Orr: End incentives

Bob Orr proposes ending corporate incentives.

In a press conference this morning, the former Supreme Court justice said he would undo most of the state's economic development incentives programs if elected governor.

As part of his reform plan, he would:

* Create a task force to work on federal legislation limiting the use of incentives to lure companies from one state to another.

* Eliminate the One North Carolina program, the Job Development Investment Grant program and certain targeted tax credits.

* Require companies disclose offers from other companies and lobbyists involved; create a 45-day waiting period on any deals.

* Start an initiative focused on workforce development that would give companies up to $2,500 per worker for training.

Orr said the reforms would end the "incentives game," in which corporate lobbyists have argued that companies won't come to North Carolina without grants.

"We don't have to pay them cash grants to come here," he said. "This is a great place to do business and a great place to live."