Candidates discuss taxes, regulations
by Anna Oakes
Candidates for N.C. House District 93 and N.C. Senate District
45 on Thursday discussed tax reform and regulations at a Meet Your Candidates Forum at the Holiday
Inn Express in Boone Oct. 11 sponsored by the Watauga County Farm Bureau Women's
Committee.
Roy Carter, a Democrat running against Republican incumbent Dan Soucek for the 45th District seat in the N.C. Senate, said he wants to help families keep their farms and that a balanced approach is needed to maintain necessary regulations without hampering businesses.
"The state has no business trying to micro-manage other businesses," said Democrat Cullie Tarleton, seeking election to the N.C. House of Representatives seat he lost to Republican Jonathan Jordan two years ago.
Soucek and Jordan said they supported the General Assembly's effort to put a moratorium on new regulations during their first terms.
Jordan said he sponsored a bill called the North Carolina Farmers Freedom Protection Act to exempt farmers from federal regulations if they grow, market and sell their products only within North Carolina borders.
The bill did not go to a full House vote in the past session, but Jordan said he'd push for the bill again in 2013.
The candidates were asked about tax reform.
Soucek said the current tax code is 100 years old and has been "patched" numerous times. He said he favors "a simpler tax code that's broader based. It needs to be revenue neutral."
Carter acknowledged that the tax system is "antiquated," but vowed not to take away tax exemptions that benefit the agricultural sector, as did the other candidates.
Carter also said the state should work to ensure that public universities such as Appalachian State purchase locally.
"Let's get a little bit out of the box" and think of innovative ways to help industries thrive, he said. "Our farmers will meet the challenge."
Soucek told attendees that he and Jordan worked to reduce taxes, but Tarleton raised taxes while in office.
"I'm very proud of my record -- the four years I served in the legislature," Tarleton said. "I'll make you this promise. I'll work hard for you every single day of the week."
Roy Carter, a Democrat running against Republican incumbent Dan Soucek for the 45th District seat in the N.C. Senate, said he wants to help families keep their farms and that a balanced approach is needed to maintain necessary regulations without hampering businesses.
"The state has no business trying to micro-manage other businesses," said Democrat Cullie Tarleton, seeking election to the N.C. House of Representatives seat he lost to Republican Jonathan Jordan two years ago.
Soucek and Jordan said they supported the General Assembly's effort to put a moratorium on new regulations during their first terms.
Jordan said he sponsored a bill called the North Carolina Farmers Freedom Protection Act to exempt farmers from federal regulations if they grow, market and sell their products only within North Carolina borders.
The bill did not go to a full House vote in the past session, but Jordan said he'd push for the bill again in 2013.
The candidates were asked about tax reform.
Soucek said the current tax code is 100 years old and has been "patched" numerous times. He said he favors "a simpler tax code that's broader based. It needs to be revenue neutral."
Carter acknowledged that the tax system is "antiquated," but vowed not to take away tax exemptions that benefit the agricultural sector, as did the other candidates.
Carter also said the state should work to ensure that public universities such as Appalachian State purchase locally.
"Let's get a little bit out of the box" and think of innovative ways to help industries thrive, he said. "Our farmers will meet the challenge."
Soucek told attendees that he and Jordan worked to reduce taxes, but Tarleton raised taxes while in office.
"I'm very proud of my record -- the four years I served in the legislature," Tarleton said. "I'll make you this promise. I'll work hard for you every single day of the week."