Senator Tom Apodaca (R-District 48), Deputy Minority Leader in the North Carolina Senate, took the top spot in the North Carolina Forum for Research and Economic Education's (NCFREE) annual ranking of business-friendly legislators. NCFREE is a non-partisan business advocacy and education organization based in Raleigh.

According to NCFREE, its Legislator Business Ratings measure a North Carolina legislator's support for business and free enterprise in connection with proposed legislation in the state General Assembly. The ratings are determined by NCFREE and are based on an evaluation of votes and positions taken by members of North Carolina's Legislature. NCFREE has issued rankings using the same format and for the last 21 years.

Senator Apodaca, with a 2007 NCFREE business rating of 91, was the highest ranked member of the North Carolina Senate. He made the following statement:

"North Carolina is a growing, changing state and has seen shifts in its key industries over the years; what was once primarily an agricultural state has changed to a hub of technology. As policy makers, North Carolina's legislators have an important duty to ensure the state's future prosperity. In today's competitive business market and with many jobs being transferred overseas, we must do everything we can to make North Carolina the best state in which to do business. I am honored that NCFREE has recognized and shared my goal of promoting all North Carolina businesses."

Republican Senate Leader Phil Berger (R-District 26) and Senators Harry Brown (R-District 6) and Fred Smith (R-District 12) tied for second place in the 2007 business ratings with scores of 89.

"I am not surprised that members of the Republican Senate Caucus rank at the top of NCFREE's business-friendly legislators list," said Senator Berger. "The impact of legislation and tax policy on North Carolina businesses, large and small, should be a key part of debate and should impact how members chose to vote on particular issues. Republican Senators support North Carolina business and North Carolina jobs; I am gratified that NCFREE and its many business members recognize that fact."

NCFREE's mission is to keep North Carolina businesses competitive in the national and global marketplace by fostering, through NCFREE, a politically educated and involved corporate community that will take a leadership role in the election of lawmakers who will advance and defend the free enterprise system.

"On behalf of the NCFREE membership, we appreciate the pro-business stance taken during the 2007 legislative session by Senator Tom Apodaca, Senator Phil Berger, Senator Harry Brown and Senator Fred Smith," said John Davis, president of NCFREE.

The text above is from a press release from Senate Republican Leader Phil Berger, 26th Senatorial District, October 25, 2007.