Gov. Perdue and her cabinet secretaries marked week two of her “Education Works” tour — visiting schools, community colleges and classrooms across North Carolina in an effort to keep the focus on North Carolina’s top priority: education.

Gov. Perdue kicked off the week with a jobs announcement in Lincolnton, where Aptar Corporation pledged to create 150 new jobs. The company told the governor that a primary reason they chose North Carolina as the site for their new manufacturing plant is the promise of well trained workers from the Lincoln County campus of Gaston Community College.

The governor took the opportunity to remind business leaders in the audience of the importance education plays in recruiting businesses and growing jobs.

“That concept of an educated workforce is critically important for us in North Carolina and across America,” she said.

“I recruit a lot of companies to this state these days, and sometime during the discussion in the final three or four weeks of the company making the decision, after we’ve gotten beyond incentives and after we’ve gotten beyond even the quality of life, the CEO will look me in the face and say, ‘Governor, we really want to come to North Carolina, but can you promise me … the quality workforce we need to make good products not just now today …but for the next year, then next decade the next 20 years?’ North Carolina historically has been able to say ‘yes.’ We cannot go backwards on education.”

Gov. Perdue’s cabinet secretaries fanned out in communities around the state to echo the governor’s message. They visited nearly a dozen cities and towns, from Fayetteville to Asheville to Greensboro, and will continue to spread the “Education Works” message through next week, when the Senate budget proposal is expected to be unveiled.

Gov. Perdue continues to fight budget proposals from Republican leaders in the House and Senate that will result in the largest layoff of education personnel in state history. Click here to watch a short video about the Education Works tour.

 

After two weeks of fierce negotiating, Gov. Perdue this week announced a deal with the General Assembly to reform the State Health Plan.

Gov. Perdue had previously vetoed a bill that failed to include teachers and retirees in negotiations. The new legislation offers teachers, retirees and state employees a no-cost basic health plan.

“The teachers educating our children in classrooms across the state haven’t received a raise in three years,” Gov. Perdue said. “Our prison guards haven’t received raises; nurses in our mental health hospitals and state troopers keeping our highways safe haven’t received raises. Many of our hard working state employees can’t afford to lose any more out of their paychecks. I am very happy to have brokered a deal that helps ensure those public servants can continue to receive health insurance.”

Gov. Perdue has become an American Idol fan since watching Garner native son Scotty McCreery advance to the finals of the popular singing competition.

This Tuesday night Scotty will sing in the final competition, and viewers will have the chance to vote for their favorite. Join Bev and vote for our very own North Carolina boy, Scotty!

Monday, May 23

Speak at Scholarship Announcement, Pepsi Museum, New Bern

Speak to the Craven County Community College, Riverfront Convention Center, New Bern

Tuesday, May 24

Office Time

Vote for Scotty McCreery on American Idol!

Thursday, May 26

Speak to the Joint Meeting of American Council of Engineering Companies & Professional Engineers of NC, Cardinal Club, Raleigh

Office Time and Meetings

Friday, May 27

Attend the Change of Command Ceremony, Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point

Have a safe and enjoyable Memorial Day Weekend! Remember the sacrifices of our troops and military families.