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News: Primary Election 2008 Preview
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Primary 2008Return to the list of candidates. David RouzerAge: 36 Residence: McGee’s Crossroads in Johnston County Occupation: Federal government relations consultant, former advisor to Sens. Jesse Helms and Elizabeth Dole Q: How do you plan to balance Johnston County needs with the needs of Wayne County? A: I view the district as a whole — not Wayne County v. Johnston County. My decisions and advocacy will be based on the overall needs of the district — not one county v. the other. Q: How can the state help the counties/regions in terms of economic development, farmland preservation, water resources? A: First we need to reform our tax code so that we have a good business climate that encourages product development, which drives the economy. The best way to preserve farmland would be to eliminate the federal estate tax. I believe the state needs to partner with localities and businesses to develop a comprehensive solution to water needs that preserves individual property and water rights. Q: Will you continue Medicaid relief? A: Yes, the counties should not have to bear the burden of Medicaid. Q: Will you raise the gas tax? If not, how will you pay for transportation needs? Will you pledge to not push secondary road maintenance responsibilities onto the counties? A: No, I have proposed to set aside $1.6 billion for roads and bridges from the almost $9 billion increase in state spending the past ten years so that we can suspend the 30-cent-per-gallon state gas tax. If every state agency implemented good business practices, we could save 10 percent across the board that would easily pay for a suspension of the state gas tax and more. The state should not push responsibility for secondary road maintenance to the counties. Q: Will you lower state income taxes? A: They should definitely be lowered. In fact, I believe taxes should be lowered across the board. Q: With the state experiencing surpluses in recent years, how will you deal with the likely deficits as the economy continues to go south? A: The state needs to start prioritizing its budget just like every family must do. Instead the state keeps taking from the family budget and transferring it to the state budget. We need to provide tax relief to help every working family and business and stimulate the economy by doing so. Q: How do you plan to deal with the rapidly overcrowding of the state's prisons and county jails? A: One thing we need to do is work with Congress and the president to get several immigration courts established in North Carolina so that we can get the illegal immigrants that are committing crimes through the system and deported. I also would listen to the sheriffs and other law enforcement personnel to see what actions they recommend the General Assembly pursue to help address over-crowding in general. Q: What can be done to help counties deal with school facility financing? A: Only by reducing state government spending will we be able to take the burden off the counties enabling them to finance schools and provide other essential services. Q: What message do you want to take to Raleigh about eastern North Carolina? A: Eastern North Carolina is blessed with many rural communities that have been undergoing a very difficult transition in the global economy. We need to really focus on federal and state government partnerships to help with water and sewer and other infrastructure needs so important to economic activity and quality of life. If we reform the tax code so that it is fair to every business and eliminate the onerous and insensible regulations that are stifling the creation of new small businesses, we can make a world of difference. |
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