In the wake of a two billion dollar budget surplus, the number one goal for improving our state's economy should be to bring discipline to state government spending. Currently, we have an opportunity to give back to the hard working citizens that help our economy grow. I will not sit by and let the Democratic leadership spend your tax money on projects that do not directly benefit the constituents.
The hard working tax paying individuals in New Hanover County deserve to reap the benefits of the services our state supplies. We have such an incredible opportunity to change lives and plan for the future by being fiscally responsible with our state's funds. I look forward to helping lay the groundwork for accomplishing our state's goals in education, roads, and especially job creation. This can all possible without increasing taxes.
Money wasted in state government means we are not prioritizing the most important governmental services. One resource in particular that should be actively used is the community college system. In fact, community colleges account for approximately $1.4 billion in the North Carolina economy and are responsible for 52,000 jobs statewide. This is a valuable resource that must be tapped regularly for continued success.
Along with the community college system, we must prepare our students early on with the necessary skills to succeed in a changing economy and world. These options are key tools for creating opportune conditions for job growth in North Carolina. By providing North Carolinians with a quality education, we can increase our job creation numbers, and ultimately, spur an economy that continues to grow.
We need to focus on all possible options for taking our state's money and using it in our best interest. This could be done by reducing the burden on income taxes or even streamlining governmental processes to create efficiency within state government. I intend to make this a priority as I represent the constituents of New Hanover County to the best of my ability.