Raleigh, N.C. — After announcing the last appointments to his cabinet Thursday, Governor-elect Pat McCrory took questions from reporters on a number of topics. 

Sweepstakes

McCrory was asked what approach the state should take toward sweepstakes games, which mimic gambling a new law banning the games took hold Thursday, although some sweepstakes makers say they'll be able to continue operating.

"I think they ought to enforce the law," McCrory said, but added that may still allow for legal gray area. "There seems to be so many loopholes the industry is looking for to go around the current laws, I'm going to have to do more study and evaluation once I get my resources in place."

Asked if it was an issue he would likely be dealing with, McCrory said, "I think it's going to be revisited regardless, because of all the legal maneuvering and interpretations....This is kind of ridiculous at this point in time. I'm going to have discussions with the leadership of the (Senate) and House on this issue."

Triangle Rail

When he was mayor of Charlotte, McCrory helped bring about a light rail project that received state and federal support. Asked Thursday if he would {{a href="story-11059619"}}lend similar support to a 30-mile light rail that would connect Wake, Durham and Orange counties, McCrory said he might.

"If they meet the same criteria that I asked for when I mayor of Charlotte regarding federal match and also to meet the ridership potential and the right land use, I will be working with my (Secretary of Transportation) to support those types of efforts," McCrory said. "But regardless of where you put roads or transit, they have to meet certain criteria before they have my support."

Incentives

During the campaign, McCrory pledged to bring down the state's unemployment rate and be judicious with his use of incentives. Asked about his plans for creating jobs, McCrory said he has discussed the matter with his new Commerce Secretary, Sharron Decker.

"We spoke a long time about that," McCrory said of Decker. "We talked about ... reviewing the existing incentive program and seeing what works and what doesn't work. I'm giving my cabinet secretaries a lot of independence. I want to hear from them first," McCrory said, adding that cabinet secretaries would be asked to evaluate what needs to change. "One part of leadership is to listen, to learn and to lead."