Luddy urges no new state funds for rural board

Normally members of state boards can be relied upon to lobby the legislature for more money for their state agencies or bodies.

But Raleigh businessman Bob Luddy, a Raleigh businessman and a fiscal conservative, is an exception. As a member of the Rural Economic Development Board, Luddy sent a letter to fellow board members saying he could not support asking for an expanded budget.

“The General Assembly is dealing with the financial realities of 2012,” Luddy wrote. “Our business community is stifled by high taxes, heavy regulation and a struggling economy, which requires incentives to invest, produce and create jobs.''

“The Rural Economic Development Board must understand and adjust to these realities,” Luddy wrote. “Requesting new funds and a continuation of existing funds is not acceptable, which is why I voted no to these proposals.''