Issues

PROBLEM:

North Carolina is the only southern state that does not have a marriage defense amendment in its state constitution. In 2009, North Carolina state legislators had the opportunity to enact a constitutional amendment declaring marriage as the union between one man and one woman. However, the Defense of Marriage Act, introduced this session in the House and in the Senate as was blocked for a fifth straight session by opponents in committee. Read more: Protecting Our Families

PROBLEM:

Our individual liberties are at risk as the government tries to take over more of our private rights and business endeavors.  With over 40% of our income going to fund many of the whims and pet projects of our legislators, we have less money in our pockets to spend on meeting the needs of our families and supporting our local economies.

PROBLEM:

Short-sighted and irresponsible spending increases, taxes and fees that are too high, state debt, a lack of spending priorities... the list of irresponsible fiscal management goes on and on.  Such uncontrolled spending and taxation stunts the state's economic growth and bankrupts our future.  Liberal legislators say that cuts to the state budget will affect education and the sick and elderly.  Anyone knows that what should be cut are our lowest priority needs.  Are the legislators insinuating that our children and our elderly are our lowest priority? Read more: Government Spending

PROBLEM:

In 2009, approximately 63 percent of state budget dollars were spent on public education. Taxpayers provided $12 billion to fund schools, community colleges and the UNC college system. Despite years of ever-increasing budgets, most North Carolinians are less than thrilled with educational results. Standardized test scores remain at unsatisfactory levels. Low morale, broken pay raise promises, and an outdated pay system contribute toward high teacher turnover. Almost 30 percent of high school students fail to graduate after four years, and only 55 percent of UNC college students graduate in six years (John W. Pope Civitas Institute). Read more: Education

PROBLEM

Small businesses are the hub of our economic wheel in Eastern North Carolina. Statewide, small businesses make up 60% of new business growth and contribute close to $20 billion to our economy annually. Unfortunately, small businesses bear the burden of taxation and unnecessary paperwork. We need to support small business development and growth in Eastern North Carolina. Read more: Job Creation