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Typically, these deals are announced so late in the process that it’s nearly inconceivable for anyone opposed to them to take effective action. The decision to cut down trees gets more notice and attention in some burgs.

When you really press the Jones Street honorables here in Raleigh or your friendly local city councilman about it, they’ll look at you sympathetically and plead that they don’t want to do it.

Consider this quote from Greensboro Mayor Keith Holliday in 2000:

``I'm not happy with having to play this game,'' he said explaining his vote for fork over $350,000 in taxpayer money to an international biotechnology company. ``I'd love to see some federal legislation (against) public handouts.''

Or there’s this 2002 quote from former Rockingham County Commissioner Jerry Owens:

``I wish the federal government would outlaw incentives for businesses. I think it's boiled down to a bidding war,'' Owens said. ``But if you're going to be in the game, you've got to play by the current rules.''

Oh, the humanity.

If only Congress would save them from themselves, the honorables could stop giving money to hugely profitable multinational companies.

So, has anyone ever asked Congress?

Not so much, according to an informal survey of the federal honorables who represent Greensboro and Rockingham up in D.C.

“I’ve not really thought it through from my seat in Washington,” said Democratic Rep. Brad Miller, who used to be one of the guys bemoaning having to dole out the big checks when he was in the state Senate.

When asked if anyone had ever asked him to consider a federal economic incentives ban, he said, “I don’t think I have.”
At least one North Carolina Congressman, Republican Sen. Richard Burr, doesn’t like the idea.

“I would not be a proponent of federal legislation that limits what state or localities can do,” Burr said, “I don’t think it’s our role.”

But again, it’s not really something he’d been asked about.

A quick check of the lobbying agendas for groups like the North Carolina League of Municipalities doesn't reveal any anti-incentive stance on their lobbying agendas either.

So, note to self and other scruffy reporters: next time some honorable says “if only the feds would save us from ourselves,” remember to inquire, “have you asked them to?”

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Raleigh Dispatch is an online only column that appears on Capital Beat every Monday during the legislative session.