Hurricane, beaches, teacher pay highlight NC Senate 8 race

Rabon looking for fifth term; challenged by Sink, Mascolo

SOUTHEASTERN N.C. — Longtime N.C. Sen. Bill Rabon, R-Brunswick, is looking to win a fifth term in the Senate against challenges from Democrat David Sink and Libertarian Anthony Mascolo.

Rabon, first elected in 2010, has either won comfortably or faced no opposition in subsequent re-election bids. Sink is a former community college president who now owns the Meineke Car Care Franchise for Brunswick County. Mascolo is a former police lieutenant who has served as chairman of the Brunswick County Libertarian Party.

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During his tenure in the state Senate, Rabon has been elevated to the position of chairman of the Senate Rules Committee, a powerful post that controls the flow of legislation in the Senate.

The District 8 seat, which represents all or parts of Brunswick, Pender, New Hanover and Bladen counties, has a base salary of $13,951, plus $559 per month for expenses, with higher salaries possible for leadership positions.

What improvements or changes, if any, would you advocate for in public policy or infrastructure needs in the wake of Hurricane Florence?

Mascolo: In the aftermath of Hurricane Florence it is apparent that GenX is not our only clean water concern. Heavy rainfall and subsequent flooding has increased concerns of the overflow of storage facilities of coal ash, untreated sewage and farm animal waste. Flood prone areas that affect our system of Interstates and state roads must be addressed as an issue of public safety. State and local restrictions on new construction as well as rebuilding existing construction in flood prone areas must also be considered.

Rabon: We have to make sure executive agencies gets funding quickly to those who need it the most. I was proud to appropriate nearly $800 million to help our community recover and rebuild from Hurricane Florence. I’ll continue to support smart budgeting that builds up our Rainy Day Fund and prepares us for the future.

Sink: Lessons learned from Hurricane Florence should force us to get our minds around a five-pronged approach to dealing with and understanding future harsh tropical storms: Readiness over response, using the benefit of hindsight; Climate change plays a role in these storms; Local and state building codes to a higher standard; DEQ and university engineers should lead the upgrade of codes for future developments and not developers; Buyouts should be available at the federal level. Politicians who received large campaign contributions from developers and obediently voted as instructed should be voted out of office.

What level of state support, if any, is appropriate for local beach nourishment projects?

M: Beach renourishment projects should receive the bulk of their funding from the state level. The preservation of our coastline is a benefit to the economy of the entire state and not just coastal communities.

R: As long as I am in the Senate, I’ll work with Senator (Harry) Brown and Senator (Michael) Lee to ensure our beaches get the proper attention and nourishment resources.

S: Beaches that are healthy contribute to economic development (tourism) and help in the defense against severe storms. The state should contribute services and financial support at the same level it would support new and expanding industries.

Outside of responding to the hurricane, what is the single most important initiative the state General Assembly should enact over the next two years? Why?

M: There must be a concerted effort involving all three branches of state government to address the restoration of clean air, soil and safe drinking water for the entire Cape Fear area. The General Assembly must properly fund the Department of Environmental Quality and other state agencies involved in this effort. The EPA and DEQ must continue to work together. This would include a ban on offshore oil/gas exploration and drilling.

R: Smart spending and budgeting. Fiscal discipline has helped us raise teacher pay five years in a row, return tax dollars to hardworking families and small businesses, revive our economy, and guarantee the state was prepared for Hurricane Florence. We can’t afford to return to the tax-and-spend policies that nearly ruined our state before 2011.

S: As a product of the NC public schools and university system and a 31 year career in the NC Community College System, I know first- hand the importance of education for our children and adults in need of retraining. I support arming teaching with support services composed of teachers aids, school nurses, safety resource officers, psychologist and administrative staff. Vocational education in the high schools and corporative efforts with community colleges and local businesses in applied technology programs are a top priority for our citizens to be prepared for jobs of the future.

What can realistically be accomplished in the next two years for per-pupil school funding and teacher pay, both of which remain below national averages?

M: As our state economy continues to grow, our ability to compensate quality educators and raise per-pupil funding will increase. Teacher pay increases must begin to outpace inflation by a substantial amount. Affording parents and students alternatives by expanding the number of charter schools and through vouchers for private and parochial schools will improve educational opportunities throughout the state.

R: Per-pupil spending and teacher pay have both increased dramatically since 2011. The state spends over $9,000 per student and the average teacher salary is over $50,000 for the first time. There’s more work to do, but we’re on the right track.

S: Teacher pay and per-pupil spending can be raised to the national average in the next two years by spending the NC Educational Lottery money for the purpose the citizens voted. Teacher pay and per-pupil spending can be raised to the top five percent in the country by using the Educational Lottery and stop reducing the tax rate for the wealthy and businesses. It is misleading to say the teachers have received a 19% increase over five years when longevity pay and graduate degree incentives were removed; health care premiums and cost of living were increased. Teaching is the most important profession in North Carolina.

Should North Carolina’s General Assembly and congressional districts continue to be drawn by legislators or should an independent body be created to handle redistricting? Why?

M: Free and fair elections hinge on legislative districts at both the federal and state level being created through a non-partisan process. There should be an independent body that proceeds in a transparent manner. Proposals must be subject to public hearings and legislative approval.

R: The Constitution rightly gives the people’s elected representatives — not unelected bureaucrats — that responsibility. I have yet to see a “nonpartisan” commission that is truly nonpartisan.

S: Gerrymandering is wrong. I support the use of an independent body that uses technology to develop district mapping without any bias. Legislators should not be involved in redistricting. It’s like putting the fox in charge of the henhouse.

Reporter Tim Buckland can be reached at 910-343-2217 or Tim.Buckland@StarNewsOnline.com.