TaxesA low tax, business friendly environment is the true driver of prosperity. Charlotte has grown from a small regional town to a nationally recognized city because of its strong business community. Our leaders should focus on creating a healthy climate for all businesses instead of picking and choosing winners through economic incentives that only benefit certain companies while never producing the promised number of jobs.
PrivatizationWhere possible, the privatization of non-emergency services such as management of parks and waste should be pursued. In other towns and cities, governments have tried this and experienced a decrease in cost despite an increase in efficiency and accountability. Contracting out these services will allow Mecklenburg County government and its employees to focus on more essential services and priorities.
EducationParents and students should have more opportunities to improve their education. I would push for research on the best way to implement a school voucher program aimed at providing funding directly to each student. These vouchers could be used for parents to decide which school to send their child rather than an overly bureaucratic and politicized school board. This would have the dual benefit of releasing schools from the bureaucracy of centralized management while allowing them to compete for students through custom curriculum, self-chosen focus areas and innovative new programs and methods. Such programs have revitalized local school districts in many other cities and countries around the world while keeping costs under control.
Law EnforcementProtecting the safety and property of citizens is a paramount function of government and should never be subject to budget restraints due to non-essential spending on arenas, trains and corporate welfare. Mecklenburg County should budget for and spend on its priorities first.
AnnexationThe state laws on annexation are outdated and overly restrictive. Citizens of Mecklenburg County should have a voice in deciding whether they want to live in a particular city or town. Such laws lead to local governments that have no fear of repercussion when they fail to represent or respond to the complaints of a plurality of their citizens.