Name as it appears on the ballot: Valerie Foushee
Full legal name, if different: Valerie P. Foushee
Date of birth: 5/7/56
Campaign website: FousheeNCHouse.org
Occupation & employer: Retired Administator/Chapel Hill Police Dept.
Email: FousheeNCHouse@gmail.com
1. What do you see as the most important issues facing North Carolina? If elected, what are your top three priorities in addressing those issues?
Promote economic recovery and development
For our state to be strong, our people need opportunity. We need to recruit industry and support the expansion of existing businesses in order to provide employment for the many who have lost jobs and for those who are underemployed.
Restore funding to all levels of education
Education is the foundation of our future. In order to attract new business, sustain economic growth, and offer our citizens access to good jobs, we must support education at all levels.
Restore transparency to government
Citizens have the right to be informed and aware of actions taken and about to be taken by our legislature, to provide meaningful input, and to know that the process is fair.
2. What issue or issues made you want to run for this office?
I was motivated by what has become a trend of deep cuts in education, the need to secure new jobs, the lack of transparency, and what appears to be an assault on women’s rights.
3. What in your record as a public official or other experience demonstrates your ability to be effective in the U.S. House? This might include career or community service; be specific about its relevance to this office.
My experience as a budget administrator in town government, former school board member, Durham Technical Community College Trustee, Social Service Board member, Chamber of Commerce Director, an Orange County Commissioner, and membership on various boards and committees equip me with the skills and knowledge for service in the North Carolina House. Through these experiences I have gained skills relating to budget administration, law enforcement, policy-making, human resources, human service delivery, and education administration.
4. District 50 is a large and varied district that spans four counties. How do you plan to connect with and represent its residents? As you’ve campaigned, what common themes are you hearing from voters?
District 50 is in two counties, Orange and Durham.
My strategies for connecting with residents include a door-to-door campaign, being accessible at events throughout the district and providing information to citizens through electronic media sources: website, Facebook, and twitter. If elected I will continue to use media resources to inform and to be informed about relevant issues and concerns. My experience has taught me that public servants must be accessible in a variety of ways and venues.
5. Identify a principled stand you might be willing to take if elected that you suspect might cost you some popularity points with voters.
Opposition to Amendment One.
6. What do you see as the primary sources of our state’s budget problems? What measures should the General Assembly use to address them?
The primary sources of state’s budget problems are linked to the global economic decline, exacerbated by deep cuts in the budget, particularly to education funding. To address the results of these cuts, the General Assembly should not continue the practice of across the board cuts, but rather evaluate specific services and programs to ensure a balanced funding approach.
7. If you want to decrease state education spending please explain what you would cut? If you want to increase state education spending tell us what areas would see more money?
I would restore funding to all levels of education: K-12, community colleges, and the university system. I would also want to see more funding for transit solutions.
8. What is your position on Amendment One?
I am opposed to Amendment One.
9. Do you support women’s reproductive rights, including the “right to choose” as set out by the U.S. Supreme Court in Roe v. Wade? Do you support the recently passed state requirements on ultrasounds and waiting periods for women seeking an abortion? Do you support attempts to eliminate funds for Planned Parenthood?
I support women’s reproductive rights. I do not support mandated ultrasounds and waiting periods, or attempts to eliminate funds for Planned Parenthood.
10. Would you support Gov. Perdue’s call for a 3/4 cent increase in the sales tax or another revenue measure to restore cuts or cover other costs? Would you support a revision of the state tax code that led to an increase of revenue?
I would support evaluating any potential revenue measure to restore cuts and to cover costs for essential services, such as lobbying for federal legislation that would allow states to enforce collection of sales taxes on remote internet transactions. I would support a revision of the state tax code, which has been discussed but delayed for many years.
11. What is your position on capital punishment and the Racial Justice Act?
I oppose capital punishment, as any mistake is irreversible, costing a life. Further, it is disproportionately applied to minorities.
As a retired member of the law enforcement community, I believe that the Racial Justice Act is essential to ensure fairness in sentencing and preventing racial bias.
12. Both parties have been criticized for overreaching during redistrictings. Would you support an independent commission drawing the lines in the future?
I would support an independent non-partisan commission drawing the redistricting lines in the future. This is an action that is long overdue and in the best interest of our democracy. It would eliminate the impression that the political party in the majority can manipulate elections.