Bill Burlington: Social incentives needed for business

As our legislature debates the need for a state Religious Freedom Restoration Act and at the same time contemplates Gov. Pat McCrory’s request for additional funds to attract new business to North Carolina, I hope our legislators can extract a lesson from the recent experiences of Indiana and Arkansas.

If they pass a mean-spirited RFRA, they will deter businesses from locating in North Carolina, regardless of the amount of incentive money they throw at them. It would seem much wiser and less expensive to resist the temptation to follow the lead of states like Indiana and Arkansas and concentrate on selling North Carolina as a state that welcomes people of all faiths, colors and sexual orientations.

Let’s concentrate on social not fiscal incentives!

This story was originally published April 11, 2015 at 4:00 PM with the headline "Bill Burlington: Social incentives needed for business."