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N.C. opens the book on contracts

Submitted by ryanteaguebeckwith on March 30, 2009 - 12:53pm.

State contracts are now available online.

Gov. Beverly Perdue announced today the launch of N.C. OpenBook, a Web site that provides a database of 2,500 state contracts and 5,000 grants.

"We’re going to let the sun shine in on state contracts," Perdue said in a statement.

The Office of State Budget and Management is working with state agencies to streamline paperwork so that all contracts will be available by the end of the year.

Perdue also pledged to feature information about state agency performance measures and planning on the site eventually.

Modeled after state and federal transparency efforts, N.C. Open Book was created by an executive order on Perdue's first day, fulfilling a campaign promise.

The project will cost an estimated $900,000.

Perdue's orders

Five executive orders and a campaign pledge signed by Gov. Beverly Perdue.

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Perdue signs executive orders

Submitted by ryanteaguebeckwith on January 12, 2009 - 12:51pm.

Gov. Beverly Perdue has signed five executive orders and a campaign pledge.

In her first working day in office, Perdue issued six orders she says will make state government more efficient and ethical.

PUBLIC CAMPAIGNS: Establishes a governor's task force for the development of an endowment to fund positive gubernatorial campaigns.

REFORM DOT: Prohibits Board of Transportation members from voting on individual projects, or, if they vote, requires them to swear they have no financial interest.

OPEN BOOK: Directs the Office of State Budget and Management to develop and maintain a searchable and public Web site that shows state grants and contracts.

DROP-IN VISITS: Pledges to make regular, unannounced inspections of state facilities and conduct statistical performance reviews of state agencies.

BUDGET COMMISSION: Establishes a citizen oversight panel to ensure government programs are using tax dollars efectively and efficiently.

TOWN HALLS: Affirms governor's commitment to participate in at least four live town halls televised across the state and launches an "electric town hall."

Perdue on Orders

What is the JDIG program?

Submitted by ryanteaguebeckwith on September 17, 2007 - 2:41pm.

Answer:

The Job Development Investment Grant program gives annual cash grants to businesses that relocate or expand in North Carolina.

The program was signed into law by Gov. Mike Easley on Oct. 31, 2002, and became effective Jan. 1, 2003. It has been amended in 2003 and 2006.

Between 2004 and 2007, the committee promised more than $200 million in grants to companies such as Google, GlaxoSmithKline and Dell Computer, in exchange for pledges of more than 20,000 jobs.

The grants are paid over as many as a dozen years. Companies must meet specific hiring and other criteria each year before the grant is given. By law, a business can create as few as 10 new jobs to qualify, but typically it's at least 100.

The grants are approved by Economic Investment Committee, a five-member panel.

The governor appoints three people on committee: The secretaries of the state departments of Commerce and Revenue and the director of the Office of State Budget and Management. The other two are appointed by the Speaker of the House and the president pro tem of the Senate.

The committee decides on grants in closed-door sessions, though the final approval is done in an open meeting and the public can weigh in before each payment is made.