Both of Richmond County’s elected officials in the General Assembly have been designated “Jobs Champions” by the NC Chamber of Commerce.
Rep. Ben Moss, R-Richmond, and Sen. Dave Craven, R-Randolph, both scored 12 “pro-business” points and scored 100% in the Chamber’s 2023 How They Voted report.
The report “uses a standardized formula to objectively assess the voting performance of North Carolina legislators on the bills that were most consequential to NC Chamber members and the state’s business community.”
According to the description, those bills are organized under the Chamber’s “three pillars of pro-business advocacy”:
- education and talent supply
- competitive business climate
- infrastructure growth leadership
This year’s How They Voted report scored 14 bills in total, involving 15 House votes and 12 Senate votes.
Those legislators who supported the Chamber’s position, as well as primary sponsors of pro-business bills, were given one “pro-business” point, according to the report. Likewise, those voting against favored legislation were given an “anti-business” point.
All legislators receiving a score of at least 80% are considered “Jobs Champions.”
Craven was a primary sponsor of two of the Chamber-supported bills scored in the report: Senate Bill 296, the Reorganization and Economic Development Act; and Senate Bill 552, the Modifications to Notary Public Act.
Moss was a primary sponsor on two pieces of legislation opposed by the Chamber and considered “anti-business bills”: House Bill 32, the Service Customer Equal Value Time Act; and House Bill 393, the Appliance Lemon Law.
Despite that, it doesn’t appear Moss was given any “anti-business” points.
“As reckless spending in Washington is causing severe inflation and limiting opportunities for business growth, North Carolina continues to shine as the city on the hill,” Moss said in a statement. “We have been better prepared to (weather) economic storms because of our strong business climate, and I’m humbled by the recognition of our work to create more jobs in our state.”
Sen. Tom McInnis, R-Moore, who previously represented his home county of Richmond before moving, also scored 12 points and 100%.
Senate Majority Leader Paul Newton, R-Cabarrus, scored 14 points, the highest in that chamber; while Reps. Dean Arp, R-Union, John R. Bradford III, R-Mecklenburg, Mark Brody, R-Union, Allen Chesser, R-Nash, Erin Paré, R-Wake, Dennis Riddell, R-Alamance, Steve Tyson, R-Craven, Donna McDowell White, R-Johnston, and Michael H. Wray, R-Northampton, each scored 15 points in the House.
However, despite their high number of “pro-business” points, not all of them scored 100%.
Four senators — Lisa Grafstein, D-Wake, Natasha R. Marcus, D-Mecklenburg, Julie Mayfield, D-Buncombe, and Natalie Murdock, D-Durham — scored seven “anti-business” points.
Several legislators in the House scored 11 “anti-business” points: Reps. John Autry, D-Mecklenburg, Deb Butler, D-New Hanover, Pricey Harrison, D-Guilford and Marcia Morey, D-Durham.
Twenty-nine senators received scores of 100%, with the average score in that chamber being 84%. Murdock has the lowest score of 30%.
Moss and Reps. Jimmy Dixon, R-Duplin, and Dr. Timothy Reeder, R-Pitt, are the only members of the House to score 100%. The average score for that chamber is 74%. Harrison has the lowest score in both chambers with 15%.
“As we work to maintain our status as the top state for business, North Carolina’s job creators need to know which of our leaders are willing to act to keep us competitive,” NC Chamber President and CEO Gary Salamido, said in a statement. “The bold leadership displayed by Representative Moss and other NC Chamber Jobs Champions in 2023 will help our businesses continue to invest in North Carolina and its people.”
See the full report below.
