Surrounded by herbal remedies for just about any ailment, Brian Moran pitched an economy recovery plan for Virginia in Norfolk on Monday.
Moran, one of three men vying for the Democratic mantle for governor, made his economic pitch from inside the Herbal Farmacy - a remedy supply shop on Granby Street in Norfolk. Moran said he came to the herbal healer because these are the types of small businesses he wants to help.
"You name the problem, we have the herb," said store-owner Albert Lewis.
"If you've got a problem, Moran has a plan," Moran responded.
Moran's plan includes tax credits for jobs created, corporate tax breaks for the smallest of small businesses and indexing the state's minimum wage so that it rises with inflation. Moran also said that he wants to create a federal stimulus watchdog to make sure that President Barack Obama's $787 billion package is spent wisely.
Meanwhile, Terry McAuliffe rolled out the second wave of his business plan for Virginia from Danville, a southwestern community with significant and well-documented economic woes. McAuliffe's plan would also use tax credits and exemptions to help nurture business development.
McAuliffe also said he wants to encourage communities to create small business incubators that help fledgling entrepreneurs get office space and pool resources with other growing companies. McAuliffe also suggested allowing startup companies to defer tax payments, and beef up incentives for job creation in more economically depressed areas or high-need professions.
"My business plan recognizes that different parts of Virginia have different needs," McAuliffe said. "Our economy is composed of a number of regional economies that vary significantly in their strengths, weaknesses, and needs. Today, Virginia has a statewide economic plan and a rural economic plan, but no true regional strategies. My administration will fill that critical gap."
To get a look at the meat of McAuliffe's plan click here.
To read Moran's economic development goals click here.
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