That’s the assessment of Brent Lane, director of the UNC Center for Competitive Economies. He offered that comment during a presentation to the General Assembly’s Revenue Laws Study Committee.

Lane’s presentation focused on the “imperative” of pursuing tax reform. Here’s what he had to say about the state’s lack of economic progress.

Hmm. A state that’s been falling behind, even as leader after leader has talked about how great we are? That sounds familiar.