Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
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OCT 29 - NOV 4, 2014 UCW 5 ELECTION GUIDE 2014 ELECTION 2014: N.C. HOUSE Representative Rick Glazier, District 44, Democrat My priorities, if re-elected, are: A) Significant improvement to K-12 education, including: creation of a truly sustainable, competitive and fair salary schedule for teachers and non-certified personnel; reversal of the elimination of advanced degree pay; restoration of cuts to in-classroom and school support positions; elimination of the un- constitutional voucher program; and an increase in textbook, digital and professional develop- ment and classroom resources for schools. B) Significant supervision of the coal-ash cleanup and closure program; development of increased health, safety and property protections in fracking regulations and permitting; and an empha- sis on water, air and recreational resource protection. C) Renewed commitment to the state's community col- lege and university systems, the state's greatest economic drivers. D) A serious examination of critically unmet justice system needs in corrections, the courts and law enforcement. E) Creation of a more bi- partisan, less ideological, more transparent and civil dialogue and governance process in the North Carolina General Assem- bly with a far deeper focus on problem- solving, compromise and the restoration of Richard Button, District 44, Democrat Elect me to be your Represen- tative from Cumberland County, North Carolina House District 44, and I will give my full attention to serving you. As your legislator I will have four areas of focus: • Continue tax and regulation reform • Strengthen our business cli- mate by minimizing bureaucracy • Education opportunities fo- cused on having the best schools and parental choices • Energy development During conversations with people, jobs and the economy have been major concerns on their minds. In order to sustain good jobs we must have healthy busi- nesses. Over time, every form of government tends to grow too large and overreach its responsibil- ities. North Carolina had become a state that was too burdensome with taxes and regulations for businesses both large and small. During the last two sessions of the legislature, strides have been made to improve the atmosphere for economic growth (Cato In- stitute gave us an "A" grade for progress), there is still more that can be done. I commit to continue this progress. When businesses are not overly burdened with measures that take their time and profits, when taxes are lower and regulations manage- able, when businesses feel wel- come and appreciated, there will be economic growth and growth will provide job opportunities. Education must be vibrant and relative for students, families and educators. We must expect quality teachers and take care of them. There needs to be opportunities for every person to learn and excel according to their abilities. We must not continue on the path that allows a few 'experts' in dis- tant conference rooms to establish and dictate what is best for our children. Not every child can grow and bloom in a prescribed setting. Not every child needs as much one-on-one attention as might another. The choice for what is best for a child, adolescent or teen is the responsibility of the parent. The family is the greatest influence on the well being of a student and their learning progress. As a legislator, I will create or support policy that protects and enhances family involvement and choices in education. North Carolina has the potential for a variety of energy sources. While it seems the loudest noises are for renewable energy sources, we must be wise about the introduction of them. Use of bio-fuels need to be reevaluated as the mandate to use them has been a factor for increased food prices. Wind and solar energy are increasingly added to the mix with the traditional energy production methods. However, they are still more expensive to produce and cannot stand alone without sub- stantial tax incentives or govern- ment subsides. There are poten- tial untapped natural reserves available to us, and we must take advantage of these cost effective means to power our economy. Send me to Raleigh and I will protect your pocket book. I will be a friend to businesses both large and small. I will fight for a top quality education system that pro- vides families with choices. I will ensure we take advantage of our energy resources while protecting our beautiful State. Rep. John Szoka, District 45, Republican I believe in limited government and indi- vidual responsibility. I believe the role of gov- ernment is to help people realize their full potential by governing within the principled foundations set by the North Carolina and U.S. Constitutions. I went to Raleigh with four main areas of concern: Economic Development leading to job creation, working for a smaller, more ef- ficient government, focusing our education system on results-oriented education and working to make North Carolina the most veteran friendly state in the country. Economic Development. I believe that you, the taxpayer, know how to spend what you earn better than the government. I was a primary sponsor of HB998 Tax Simplification and Reduction Act, which is the first major overhaul of our state's outdated tax system since the 1930s. This law simplifies both personal and corporate income taxes and did away with dozens of tax loopholes, mak- ing the system fairer and letting you keep more of what you earn. I worked on several laws that responsibly reduced or eliminated excessive rules and regulations that were hurting families, businesses and family farm- ers. As a result, our unemployment rate has been one of the fastest falling in the country, creating more than 200,000 jobs across the state since 2011. Smaller, Smarter Government. Just as hard working families across the state had to tighten their belts in this difficult economy, the state had to do the same. Ineffective, wasteful programs have been eliminated. The increase of state spending has been cut to a level that is consistent with our popula- tion and revenue growth. We eliminated the old, politics-driven system of road construction priorities and replaced it with a fully transparent system. You can see all the paving and bridge repairs that have, and are being, completed. Results-Oriented Education. A well- funded education system is essential to our strength as a state and nation. Funding for bureaucrats in Raleigh has been cut. Many bi-partisan initiatives have become law that provide funding for increased technology in the classroom. Teacher pay issues are being addressed. Every N.C. teacher received a pay raise this year. The main issue in teacher pay that school superintendents asked us to address was increasing pay for new teachers. This is why teacher pay raises were greater for newer teachers than for more experienced teachers. Now, students have the opportunity to earn a diploma thru a technical track, preparing them for a job right out of high school. Veterans. We enjoy our freedoms today because of the selfless sacrifice of our veter- ans, past and present. I sponsored H322 CDL Requirements, which gives credit to military members for truck driving experience they had while in uniform and waives certain testing requirements when they apply for a CDL. More than 300 service members have already taken advantage of this and transitioned into high paying jobs. H767 The Corporal Pruitt Rainey Brass to Class Act, gives credit to military members for leader- ship experience in the armed forces who transition into teaching in our public schools. If the principles I believe in and have worked for are in line with yours, I respect- fully ask for your vote.