FOREST: NC Greatest State in America, but we ‘can and will do better’

“North Carolina is the greatest state in America, but we can, and will, do better. As lieutenant governor, I see firsthand the challenges and opportunities faced by our state.

Since 2011, under Republican leadership, North Carolina has lowered taxes on families and small businesses and rolled back excessive regulations to put more people back to work.

We delivered a strong message to the rest of the nation that we are open for business — and it is working. Year after year, national rankings from Forbes and Fortune put us at the top of the U.S. for our pro-business climate.

North Carolina lacks a comprehensive vision for the direction of our state. The adage “Without a vision, the people will perish” is just as true today as ever. A governor is in the best position to create that vision and lead the state forward.

I envision a state that invests in its people — in their education, their work skills and whatever resources they need to have access to well-paying jobs.

People find dignity and self-worth in a good job. I want that for all North Carolinians. However, I see a disconnect between the jobs in demand and the training needed to land them. We must have an education plan that connects what students are learning to the demands of the market.

Computer science education is a prime example. We are home to the Research Triangle Park. We should never find ourselves with a shortage of skilled workers to fill the thousands of jobs, worth billions of dollars in salary, that are on the market today. But that’s where we are. And that’s why I have been working on a plan to meet the need. […]”