Pat McCrory in State of North Carolina secondary Archives


On Education: 2015: For budget cuts, tuition increases at state schools

Whereas President Biden and many Democrats have pushed for student loan forgiveness and either lowering or eliminating public university tuition, McCrory supported budget cuts for the UNC System and an increase in community college tuition under his 2015-16 budget.
Source: The NCSU Technician on 2022 North Carolina Senate race Apr 19, 2021

On Abortion: Promote sanctity of life, religious freedom

  • Source: 2022 North Carolina Senate campaign website PatMcCrory.com Apr 22, 2021

    On Budget & Economy: Creating jobs, cutting taxes, spending smarter

    Source: 2022 North Carolina Senate campaign website PatMcCrory.com Apr 22, 2021

    On Civil Rights: Terminate license plates noting Sons of Confederate Veterans

    Southern governors, including North Carolina's Pat McCrory, are pushing to erase state support of the Confederate battle flag. McCrory signaled his intent to ask the General Assembly to end availability of license plates that pay tribute to the Sons of Confederate Veterans.

    "Governor McCrory will be requesting that the General Assembly change the North Carolina statute in order to discontinue the issuance of the Confederate battle flag emblem on state-issued license plates," his Communications Director said. "The time is right to change this policy due to the recent Supreme Court ruling and the tragedy in Charleston."

    Dylann Roof was charged in the shooting deaths of nine African Americans at Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, S.C., last week. Roof is an alleged white supremacist whose social media postings prominently displayed the Confederate battle flag. S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley asked lawmakers to remove the flag from the statehouse grounds in response to the Charleston shooting.

    Source: Charlotte Post on 2015 North Carolina gubernatorial race Jun 24, 2015

    On Civil Rights: Transgendered people must use bathroom based on birth gender

    A state law that limits anti-discrimination protections for LGBT people and directs transgender people to use public restrooms matching the gender on their birth certificate has dominated the political discourse since it was signed by GOP Gov. Pat McCrory earlier this year.

    Democratic Attorney General Roy Cooper, who has held the office since 2001, has declined to defend the law and vowed to try repealing it as governor.

    Source: Associated Press on 2016 North Carolina Gubernatorial race Oct 1, 2016

    On Civil Rights: Let states decide on same-sex marriage

    The U.S. Supreme Court, in a 5-4 decision, has ruled that all states must recognize same-sex marriages. Following are some reactions from people across North Carolina: Gov. Pat McCrory:

    "Like many North Carolinians, I still believe the definition of marriage should be determined by the states, and it should be the union between one man and one woman. However, I took an oath to uphold the Constitution, which compels me as governor to ensure that North Carolina upholds the rule of law."

    Source: WRAL-TV on 2020 North Carolina gubernatorial race Oct 9, 2019

    On Civil Rights: Signed anti-transgender "bathroom bill" into law

    McCrory's tenure as governor is most remembered for the fight over House Bill 2, which limited LGBTQ protections and stopped local authorities from expanding their own nondiscrimination ordinances. The state law came in response to Charlotte adding LGBTQ protections to its nondiscrimination ordinance. Republicans passed the law which required people to use bathrooms in schools and other government buildings based on the gender listed on their birth certificate.
    Source: The Charlotte Observer on 2022 North Carolina Senate race Apr 14, 2021

    On Civil Rights: Identity politics has gone too far, especially on the left

    This cancel culture has got to end and the identity politics has gone way too far, especially on the left. We've got to end the identity politics and cancel culture and we need to be judged by our individual character, heart and souls.
    Source: The Charlotte Observer on 2022 North Carolina Senate race Apr 14, 2021

    On Crime: No sanctuary cities, support police, election security

    Source: 2022 North Carolina Senate campaign website PatMcCrory.com Apr 22, 2021

    On Crime: Disturbing thing about protests is anarchists in the crowd

    [On BLM protests]: "The only thing that disturbs me about the protests right now is you have anarchists involved in these crowds. It doesn't take many people to cause chaos and those are the people we have to be tough with, and then show respect to the protesters. But the anarchists don't give a damn. Their goal is to destroy society, and it doesn't take many to do that."
    Source: The Charlotte Observer on 2022 North Carolina Senate race Jun 4, 2020

    On Crime: We're always going to have some imperfect police officers

    [On George Floyd killing]: "We're an imperfect nation, just like we're imperfect human beings. We're always going to have some imperfect police officers. We had them when I was mayor. We had them when I was governor, and we're going to have them for future governors and future presidents. But we want to reduce that risk. But we have to understand the reality is each of us have these fallacies--physical, mental, biases ... You work on the imperfections, but you'll never resolve them."
    Source: The Charlotte Observer on 2022 North Carolina Senate race Jun 4, 2020

    On Drugs: Coordinated effort against cartel drug rings

    Because this issue of drugs and alcohol are penetrating our families and our communities, I have instructed my Head of Public Safety to ensure that all state law enforcement officials will fight a coordinated effort against the cartel drug rings that are currently in North Carolina as we speak. We cannot ignore them, we must identify them, and we must get them out of this state now. The sheriffs will tell you this. We need to let people know about this issue.

    I also want to collaborate with our educational leaders to ensure that our schools and universities have a strategy to change the culture--to change the culture that I've seen first-hand--of binge drinking and so called recreational drug use. There must be enforcement in our schools and universities of their own policies and enforcement of our laws. And in addition, we must offer help to these students who are doing harm to themselves and to their families.

    Source: 2013 North Carolina State of the State Address Feb 18, 2013

    On Education: Expand school choice, charter schools and home schools

    Gov. Pat McCrory's re-election campaign singled out primary contender Ken Spaulding. McCrory's email touted his expansion of charter schools and support of home schools: "But while we're focused on helping students and families, Democrats like Ken Spaulding and special interest groups predictably have been attacking school choice both inside and outside the courtroom to selfishly advance their own power and motives," McCrory said.

    Spaulding said he welcomed the criticism: "Taxpayer dollars being used for `private' school vouchers is an admission by the governor that he wants to take children out of public schools instead of enhancing our public schools. We should make our public schools so competitive that private school children would be seeking to return to our public schools. The Governor's approach to public education is leading to the re-segregation of our public schools. So no, I will not stop fighting for our public schools and our school teachers."

    Source: News-Observer on 2016 North Carolina gubernatorial race Jan 26, 2016

    On Energy & Oil: Supported offshore drilling off North Carolina's coast

    McCrory also supported offshore drilling during his tenure, advocating for permits for seismic testing off North Carolina's coast.
    Source: The NCSU Technician on 2022 North Carolina Senate race Apr 19, 2021

    On Environment: Remove regulations on Environmental and Natural Resources

    Almost every day since I have been your governor, I have been personally meeting with potential employers who want to expand or relocate to North Carolina. We are already successful in improving our customer service working through bureaucratic regulatory roadblocks that stifle economic recruitment efforts. This is especially true in the Department of Environmental and Natural Resources. We're bring a customer service attitude to DENR.
    Source: 2013 North Carolina State of the State Address Feb 18, 2013

    On Environment: Oversaw decline of Department of Environmental Quality

    McCrory was commonly criticized for his closeness with Duke Energy, as the company came under fire for several coal ash leaks during his administration. Although McCrory occasionally signed legislation holding Duke Energy accountable for the spills, he also oversaw a decline in the strength of the Department of Environmental Quality, which is in charge of regulating polluters.
    Source: The NCSU Technician on 2022 North Carolina Senate race Apr 19, 2021

    On Government Reform: Blamed election loss on massive voter fraud without proof

    In 2016, when McCrory narrowly lost to Roy Cooper, he refused to concede. McCrory and his allies spent all of November baselessly claiming there had been massive voter fraud, failing to effectively argue that position before various boards of election, erroneously accusing dozens of North Carolinians of voting illegally and instigating a recount that did not change the outcome of the election. Though McCrory ultimately conceded he would for years continue to suggest fraud tainted the election.
    Source: N.C. Policy Watch blog on 2022 North Carolina Senate race Nov 25, 2020

    On Homeland Security: For our heroes, retain troop bases & defense manufacturing

    I want to thank our men and women in uniform that have honored our country with their presence, and their service. They deserve it.

    For these heroes, we are finalizing a plan that focuses on first, the retention of the bases and our troops here in North Carolina; Growing our military supplier base; three, retaining our highly skilled; and four, growing the defense manufacturing sector. We have incredible opportunity to follow through on those four objectives.

    And speaking of the military, I've always said I'm kind of and Eisenhower Republican. I believe that government's main roles is to provide the infrastructure for job creation and economic growth. This is one of the great things that Dwight Eisenhower did as president. He worked to connect the urban with the rural and the East with the West. We need to keep focused on continuing that type of visionary thinking right here in North Carolina using our infrastructure.

    Source: 2013 North Carolina State of the State Address Feb 18, 2013

    On Homeland Security: Invest in military, protect veterans, defend rights

    Source: 2022 North Carolina Senate campaign website PatMcCrory.com Apr 22, 2021

    On Jobs: Recruit and retain N.C. jobs, in RTP and in small towns

    Our biggest challenge, as I travel the state right now, is not just developing jobs in a growing urban area--sometimes it's much easier to sell the Triangle area or the Charlotte area or the Triad area. But right now I think our biggest challenge is to develop a strategy for the small towns in North Carolina that have been hit so hard by this recession. And that's exactly what we plan to do. We've got to work with the small towns of North Carolina. There are too many people hurting in those towns.

    And let me tell you this right now. I did it as mayor, and I'll do it again as governor. No one will out work this governor, or this team or any of you in our effort to grow, recruit and retain North Carolina jobs. We will be on the road and we're going to sell our great resources that we have. This is my job, this is your job. We've got a great product.

    Source: 2013 North Carolina State of the State Address Feb 18, 2013

    On Local Issues: Use lottery money for education, not lottery advertising

    To increase our children's access to technology, I'm advocating that we ensure that the education lottery money actually be used for education. Now that's a novel thought that all you've been hearing across North Carolina. We can change some legislation to make that happen.

    I'm recommending that we pursue legislation to reallocate a portion of money away from the bloated and frankly annoying advertising and the large administration cost of the Lottery Commission, and we will use that money to directly help our students with technology.

    I also think we need to work together to give schools more flexibility to spend lottery funds on digital and virtual learning, which school districts, according to our laws, are not allowed to do right now.

    There's a pot of money right now that can only be used on certain things. Why not let all of our districts use that money on technology and virtual learning? This is the future. Why don't we be ahead of the curve as opposed to being behind the curve?

    Source: 2013 North Carolina State of the State Address Feb 18, 2013

    On Principles & Values: When you try to appease everyone, you satisfy no one

    Tonight, you will hear a sobering assessment of our state, but also some recommended actions that will get our economy and state moving again. I already know that during my short tenure here, I've already stepped on some toes on both the left and the right. I am not doing it to cause pain, but to get us to stand up and recognize that we must solve our serious problems now to prevent pain for future generations. That's why we're here tonight.

    But one thing I've learned, I learned during my fourteen years as a mayor, when you try to appease everyone, you satisfy no one. What motivates me every morning, when I'm so privileged to get up here in Raleigh as your governor, is the opportunity to be part of long term solutions.

    Source: 2013 North Carolina State of the State Address Feb 18, 2013

    On Principles & Values: How do we leave this place better than when we arrived?

    I'm doing a lot of thinking about my next moves in my twilight years, in the last quarter of my life. How do we be relevant? How do we make a difference? How do we leave this place a better place than when we arrived? How can we be an influencer in leaving this Earth a better place than when we arrived? And that's part of my faith responsibility.
    Source: The Charlotte Observer on 2022 North Carolina Senate race Apr 14, 2021

    On Principles & Values: Impeachment: would have voted against convicting Trump

    The former governor-turned-radio-host argued that conservative values would guide Republicans in rebuilding the party's path back to power. But he did emphasize he was "a strong supporter" of the former President, and said he disagreed with North Carolina GOP Sen. Richard Burr's vote to convict Trump for inciting the January insurrection at the Capitol.
    Source: CNN.com on 2022 North Carolina Senate race Apr 12, 2021

    The above quotations are from State of North Carolina Politicians: secondary Archives.
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    Page last updated: Feb 18, 2023