Politics

McCrory rebuts N.Y. Times 'demolition derby' editorial

By Bill Moss, Published: July 13, 2013

Gov. Pat McCrory is rebutting a New York Times editorial that castigates the Republican agenda in Raleigh, saying his "focus on pragmatic problem-solving is now fueling North Carolina's comeback to prosperity."

"The North Carolina I'm leading today is on a powerful comeback," McCrory said in a statement on Saturday. "After just six months of problem-solving leadership and making the tough decisions that we were elected to do, there is significant movement on vital reforms to tax policy, energy, education, economic development and transportation.
"While it may not be apparent to the very liberal worldview of The Times, North Carolina's new focus on reform is paying off. Already companies have announced plans to create more than 9,300 jobs in the state and invest more than $1.1 billion in facilities. The jet engine manufacturer GE Aviation is bringing its advanced materials production to a new facility near Asheville."
The New York Times editorial said the 2013 legislative session under McCrory and the Republican majority has been "a demolition derby, tearing down years of progress in public education, tax policy, racial equality in the courtroom and access to the ballot. ... North Carolina was once considered a beacon of farsightedness in the South, an exception in a region of poor education, intolerance and tightfistedness," the editorial said. "In a few short months, Republicans have begun to dismantle a reputation that took years to build." (Read it here: The decline of North Carolina)
McCrory said his agenda will lead to an economic comeback even if offends the old power structure.
"My reforms have stepped on the toes of the political right and the left who are vested in the old ways of doing business. But in my 14 years as mayor of Charlotte, I learned that it didn't matter whether a good idea came from a Republican or a Democrat. What mattered was whether it solved a problem and did so at a cost taxpayers could afford.
"This collaborative, problem-solving, focused leadership transformed Charlotte from a regional hub into a leading national metropolitan center.
"This focus on pragmatic problem-solving is now fueling North Carolina's comeback to prosperity as well."