Candidate Questionnaire – John Kirkman Running for NC Senate District 12 Lee County

How do you propose to get the NC economy back on track after Covid-19 and prepare for the upcoming hurricane season?

I support Gov. Cooper’s stages approach to restoring NC’s economy. Protect against a second spike of the virus. Expand Medicaid will provide health insurance to 600,000 Carolinians and create thousands of new jobs and keep rural hospitals open. Expand broadband to rural areas. Factor possible need of quarantining victims of 2020 hurricanes. Discourage rebuilding in flood plain areas.

If elected, what are your thoughts on passing a budget?

The 2018 flat tax amendment was misguided. Our current great recession and tax shortfalls will be challenging at both the state and local level. Cities and counties will be tempted to increase property taxes and sales taxes.

Now that we almost have the private road NCDOT database, how would you prevent any new orphan roads from occurring?

I live in an HOA governed community where we pay for the road maintenance and for our bridges through a yearly accessment. I would support legislation prohibiting a developer from just walking away by holding him responsible for the road maintenance.

What do you think the General Assembly needs to be paying attention to next year?

Health of citizens of NC. Expanding Medicaid – rebuilding our economy – expand broadband to rural areas.

How can the State fast track broadband to rural areas?

80% of the counties in NC are rural. Our current Covid-19 crisis has emphasized the deep divid between rural & urban broadband accessibility for education, medical care and for farming and industry. Rural NC towns and counties need the authority to support and/or create broadband networks. 2011 HB 129 should be repealed.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Published by Angie Hedgepeth

Angie Hedgepeth, Government Affairs Director for the Association, attends all the local meetings each month, as well as NAR and NCAR meetings, and keeps members abreast of the multiple issues being addressed in local, state and national government. She prepares reports on the meetings she attends and they are included in the weekly "Government Affairs Update".