Tag Archives: Government Spending

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U.S. Chamber to Senate: Pass Debt Ceiling Bill Now

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Chamber of Commerce Executive Vice President for Government Affairs Bruce Josten issued the following statement on today’s vote in the House of Representatives to increase the debt ceiling:

“The Chamber applauds the House of Representatives for passing legislation to raise the nation’s debt ceiling and avoid a default. Now, it is up to the Senate to pass legislation that preserves the full faith and credit of the United States. We urge all members of the Senate to set politics and electioneering aside and quickly pass a bill that avoids default.”

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Opinion: Just Gimme Some Money

John Hood

by John Hood

As the North Carolina General Assembly pursues action on annexation, the state budget, charter schools, and other topics, it may look like lawmakers are all over the map.

In reality, these issues are linked together, much like communities separated by hundreds of miles can nevertheless be connected together by geographical features such as river basins or water tables.

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Opinion: A Mayor’s Perspective on Municipal Broadband

by BJ Murphy, Mayor
City of Kinston, N.C.

Municipalities across our state continue to face tough budget decisions while feeling the effects of a nationwide recession.  As a mayor in eastern NC, we certainly face many budgetary issues because of this economy.

Many cities and towns throughout the years have seen voids in service or infrastructure, not easily duplicated by the private sector.  Those areas of service tend to be water, sewer, and sometimes electricity.  Many of our neighboring municipalities have gotten into the business of providing broadband service to the community, regardless whether the community is unserved, underserved, or well connected to broadband services.

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Opinion — Deficit Reduction: The Time is Now

by Thomas J. Donohue

Last week’s announcement by Standard & Poor’s that it was cutting the outlook on our nation’s long-term rating from stable to negative for the first time in 70 years was a cold, hard reality check—we need to get our fiscal house in order sooner, rather than later, or suffer the consequences.

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U.S. Chamber Statement on President’s Speech on Debt and Deficit

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Thomas J. Donohue issued the following statement in response to the President’s speech today on the debt and deficit:

“We are pleased that the President has moved beyond his original budget proposal and recognized that meaningful budget reform must entail curbing our excessive and unsustainable spending. However, we believe that our long-run fiscal policy must include real reform of Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security as well as curbs to discretionary spending.