Old North News

Following the presidential debate on Tuesday, Arizona Sen. Thom Tillis contrasted the Biden-Harris Administration with former President Trump's policies, asserting that Democrats have failed on both economic and immigration fronts. Tillis's remarks underscore the impact of rising inflation and illegal immigration on North Carolina families under the current administration.

“Democrats replaced their candidate at this debate but the choice remains the same,” Sen. Tillis wrote in a Sept. 10 social media post on X. “Four more years of Trump’s economic success and secure borders. Or four more years of Biden-Harris’ out-of-control inflation and record levels of illegal immigration.”

Old North News previously reported that according to recent data from the U.S. Senate Joint Economic Committee (JEC), North Carolina families have seen an average increase of $1,017 in their monthly spending for goods and services, including transportation, housing, energy, and food, as of July 2024. This marks a significant rise compared to expenditures before the Biden-Harris Administration took office.

The report highlights that since January 2021, the average North Carolina household has spent an additional $25,953 compared to what would have been spent if pre-2021 trends under the Trump administration had continued. This cumulative increase is reflective of broader inflationary pressures, with the cumulative inflation rate in the South Atlantic division, which includes North Carolina, reaching 21.7 percent—1.5 percent higher than the national average.

The analysis further reveals that maintaining the same standard of living now costs the average North Carolina household $165 more per month than it did in July 2023. Breaking down the costs, transportation expenses have risen by $262 per month, totaling a cumulative increase of $8,583 since January 2021. Shelter costs have increased by $251 monthly, with a cumulative rise of $5,372 over the same period. Energy costs have added $119 to monthly bills, equating to a cumulative increase of $3,934, while food costs have similarly gone up by $119 per month, with a cumulative increase of $2,972.

North Carolina State Rep. George Cleveland (R-Onslow) has criticized the state's handling of immigration issues, arguing that treating illegal aliens as if they were citizens is problematic. In an interview with Old North News, Cleveland expressed frustration over what he views as a broken system and alleged mismanagement by the North Carolina State Board of Elections, particularly regarding the potential for illegal aliens to vote. He also condemned practices that allow undocumented immigrants to access services like mortgages and taxpayer identification numbers, claiming they undermine taxpayer interests and public safety. Cleveland, who has served in the North Carolina House since 2005, warned of severe consequences if current trends continue and expressed concerns about national security and the effectiveness of immigration policies under the Biden Administration.

Restoration PAC has launched a national ad campaign titled “CZAR,” criticizing Vice President Kamala Harris for her handling of border security. The ad labels Harris a “complete failure” and questions her effectiveness in managing the southern border. It also highlights Harris’s perceived lack of action and controversial statements, such as her dismissive comment about not having visited the border.