Sharon Decker Coverage

SHARON DECKER: It's time to expand Medicaid coverage, boost the state's economy

Friday, July 9, 2021 -- By not providing help to those who have fallen into the coverage gap, the state will miss out on a potential 37,200 new jobs and more than $11.7 billion in state business activity. Reliable health insurance makes a huge difference for avoiding foreclosures and evictions, which disrupts the ability to work and contribute to the economy. In states that have used Medicaid expansion to close the coverage gap, people are 25% less likely to miss a rent or mortgage payment.

DENR chief to lead NC Commerce Department

State Commerce Secretary Sharon Decker is stepping down after leading North Carolina's business-recruitment and job growth efforts for the past 22 months, Gov. Pat McCrory said Tuesday.

Laura Leslie and Matthew Burns

John Skvarla takes over at Commerce

Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources John Skvarla speaks during a Dec. 2, 2014, news conference at which Gov. Pat McCrory announced Skvarla would succeed Commerce Secretary Sharon Decker, who is stepping down to take a private-sector job.

Study: Investment in film pays dividends

An N.C. State professor has released a study suggesting that, for ever $1 North Carolina has spent on film tax credits, the industry spent $9.11 in the state.

Mark Binker

Business leaders give McCrory jobs road map

A plan developed by the North Carolina Economic Development Board calls for concentrating on certain industries, reformatting certain incentives like those used to lure film productions.

Five questions McCrory didn't answer

Gov. Pat McCrory met with reporters to roll out his second-year agenda. And while he outlined what he wanted to do in broad strokes, he posed or didn't answer some key questions.

Private Commerce Department arm incorporated

The Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina will "assist, promote, and enhance economic opportunities" according to its founding document.

Mark Binker

Film industry watching NC tax credit debate

A tax boon for television and film productions expires on Jan. 1, 2015, and Wilmington-area producers say some production business is going elsewhere. As officials with Gov. McCrory's administration prepare to go to bat for the program, local entrepreneurs capitalize on productions that have already come here.

Mark Binker

Commerce moving ahead with public private partnership

A new private nonprofit will take over much of the state's job recruitment functions by the end of the year. Commerce Sec. Sharon Decker says she expects to hire the PPP's first executive director in the next 45 days.

Mark Binker

Commerce Department reorganization gets committee nod

Much of North Carolina's job recruitment apparatus would be turned over to a nonprofit under a reorganization bill that cleared the House Commerce Committee.

Mark Binker

Decker offers more details on Commerce Department reorganization

North Carolina could unveil a new brand during next year's U.S. Open golf tournament, Commerce Sec. Sharon Decker said. She also told committee members that eliminating corporate income taxes would not eliminate the need for incentives.

Mark Binker

Commerce department to act more like private marketing firm

State job recruiting efforts would be more centralized and job recruiters would have financial incentives to land big deals under a proposed reorganization of the Commerce Department.

Mark Binker

McCrory seeks to privatize much of Commerce Department

Gov. Pat McCrory said Monday that he wants to create a nonprofit to handle North Carolina's economic development efforts.

Laura Leslie and Matthew Burns

Nonprofit to handle NC economic development efforts

Gov. Pat McCrory said Monday that he wants to create a nonprofit to handle North Carolina's economic development efforts.

State job recruiting could shift to private sector

With the exception of paying unemployment claims, state Commerce Department officials are considering how to move job recruitment and retention functions to public-private partnerships.

Mark Binker

Former lawmaker to head Employment Security

State Commerce Secretary Sharon Decker announced Tuesday that former House Speaker Pro Tem Dale Folwell will become her assistant secretary of employment security.

Matthew Burns

Decker promises new approach at Commerce

New Commerce Secretary Sharon Decker promises proactive recruiting and a new public-private partnership in her administration.

Laura Leslie

House passes digital learning, child abuse penalties and building code bills

The House sent Gov. Pat McCrory a bill to require teachers to receive more training in "digital learning." Lawmakers sent the Senate bills dealing with state building codes and child abuse penalties.

Mark Binker

McCrory on Sweepstakes, light rail in the Triangle, incentives

Governor-elect McCrory answers questions on sweepstakes games and other issues two days before being sworn into office.

Mark Binker

McCrory appoints Tata, two others to cabinet posts

Former Wake County schools Superintendent Tony Tata will serve as N.C. transportation secretary. He is among eight department heads Gov.-elect Pat McCrory will appoint when he takes office Saturday.

Mark Binker and Laura Leslie

Pat McCrory Promise Tracker :: asset gallery