NC-TREAS: NC treasurer candidates debate how to keep health plan afloat, pension plan growing
The two candidates vying to become North Carolina’s next state treasurer debated Tuesday night at Greensboro College, laying out their vision on how the state’s health plan, pension plan and billions in state taxpayer funds should be managed and invested.
Republican Brad Briner laid out a vision that was more narrowly focused on cutting liabilities and growing investments. Meanwhile, Democrat Wesley Harris also called for focusing on economic policy, in addition to the treasurer taking on a more active role advocating for state employees and laying out an economic vision for the state.
This race should matter to “every taxpayer,” because “the treasurer’s office consumes a large and growing share of our state budget every year, a number that continues to accelerate as we deal with the unfunded liabilities of our state pension plan and our state Health Plan,” Briner said.
“If we elect an experienced investment professional, we will consume a smaller share of the state budget, which will allow us to invest in roads, salaries, tax reduction, all the above,” he said.
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