The North Carolina State Senate is the upper body of the North Carolina Legislature and consists of 50 members who serve a term of two years. Each member represents an average of 190,710 residents, as of the 2010 Census. The Senate elects officers from their membership including the President Pro Tempore.The North Carolina General Assembly, of which the Senate is a part, is to convene a new regular session every two years. The NC legislature makes decisions on the budget: taxes, tax credits, economic development, education funding, Pre-K, the courts, Medicaid, etc. It also passes laws that set environmental standards such as water and air quality, tax rates, tax credits, criminal justice. Legislators in both chambers serve two-year terms without term limits. Sessions begin at noon on the third Wednesday after the second Monday in January.
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Position/philosophy statement
Our state government should make everyone's life better not worse. I’m ready to listen to the people, learn what is needed, and go to Raleigh and work across the aisle to make it happen.!
Current Occupation
Financial Specialist for the City of Asheville, NC
Campaign Phone
8285066251
I have extensive experience listening to people’s concerns and trying to find solutions that will work in the real world. I have worked in local government for 15 years and I taught in public schools for 12 years with eight years as a special education teacher working with students with severe emotional disturbance.
I have spent the last nine months traveling around district hearing from people who feel that their state government has ignored their interests. I plan to schedule regular listening sessions and town hall meetings so that the people can directly share their thoughts and to hold me accountable to them for how I vote.
Stabilizing the housing market so that people can afford to live in WNC. Employers have told me that they cannot hire the people that they want because some of those people cannot afford to live here.
In WNC we are challenged by topography, water and sewer availability, and the high cost of land upon which to build. It's imperative that we work together to find ways to build more houses, rehabilitate vacant homes, add accessory dwelling units in appropriate places, and change laws and regulations that make it difficult to build homes.
The market wants to build expensive homes because that's where the profit is but the need is for "workforce" housing. The market has not worked this out on its own so it's up to government to step in.
My reading of the NC State Constitution demands that we fully fund our public schools so that each student has access to a “sound basic education.” I will vote to end the voucher program that redistributes public tax money to private schools.
When elected officials denigrate public schools through intentional policies, lack of adequate funding for teachers, for school buildings, and for curriculum along with disdain for teachers they demean and diminish the whole community. We must not let the Republicans' “war on public education” continue.
Our current tax laws are skewed toward favoring large corporations and wealthy people. I believe that each person and each corporation should pay their fair share of taxes. All individuals should pay a rate of tax that is commensurate with their ability to contribute based upon their income and not based upon a flat rate that everyone pays.
In the 50th State Senate district I have not heard from any residents requesting additional laws to promote safety in their community. After nine months of campaigning I think that I would have heard some suggestions by now if people were in need of more laws.
I am not taking any donations from political action committees (PACs.)
I'm advocating for affordable child care for everyone.
There are many people in WNC who still do not have the internet at their home. What has been done so far to connect people has not been successful because it has been a piecemeal attempt. I say, "Internet for All!" It's time for the General Assembly to allow cities and counties to provide internet service to those who currently do not have it.
Healthcare is a right not a privilege. People in Macon County must be able to have a baby in Macon County again.
We should engage a regional approach for economic development.
My wife and I have lived in WNC for 21 years.
My plan is to represent everyone in the 50th Senate District. I’ll schedule regular listening sessions and town halls in every county.
Residents of the district are welcome to email me and let me know what they think. I check my email!
td@tomdowning4ncsenate.com
