GOP gubernatorial debate in Asheboro
Gas tax, money and UNC-Hickory
Gubernatorial candidates discuss issues at debate
BY ANDREW MACKIE
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Monday, April 28, 2008
ASHEBORO - Republican gubernatorial candidates discussed the state’s gas tax, western North Carolina’s take of state money and the chances of a four-year public university in Hickory among other issues during a debate here Monday night.
Four of the party’s five candidates - Fred Smith, Bob Orr, Bill Graham and Elbie Powers participated in the “hometown forum” event sponsored by the John Locke Foundation. Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory had a city council meeting and didn’t attend.
In light of rising gas prices, the four candidates supported suspending the state’s gas tax this summer to relieve the burden on residents, similar to presidential candidate John McCain’s proposal at the federal level.
“Gasoline prices are choking off family budgets,” Graham said. Suspending both the state and federal taxes would save motorists about 50 cents per gallon of gasoline.
Powers supports development of an oil refinery off the coast of North Carolina to help raise fuel supplies.
The candidates also support more open, transparent government, especially in light of recent Raleigh lobbying scandals.
“There are many areas where we need to tighten up transparency,” Orr said, noting too many backroom deals are made in the legislative branch.
Graham backs installing streaming video in the state’s House and Senate to further open government.
If elected, Smith said every taxpayer dollar will be accounted for on a state Web site.
“People want open and honest government,” he said.
Politicians and leaders in western North Carolina have long complained of state politics ignoring their needs. Orr said the concerns are justified.
“I fully understand the frustration they feel there,” he said, adding the Democrats’ domination of state politics is to blame.
People in rural sections of eastern North Carolina also hold a legitimate complaint, he said.
“We could do a much better job of helping all people in North Carolina and we should,” he said.
Smith agreed, saying no part of the state should be forgotten.
The candidates were noncommittal on the prospects a four-year university in Hickory.
Smith boasted of the state’s community college system and the need to look at the Hickory area to expand those educational opportunities.
Expanding into Hickory is worth exploring, Orr said. A pressing need also exists to increase nursing and other health-care programs. Hickory is a natural location, he said, to be a medical hub.
Graham supports more vocational and technical education and stopping the admittance of illegal immigrant students into the university system.
Orr said the education system’s acceptance of mediocrity is one reason test scores have failed to improve since the mid-1990s, along with a lack of discipline in the classroom and parental involvement.
Too many teachers are forced to teach to tests instead of teaching subject matter, Graham said.
Powers agreed, noting teachers have no time to teach.
Smith favors getting education to focus on the basics and creating an environment of learning.
The candidates opposed a Gov. Mike Easley proposal that would give the state more control over regulation over water resources, including private wells.
“The last one is dumb,” Graham said bluntly of Easley’s proposal for the state to monitor private wells.
Smith supports more water resource long-term planning and the need to build additional reservoirs. He also backed legislation passed last year, which raises the requirements for water transfers from one basin to another.
McCrory’s absence drew some criticism from one candidate.
“He needs to decide whether he wants to be the mayor of Charlotte or governor of North Carolina,” Orr said.
The Randolph County Republican Women hosted the event. Bob Williams, editor of the Asheboro Courier-Tribune, Todd Callaway of the Hickory Daily Record and Elliott Potter of the Jacksonville Daily News served on a media panel. John Locke Foundation’s John Hood also asked several questions.
The Republican primary is May 6.
For more on Monday’s debate, go to Let’s Talk Politics at http://www.hickoryrecord.com.
