John Quinterno, economic policy expert, evaluates the 'Carolina comeback'

An economic comeback, says John Quinterno, is in the eyes of the beholder. Republican Gov. Pat McCrory, who's seeking re-election, eagerly points to dropping unemployment numbers and an increased state "gross domestic product" as proof of the state's emergence from the depths of the recession. Quinterno, an business and economic analyst, says behind those numbers are some that are more ominous: stagnant wages, falling household incomes, subpar economic growth and a jobs gap" make North Carolina's economic recovery more like a distant dream for many Tar Heel households." To truly evaluate if there's been a "Carolina Comeback," Quinterno says, current economic conditions need to be compared with pre-recession status. When that happens, he says, "it becomes clear that the recovery has bypassed most North Carolinians, who on any number of indicators are worse off now than when the recession started in 2007." In this video, Quinterno talks about his research and where North Carolina's economic stands today.