Name as it appears on the ballot: Rosa U. Gill
Campaign website: www.rosagill.com
Phone number: 919-821-0425
Email: rugill@bellsouth.net
Years lived in the district: 47 year
1. In your view, what are the three most pressing issues facing North Carolina? If elected, what will you do to address these issues?
.- Investing in our public education system to ensure that every child has access to a good sound basic education
– Funding the budget priorities for the Department of Environment Quality so that we can test and prevent chemicals from polluting our water, land
air
– School safety and gun control – need for additional resources to assist with at-risk students, capital improvements to school facilities and sensible changes to the gun laws
All of these are budgetary items and will need to be funded. There will be enough revenue if we do not enact the 2019 tax cuts and use the extra cash flow from a robust economy.
2. If you are challenging an incumbent, what decisions has the incumbent made that you most disagree with? If you are an incumbent, what in your voting record and experience do you believe entitles you to another term?
I support the continuous funding of our great public education system, expanding
and protecting our clean air and water. My voting record will validate my fighting for these and other issues that impact the lives of the citizens of NC. I am a former classroom teacher, a Wake County School Board member and have served 4 terms in the House.
3. The state’s economy seems to be humming along nicely. How much of that do you attribute to the tax cuts enacted over the past several years? What policies would you like to see put in place to ensure growth going forward?
Tax cuts
one of the many factors that contribute to our state’s economy. NC has experienced strong
growth beginning in 2004 because of our great
education system and a highly skilled workforce. Policies that funding our education system, strengthen economic development and removing the caps on incentive programs and job development investment grants will ensure continuous growth
4. On the other hand, much of the wealth has gone to the state’s urban centers, whereas many rural areas are struggling. While this is in many ways a national phenomenon, what can North Carolina do to address the disparities in prosperity within its borders?
Expand broadband and
internet, address transportation infrastructure, invest in renewable clean energy and recruit industries with
jobs to rural areas.
5. Republicans in the legislature have boasted in recent years of increased school expenditures and
teacher pay, some local officials, particularly in urban areas, have complained that it’s not good enough. Do you think North Carolina’s schools are being adequately funded? If not, what taxes would you be willing to raise—or what services would you be willing to cut—to fund them better?
Our per pupil spending is the same as it was in 2008 before the recession and our teacher salaries are near the bottom of the scale. We do not have to raise taxes. The legislature can revisit the tax reform act, reverse certain tax cuts and not enact the 2019 tax cuts. This would yield enough funds to increase
spending, teacher and state employee’s salaries and provide other needed resources.
6. In a similar vein, there has been a movement in recent years toward “school choice” programs such as vouchers and charter schools. Critics say these programs detract from traditional schools and may even exacerbate segregation. Do you support these programs and believe they need to be expanded?
I support any institution that assists in providing an education for our children and does not restrict access
any child. I am totally against public dollars (vouchers) being used to support them. I do not think they should be expanded until they identify their main objectives and overall function within the education spectrum.( Display more accountability and transparency)
7. Do you believe the state of North Carolina should expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care
If so, do you believe that expansion should come with the work requirements the Trump administration is now permitting?
I am supportive of Medicaid expansion under the ACA. However, work requirements conflict with the Medicaid purpose of providing healthcare to people who can’t afford it. Such requirements can increase the uninsured population because they will not receive necessary treatment that may help them become employable.
8. After the Parkland mass shooting, Florida passed a law raising the age of all gun sales to twenty-one and requiring a three-day waiting period on all gun purchases. There have also been calls to limit magazine sizes or ban assault-style rifles. North Carolina has fairly permissive gun laws. Do you believe the state’s gun laws need to be changed? If so, in what ways?
Yes to support common-sense gun safety laws such as:
– requiring
and 3 days waiting period for all gun purchases
– banning
weapons and high-capacity magazines
– increase reporting requirements of all individuals who
a threat to themselves or others.
9. Currently, twenty-nine states have minimum wages above the federal minimum. North Carolina is not among them. Do you believe North Carolina should raise its minimum wage―or, alternatively, give municipalities the ability to raise minimum wages within their jurisdictions?
I support both the state and municipalities raising the minimum wages. Without a livable wage, many working families will continue to need assistance from the government.
10. The replacement bill for HB 2 that passed last year prohibits local governments from passing living-wage or nondiscrimination ordinances until 2020. It seems likely that this legislature will set limits on how much freedom local governments will have. Did you support the HB 2 replacement? Why or why not? And what restrictions, if any, do you believe the legislature should place on local governments when that moratorium expires?
Yes, I voted for the replacement bill for HB 2 because it repealed the provision that allowed workplace discrimination lawsuits to be heard only in federal courts. I am in total support of lifting the ban that prohibits local government from enacting their own discrimination regulations and allowing sexual orientation and gender identity to become
part of the protective classes. I will work toward full repeal of HB 2.
11. Over the last year, the state has frequently found itself in court over its legislative and congressional districts, which courts have ruled racial and, in the latter case, partisan gerrymanders. Do you believe the state’s legislative and congressional districts have been drawn fairly? Do you believe the process itself is fair? If not, how would you suggest changing it?
No. By using a nonpartisan Redistricting Committee to draw district maps we can have fair and equal representation.
12. While other states have relaxed their prohibitions on marijuana and raised revenues by taxing either recreational or medicinal cannabis, North Carolina has not. What sort of reforms, if any, would you support with regard to marijuana policy?
I would support medicinal cannabis only.
13. Give an example of a time, during your political career, when you have changed your position as a result of a discussion with someone who held an opposing view.
During the student assignment process while on the Board of Education, I was convinced that certain changes to the assignment plan would help make all school Schools in Wake County great for any child.
14. What would you do to address the partisan rancor in the General Assembly? In what ways do you believe you can effectively work across party lines?
Find issues that are commonly agreed by all parties such as education and workforce development. Continue to identify the unconstitutional aspect of the proposed legislation and/or its discriminatory impact.
15. Identify and explain one principled stand you would be willing to take if elected that you suspect might cost you some points with voters.
Voting against legislation or the budget that may include raises for teachers and other state employees but cut funding to public education and other needed services to pay for the raises.
