Karen Ray

Running for: N.C. House - District 95
Hometown: Mooresville
Occupation: Business Owner; State Legislator – NC House – 95th District
Education: BA - Purdue University

What are the biggest issues facing your constituency?
Economic stability, rising healthcare costs and traffic congestion.

Of those issues, which do you feel is most important?
It is not really fair to pick one over the other. All three impact the lives of our citizens each day. However, we have to get a grip on the rising cost of healthcare. It is important that we insure quality care and have adequate access. The Federal government continues to issue unfounded mandates for social assistance without focusing on the real problems at hand. We must stop the trial lawyers’ quest of higher claims and frivolous lawsuits with real tort reform that encourages doctors to practice medicine in all our communities.

What, if any, prior experience do you have that will help if elected?
I served as Secretary of the Iredell County Republican party in the eighties when we enjoyed the leadership of President Ronald Reagan and Governor Jim Martin, served as an Iredell County Commissioner and current State Representative. Most importantly, I’m a business owner and operator who has to deal with excessive government regulations just like everyone else. It is the experience in the real world of conducting business each day that prepares me for the job at hand. All too often we are confronted with politicians seeking office to further their careers. My focus is and will continue to be to work for the people of Iredell County as we confront the challenges of the 21st Century.

What is the one thing you think the current legislature is doing right?
Continuing to toughen our laws to better protect our children and families from sexual predators.

What is the one thing you think the current legislature is doing wrong?
The liberals in Raleigh see money as the solution to everything. More money simply means more taxes. We need to focus our priorities and fund the first priority, the second next and so-forth. We have the money to meet the needs of our schools and our roads; we just have to have the political will in Raleigh to do so. However, the liberals play the game of funding other priorities first, and then call for more money to fund our schools. This is simply wrong. That is why I co-sponsored the Taxpayers Protection Act, which limits the growth of government to population and inflation growth.

What specifically would you do if elected in response to the county’s growth?
Local control over our roads. DOT is a mess and if we depend on them, our road problems will never be solved. We need to dismantle and reorganize DOT to allow for local control over our road priorities. DOT in Raleigh has mismanaged our highway dollars and it is time for local regions to establish priorities and oversee the construction of our most pressing transportation needs.

Posted on 02/11/08 at 08:53 AM
candidates •State Politics • (0) Comments

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