Ellie & Moses debate tonight

Ellie and Moses are introducing themselves. Also at the table are representatives from the Carrboro Citizen, the Chapel Hill Herald, the Chapel Hill News, the Daily Tar Heel, and WCHL.

Ellie emphasizes her accomplishments in passing legislation on mqany issues of interest to us. Moses spoke to his own experience and relationships needed to get things done.

First question, from Kirk Ross of the Carrboro Citizen: What would be your top priorities should you be elected?

Ellie: Fix the disastrous mental health care reform. Local control.

Moses: Access to health care, including mental health. Water conservation.

Ellie: Also supports health care acess. Support Rep. Verla Insko's bill making health care a right. Also drought response.

Moses: Also energy conservation. NC population is aging, need to plan for how to address their needs.

Neil Offen, CH Herald: Sen. Kinnaird was recently ranked the 27th most effective legislator by the NC Ctr for Pub Policy research. Would you be more effective/are you effective?

Moses: I would be more effective, especially in health care.

Ellie: I am effective. Orange is a progressive Co, it expects leaders to take on tough issues. These aren't easy to win on, but they matter to people in this district.

Moses: I started the debate over Orange County having a social justice goal. I'm the only one who supprted merger. Not afraid to take tough principled stands.

Ellie: I have learned how to work with the legislature. I've been called the conscience of the senate. The leadership respects my role there. I have accomplished a lot on those principled issues.

Meiling Arounnarath, CH News: Ellie has said she wants her succeeded by a woman in her Senate seat. How is a female legislator different from a male legislator?

Ellie: Women work differently. The women's caucus is bipartisan. Look at budget differently. I'm co-chair of justice & public safety, with 2 women we are working more on prevention and intervention instead of building prisons. There are the same number of women in the senate as when I started (7).

Moses: Need a rich, diverse culture in the legislature, including women and African Americans. There are 70 women running for the legislature across the state right now, so there's no lack of women to serve. Don't want to turn the clock back on civil rights.

Daily Tarheel: What is your strategy for combating illegal immigration, how involved should local law enforcement be?

Moses: This is a federal issue. In Orange Co we work with the Sherrif to make sure he doesn't arrest people just for being undocumented.  Many of these folks are performing important work in our community. I don't think we should send them all back home.

Ellie: We can't live without the work of immigrants. I am against the state taking away drivers lisences from illegal immigrants. This was political, but makes us less safe.

WCHL: How should the state handle repeat offenders?

Ellie: The governmental systems don't talk to each other, need better information. Not enough programs to help with drug addiction, mental health, and other problems.

Moses: Do need to improve management and provide better services. Related to the mental health debacle. Prevention.

(By the way - there are about 50 people here, and the forum is being moderated by the general manager of WCHL. He has been asking some conservative-seeming follow-up questions, like "are you concerned with seeming soft on crime?")

Carrboro Citizen: State employees took a big hit to balance the budget, what can be done to give state workers a fair shake?

Moses: We should not begin to retrench on health insurance costs by increasing deductables, that's short sighted. State needs have the guts to raise revenue. Need to think more long term about investing in our future. We can save money by providing better care for the elderly.

Ellie: State employees should be allowed to bargain collectively although they can't strike. Need to put employees first instead of last in the budget system. Retirees are costing the state more, people can't afford their dependent insurance. Asked Sen. Rand to advocate for bulk rate pharmaceuticals, which saved the state money. Rep. Insko has a bill for this.

C H Herald: What and the NCGA do to fcreate more affordable housing?

Ellie: Trying to poass inclusionary zoning, which would require a certain amount of affordable homes in each new development. Proud to have cosponsored a bill with Sen. Rand that will change campaign donations, which will increase support for affordable housing.

Moses: Increase funding for the Affordable Housing Trust Fund. This will be supported by having more voter-owned elections.

Interesting that both turned this question about affordable housing into a campaign finance issue. I guess that speaks to the power of the real estate lobby.

Audience questions up next after this quick commercial break. 

Not audiece questions, actually, more media.

Meiling, CH News: ill the Triangle ever get a mroe commuter-friendy public transit system?

Moses: Yes, but the state and federal gov't need to help more We wait until it hurts. We're getting there eventually.  We have to take the initiative, not wait for Congress, like on issues like universal health care.

Ellie: 90% comes from fed gov't so the best way to get rail is to elect a Democratic congress. The new regional plan serves Chapel Hill and the aiport, this is an improvement. We have the best bus system in the US, but bus schedule is responsive to students not workers.

Elizabeth _?_,  DTH: What sets you apart from each other?

Moses: I am the only candidate who has 24 years of government experience, 18 years of business experience.  Lived through creating easements to protect Orange Co farmers.  I have the ability to buold alliances and convince peopel to listen to me. Have developed relationships with legislators across the state, esp in public health.

Ellie: I have a respected record of accomplishments that I can carry forward. Has formed coalitions with the leadership & membership of the Senate.  Has made a difference and will continue to make a difference.  Part of a strong progressive coliation in the Senate.
 

Even on this, they say almost the same thing! 

Yes, the reporter from WCHL (Natasha something?) just asked a question about what the state should do about sex trafficking. (Me: HOW IS THIS RELEVANT TO OUR DISTRICT? Who is this person?)

Ellie: It should be called "human trafficking" and it happens everywhere, even NC. Passed a bill to give services to victims. More funding for training programs and services to victims.

Moses: This is a problem, the state can help by working with local officials. Just as with mental health debacle - state needs to recognize the importance of local services.

Audience: Will you introduce (and vote for) legilation to compel merger of the 2 school systems?

Moses: I started the merger debate in 2002 b/c I thought it was a social justice issue. And I think it's the responsibility of local government to address this inequity. In Raleigh I would oppose any attempt to merge schools from the state level, however.

Ellie: The Orange County delegation (with Insko & Hackney) has fought this off every year. There are 2 segregated school systems in the state, this is what ppl in Raleigh wanted to address. The situation in Orange is not the same. we do have make sure both systems are funded fairly.

They agree. 

Audience: what will you do to increase the commercial tax base in Orange County?

Ellie: Fighting corporate incentives. Revamp the tax structure.  Water & sewer bond funds go to poorer communities.

Moses: The Board of Commisioners have created and supported economic development districts.  Would also support funding infrastrucure for local governments.

Audience: How would a constitutional amendment guaranteeing health care for all be implemented?

Moses: This would ensure that the government covers everyone instead of the perverse incentives we have now.

Ellie: Money spent on emergency care now would cover primary care for all.