Perdue’s Pet Program Costs N.C. Company Jobs

Democrats’ Failure to Prioritize State Spending Costing More Jobs For North Carolinians

Back during state budget negotiations, Governor Perdue and Senate Democrats axed a $12 million program to buy school buses in favor of spending $10 million on unproven handheld electronic technology for elementary school teachers.  Now the company who had their funding cut, Thomas Built Buses, is announcing that sales are down and they are being forced to cut jobs.

 

You may remember that back in May, Republicans warned of this possibility as Senator Jerry Tillman (R-Randolph) attempted to push an amendment that would restore the funding to protect homegrown North Carolina jobs. Unfortunately, Democrats blocked the amendment and now more jobs are being lost. More clear evidence that Governor Perdue and fellow Democrats are taking North Carolina in the wrong direction.

Democrats Vote To Cut School Bus Funding
Block Republican Attempt to Protect Manufacturing Jobs at Triad-Based Thomas Built Buses

Press Release
May 20, 2010

Raleigh, N.C. – Democrats in the State Senate voted yesterday to spend $15 million on unproven electronic devices that supposedly help teachers determine if a child needs additional academic help.  At the same time, they slashed $12 million in funding to buy new school buses.  Much of that money would benefit Triad-based Thomas Built Buses.  Thomas Built Buses employs approximately 1,600 people at its North Carolina facility.  (“Senate leaders approve budget proposal,” News & Observer, 5/20/10)
 
Senate Republican Leader Phil Berger (R-Rockingham) made the following statement:
 
“Unemployment in North Carolina and the Triad is stuck in double digits.  Governor Perdue and Senate Democrats continue to fail to prioritize state spending.  Yesterday, they chose to spend $15 million on unproven electronic gadgets for public schools from a New York-based company that makes their product outside of our state.  To do so, they cut $12 million in funding for school buses.  Much of that money would have been spent with North Carolina-based Thomas Built buses.”

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