Budget news: Give Republicans credit -- money is in the bank

The announcement did not get the attention many thought it might -- positive or negative.

But even though not too many people were talking about the repayment of the federal debt for unemployment benefit costs, it was a big achievement -- and one that deserves note.

The state of North Carolina owed billions of dollars to the feds for the costs that came when jobless claims skyrocketed.

It took some doing, but the state legislature and its governor made the necessary adjustments to get the bill paid.

And now it is.

And that is a very good thing.

The logical next step for North Carolina is to position itself not only as fiscally responsible, but also as a great place to come and to start a business. And according to some national business analysts, it is doing that quite well.

The bottom line is that a healthy business climate, a state government that is not swimming in debt, as well as a tax rate that makes it possible for residents to keep some of the money they make, are what create a strong and prosperous state.

And it seems very much like North Carolina is well on its way to creating just such an outcome.

There are many who have been quick to point out what they see as shortcomings in the leadership in Raleigh.

Questions are the right of any state citizen who has something to say about his or her government.

But there is also a time to acknowledge a job well done. And this is one of them.

Published in Editorials on May 12, 2015 11:15 AM