Beth Dawson for NC House – Wilmington, NC

November 6, 2010

Dear Friends, Family and Supporters,

I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to you all -for all of your hard work and support of my candidacy for N.C. House. For your encouragement, your prayers, your generous gifts of your time, talents, and financial support- I want to thank you all so very much. Thank you for believing in me, and my commitment to serve all of the Citizens of the 18th House District.

We ran a positive, professional, grassroots campaign, and I thank you all for standing by my side- making phone calls, writing letters, sending emails, attending events, putting out signs, knocking on doors, and working the polls! Everything you all did helped tremendously!

We knew going into this House District 18 race, it would be a challenge- with voter registration numbers of 48% Democrat, 28% Unaffiliated, and 24% Republican- and to have earned the trust, support, and confidence of over 43% of the voters is wonderful. I was able to garner bipartisan support; we made great strides within the District with new relationships, and built new bridges within the community.

I really enjoyed getting out and about within the District to talk to so many wonderful people, and making new friendships all across the County! I am truly humbled by the efforts that so many people put into my campaign, and for that I will be forever grateful.

And at the end of the day, although I did not win my race, the ultimate team goal was achieved! The historic Republican majority victories in both the N.C. House of Representatives and the N.C. Senate were clear messages from the voters that they want common-sense, conservative change- to restore fiscal responsibility and government transparency to the North Carolina General Assembly.

A very special thank you goes to my wonderful husband, Dan- I could not have embarked upon this journey without his overwhelming support and patience (and, his super sign team)!

Thank you all!

Sincerely,

Beth Dawson

Beth Dawson was endorsed by The Wilmington Journal today.

Click here to read the full endorsement.

Recently a proposal to bring a deepwater port to this district did not receive state funds for a feasibility study. Does a deepwater port warrant further study? Would you advocate towards funds for such a study?

The property purchased by the State Ports is a potential strategic site for a deepwater port that will require a feasibility study in the future.  The schedule for the study will depend on its importance and priority in the overall state budget.

The film industry has struggled to gain statewide support. What is the future of the North Carolina film industry? Do you think more incentives for the film industry will help to save local jobs?

The future of the North Carolina film industry will continue to be extremely competitive.  I am more in favor of tax structure reform that will benefit all of our private sector businesses, rather than more incentives. The film industry’s infrastructure already in place in Wilmington, as well as the talent of the film industry professionals here, will continue to attract the business. Incentives will always help the film industry, provide the opportunity for local employment and support ancillary business, just as they would for any business. Our State needs to prioritize what is in the best interest of all Citizens and business owners in North Carolina, not just one sector.

What needs to be done to improve the unemployment rate in the 18^th District? What can be done on a state level to drive more businesses to this district?

The 18^th District (and all of New Hanover County) has many built-in advantages: our climate, our beaches, river and waterways, our quality of life, and our proximity to I-40.  If our state’s leadership will strive to make North Carolina a more business-friendly State, New Hanover County will benefit as a result.  To achieve this, and to attract business to New Hanover County, we need to reduce taxes on our businesses, scale back unnecessary, burdensome regulations, support worker retraining programs at our State’s Community Colleges, and offer the best public education system.

For example, in the N.C. House District 18, there are three magnet schools of choice, with a diverse population that draws students from families throughout the County. One of the keys to providing every student with a quality education is to ensure proven, dedicated teachers are paid what they are worth.  To make that happen, we need to shift funding and put it in the classroom, where it belongs.  The New Hanover County Schools are already making progress, as indicated by their test scores, and we must help our schools continue to move in the right direction.

As your State Representative, I will support and work for continued improvement in our Public Schools in the 18^th House District, as well as across the County, by ensuring adequate funding for each and every child in the classroom, so that parents, when making choices for the education of their children, will know that every child will receive a quality education in our Public School system.

As your State Representative, I will be 100% committed to the priority of recruiting jobs to Wilmington and all of New Hanover County- nowhere else- and am 100% committed to serving all of the Citizens of the 18^th House District.

North Carolina is facing an estimated $3 billion shortfall for the upcoming fiscal year. Specifically, what program cuts or new taxes would you look at to try and fill that looming budget hole?

I believe that raising taxes to try to fill the looming budget hole, in this economic climate, would be disastrous for our citizens and business owners. I have pledged that I will not vote to raise taxes. I consider zero-based budgeting a solution to many of the budget problems- in order to identify programs that our tax dollars are funding which are no longer accountable, nor effective. Wasteful government spending is costing our state and our citizens jobs and hurting our economy.

Identifying which programs I would advocate cutting at this time would be premature, and unfair to any program identified, until all programs and their proposed budgets, have been evaluated. We should cut all unnecessary and redundant programs so that we can fund our necessary and required services and education, and balance our spending with our anticipated tax revenues.

Why are you a better choice to represent the 18th House district than your opponent?

My proven professional business experience, dedicated service to our community, and the fact that I have the time available to serve are unmatched reasons that I am the better choice for this important position.  The honor of serving on the Board of Trustees of NHRMC for six years provided me the unique experience of effectively governing the most important public health care resource in our community.  Before retiring, my 20+ years of continuously serving the banking needs of customers and small businesses allowed me to become a very effective listener and problem solver.  I already have established working relationships with our legislators in southeastern N.C. and across the state, which will allow me to get to work right away with my peers in Raleigh to advocate issues important to our Citizens, the district and our county.

I am committed to serve all of the Citizens of the 18th House District, New Hanover County and our State, with honesty, integrity, and with the transparency the Citizens deserve and expect from their elected officials.

What is the first bill you plan to introduce if you win the election?

As a fiscally conservative voice in the state legislature, the first bill I sign will be the Taxpayer’s Protection Act. This important bill will force decision-makers in Raleigh to become better stewards of the public’s tax dollars, prioritize spending needs, and reduce taxes.  The first local bill I will sponsor will be for the citizens of Castle Hayne to incorporate, if they choose to do so.

Wilmington officials have growing concerns about the nightlife downtown. What would you do to change or regulate ABC permits in the central business district?

Downtown Wilmington has become a regional and vacation nightlife destination.  While this has increased lease occupancy rates and business in the central business district, it has overloaded the law enforcement and alcohol control officer resources.  I would expect the regulatory and enforcement agencies to be provided adequate resources to maintain enforcement of the current laws and regulations, before I would consider adding more rules and regulations to the businesses.  However, if there are loop holes or ambiguities that need to be addressed, I will support changes when I am convinced they are needed.

Do you support the state’s current annexation rules for municipalities?

North Carolina is one of only a handful of states in which municipalities have unilateral powers to annex citizens.  The current annexation laws are antiquated and were established when our State was primarily an agricultural state; these laws were designed to help towns and cities grow and recover the costs of extending municipal services, primarily water and sewer service to the areas of growth. Unfortunately, the current annexation laws do not allow those being annexed to have a say in the matter, and often the municipality will not be providing any new services or value to those citizens.  As your State Representative, I will fight to reform our state’s antiquated annexation laws to provide equitable distribution of sales taxes and give those being annexed a voice in the process.

The economy continues to sputter in New Hanover County and across the country. Within that context, do you support Titan America’s proposed cement plant in Castle Hayne?

Our coastal environment is our region’s primary economic engine, and must be protected. There are serious groundwater issues that remain to be addressed.  The permission (permits) to construct this plant is in the hands of the state and federal agencies responsible for protecting our environment and the health, safety and welfare of all citizens. As your State Representative, I will insist that all rules and regulations are followed and that the agencies have the resources to adequately administer and enforce their rules and regulations. I am in favor of bringing good jobs to the region, provided they are compatible with our quality of life and unique environment, and do not harm our coastal resources.  I am concerned that Titan has brought so much controversy that other more compatible and attractive businesses and industries may not consider our area for their new facility and look elsewhere. I hope I am wrong about that, because we need new good jobs!

Beth Dawson: A Common-Sense Leader for N.C. House from Beth Dawson on Vimeo.

Beth Dawson, candidate for N.C. House in District 18 (New Hanover County), launched her radio advertising campaign today.

Click here to listen to Beth’s radio ad.

Early voting begins this Thursday, October 14 at 9 a.m.  Please show your support for Beth Dawson by voting early!

Early voting sites in House District 18 are:

• New Hanover County Government Center, 230 Government Center Drive, Wilmington, NC 28403
• Cape Fear Museum, 814 Market Street, Wilmington, NC  28401

Click here for more information on the early voting locations and their hours of operation.

When times get tough, responsible individuals, families and business owners tighten their belts.  Beth Dawson believes government should do the same.

As your State Representative, Beth will put her years of business experience to work fighting wasteful spending and pushing for common-sense fiscal policies in Raleigh.

Beth supports a Taxpayer Protection Act to limit the growth of state government spending.

Beth also supports Zero-Based Budgeting, which requires that the existence of every government program be justified in each budget, as opposed to simply basing budgeting decisions on a previous funding level.

The North Carolina Police Benevolent Association recently held a series of candidate screenings for those candidates seeking election for various elected offices.   During the interview process Beth Dawson demonstrated why her experiences and education make her uniquely qualified to represent the voters of District 18.  She also demonstrated to the NCPBA that she is committed to making strong, effective law enforcement a priority in her campaign.  The North Carolina PBA is proud to announce our endorsement of Beth Dawson for election to the North Carolina House.

Beth Dawson is currently a member of the Cape Fear Museum of History and Science Advisory Board.  She is a former member of the New Hanover Regional Medical Center Board of Trustees, and Foundation Board of Directors.  She began her banking career with NCNB in 1978 and retired in 2000 with Bank of America. She has served on numerous other community service boards in New Hanover County.

Beth Dawson is deeply rooted in the community today.  The North Carolina PBA is proud to put our full support behind Beth Dawson for North Carolina House, District 18 and we ask that you do the same.  According to NCPBA President, Randy Byrd “A vote for Beth Dawson is a vote for the men and women of law enforcement and the citizens they serve.”

The North Carolina Police Benevolent Association is a division of the Southern States Police Benevolent Association, Inc., a not-for-profit professional organization dedicated to improving the law enforcement profession.  PBA members are full-time or retired employees of the various federal, state, county and municipal law enforcement and correctional agencies in North Carolina .  This professional association, funded by membership dues and citizen contributions, provides legal, legislative, disciplinary and other representation to member officers as well as an accidental death benefit to members’ beneficiaries.  The PBA prohibits members from engaging in or condoning any strike by law enforcement officers, electing instead to represent members through aggressive political action. For more information, please visit our website at www.ncpba.org.