NC is the best state for business, but it won’t stay that way in this administration | Opinion

In response to “NC reclaims top spot on CNBC’s Top States for Business list. Why it’s No. 1”

New jets, a data center and expansion of bio-pharma? How did NC get the interest of a company like Genentech? Was it the research going on in RTP? Was it the grants funding research at NC State, Duke and UNC? That’s going to die out soon with the Trump administration’s desire to drastically cut research grants.

That means fewer technically trained workers and lab innovations. Is that what we want? Will companies like Genentech want to stay where research in universities is dying? Sens. Ted Budd and Thom Tillis must protect NC from research cuts at the NIH that will harm our economy.

Janice Woychik, Chapel Hill

Slow down

I support traffic slowing on Falls River Avenue. Those who want to access the Greenway or visit the nearby playground have to cross Falls River. Crossing the road is dangerous. Even at the designated crosswalk where there is a sign indicating “State Law” requires stopping for pedestrians, this law is not observed by speeding drivers. It’s time to enforce the speed limits on Falls River Avenue.

Laura Perry, Raleigh

Gun bill

As the parent of a child in a North Carolina private school, I was alarmed to read about House Bill 193. This bill, now vetoed, would allow employees and volunteers with a concealed carry permit to carry a hidden handgun on the campus of a private school, with permission of school leaders.

Guns in school pose a significant threat to the safety of our school children. Increasing the number of guns in private schools would not increase safety or decrease the risk of a mass shooting. This bill would allow people with minimal handgun training — as few as eight hours per year — to carry weapons into our private schools.

Expecting teachers and other school staff to act as law enforcement officers — who receive more than 800 hours of training — during an emergency is an unrealistic and dangerous expectation that most teachers do not support. I urge NC lawmakers not to override Gov. Josh Stein’s veto for the sake of our children.

Karen Kurasch, Chapel Hill

Flooding

North Carolina, Texas damaged by flooding, and we are promoting the reduction of NOAA services, abolition of FEMA, and squelching EPA climate reports. Are we going to bury our head in the sand berm being built by this administration?

George Garcia, Rolesville

Tillis appreciation

In a time when compassion is often considered radical, I thank Sen. Tillis for standing with the world’s poor. I’m grateful for his support of FEMA, his opposition to drastic cuts to international assistance and his recognition of the human consequences of recent tax legislation. As a fellow person of faith, Sen. Tillis understands the biblical call: “To whom much is given, much is required.”

For decades, the U.S. has embodied this principle by sharing our abundance. Less than 0.5% of the federal budget goes to poverty-reducing international assistance. That small fraction has an outsized impact. During a visit to Zambia, I saw how these life-saving programs support families and build strong, stable communities.

When farmers grow nutritious food, when pregnant mothers and their children access critical healthcare and when infectious diseases are contained, peace and prosperity follow. This is what it means to truly be pro-life. As a resident of Chapel Hill, a Catholic deacon and an American who believes in our global responsibility, I thank Sen. Tillis for protecting human dignity. I urge him to oppose cuts to lifesaving international assistance.

Stephen Yates, Chapel Hill

Plastic bags

Why do Harris Teeter and Food Lion grocery stores continue to distribute free single-use plastic bags? By now, these companies have probably heard of the environmental damage caused by these plastics. At the very least, Harris Teeter and Food Lion could charge a small fee for each plastic bag to encourage customers to bring their own bags.

Rosemary Haskell, Chapel Hill

This story was originally published July 13, 2025 at 5:00 AM with the headline "NC is the best state for business, but it won’t stay that way in this administration | Opinion."