ICYMI: Republican NC Senators On How We Can Restart the State’s Economy After Covid-19

Raleigh, N.C. — Senators Ralph Hise (R-Mitchell) and Ted Alexander (R-Cleveland) wrote an op-ed published today in the Charlotte Observer. Creative thinking like this to spark advanced planning is exactly what’s needed right now.

Collaboration and consensus are what will bring our state through this crisis. They’re crucial to avoiding mistakes and to generating buy-in that will legitimize action. In the coming weeks, we expect to receive input from all corners.

Here are some excerpts:

“Three matters will require urgent policy attention over the coming months. Priority one is the public health response to COVID-19. Priority two is acute financial support for employees in sectors badly hurt by the economic shock. Priority three is possible assistance for the economic engine when it’s time to restart it … We write here as two legislators to share our thoughts on the third priority.

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“Leaders of the Council of Economic Advisors under both presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama have endorsed putting cash on the streets to prime the economic engine’s restart … We agree.

“Supply chain interruptions and stock market volatility are generating concern from everyday citizens and small business owners about their economic future. We should reassure them by announcing now a broad stimulus package that would, in effect, send one-time cash to North Carolinians using the substantial surplus we’ve accumulated.

“The legislature has been planning for an economic disruption for 10 years through prudent budget decisions. We’ve built a multibillion dollar cash surplus and one of the healthiest unemployment insurance reserves in the country.

“We have the means for a proportionate response to an economic disruption. Times like this are exactly why.”