Smith opposes Goodyear plan

ryanteaguebeckwith — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 13:40:32 -0400

Fred Smith is opposed to the Goodyear incentives.

The state senator, who is running for the Republican nomination for governor, said that it is "bad policy" for the state to offer targeted incentives to "a select few companies."

"These incentives have gotten out of hand," he wrote in an e-mail today to Dome. "Every business owner in North Carolina is entitled to compete on a level playing field."

Smith was one of seven senators to vote against the second reading of the bill giving the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. as much as $40 million to upgrade its plant in Fayetteville. (He had an excused absence on the third reading.)

He said he would also vote against overriding Gov. Mike Easley's veto of the bill.

Previously: Former Supreme Court Justice Bob Orr opposes incentives bill.

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Smith opposes Goodyear plan