ON THE ISSUES
Education
North Carolina has always been known as a state that values public education. However, since taking control of the General Assembly, the Republicans in Raleigh have repeatedly chosen to cut taxes for those at the top rather than investing in our public schools. North Carolina now ranks 48th in the nation in per pupil spending, more than $4,000 below the national average. We spend just 2.32% of our GDP to support the public K-12 school system – that is the lowest in the country. And the average salary of a NC teacher is almost $12,000 less than the national average. It is time to start investing in our public schools, in our children, and in our future. Instead of taxpayer-funded private school vouchers, we need to raise teacher pay, bring more technical education programs into our schools, and invest in quality pre-k. Right-wing politicians talk about “school choice” but real choice means making serious investments in our public schools so that they are the first, best option for North Carolina’s families.
Jobs and the Economy
Despite record corporate profits, North Carolina families and small businesses are feeling an increased economic strain. Rather than trying to help, right-wing politicians in Raleigh have largely ignored this growing crisis. Instead, Republicans have given massive tax cuts to large corporations, while eliminating a tax break that saved small business owners more than $300 million per year. They have also increased the sales tax on goods and services, shifting more of the tax burden on to working families. We should be helping families to get ahead, not making it harder for them. In addition, we should give truly small business owners and startups – not just large, out-of state corporations - a tax break. Rather than treating them as an afterthought, we need to make North Carolina families and small businesses an essential element of our economic development discussion.
Reproductive Freedom
In the years since Roe v. Wade was overturned by the Supreme Court, we have seen far-right politicians in Raleigh roll back the protections counted on by generations of women. A woman's health care decisions are incredibly personal and should remain between her and her doctor. I have always fought for the government to stay out of the doctor’s office, and in the Senate I will not stop working until every woman has the right to make her own health care choices.
Gun Safety
An overwhelming majority of North Carolinians want common sense gun safety reform. But, for far too long, Republican politicians have stood in the way. I support the measures proposed by Governor Cooper and Democratic members in the General Assembly, including banning bump stocks, expanding background checks, and raising the age to buy assault-style weapons. I also support increasing funding for school psychologists and counselors, and allowing courts to temporarily take away guns from anyone deemed to be a threat. We can have gun safety reform in North Carolina and still protect the 2nd Amendment rights of law-abiding gun owners – the two are not mutually exclusive.
Environment/ Clean Energy
North Carolina can have a strong economy that creates high paying jobs and, at the same time, protects our environment. But we cannot let big polluters evade the laws designed to protect our air and water. Since taking control of the General Assembly, right-wing politicians have stripped essential environmental protections, giving amnesty to corporate polluters and passing on the costs of cleanup to middle-class families. We need to hold polluters accountable and protect the health and safety of our children. We also need to continue to invest in clean energy technology and development. Clean energy doesn’t just benefit North Carolina’s environment and the health of our families – it also creates jobs, and has been a significant source of economic development in the Tar Heel State. I will work to support the continued growth of our clean energy economy by reinstating the Renewable Energy Tax Credit and increase North Carolina’s Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standard.