2008 Candidate Survey Responses & Voter Guide

Martin Nesbitt (Democrat)
Senate District 49

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

Continuing to address problems with the North Carolina’s Mental Health System

Improving Education and advocating for teachers and state employees.

Expanding the Children’s Health Insurance Program.
 

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?

I have supported and will continue to support increasing the earned income tax credit for low income families.

Also, I have in the past supported raising the minimum wage and I will support future efforts to do that.

I will continue to support expanding the North Carolina’s Subsidized Child Care Program and increasing the market rates..
 

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?

When I left the Legislature for a term in 1995-96, I participated in a very effective program called Communities in Schools of NC. That non-profit has been addressing the dropout problem in our state for many years.

We have got to get the families and communities of these children much more involved in their education. I will support whatever means to that end.
 

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 a comprehensive re-write of the state’s tax system. We have so many loopholes and some of the higher rates in the southeast, yet the tax yield is low.

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?

During the 2002 Legislative session, former Senator Steven Metcalf and I introduced and worked to pass the “Clean Smokestacks Act” which reduced air pollution produced by the 14 coal-fired power plans in North Carolina by 75 percent during the next decade..

I support newer and environmentally friendly renewal energy initiatives such as solar power. I am also an advocate for the Clean Cars Program which would cut global pollution from cars, trucks, and SUV’s in North Carolina by tenpercent, and save consumers money.
 

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?

I think Smart Start has provided tremendous a lift to childcare quality and wages and we should look to that as a model to take even further.

The subsidized rates in our area are still extremely low, and we must work to bring subsidized rates to a higher level.

 

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