^The ANSON BIZ-ZINE
WADESBORO, ANSON COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA, U.S.A.

Greetings from Raleigh
July 21, 2010

GOOD FOR BUSINESS

North Carolina's business climate is among the best in the country, according to a new report from CNBC, the respected cable finance channel. The state is the most improved on the annual list, leaping from 9th last year to 4th this year. CNBC's list is based on the cost of doing business, workforce, quality of life, economy, transportation and infrastructure, technology and innovation, education, business friendliness, access to capital and cost of living. Another new statistic, just released by the state Employment Security Commission, shows that the state's unemployment rate fell for the fourth straight month and that the state has added 45,000 jobs since February. I believe our State is poised to be competitive and strong in the economic recovery.

KEEPING OUR STATE MOVING FORWARD IN TOUGH TIMES

I want to take a moment and tell you a few of the highlights of the General Assembly's Short Session, which adjourned July 10. We had to make some very tough calls, but at all times sought to do what was best to protect our State.

To share a little more perspective, almost half of the states in America are laying off teachers this year. Some are cutting back on law enforcement, cutting medical care for poor kids, or closing rest stops and state parks. That is not true in North Carolina.

• We balanced the State Budget without gutting core state services for citizens, mass layoffs, or additional tax increases.
  
  
• We helped small businesses with tax breaks.
  
  
• We protected crucial private-sector job creation initiatives.
  
  
• We protected teaching jobs and class sizes.
  
  
• We funded record enrollment increases at community colleges.
  
  
• We invested in public universities, protecting them from harsh cuts and a cap on enrollment.
  
  
• We passed comprehensive government ethics reform and increased transparency in state government.
  
  
• We passed the DNA bill, allowing law enforcement a high-tech tool to fight crime by collecting DNA from violent felony arrestees.
  
  
• We closed the "sweepstakes" loophole, which allowed casinos to proliferate outside the law.
  
  
• We voted to preserve the annual August sales tax holiday to help families struggling in this recession. Be sure to keep in mind that on August 6-8 you will be able to save money on school supplies, computers, sports equipment and clothing.