NC Supreme Court Rejects Google Incentives Lawsuit

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - North Carolina's Supreme Court is rejecting a lawsuit filed by a few taxpayers over tax breaks used to lure Google Inc. to Caldwell County. Justices on North Carolina's highest court did not explain their decision Friday to allow a lower court ruling to stand. The state Court of Appeals ruled last year that three taxpayers were not adversely affected by the tax breaks, so they could not sue. The North Carolina Institute for Constitutional Law executive director Bob Orr says he is disappointed that the Supreme Court won't issue a full ruling on the case. Lawmakers approved tax exemptions for Google worth about $90 million over 30 years to encourage the company to build an Internet data center in Lenoir. The data center was to create up to 210 jobs.