DAG McCrory: lobbying from the Governor's mansion

Now this is what I call customer service:

The Charlotte law firm Moore & Van Allen, where McCrory was employed until just days before taking office, helped the New York-based insurance company negotiate with state and local governments to receive more than $94 million in taxpayer-funded incentives in return for the promise to add more than 2,600 jobs in the next three years.

It's no wonder McCrory ran away from reporters when this "deal" was announced. But never fear, the 4th estate is on the job:

A McCrory spokeswoman said McCrory was not involved with MetLife when he worked for the law firm. “There was a complete firewall and no interaction,” said Communications Director Kim Genardo.

Genardo said McCrory met the company’s executives for the first time at the jobs announcement Thursday.

Yes, that was sarcasm. I'm sure there was also a firewall between Kim and her bright new future when she did her last interview with the State's top lobbyist.

Back to McCrory's apparent change of heart when it comes to incentives:

And, then the “promise-keeper,” launched by WRAL,

“End up-front business incentives: McCrory has been circumspect when asked about the use of economic development incentives to lure companies. He said he would deal with them on a case-by-case basis. However, he has been clear about a desired not to use “up-front” cash grants, such as those offered Continental Tire. “Pat McCrory will end the practice of giving certain companies up-front cash incentives,” he wrote on his website. The measure: Does McCrory avoid giving “up-front” incentives during his term?”

Governor McCrory’s position has tended to be consistent with the NC GOP Platform, that seems to talk about this issue in article II. NC Civitas has polled on economic development incentives and asserted that they are not good policy as has the John Locke Foundation. In addition, the NC Institute for Constitutional Law, part of the funded web by Art Pope’s (now McCrory budget director) family foundation and others, was led at one time by former Supreme Court Justice Bob Orr, who led a campaign against economic development incentives and sued in some cases, arguing they violated both state and federal Constitutions. Orr said, “”It’s a legitimate constitutional issue that we’ve been fighting now for a number of years: whether subsidizing Google or Dell or Johnson & Wales, whether that really constitutes a public purpose,” Orr said. “It’s very frustrating, and I’ve been fighting these battles for a long time.”

But the question is – is Governor McCrory upholding his campaign pledge?

That depends on to whom he made the pledge, I would imagine. I wonder what other pledges he made, that we will end up paying for?

And speaking of Civitas/JLF, where's their outrage? John, here's another one you need to deal with, or I will roast you all day long like a venison shank.

Update: see comment below. Aforementioned roasting has been postponed, until the next flip-flop or casually ignored contradiction.