Incentives Poll Questioned
Raleigh, N.C. – In response to the release of a poll conducted by the North Carolina Economic Developers Association (NCEDA) regarding public sentiment on the use of economic incentives, the Civitas Institute, a Raleigh-based conservative think tank, highlighted its polling data which contrasts sharply with the results released yesterday.
When asked what is the most important factor to businesses considering locating in North Carolina, more than three-fourths (76 percent) of respondents to the Civitas DecisionMaker Poll gave reasons such as low business taxes, good public schools or transportation infrastructure. Only 24 percent cited tax and cash incentives. “Our polling shows a voting population that is much more skeptical of the effectiveness of economic incentives as a tool to recruit business,” stated Civitas President Jack Hawke.
Polling results can vary according to the universe chosen for the sample, the number of individuals surveyed, the method used to conduct the survey and the wording of the questions. Civitas polls include a larger sample than the NCEDA poll and are conducted using actual voters with live interviews.
Hawke also questioned the misleading wording of the NCEDA poll that characterized economic incentives as tax credits when incentives also include cash grants given directly to business. The Goodyear incentive package and the One North Carolina Fund controlled by the governor are examples of cash grants given directly to business.
“Voters overwhelmingly reject the idea of giving their tax dollars to companies like Goodyear and think that other factors such as low taxes and quality of life issues are equally, if not more important, than the use of incentives in recruiting business to the state,” Hawke continued. “Eighty percent of voters disapproved of giving cash payments to large corporations to invest in their facilities and retain workers. To equate economic incentives with tax credits gives voters a false sense of what is truly happening in recruiting businesses.”
When asked if it is a better state policy to lower taxes for all businesses or give cash incentives to a few big businesses to create jobs, 76 percent of voters chose lowering business taxes for all. Only eight percent thought giving cash incentives was a better policy.
Also, when specifically asked about the $260 million deal to bring 210 jobs with Google to Caldwell County, half of all voters disapproved of the project.
“Voters recognize that every dollar spent on economic incentives and cash payments to large companies is one less dollar spent for worker training or to fix our inadequate roads and crumbling bridges,” Hawke said. “They understand that handing out multi-million dollar checks to large corporations is not in the best interest of North Carolina.”
The Civitas Institute conducts its DecisionMaker Poll 11 months a year and releases the results the third Wednesday of each month (sans December). The poll is conducted with 800 individuals that have a history voting, through live voice calls. TelOpinion Research of Arlington, Virginia conducts the polls; they have a margin of error of 3.7 percent. Due to the Thanksgiving holiday, Civitas’ November poll will be released November 28 during a noon luncheon at the Brownstone Hotel in Raleigh.
Popularity: 2% [?]
Possibly similar posts - Next Bailout: Newspapers - Cash for NC Government - Global TransPark Bribery - Bill Graham for NC Governor? - NC Senate Demands Higher Taxes
Makes me think of 1979. GM layed off about a 1000 people or more here. Then during the summer of 80 or 81 they offered the opportunity to transfer to the new assembly plant in Oklahoma City. What they didn’t tell the transferees was that to locate there they agreed to creating so many jobs in the area and in trade were given discounts on taxes, utilitities, etc, all in all some pretty nice incentives. When they brought in transfers, the people in OKC resented the “outsiders” and treated them accordingly.
It seems GM hit the numbers promised and then brought in cherry picked, experienced people from other states who got the higher wage that their senority demanded. Another reason to resent the transplants. It made no difference that they came into the area, spent money and added greatly to the economy boom… they were outsiders.
It’s been my experience that the general public has no real understanding of economics or how to fully utilize the opportunities that are presented to them anyway, they only have the tunnel vision to see it all in black and white and base their expectations on that. Had I been there in 79 or so, and seeing a GM Plant going up, I would have found the money to go to Real Estate school or something like that in anticipation of cashing in on the housing market resulting. I never found the idea of destroying my physical well being and aging beyond my years working in a final assembly plant you see. That’s why I didn’t transfer there.
I did have one friend, Jeni who did transfer, but she went about the business of going to beauty school and saving money and now has a very successful chain of beauty shops and dayspas that she started with one location on the OU Campus in Norman. People in any situation have to have two things, the vision to see the opportunities that are really there, and a community that embraces the entreprenueral spirit.
The Free Market absolutely works. Unfortunately today, in America, there is no such thing. Government will not allow the market to be free in any way, shape, or form. We have communism — a system of government where the government controls the means of production. Government decides what businesses are the winners and losers — often before the business even exists in a town or city. And that bites.
Another example of how too much government, big government and polical correctness hurting the economic strength of this country. I wish I could find a place where a strong work ethic is rewarded and people who want a handout are not allowed in! LOL!!! I know, I’m looking for fantasy! But maybe NH…. if it is fantasy, they probably allow Ogres in too!
It’s unbelievable how much hard work gets punished in America today. And it’s hard to believe how much people will put up with — and how they will think they are free.
There are many who have bought into so much BS, that the “rose colored glasses” they wear have been fit with some serious blinders. The biggest punishment for hard work is income taxes. A person puts in extra hours or OT because they need the money. But many times, they find that if they work too much, they end up paying so much more in taxes, that they actually make less or the percentage of their OT Uncle Sam gets is about 75%. The harder you work, the more you get it put to you so Bill and Hillary don’t have to make a mortgage payment, or Nancy Pelosi can fly her family around in a government jet! They do the Pork Barrell Polka and we pay for the dance!
And so many people just don’t question anything! They simply accept whatever they have to pay in income tax without ever even mildly wondering where it goes — never mind considering that they’re taking from people without asking permission. This country has become so anti-freedom that I think most people wouldn’t know freedom if it hit them in the head with a 2×4.
You are probably right. I have made up my mind, if a candidate is not for Tax Reform… perferably doing away with income tax and taxing people when they spend money or aquire “stuff”. Then you truly tax the people who have and those living at poverty level are left alone pretty much.
the more they watch their money, the more they save on taxes, and savings and interest and dividend should not be taxed.
Under the current system, people are penalized for saving when saving is good for the economy. But they get a tax break on interest paid… so you are encouraged to go into debt, which is NOT GOOD for the economy! Nothing makes sense at all.
Of all the candidates on both sides in this presidential election, Ron Paul is about the only one who will really reduce taxes. Well, Alan Keyes might, and Tancredo might. But the others? Forget it, taxes will go up.
So many are pseudo conservatives when it comes to money.
And when it is my money being squandered by government, It makes me mad!
And I sit around and listen to people argue — and describe who they will vote for any way. Of those I’ve talked to who favor Guiliani, they don’t care about taxes, abortion, freedom, or anything other than the “war on terror.” Nothing else matters to these people — and they actually trust Guiliani. That scares the crap out of me.