TO THE EDITOR:
A Feb. 22 article in The Daily Tar Heel stated that Democrat resignations and retirements would be damaging to the state’s makeup because these legislators were vocal supporters of public universities.
Why does the DTH assume that fiscal conservatives are not equally committed to public education and the university system? As the Republican candidate for N.C. State House, District 54, Chatham County and parts of Lee County, I ask that you please consider me a vocal supporter.
Providing for and funding an excellent education for our children is not just a concern for Democrats. It is all our concern. Our education system is at the root of our success as a state and a society.
Last year, every area of the state budget was examined. The legislature had to close a $1 billion budget gap. Education makes up over half of the state’s budget — 57 percent to be exact not including stimulus funds — so it is unreasonable to think that cuts were not going to happen unless we wanted to see other state departments and programs end.
University restructuring as a result of budget cuts can lead to finding waste, inefficiencies or duplicative services, and ultimately means that citizens are getting more for their taxes.
Resignations have not caused the University to lose friends in the legislature. We can work together to find ways to provide our children with solutions that promote competitiveness, empower parents and students, and streamline costs.
Cathy Wright
Republican Candidate
District 54
