Dear Friends,
Today, North Carolina is facing an unprecedented economic and fiscal crisis. We have seen our economy stall, the unemployment rate soar and our work force shrink with no relief in sight. Businesses and families have been suffering, yet in the depths of the worst recession in memory, the Democrats' solution was to raise $2.5 billion in job-killing taxes and fees. Now we are saddled with the highest combined tax rates in the Southeast putting us at a competitive disadvantage and costing us jobs. Making matters worse, the State is facing a $3 billion budget deficit, one of the highest in the Nation.

Serious times require serious solutions; my highest priority will be growing businesses and attracting new investment so we can create the good paying jobs our citizens deserve. We must also control government spending, lower our debt and provide much needed tax relief for families and small businesses.

We can no longer afford to patch over our problems and simply hope things will get better down the road. It's time to take on the challenges facing our State by raising our standards of educational achievement to compete in the global economy, increasing access to affordable quality health care, lowering tax rates, streamlining regulations, and finally putting an end to the corrupt good-ole boy politics which have plagued our State.

It's been an honor to serve the citizens and families of the 36th District, I will continue to seek solutions that bring people together and move North Carolina forward. I encourage you to e-mail me with your comments and suggestions on the issues.

Please know I will appreciate your support and your vote on November 2nd.

Very Truly Yours,