Category: Open Lines

The annual sales tax holiday weekend, held Aug. 5-7, cost North Carolina about $14.5 million, a spokeswoman for the state Department of Revenue said Thursday.  Did you take advantage of the weekend?  Some members of the senate are calling for the program to be re-examined as the state suffers from decreasing revenue.  Should the program be stopped?  Or is it a good handout to the public?  You may read the full article referenced at http://www.wral.com/news/state/nccapitol/story/9986530/  Welcome the Friday / Weekend …

Demonstrators picketed the Dunn office of 2nd District Congresswoman Renee Ellmers on Wednesday, calling for more federal spending to create jobs.  About two dozen demonstrators said they wanted to persuade Ellmers to change her hawkish stance on the U.S. deficit.  Ellmers wasn’t at her office, but she said in a written statement that “I disagree deeply” with the protesters while respecting their opinions.  You can read the full article at http://www.wral.com/news/state/nccapitol/story/9980721/ Welcome to the Thursday Open Lines!

A new report titled “Bending the Health Care Cost Curve in North Carolina: The Experience of Community Health Centers,” examines whether health centers in North Carolina, which has a well-developed primary health care system reaching medically underserved communities, are more cost effective than other primary health care providers. The researchers found that on average, health center patients cost 62% less annually than comparable patients who received care in other ambulatory care settings.  You can read the full report here.  Bending …

Monday’s markets took a nosedive after ratings agency S&P downgraded the US for the first time in history.  In addition, Monday the outlooks for all 12 Federal Home Loan Banks, and the issue level ratings for Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, the FHLB System, and the Farm Credit System are negative. Locally, since Friday night, while North Carolina maintains a AAA rating, seven local governmental units have been told by Moody’s that their bond ratings would be reviewed immediately.  State Treasurer …

Weekly Address from Mr. Obama:  Getting the Economy Growing Faster.  President Obama outlines a number of steps that can be taken right away to create jobs and help grow the economy. A reminder Henderson Middle School has it’s 6th grade orientation today at 9am. Tonight, the Henderson City Council hosts a council meeting at 7pm at City Hall and the Vance County Board of Education holds a 7pm meeting in the Administrative Services Center. Welcome to a hot start of …

Happy Friday to all!  A reminder this weekend VGCC hosts an open house at their Warren County Campus.  Also, right here in Henderson, the local city police department will host a Night Out Against Crime. That’s Saturday evening from 5pm to 8pm at the city police department. Seems to be some stress around, so we’ll start out with something a little light.   Obama Turns 50 Despite Republican Opposition.  After months of heated negotiations and failed attempts to achieve any …

US debt shot up $238 billion to reach 100 percent of gross domestic project after the government’s debt ceiling was lifted, Treasury figures showed Wednesday.  The last time US debt topped the size of its annual economy was in 1947 just after World War II. By 1981 it had fallen to 32.5 percent. Ratings agencies have warned the country to reduce its debt-to-GDP ratio quickly or facing losing its coveted AAA debt rating.  Moody’s said Tuesday that the government needed …

So the big news is confirmation that our county can continue to borrow more money to pay our interest charges.  The debt ceiling was successfully increased, Obama has signed it into motion.  Now, after it’s confirmed, people can start to analyze what will actually happen.  First, there are no tax increases.  An issue that republicans insisted could not happen, and an issue democrats insisted needed to happen.  There are immediate cuts in discretionary spending allowances to the tune of 917 …

Monday, the house voted for a compromised debt ceiling deal with the senate expected to consider the bill on Tuesday.  The bill would raise the debt ceiling by more than $2 trillion and cut federal spending by a similar amount over the next decade. A special congressional committee would be set up to consider entitlement and tax changes. A reminder this coming weekend in North Carolina features a state sales tax holiday.  Clothing, footwear, and school supplies of $100 or …

Contrasting hot Saturday and a cooler Sunday this weekend likened to the swaying of debt talks that are still not finalized, but both sides are continuing to work on various plans as a solution for the August 2nd deadline. President Obama urges both Republicans and Democrats to take action to avoid defaulting for the first time in our nation’s history in the weekly address below: A reminder this afternoon the Henderson Family YMCA hosts a local author book signing from …

I would tell you to go outside and have fun this weekend, but at possible 104 degrees temperature, I’m just not.  If you don’t have ac, take a visit to your local establishments, visit our businesses, restaurants, theater etc to get cool.  Visit your neighborhood pool, or head to the YMCA or Aycock Recreation Center for a pool dip. Just a few days left, and apparently those in charge are no closer to securing the debt limit question in Washington.  …

The latest discussion all around the country, and here on our site lately focuses on this debt ceiling deal, and where has that debt come from.  Late Wednesday, the White House released the following message: Good evening, Chances are you’ve caught bits and pieces of the debate over our debt and deficits here in Washington over the past few weeks. It is important to understand what the deficit and debt ceiling debate is all about, so we’ve put together a …

Troublesome aging water and sewer line repairs in Henderson are expected to cost upwards of $450,00 as reported at the latest city council meeting.  That’s just in two trouble spots.  I wonder how far the O’Brian and Gere guys have come on analyzing the system overall.  Injecting that much money into our local economy will certainly keep some people employed in the area.  Let’s hope the 2% raise in rates this year will cover the expenses. In other news, a …

Monday Night, Obama held a national tv appearance, followed by comments from Republican House Speaker John Boehner.  On Tuesday, White House Administration Officials will hold “Office Hours” on our social networks to answer your questions about the President’s speech and the ongoing deficit debate. Brian Deese, Deputy Director of the National Economic Council and Special Assistant to the President, will be answering your questions on Twitter Tuesday at 5:00 p.m. EDT. Ask your questions with the hashtag #WHChat and stay tuned for …

This weeks presidential address focuses on a Bipartisan Approach to Strengthening the Economy:   A reminder that tonight in the City Council Chambers is a short regular meeting and work session to follow.  You may read the agenda details at the previous link.  In the meeting the new EDC Director Stuart Litvin will make a presentation.  I’d like to point out that on Thursday, the Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce hosted a Business After Hours session, sponsored by Don Lorenzo’s Mexican …

If you’re looking for something to do Friday afternoon, head to the RBC Center in Raleigh for a free event.  The Fourth Annual Canes Summer Fun Fest, presented by 99.9 FM the Fan, is set for Friday, July 22, at 5:30 p.m. at the RBC Center. The event includes live music, over 10 interactive inflatables and games, sledding on snow, free giveaways, guest speakers from the Hurricanes, appearances by Stormy and the Eye Care Associates Storm Squad, discounted concessions, extended …

Aaron’s has acquired Crusader Rent to Own in a deal covering all 30 of Crusader’s stores in Georgia, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee.  All but one will be converted to Aaron’s HomeSmart brand. The remaining store will be merged with an existing franchisee’s Aaron’s store. HomeSmart is a Houston-based subsidiary of Aaron’s operating in the South and Southwest. It is not yet clear what will happen to Henderson’s store.  Henderson locations for both companies include Aaron’s located at …

Below are year-to-date metrics tracked by the N.C. Department of Commerce’s Division of Business and Industry that illustrate some of the recent activities of the Division. The metrics include the number of new economic development projects assigned to B&I development staff; the number of economic development project announcements; the number of announced jobs created and capital invested; the number of interactions existing industry staff had with businesses throughout the state; and the number of contacts received by the Business Link …

Gov. Bev Perdue continued her focus on spurring job creation and putting our people back to work with a series of high-profile jobs announcements. In 12 days, Gov. Bev Perdue announced more than 700 new jobs created in North Carolina. The announcements add to a tally of 1,030 announced jobs and $258 million in new investment announced since the General Assembly adjourned its session in June. The latest jobs announcements include 225 new jobs and a $101 million investment in …

This week, President Obama’s weekly address focuses on the importance of compromise and shared sacrifice so that we can overcome our fiscal challenges and get our economy on a stronger footing going forward.