Vote bonds up: State has pressing infrastructure needs. Here's a sound way to pay for them.

North Carolina voters will be asked in March to decide the fate of a $2 billion bond referendum that would go to higher education construction projects, water and sewer infrastructure, the state parks, the state National Guard and the state zoo.

It will be the first such statewide bond referendum in 15 years and has the backing of Gov. Pat McCrory and a majority of the General Assembly, which agreed in its last session to put the bond question up for vote in the March primary.

We believe the bonds should be approved. The needs have been proven, and there is not a better way to get the work done than by selling the bonds with the full backing and faith of the state.

The fact that no formal opposition to the bond package has emerged shows its widespread appeal.

No one likes to borrow money, but selling bonds is often the best way for government to finance projects. We believe that is the case in this particular situation. The state cannot afford to allow its infrastructure to disintegrate. Passage of the bonds will allow the necessary work to be done to prevent that from happening.

Published in Editorials on January 6, 2016 11:50 AM