Candidates Name:  Rick Glazier
District:  NC House 44
Opponent:  Richard Button

What endorsements have you received for your current candidacy?

I have been endorsed by:  NC Police Benevolence Association, Sierra Club, North Carolina Association of Educators, and NC AFL-CIO.  I have also received extensive contributions from, among others, the NC Realtors PAC, the Apartment Association of NC, Carolinas Association of General Contractors, Nationwide Carolina PAC, NC Advocates for Justice PAC, NC Association of Electrical Cooperatives, NC Automobile Dealers PAC, NC College of Emerging Physicians PAC, NC Dental Society, NC Home Builder Association PAC, NC Hospital Association PAC, NC Pork Council PAC, South East Radiology Organization PAC, Wells Fargo Good Government PAC, McGuire Woods PAC, Eastern Board of Cherokee Indians, CSX, Century Link Employee PAC, Bayer Corporation PAC and NC Beer and Wine Wholesalers PAC.

If offered, would you accept contributions from our political action committee RPAC?

Yes, I would absolutely accept and have done so this spring.

If elected, what are you going to do for homeowners/property owners in Cumberland County?

I will continue to work across partisan lines to invest in and create the best educational, transportation, technological and energy infrastructure for our state and community.  I will continue to give support for the NC Housing Finance Agency and mortgage assistance programs.  Finally, I will increase justice system resources to more capably detain, prosecute, deter and incarcerate repeat home invasion offenders.

How would you propose to reduce or balance the state budget next year?

I do not propose to reduce the state budget next year, as it already is insufficient to meet critical education, senior health care, and basic infrastructure needs of the state.  Stability and sustainability are critical components of a sound fiscal policy.  Balancing the budget will require fidelity to priority decision-making; targeted revenue sources to particularly meet growing and vital educational and transportation needs; and the elimination of a series of unconstitutional, expensive and unjustified programs enacted by the majority the last three years particularly.

Do you see fracking as a positive or negative for the real estate industry?

I see fracking in general as a negative.  Given the very limited amount of shale in North Carolina, its proximity to the aquifer and the Cape Fear River Basin, the current economics of the industry, as well as technological and safety limitations of the industry, I do not support fracking on a large-scale in North Carolina.

If elected, what are your priorities for the long session next year?

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 advanced degree pay; restoration of cuts to in-classroom and school support positions; elimination of the unconstitutional voucher program; and increase in textbook, digital and professional development 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 emphasis on water, air and recreational resource protection.

C)  Renewed commitment to the state’s community college and university systems.

D)  Realistic examination of resources and inefficiencies in the justice system.

E)  Creation of a more bi-partisan, less ideological, more transparent and civil dialogue and governance process in the General Assembly with a far deeper focus on problem-solving, compromise and the restoration of confidence in state government.

What new ideas/concepts can you bring to the office you are seeking?

As the Democrat in the General Assembly with the highest effectiveness rating, I am going to continue to reach across party lines whenever possible, find ways to connect to my colleagues, consider each issue in a thoughtful and informed manner, and operate with a belief the civility breeds civility and incivility breeds incivility, in all that we do and say.  My hope is to continue to move the House forward in its consideration of best evidence-based practices, to restore validity to the doctrine of local control and govern NC from the center rather than its ideological wings.

Candidate Name:  Wesley Meredith
District: 19 Senate
Opponent:   Billy Richardson

What endorsements have you received for your current candidacy?

I expect to receive a substantial amount of endorsements when we get closer to the election.  In the most recent election, I received a variety of endorsements and I hope to have the support of those agencies again in 2014.

If offered, would you accept contributions from our political action committee RPAC?

Yes of course, I appreciate those individuals and groups who support my views and greatly appreciate any contributions they decide to make to my re-election campaign.

If elected, what are you going to do for homeowners/property owners in Cumberland County?

I plan to stay the course from my last two terms.  Specifically, I want to continue growing the North Carolina economy by bringing more jobs and business to Cumberland.  This will increase property values and home ownership in our community.

Do you see fracking as a positive or negative for the real estate industry?

I see natural gas exploration as a great opportunity for this state and the real estate industry as well.  The American Chemistry Council determined that a 25 percent increase in natural gas would add over 400,000 jobs across the economy.  Developing a new domestic energy source by bringing natural gas drilling to NC means more high-paying and specialized jobs for residents.  Simply put, the more people with those kinds of jobs, the better it is for the real estate market. Additionally, property owners that qualify within NC regulations and standards would have the rights to sell mining rights to companies.

If elected, what are your priorities for the long session next year?

Over my last two terms, I spent my time serving in support of a few basic ideas that I ran on.  One goal was that I would do what I can to reduce taxes for North Carolinans; thanks to tax reform passed in 2013 we have ensured that ALL NC residents are now paying less in state taxes.  Another was to help small business in NC grow through cutting away the unnecessary regulations that choked their growth.  Burdensome regulations did not just cut down businesses in NC, they cut down jobs.  North Carolina now has a blossoming economy that has rebounded strongly from the recession.

With a balanced budget, a healthy tax system and an improved regulatory environment our state economy is in much better shape than it was when I took office.

Improving our public education system would also be a foundation of my third term.  The recent raises, averaging 7% across the board, for school teachers will ensure that our state recruits and retains the best in their profession.

However, my single most important priority remains being Cumberland County’s voice.  Representing the interests of this district is my most important duty in my floor votes, my committee chairmanships and my other responsibilities as your legislator.

What new ideas/concepts can you bring to the office you are seeking?

I like to think that I have done a good job helping my district, fulfilling my responsibilities and supporting the platform I ran on in my previous campaigns.  Listening to constituents, addressing their concerns and passing sensible legislation that solves those issues are my goals.

Growing the NC economy, reducing unemployment and improving public education remain the issues that I am primarily focused on.

Candidate Name:  Richard Button
District:  NC House District 44
Opponent:  Representative Rick Glazier

What endorsements have you received for your current candidacy?

Bob Allen of Fay Block & Concrete Service, Inc.
Dr. Robert & Barbara Appel
Eric Nobles of Nobles Financial Planning

If offered, would you accept contribution from our political action committee, RPAC?

YES

If elected, what are you going to do for homeowners/property owners in Cumberland County?

Continue the efforts by the General Assembly to reduce taxes, both individual & corporate.  I will retain the mortgage interest deduction for income tax returns.  Continue the efforts to reduce burdensome regulations.  Keep NC on the path to becoming the number one state for business.  When businesses are healthy the economy grow, cities grow and property values increase.

How would you propose to reduce or balance the state budget next year?

1.  I promise to hold the budget to increases only in proportion to state population growth and economic growth.
2.  I promise to balance the budget relative to reasonable revenue projections.
3.  I will work to maintain and grow the “rainy day fund.”
4.  I would consider working toward a “Fair-Tax” policy

Do you see fracking as a positive or negative for the real estate industry?

I support natural gas reclamation (hydraulic fracturing) as a positive venture for NC.  The potential is greater than just the extraction of the raw product.  There are many everyday products that originate with natural gas (and crude oil).  Recently a Canadian company with a methanol plant in Chile, SA, moved the plant (not rebuilt, but moved) to Louisiana so that it was closer to the source of the raw product; natural gas.  If North Carolina’s production of natural gas is successful, we stand to gain from expansion by companies that will desire to be near a low cost source of raw material.

If elected, what are your priorities for the long session next year?

Additional measures to reduce taxes and regulations in order to encourage new businesses and help existing businesses to grow.

What new ideas/concepts can you bring to the office you are seeking?

With a 42 year mechanical engineering background in a manufacturing environment, I will bring a logical, work-a-day approach to legislative process.  Of those years in engineering, 22 years involved teaching/training and consulting in the USA and in foreign countries.  I believe this has equipped me with skills to work effectively with a variety of people and personalities.