Invest in our state
Published January 10, 2016
Editorial by Greensboro News-Record, January 9, 2016.
There’s not much time to win support for the $2 billion bond proposal on the March 15 ballot, so it was good to see a proper kick-off to the campaign this week.
Gov. Pat McCrory led a bipartisan rally at N.C. State University. The setting was perfect because half of the money spent would build new facilities on UNC system campuses. This effort marks the first statewide bond program since 2000, which also funded university investment.
This year’s plan includes $90 million for an engineering building at N.C. A&T and $105 million for a nursing and sciences lab facility at UNC-Greensboro, as well as funds for Guilford Technical Community College.
There’s also money for other community colleges, state parks, water and sewer projects and National Guard facilities.
Missing is approximately $1 billion for transportation infrastructure that McCrory requested but the legislature denied. The governor said he’ll try for another bond proposal in his second term — if he’s re-elected.
His chances may depend on how well he sells the bonds to Republican voters, who could dominate the turnout on March 15 because of the competitive GOP presidential primary. An opposition group, called NC Against the Bond, derides the proposal as wasteful and dismisses McCrory’s promise that no tax increase will be necessary to pay off the bonds as a “marketing gimmick.” The debt must be addressed “whether it be by a tax increase or by taking money away from other future priorities in order to pay for the pet projects of today,” opponents say.
That’s true. The money doesn’t materialize out of thin air. All state spending is supported by tax revenue. The question is whether the investment makes sense.
It does, and it’s overdue. Our universities and community colleges must offer 21st century facilities and equipment — not just for teaching but for research. If North Carolina wants to build a world-class economy, it must provide the best education and training, and apply the latest technologies.
Water and sewer lines are essential for growth. Parks have been underfunded in state budgets for years. The National Guard deserves updated facilities. These are all priorities, and the state has been losing ground. The bonds will help it begin to catch up at a time when borrowing costs are low.
Frankly, more investments are needed — in human capital. Faculty and staff salaries have lagged, and declining state support has forced universities to raise tuition too much. The constitutional mission of the university system is to provide higher education to the people of the state free of expense, to the extent practicable. Of course, this means the greatest share of the cost must be carried by taxpayers — which traditionally was seen as a sound investment.
Other investments must be made in K-12 education, health care, social services, public safety and, yes, transportation. McCrory has been less willing to champion investments across the board, favoring tax cuts for corporations and individuals — with those at the highest income levels reaping the greatest benefits.
As the economy strengthens, the state can afford investments that would help all North Carolinians. If McCrory persuades Republicans to vote yes on the bonds, maybe he can move on to other priorities for the people.
