legislators to UPHOLD the Governor's veto by voting against this bad legislation.

-Katy

From Dallas Woodhouse, State Director of NC Americans for Prosperity:

During the last few years both Governor Easley and the General Assembly have singled out businesses for subsidization with taxpayer money. But even Governor Easley thought giving $40 million to an existing tire plant that would possibly cut jobs went too far.

In vetoing a bill that would have given the Goodyear Tire & Rubber plant in Fayetteville a $40 million check over 10 years, Gov. Mike Easley said the legislation would have "set a dangerous precedent" for North Carolina and that the legislation would allow Goodyear to receive the $40 million even if eliminated 700 jobs at the Fayetteville factory that now employs 2700 people.

Speaker of the House Joe Hackney said it was the Easley Administration that crafted a $242 million dollar incentive package for Dell computer that allowed the company to reduce its workforce by 40 percent one year after creating the 1,500 jobs it promised. It is clear that both approaches are WRONG! North Carolina taxpayers should not be paying businesses to come or stay in North Carolina.

Please tell your state Representative and Senator to oppose House Bill 1761, which would give $40 million of your tax dollars to one of the world’s most successful tire makers, by upholding the Governor's veto of HB 1761. Massive corporate welfare funded by individual North Carolina taxpayers is wrong for North Carolina. The General Assembly needs to reject giving taxpayer money to special corporate interests such as Goodyear Tire, Dell Computers and Google, and instead focus on using taxpayer resources to provide broad-based business tax cuts.

What You Can Do:

You may do one or more of the following:

E-mail a form e-mail to your legislator by clicking here. (Scroll down to the bottom of the page.)

Write a personalized letter to your State Legislator (both House and Senate). You can go to the General Assembly's website. Look in the right panel and click on "Who Represents Me". Type in your zip+4 code to look up the name and address of your legislators. Then, write them a letter, stamp, sign, and mail it. That's what I did and those receive the most notice. (If you'd like a copy of what I wrote to my state Rep, e-mail me and I will e-mail it to you.)

Call your legislator. Go to the General Assembly's website to look up the name and office telephone number of your legislators and place that call.

NC General Assembly Convenes Monday: Will Attempt to Override Gov. Easley's Veto Of Corporate Welfare for Goodyear

Sept 7, 2007: NC General Assembly Convenes Monday: Will Attempt to Override Gov. Easley's Veto Of Corporate Welfare for Goodyear

Yesterday, I wrote about the much ballyhooed "incentives" packages for Goodyear Tire in Cumberland County that the Legislature approved, but Mike Easley had the good sense to veto. Yes, even Governor Easley, who has never met a corporate welfare package he hasn't loved.

This weekend, I'm urging my friends across our once great state to please contact your state legislators by Monday. Next week, they will take attempt to override Easley's veto and many Republicans are supporting the override! We must tell them to just say no.

The Steelworkers Union, which represents the Goodyear union employees, is supporting this measure and they have big bucks. They are trying to intimidate our lawmakers into voting for the override. The union is telling them that if they do not support the corporate welfare package, they will be faced with opposition next fall that will paint them as being unfriendly to workers.

The unions may try this tactic, but voters know that unions no longer stand for average working people and they haven't in a very long time. I should know. I am a product of a union household and saw firsthand what unions ARE NOT capable of!

Links of interest on this issue:

Easley Faces Veto Test --The legislature appears likely to override the governor's rejection of a job incentives plan: by Jonathan B. Cox and Lynn Bonner of the Raleigh News and Observer

Real Business Leaders Don't Beg For Handouts by for state Supreme Court Justice, Bob Orr

GOP Leaders Coming Out Against Goodyear Incentives

Sept 10, 2007

Representative Bill Daughtridge (R-Nash) announced today that he is calling for GOP Unity in supporting Governor Easley's Veto. He is urging Republican legislators to stand together in opposing special incentives for Goodyear tire. He believes that "this alternative plan moves the state in the right direction."

"Incentives should be open to more counties and more industries in order to spread job growth and retention across North Carolina," he added.

Further, Representative Dale Folwell (R-Forsyth) encouraged the state legislature to eliminate all business incentives. In speaking with the press today, he said "if you eliminate all business incentives, there is a possibility that the State could cut the corporate tax rate for all businesses, large or small, by as much as 50 percent." He added that "this is how we will grow and keep business in North Carolina".

Other GOP leaders need more convincing. At a bloggers conference this weekend, I had the chance to speak with a number of legislators on both sides of the aisle. I was amazed that more of our fellow Republicans are not with us on this one. Please keep making your calls Sunday to your legislators! They need to know where you stand!

State Incentives are Economic Terrorism

Sept 10, 2007

I oppose "corporate welfare", i.e. the practice of using "incentives" to bring a company facility to North Carolina or to keep a company from leaving our state.
I don't mind when the State tries to attract a new company by building more or better roads, investing more in the local schools, or building or improving infrastructure like sewer and water systems. I do mind when the State allows a particular company that it is trying to entice to avoid paying corporate or property taxes. In that case, the State is taking taxpayer money to bribe a private entity. Let me explain why that ploy is wrong by looking at the current Goodyear incentives scheme the Governor just vetoed.

Goodyear is threatening to lay off workers at its Fayetteville factory and possibly close the facility down or move it out of state unless it gets "incentives", including not having to pay $4 million dollars of property tax per year for the next ten years.

In effect, Goodyear is holding its employees hostage. Rather than "corporate welfare", a more apt name is "corporate extortion". If the State gives in to Goodyear's demand, as it has in the past with other companies, it just invites more companies to threaten layoffs to extort State payoffs.

I compare the scenario to kidnapping. When the Taliban or Al Qaeda kidnap charity workers and schoolteachers and missionaries, and then receive a ransom for their release, they just continue taking more hostages. That's why governments don't negotiate with terrorists. Paying them off only encourages and rewards the same obnoxious behavior, guaranteeing that it will continue.

North Carolina should not want companies lining up to ask for "ransom" money to preserve their employees' jobs. If Goodyear gets away with this outrageous behavior, others will surely emulate it. Taxpayers should only give away their money to companies as consumers buying goods and services, not as extorted ransom to save hostaged employees.

I'm all for capitalism and free markets, so I'm not against companies. But in a free market, companies stand or fall on their own merits. The State should not give away your money and mine to bail out unsuccessful companies. As an aside, incentives are unfair because they only target one or few companies and not all. If North Carolina really wanted to attract and retain companies, and if North Carolina Democrat-controlled Legislature really cared about workers, then they'd lower our State's high corporate income taxes to attract businesses and jobs. That common-sense action would benefit all companies, and not just the ones that have the gall to approach the State with its hands out. Or in Goodyear's case, with one hand out and other hand holding a gun to their employees' heads.

You might say "the union representing the Goodyear workers supports the incentives." But so what? Unions are notoriously poor at actually protecting their workers' jobs in the long term, while only thinking in the short term. Just look at how non-government union membership has dwindled over the decades. Or how the unions have contributed to bringing down whole industries (e.g. steel) in this country.

This State should not reward Goodyear's failure to upgrade their Fayetteville plant to make it more competitive, or to reward the mistakes of Goodyear's management and union. The taxpayers should consider it scandalous for North Carolina to reward Goodyear's economic terrorism.

by Paladin

-"Paladin" is a regular reader of Katy's Conservative Corner (and many other blogs) and this is his first contribution to any blog.

Anti-Incentives Rally Draws Crowd, Media

Sept 9, 2007 Anti-Incentives Rally Draws Crowd, Media

Americans for Prosperity of NC sponsored a rally this afternoon. The main theme seemed to be "Just Say No To Incentives, Say Yes to North Carolina's Taxpayers".

Featured speakers were Dallas Woodhouse, president of the group, former State Supreme Court Justice Bob Orr, and State Senators Fred Smith (R-Johnston) and Neal Hunt (R-Wake).

We are not against Goodyear, jobs, or North Carolina, the speakers repeated. According to Sen. Smith, "our state has good people, good resources, and we are a great state. Sometimes we just have to say no..." to protect the taxpaying citizens.

Justice Orr added that "we need to create an environment so that ALL businesses can thrive, including small businesses."

Sen. Hunt argued that this deal supports a union, part of which provides over one million dollars per election cycle to only one of the two major political parties.

Later, in a telephone Town Hall meeting, Woodhouse and Smith were joined by state Sen. Eddie Goodall (R-Union). Goodall reminded listeners that the Goodyear plant is located in state Sen. Tony Rand's district, already rich in pork. Goodall said he didn't blame the state for asking for the $40M in cash. He said if he was the CEO of a major corporation, he would be crazy not to. That's why this maddness must stop, he added.

For More Information:

Legislators Move to Historic Showdown by Lynn Bonner of the Raleigh News and Observer

WRAL TV News Coverage of Rally

Sept 10, 2007 Legislature Hammers Out "Incentive" Deal: NC Taxpayers Get Hosed

Sept 10, 2007 Legislature Hammers Out "Incentive" Deal:
NC Taxpayers Get Hosed

The General Assembly tonight has hammered out a compromise that is much worse than the original plan.

The Governor, the House and Senate have all agreed to a $60 million proposal but would not be "just for Goodyear". WRAL TV in Raleigh reported that other companies could qualify for this money if they "invest" more money into their local NC operations, as well as agree to pay a specific minimum wage to their workers. (Far above the legal minimum wage.)

Further, the new bill states there will be supposed penalties if Goodyear or other companies lay off any workers, as was not in the previous proposal. Still, to many on both sides of the political spectrum, it sounds like hogwash.

The new bill is being drafted tonight, as I write. No further details are available at the moment. Check back tomorrow for the latest. I'll blog it all when I return from watching the theatrics.

Frequent reader "Paladin" tells this blog that "if you step back and look at it, the whole situation does not look much like a free market economy" that our economic system is supposedly built on.

Dallas Woodhouse, State Director of Americans for Prosperity, told the media that "this bill is just wrong".

Throughout the day, State Senate leader, Tony Rand (D-Cumberland) was arm-twisting legislators of all stripes, offering them deals on their pet bills in return for their votes.

For Republicans, he offered their otherwise dead "pet" bills, up on a silver platter, in return for their support. This smells like the tactics of Richard Morgan and Jim Black of old.

Everyone knows what happened to them. Morgan lost in a tough primary battle to Joe Boylan (R-Moore) and Black (D-Mecklenburg) is now serving time in a federal prison.

A Special Time in NC - The Left and Right Agree: Corporate Incentives - NO!

A Special Time in NC - The Left and Right Agree
Corporate Incentives - NO!

Researcher and reader who wishes to remain unnamed, writes that even the Liberal NC Policy Watch quotes Republican Leader Paul Stam (R-Wake):

"House Minority Leader Paul Stam says the new plan is worse because it spends more money. Some progressive Democrats are upset because it marks a new direction for business incentives, spending tens of millions of public dollars on jobs that already exist. Current incentive programs are designed to attract new jobs to the state.

Stam and a courageous few Democrats are right and those aren’t the only problems and contradictions with the legislation and the special sessions that are considering it. "

The state House goes into session today at 10:00 a.m. while the Senate convenes at 11.

If you cannot be there in person, you may stream the audio over your computer. Choose from either the House or Senate by going to the home page of the NC Legislature and clicking on the appropriate stream at the top of the page.

Don't bother looking at the House or Senate calendars. They will tell you next to nothing as everything is being done behind closed doors.

An interesting note: When the legislature takes breaks, the microphones are often left open and listeners can still hear things being said on the floor. Listen carefully. It's YOUR government at work!

More Resources:

Veto showdown averted as corporate welfare expands by Chris Fitzsimon (NC Policy Watch, a project of the NC Justice Center)

From $40M For One Special Interest to $60M for Several

Sept 11, 2007

From $40M For One Special Interest to $60M for Several

Last night our General Assembly avoided a historic override of Gov. Mike Easley's veto...crafting instead a new corporate incentives program worth up to $60 million, according to the Charlotte Observer.

Many at the legislature felt that both Goodyear and rival Bridgestone Firestone would line up for the money.

"Tomorrow morning, every CEO in the state will hire lobbyists instead of engineers", Paul Stam (R-Wake) told the media.

Former Supreme Court Justice Bob Orr told the media that yesterday's compromise "proves the fallacy of the argument for incentives". This "takes a terrible piece of legislation and makes it worse," Orr stated.

NC House Passes Incentives Packages, Senate follows

September 11, 2007

Senate Passes Measure - Bill Heads for Governor's Desk

In House Bill 4's second reading passed 25-16 in a recorded vote. In an apparent "equipment malfunction", the 3rd reading was taken by voice vote with the ayes and nays seemingly equal. Lt. Governor Beverly Perdue, then noted that she would send the bill "by very special messenger" to the governor. More to come. The day isn't over yet.

House Passes Measure - Bill Headed for Senate

In a 61-44 vote, House Bill 4, House Committee substitute just passed its third reading, sending it to the state senate. Stay tuned.

Statement from Gov. Easley regarding Goodyear Incentives

Statement from Governor Mike Easley

Governor Mike Easley (D-NC) had this to say regarding the passage of the Economic Incentives package last night:

"This tool is a fantastic statement by the General Assembly that North Carolina is focused on the future and determined that our citizens will compete and win in the new world economy. This legislation will create cutting edge economic competiveness in North Carolina, unlike any state in America."

Apparently, Gov. Easley is no reader of Katy's Conservative Corner. Scotty beam me up!