2008 Candidate Survey Responses & Voter Guide

Jane Whilden (Democrat)
House District 116

1. What are your top three policy priorities for your term, if elected?

Jobs and the Economy: I have gone to over 1,300 homes in District 116 and the economy is by far the overwhelming concern of the people I have spoken with. When elected I will work to bring clean jobs with good benefits and wages to our region, and I will always be mindful of the impact state finance decisions will have on our working families.

Education: I will fight hard to bring home Buncombe County’s much needed fair share of lottery money. Our public schools need to be supported through competitive salaries and more resources for teachers and less testing for students. We’ve got to address the dropout rate starting the day a child starts school, and we’ve got to make sure our graduates are prepared to serve in tomorrow’s workforce.

Health Care: Health Care and prescription drugs need to be affordable. Patients should not go without medicine or health care so they can eat, or vice versa. In the legislature I will work to make sure every child in North Carolina is insured and that every adult in North Carolina has access to insurance. We can start by allowing small businesses to pool their resources in order to provide low-cost insurance options.
 

2.An estimated 16-20% of Buncombe County’s children and youth live in poverty; many more live in low-income families facing many of the stresses and challenges of families living in poverty – especially in the current economic downturn. What initiatives or policies do you support to reduce the impact of child poverty?

Long-term solutions are to make sure our students and future parents graduate high school and have the skills needed to hold well-paying jobs. We also need to make sure those who are in “low-skill” jobs receive wages that allow them to provide for their families, and we’ve got to provide all parents with the knowledge and support they need to make wise financial decisions.

We also have to have safeguards in place so that children are not endangered while their parents suffer. We’ve got to fund the school breakfast and lunch programs, make sure students have equal opportunity to after-school and summer enrichment programs, and encourage parental involvement in schools. If we do not make sure children raised in poverty have the opportunity to excel in school, we will be increasing their chances of continuing the cycle with their children.
 

3. North Carolina’s dropout rate and educational achievement gap between white students and students of color have been a focus of politicians, educators, and advocates over the past two years. In your opinion, what are effective ways that the General Assembly can address these issues?

Dropout prevention has to start the day a child starts school. At risk students need to be given the extra help they need to be successful in school, and need an education plan that is appropriately individualized to meet their needs and interests. Whenever possible, parents need to be included in efforts to keep a child on the right path in school.

We need to focus some of the high school curriculum toward immediate job placement, such as in some technical jobs and sales. We also need to make sure students are taught everyday life skills that will be needed regardless of their post-high school path. If students and parents see the relevance of what they are learning, they are more likely to stay for the long haul.
 

4. North Carolina was one of a few states that enjoyed a budget surplus this fiscal year. However, there still were not enough funds to meet the growing demands for education, health, and human services funding proposed by many legislative leaders and the Governor. What, if any, tax or budget reforms are needed to ensure sustainable funds for state programs in education, health, and human services?

We need to figure out a way for quality programs, which have proven their value and have adhered to accountability standards, to be able to plan for the long term without worrying every year about funding cuts. In pressing economic times, when revenues are at their lowest, funding for education and human services is more important than ever, but it’s often easy to forget their importance. I believe there are almost always places in state departmental budgets that can be tightened, and we need to focus on those specific areas before we cut entire programs. I will stand up for funding for our children and families when I am in the legislature.
 

5. Air and water quality are part of a myriad of environmental factors that can impact public health – especially in children. What policies do you support, or propose, that can assure a robust natural environment for current and future generations?

We must treat our environment with respect and realize it is not an unlimited resource. Preserving our natural heritage is crucial and we need to make sure future generations are able to enjoy it. We must continue funding land conservation measures and encourage private land trusts. We also need to require accountability and expect improved responsiveness from our state and federal agencies in situations such as the CTS contamination on Mills Gap Road. Reports of contamination should be followed up on by state investigators within ten days, and those who are responsible for the contamination should pay for the cleanup. We also need to try new ideas, such as a refundable deposit on water bottles and cans so that people have an incentive to recycle.
 

6. Affordable, high-quality child care ensures working parents can stay in the workforce and promotes positive child development. Within the child care industry, most child care providers in Buncombe County are not paid a “living wage” ($11.35/hr as calculated by Asheville-Buncombe Living Wage Campaign). Several state-funded programs impact child care availability, affordability, quality, and provider salaries. What are your recommendations for the state’s future role in providing both affordable, high-quality child care and promoting good-paying jobs within the childcare industry?

Quality child care is a key factor in determining the educational and lifelong success of a child. That’s why we have to pay childcare workers a living wage and require appropriate certification that ensures high quality. Certification and higher salaries go hand-in-hand. At least a living wage should be paid to all child care workers, with further increases coming as a result of training and accreditation. We also need to make sure such child care is available to children regardless of their family’s economic circumstances, and we need to encourage parents to enroll their children in such programs.
 

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