House Bill 884 looks suspiciously like the Job Maintenance and Capital Development Fund (JMAC) economic incentive bill that was beaten back last week in the House, S.B. 825. The bill pays a paper plant in Martin County $8 million to stay and expand its operation. It is a cash giveaway similar to the Goodrich deal of a year or so ago. After the giveaway was defeated in the House, Sen. Clark Jenkins stripped another bill, H.B. 884 and replaced it with very similar provisions.
Rep. Skip Stam says the bill is out of order since it is the same bill as S.B. 825, the paper plant expansion and conversion to manufacturing of fluff products in Martin County. Speaker Joe Hackney, D-Orange, says there are four changes from the other bill, including a change of date and number of employees to qualify.
Rep. Larry Womble, D-Forsyth, who had concerns about contract employees last time, says he’s OK with the bill that “is just like the one last week.”
Stam says we are now paying companies to stay. It won’t matter, and you can save the taxpayer money. With $1 billion in tax increases, it is not fair to favor one taxpayer.
The bill passes 72-41 with a lot of members changing their minds from last week’s 52-54 third reading vote and 51-54 vote to reconsider.
On the one hand, they raise taxes. On the other, they give it away. Go figure.
