North Carolina’s Jobless Rate Grows

Democratic Policies, Tax Increases and Spending Hinder Recovery

Raleigh, N.C. – New numbers released today showed North Carolina’s unemployment rate grew in January from 10.9 percent to 11.1 percent. This even as total U.S. unemployment decreased from 10.0 percent to 9.7 percent. (“N.C.’s Unemployment Rate At 11.1 Percent In January,” Employment Security Commission of North Carolina, 3/10/10) In 2009, Governor Bev Perdue and the Democratic-controlled General Assembly adopted a state budget that increased overall state spending from the previous year’s total and imposed $1 billion in added taxes and fees on the state’s taxpayers.

Senate Republican Leader Phil Berger (R-Rockingham) made the following statement:

“Today’s announcement is the predicted result of policies adopted by Governor Perdue and her Democratic colleagues in the General Assembly. Their actions last year, added to the unprecedented growth in state taxes and spending which occurred in the previous 8 years, have placed North Carolina at a competitive disadvantage when compared to other states. The Democrats’ appetite for ever-higher taxes and spending drives growth and jobs elsewhere. Governor Perdue and the Democratic leadership in the General Assembly have yet to offer a plan to correct their failed policies. North Carolina needs a plan that includes real, not phantom, cuts to state spending and substantial tax cuts that will help create jobs and benefit all of North Carolina’s citizens.”

Tweet