(The Center Square) – For the second time in six days, North Carolina is again among the best when it comes to bond ratings.

S&P Global, one of the big three in credit ratings along with the Fitch Group and Moody’s, on Monday affirmed the state’s AAA rating on general obligation bonds. Two upcoming transportation bonds also scored well – the BuildNC Bonds for $300 million is AA+ and the Grant Anticipation Revenue Vehicle Bonds for $475 million is AA.

“The outlook also reflects the state’s commitment to strong fiscal management of the budget, reserve balances, and debt and retirement liabilities,” S&P said in its report. “Furthermore, we anticipate that the underlying strengths and structural features of North Carolina’s economy will support growth over the long term.”

North Carolina had a population just over 8 million in the U.S. Census in 2000. It crossed 10.4 million in 2020 and the latest estimate puts it at over 11 million.

First-term Republican state Treasurer Brad Briner’s office said as of 2024, only 14 states have AAA bond ratings.

Moody’s on Wednesday of last week reaffirmed the state’s AAA general obligation bonds rating.

(The Center Square) – Physical storefronts on American military installations owned or controlled by China, Russia, Iran or North Korea will be banned if a North Carolina congressman’s proposal becomes law.

U.S. Rep. Pat Harrigan, R-N.C., also wants to terminate existing contracts with companies untruthful about foreign ownership; require national security review of on-base retailers with foreign ties; and be sure future retail agreements on military bases have transparency and oversight.

“Right now,” Harrigan said in a release, “a company owned by the Chinese Communist Party is operating over 80 stores on American military bases. These stores are in a position to collect personal data from our troops, operate with almost no oversight, and answer directly to a hostile foreign government. That’s not just reckless, it’s a national security threat. My bill closes the loopholes and kicks these companies off our bases for good.”

Citing example, Harrigan said national supplement retailer GNC is “100% owned by China’s state-run Harbin Pharmaceutical Group.” Its deals are exempt from federal contracting standards and ownership disclosures, he said.

Harrigan’s proposal, also known as House Resolution 2551, stems in part from recent moves on the federal and state levels to insulate military installations from foreign adversaries that might buy adjacent land.