Summary
Community leaders and advocates howled at the idea of shoveling taxpayer money to a company that in 2004 made over $3 billion in profits. Lawmakers decried Dell's strong-arm tactics (which included questioning the state's "patriotism" if they didn't hand over the money). Journalists were incensed at the Dell deal's secrecy. A conservative former N.C. Supreme Court judge, Robert Orr, went to work on a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the give-away, which he filed in June.
"It's just an insult to other business owners in North Carolina," said Perri Morgan, an advocate for small and independent businesses. "I think with every deal, a few more people wake up."State leaders hastily passed the Lee Act in 1996 after nearby states had landed "trophy deals." [Greg LeRoy] points to "a raft of evidence" that the Lee Act hasn't worked, draining millions in state tax revenue while largely benefiting wealthy areas.See the full content of this document
Extract
The Great N.C. Jobs Scam
Millions of dollars in state and county tax incentives often support only low-wage jobs and wealthy counties, says an author who's coming to Raleigh. A better policy, he says, is investments in skills and infrastructure.
When North Carolin...See the full content of this document
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