Politics

Q&A: Copelof favors, Henson opposes HB2 repeal

By Bill Moss, Published: October 24, 2016

The candidates for the 113th state House District differ sharply on repeal of HB2, expanding Medicaid and on the proposed Ecusta Trail. But Republican Cody Henson parts ways with his party on school vouchers, saying the state should invest to make public schools better before sending public dollars to private schools.

"HB2 has brought economic hardship to many businesses and programs, has closed doors to opportunities that might have been, has made our wonderful state a place to avoid, and it was totally unnecessary," Democrat Maureen Copelof said. "Existing statutes provide protection from assault by anyone in any location. The 'bathroom' portion of the bill is discriminatory and unnecessary. In addition HB2 limited local government authority in terms of living wages, and intruded on the rights of citizens to sue in state court. Instead of wasting taxpayer dollars trying to defend this law at the Supreme Court we should admit it was a mistake and repeal it."

Henson said the Legislature should focus on the schools the vast majority of North Carolinians attend.

"Until we fix the issues happening with public education you will get pushback from me when it comes to vouchers," Henson said. "Some legislators often forget that 85 percent of NC parents choose public education for their children, I am one of the parents that will choose public schools when it comes time to send my son to school because I want him to go to the same school his father, grandfather and great-grandfather attended. I want to ensure that our children are receiving an education better than what they would receive in a private, for profit institution and for our public schools to compete with these institutions."

The candidates answered questions on issues facing state legislators. The candidates are Democrat  Copelof, 61, a retired Navy captain from Brevard, and Republican Cody Henson, 24, a U.S. Marine Corps Reserves corporal and a call center supervisor from Rosman. Henderson County precincts in the 113th House District are Armory, Atkinson, Crab Creek, East Flat Rock, Etowah South, Etowah Valley, Flat Rock, Green River, Horse Shoe and Raven Rock.

1. Why are you running for the Legislature?

COPELOF: I believe North Carolina has gone in the wrong direction with recent legislation. Serving in the Navy taught me that when you see a problem you don’t sit back and hope for the best, you step up and fix it.

We need to refocus governance on creating solutions to the pressing issues of poverty, low wages, lack of affordable medical coverage, our declining public school system and the threat to our environment. These areas, when properly addressed, will result in a better quality of life for the people in this state.

I am running because I want to put the focus back on supporting all the people of this state and get away from the special interests and the entrenched partisan political ideology. I have the proven leadership experience and the necessary education (MBA degree) to be an effective advocate for District 113 starting on day one.

HENSON: I am running because this area is my home. It’s been home to my family for 7 generations but more importantly, this is the area my wife and I chose to plant our roots and raise our families. Other young families want to do the same but it has become increasingly harder over the years and I want to change that. Our Republican legislature and Governor has made great progress in turning the NC economy around but not much of that has been felt here in WNC. I also want to see improvements to our NC Public Education system. I am a product of that system and I have seen it go downhill over the past several years. I want to go fight for our children’s future and ensure that they are not only receiving a quality education but are getting the tools they need to succeed in the future. I want to go represent the people of District 113 and work tirelessly every day on their behalf. I will take our mountain values to Raleigh to represent you, not bring Raleigh ideas, where the mountains are often overlooked, and tell you to get back in line.

2. Do you support increased teacher pay? If so, how would you propose to fund higher teacher pay?

HENSON: Absolutely. I think everyone supports giving teachers a raise. I feel it’s how and how much, that often causes friction. I would fight for teachers who have been loyal to our state for many years to receive more of an increase as opposed to raising starting teacher salary like our legislators did not too long ago. I also feel we should reward our teachers who go on and further their education to help give our students the best possible education they can. Much has been done but I feel we have some more work to do and I am committed to seeing that those who mold our future receive the pay they deserve.

COPELOF: North Carolina has proudly been a leader in public education from preschool through the university system. While this reputation is at risk, the heart of quality education remains with competent and caring teachers. I support increased compensation for our public school teachers. These added costs can be paid for by repealing the private school voucher plan and by reinstating a cap on the number of public charter schools authorized each year. We have an issue with properly funding our public schools because we are currently dividing the revenue for education three ways. I would also ensure that the State Education Lottery funds are used to support public education the way it was initially proposed.

I also would support legislation that more clearly defines the role of the charter schools and calls for formal liaison between those schools and the county/city public schools and their elected board.

3. Do you support higher state funding of school vouchers, less state funding or about the same? Why?

COPELOF: I favor the repeal of this legislation. We cannot afford it nor does it enhance the quality of education for our children.

Vouchers divert public money to private schools with little-to-no oversight and create a two-class system of education. Having children attend private schools does nothing to defray fixed costs like utilities and maintenance in our public schools. Vouchers often do not cover the entire cost of tuition and fees at private schools, so children from low-income families who cannot afford supplemental tuition remain in underfunded public schools.

A majority of the money the state spends on vouchers goes to religious institutions. In fact, one of the largest recipients of voucher funds is an Islamic academy. Private schools can refuse to admit children based on religion, economic background or disciplinary history. I am strongly in favor of school choice, but I do not believe in subsidizing it with tax dollars.

HENSON: At this point I do not. There are many things that need improving with public education. Until we fix the issues happening with public education you will get pushback from me when it comes to vouchers. Some legislators often forget that 85% of NC parents choose public education for their children, I am one of the parents that will choose public schools when it comes time to send my son to school because I want him to go to the same school his father, grandfather and great-grandfather attended. I want to ensure that our children are receiving an education better than what they would receive in a private, for profit institution and for our public schools to compete with these institutions. I support parents’ decision to send their kids to private, charter or parochial schools and I believe it is great that they have those options but until we can get some change into our public schools, I will be a no on vouchers

4. Do you support the Ecusta Trail? Why or why not?

HENSON: The Ecusta Trail is a local issue. My personal viewpoint is, WATCO still owns the line, they are currently looking for businesses that can utilize the railroad. Sure, the line has been unused for over a decade but WATCO is only two years into their investment. I am not in the business of telling private businesses or landowners what to do with their property. Until WATCO chooses to abandon the line or rail bank it, there is nothing government can do.

COPELOF: We should approve the Ecusta Trail. Unused now for 13 years, the rail line continues to deteriorate. Similar projects, such as the Swamp Rabbit Trail, have shown that this type of project adds jobs, helps build the local economy, increases the local tax base and attracts additional visitors. The 2010 Hendersonville Economic Impact Study of the Ecusta Trail showed an initial $42M positive impact with a continuing annual income of $9.4 million.

In addition the Trail would increase safety by separating cars and bicyclists and help raise the property values close to it.

Rail banking allows us to take an unused rail line and turn it into an asset for the region while still preserving the right-of-way for future rail use should the need arise. Several trails in the US have been converted back to rail use after being banked in this fashion.

5. What is the single most important thing you would hope to accomplish in your first year as a newly elected legislator?

COPELOF: The most important thing is to focus state governance on improving the lives of the people in this state. We need to stop partisan gamesmanship and start working on solutions. I want to work with other members of the legislature in a bi-partisan manner focusing on solutions to the most serious issues facing our state. Our WNC legislators need to work together as a team to ensure that our region is properly considered. Too often Raleigh focuses on the eastern, urban areas of the state.

Immediately I want to work on programs to alleviate the poverty in WNC. That means attracting good paying jobs and ensuring our workforce is trained and ready to take advantage of these jobs. We need the correct incentives available to rural counties, partnerships with a strong public education system at high school, community and university levels, and a welcoming state climate that embraces diversity and will attract new businesses.

HENSON: I personally would like to see more local control of our schools returned to the ones in our schools, working with our children day in and day out. For far too long government has seeped into our classrooms and taken decision making on key issues away from our teachers and administrators and replaced it with one size fits all mandates that don’t work. Each school and school district is unique. Things that work for Wake County Schools may not always work for Henderson County Schools. The students are different and have different ways of learning and the teaching styles differ from school to school. I think we need to reject the one size fits all mentality that we have forced upon our schools and let the local school boards, teachers and administrators make the decisions that affect the children they are working with and molding into the future of our state.

6. Knowing what you know today in the aftermath of House Bill 2, would you vote for the bill or against the bill if given the opportunity? If elected to the Legislature, would you vote for repeal or against repeal of HB2?

HENSON: Looking back, I would have liked to have seen a little more discussion and some provisions in HB2 revised. Make no mistake, I absolutely feel that a man doesn’t belong in the women’s restroom, locker room or shower facility. There are provisions in the law that I feel did not belong in the bill. If the vote for a FULL repeal comes up I will vote no. I have spoken to many individuals and business owners throughout the district that feel a man does not belong in the women’s restroom with their wives and/or children. I support protecting the basic expectation of privacy that we all have when we go to the restroom or enter a changing facility.

COPELOF: I would vote against HB2, and if elected, will vote for full repeal of HB2. HB2 was rushed through in a radical special session with no time for discussion, public input or review. It is the prime example of bad legislating.

HB2 has brought economic hardship to many businesses and programs, has closed doors to opportunities that might have been, has made our wonderful state a place to avoid, and it was totally unnecessary. Existing statutes provide protection from assault by anyone in any location. The “bathroom” portion of the bill is discriminatory and unnecessary. In addition HB2 limited local government authority in terms of living wages, and intruded on the rights of citizens to sue in state court. Instead of wasting taxpayer dollars trying to defend this law at the Supreme Court we should admit it was a mistake and repeal it.

7. Do you support expanding Medicaid in North Carolina?

COPELOF: Medicaid expansion would provide four positive impacts in NC: 1) expanded employment opportunities, 2) increased revenue, 3) reduced uninsured-patient burden to struggling rural hospitals, 4) health insurance coverage to approximately 400,000 low-income NC residents.

Studies show that expansion will result in over 43,000 new jobs in NC by 2020. Expansion would also bring in more than $2 billion in federal funds annually, saving taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars in direct budget reductions on costs for uninsured individuals.

By providing coverage to low-income individuals expansion will help prevent and provide early treatment of chronic diseases, thereby avoiding later, more expensive medical treatment, usually obtained at a hospital emergency room. Studies estimate that annually 1,145 people in NC may die due to lack of access to screenings and preventive treatment. Infant mortality rates can be reduced by providing healthcare to low-income expectant mothers.

Both morally and economically it’s the right decision.

HENSON: No. Expanding Medicaid without meaningful reform to the system accepts a broken status quo that fails patients and taxpayers. The system is broken now as it is, throwing more money at it is not the fix North Carolinians need. I support people having access to affordable health care to those who cannot get it and I will work for solutions to get people the care they need but putting more people into an already terribly flawed system isn’t helping them. Instead of focusing on just decreasing the number of uninsured North Carolinians, let’s fix the broken system and ensure that people get decent healthcare.

8. Is there anything else important to you that we’ve failed to bring up?

HENSON: As representative for the people of House District 113 I will be just that, representative of the PEOPLE. I believe in a government that is of the people, for the people and by the people. My goals are to work tirelessly for the people of this district, bring more jobs to this area, strengthen our education system, return control of the classrooms back to where it belongs and be your voice in Raleigh. As a United States Marine, I swore an oath on January 18, 2011, to protect and defend the constitution of the United States. That oath does not only apply to when I am in uniform. It is 24/7 365 days a year I will stand up for our rights as American Citizens and will go to work every day for the people of this district using 3 things as my guidelines for making the tough decisions on your behalf; The Word of God, the United States Constitution and the Constitution of the State of North Carolina. I ask that you prayerfully consider sending me to Raleigh to fight on your behalf and together we can make our small corner of WNC the best place to live, work and, raise a family.

COPELOF: Two additional issues are extremely important-- jobs and our environment.
We must attract good paying jobs to our District so that young families can stay here and raise their families. No one can support a family on $7.25 an hour. We need to focus on attracting future focused industry that pays living wages. To do this we must have good governance (competitive tax rates, incentives and business friendly regulations), good physical and electronic infrastructure and a good quality of life. We must capitalize on the strengths of our region and market this area to those industries that are compatible with our way of life.

We must protect and preserve our natural environment. Our mountains, forests, rivers, are precious resources for us and our children. We need to focus on renewable energy and start decreasing our reliance on fossil fuels. We need to protect our water and prevent contamination.