Governor McCrory Gubernatorial Debate 3 Fact Sheet Part 1 | Eastern North Carolina Now

    The Following is part of an article series sent by incumbent Governor McCrory following Gubernatorial Debate on October 18 with Roy Cooper. Click here for more articles related to the debate.

    Press Release:

On Governor McCrory's Watch, North Carolina's Rainy Day Fund Is The Largest In State History


    Before Governor McCrory took office, North Carolina's savings reserve account, or rainy day fund, was vastly underfunded.

    "Governor [Bev Perdue] Raids Rainy Day Fund." ("Governor raids rainy day fund," ABC11, 3/12/2009)

    Today, North Carolina's rainy day fund is more than $1.1 billion- the largest in state history. (Office of State Budget and Management)

  • Governor McCrory: "This change is another way NCDMV is working hard to reduce wait times and help our citizens conduct business more efficiently." (Press Release: "Governor McCrory applauds improved DMV customer service," Office of the Governor, 5/1/2016)

    Roy Cooper opposed rebuilding the rainy day fund. ("Cooper: Teacher raises don't rely on tax hikes," The Associated Press, 9/7/2016)

    Under Governor McCrory, Medicaid finished the last two years in the black, after four years of shortfalls and $2 billion in the hole. (Richard Craver, "Medicaid expansion may fall on deaf ears in Congress, N.C." Winston-Salem Journal, 1/14/2016)

  • 2013: "Audit: State overspent budget by more than $1.4 billion" (Lynn Bonner, "Audit: State overspent Medicaid budget by more than $1.4 billion," Raleigh News & Observer, 1/31/2013)
  • 2015: "NC Medicaid in good financial standing." (Gary D. Robertson, "NC Medicaid in good financial standing," The Associated Press, 8/5/2015)

    Governor McCrory signed major Medicaid reform into law, empowering Medicaid recipients to choose their provider. ("Medicaid Transformation and Reorganization," S.L. 2015-245, North Carolina General Assembly, signed by Gov. McCrory 9/23/2015)

  • Governor McCrory: "This new system will focus on keeping people healthy and delivering care where it makes the most sense for patients" (Press Release, "Governor McCrory signs historic Medicaid reform that improves patient care and holds down costs," Office of the Governor, 9/23/2015)

Under Governor McCrory, The Unemployment Rate Has Plummeted Across North Carolina


    Under Governor McCrory, The Unemployment Rate Has Plummeted Across North Carolina

    North Carolina's unemployment rate is at a nine-year low and now below the national average.
(Press release, "North Carolina's August employment figures released," N.C. Department of Commerce, 9/20/2016; Press release: "Regional and state employment and unemployment summary," U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 9/20/2016)

  • "North Carolina Unemployment Lowest Since 2008" (Richard Craver, "North Carolina jobless rate falls to a nine-year low in July," Winston-Salem Journal, 8/20/2016)

    North Carolina continues to be one of the most competitive states in the nation for job growth. (John Hood, "NC ranks 9th in job creation," Carolina Journal, 8/24/2015; Press release: "Regional and state employment and unemployment summary," U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 9/20/2016)

    Since Governor McCrory took office, the unemployment rate is down in every one of North Carolina's 100 counties. (Press release: "Regional and state employment and unemployment summary," U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 9/20/2016; Press release: "New data shows NC unemployment lower in all 100 counties under Governor McCrory," Office of the Governor, 6/17/2016)

  • "County unemployment rates have fallen faster outside of Wake and Mecklenburg counties on average." (Press release: "New data shows NC unemployment lower in all 100 counties under Governor McCrory," Office of the Governor, 6/17/2016)

    Under Governor McCrory, North Carolina paid off a $2.8 billion unemployment insurance debt to the federal government, easing the penalties on employers and encouraging more to hire. (Craig Jarvis, "NC pays off $2.8 billion unemployment debt," The News & Observer, 5/15/2015)

  • "Businesses will no longer pay penalties and interest on the debt. Officials say that had amounted to a combined $962 million paid by North Carolina businesses since 2011." (Craig Jarvis, "NC pays off $2.8 billion unemployment debt," The News & Observer, 5/15/2015)

As AG, Roy Cooper Fought Coal Ash Cleanup Efforts & Let Duke Off The Hook



    2007: Roy Cooper, Easley Administration Specifically Exempted Coal Ash From Tougher Landfill Rules And Regulations (Roll call vote, S.B. 1492, North Carolina General Assembly, 8/2/2007; "Solid Waste Management Act," S.B. 1492/S.L. 2007-550, North Carolina General Assembly, signed by Gov. Easley 8/31/2007)

    2009: Even After A Massive Coal Ash Spill In Tennessee, Roy Cooper And The Perdue Administration Tied The Hands Of Regulators By Blocking Access To Dam Safety Records That Could Have Revealed Dam Safety Problems And Prevented The Dan River Spill (Roll call vote, S.B. 1004, North Carolina General Assembly; S.B. 1004, S..L. 2009-390, North Carolina General Assembly, Signed by Gov. Perdue 7/31/2009)

  • "§ 143-215.25A. SECTION 3.(b) Any impoundments or other facilities that were in use on the effective date of this section in connection with nonnuclear electric generating facilities under the jurisdiction of the North Carolina Utilities Commission, and that had been exempted under the provisions of G.S. 143-215.25A(4), prior to amendment by Section 3(a) of this act, shall be deemed to have received all of the necessary approvals from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Commission for Dam Safety, and shall not be required to submit application, certificate, or other materials in connection with the continued normal operation and maintenance of those facilities." (S.B. 1004, S..L. 2009-390, North Carolina General Assembly, Signed by Gov. Perdue 7/31/2009)

    2011: Roy Cooper, Perdue Administration Allowed Duke Energy To Use Sutton Lake As A Coal Ash Dumping Ground. When Professional Regulators Protested, Cooper's Office Told Them To Back Off (Email Chain, NCDEQ, 2011)

  • Cooper, Perdue Administration Weakened Water Quality Standards At Sutton Lake Near Coal Ash Basins At Then-Progress Energy's Now De-Commissioned L.V. Sutton Steam Plant To Please The Energy Company in 2011. (Memorandum: "Policy for compliance evaluation of long-term permitted facilities with no prior monitoring requirements," Office of Governor Bev Perdue, 6/17/ 2011; Rescinded 9/29/2015; "Progress Energy to shut down Wilmington's Sutton Plant in 2014, Star-News, 12/1/2009 )
  • "The [Sutton Lake] reclassification followed a document review during which records were found indicating that while the water body met the legal definition for waters of the state, previous department leadership decided to disregard that determination." (Press release: "Duke Energy Hit With Record $25 Million Coal Ash Fine," NCDEQ, 3/12/2015)

    2011: Roy Cooper, Perdue Administration Let Duke Off The Hook With A New Policy Shielding Duke Energy From Fines And Penalties Associated With Groundwater Contamination At Coal Ash Facilities

  • The McCrory Administration Overturned This Policy To Hold Duke Accountable (Memorandum: "Policy for compliance evaluation of long-term permitted facilities with no prior monitoring requirements," Office of Governor Bev Perdue, 6/17/ 2011; Rescinded 9/29/2015)

    2012: Roy Cooper, Perdue Administration Fought Efforts To Stop Groundwater Pollution At Duke Energy Coal Ash Basins (Blog: In bid for EPA rules, environmentalists target state coal ash programs," Inside EPA, 10/19/2012)

  • "In October 2012, the SELC filed a petition with the N.C. Environmental Management Commission on behalf of several environmental groups. It asked for a declaratory ruling that, under state law, Duke must start immediate efforts to stop groundwater leaks found by state regulators at its ash disposal ponds." (John Downey, "Top N.C. court rules new law trumps court order on Duke Energy coal-ash leaks, Charlotte Business Journal, 6/11/2015; Cape Fear River Watch v. N.C. Environmental Management Commission)
  • "The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, joined by Duke Energy, opposes implementing the parts of the rule that would require immediate action to stop the source of groundwater contamination."(Report: "Timeline: North Carolina's environmental agency's interference with coal ash clean ups and citizen enforcement efforts," Southern Environmental Law Center, 10/2015)
  • "[a coal ash lawsuit in Montana similar to one in North Carolina], says an attorney close to the petition, 'is a perfect example of how states aren't pursuing violations. There's no doubt that there's a regulatory vacuum here.'" (Blog: In bid for EPA rules, environmentalists target state coal ash programs," Inside EPA, 10/19/2012)
  • Special Deputy Attorney General Mary Lucasse, From Roy Cooper's Office, Represented The Environmental Management Commission. (Special Deputy Attorney General, North Carolina Department of Justice)

    2014: After the McCrory Administration Became The First Administration To Sue Duke Energy, Roy Cooper's Office Negotiated A $99,111 Limited Settlement With The Energy Company Over Groundwater Contamination At Its Coal Ash Basins. The Settlement Was Later Rescinded By The McCrory Administration (Michael Biesecker, "McCrory counsel: Cooper has politicized coal ash," The Associated Press, 3/25/2014)

    2015: Duke Energy Plead Guilty For Clean Water Act Violations At Coal Ash Facilities That Started On Roy Cooper's Watch (Press Release: "Duke Energy Subsidiaries Plead Guilty and Sentenced for Clean Water Act Crimes," EPA, 5/14/2015)

    2016: Because Of The Perdue-Cooper Administration's 2011 Policy Shielding Duke From Fines And Penalties, Cooper's Office Advised DEQ To Seek A Settlement With Duke Energy Instead Of Enforcing A Record $25 Million Fine (Press release: "DEQ gives legislative update on coal ash cleanup," North Carolina Department of Commerce, 1/13/2016)

  • Contact: The Pat McCrory Committee
  •     media@patmccrory.com

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John Locke Foundation: Prudent Policy / Impeccable Research - Volume CC Press Releases: Elected office holders, Op-Ed & Politics, Bloodless Warfare: Politics Governor McCrory Gubernatorial Debate 3 Fact Sheet Part 2

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