NC 115: Patsy Keever

Name: Patsy Keever
Occupation: Teacher (retired)
Party affiliation, if any: Democrat
Political experience: Buncombe County commissioner 1992-2004
Endorsements: Asheville Citizen-Times, Women’s Campaign Forum, NCAE, Planned Parenthood, NC NOW, Lillian’s List, NC Advocates for Justice, PARC, WNC for Change, Equality North Carolina, Conservation Council, Sierra Club, WNC Central Labor Council

1) How much money have you raised for your campaign?

$109,498.50

Jane Swafford – $8,000
Progressive Kick PAC – $4,875
Lillian's List – $4,000

2) What most distinguishes you from your opponent?

My leadership as president of the local League of Women Voters, my church and the local chapter of NCAE. Plus 25 years as a classroom teacher and 12 years as a county commissioner give me real experience working on issues with the people of this community.

3) What are your top three legislative priorities?

• Rebuilding the economy.
• Public education at all levels, particularly a required ninth-grade course which will prepare our young people to make better decisions as they enter the adult world.
• Effective slope-development regulations which will protect the safety of our citizens and the integrity of our mountains.

4) Do you support authorizing Asheville to raise its hotel -room tax?

Yes.

5) What methods do you favor for dealing with the state budget crunch, and how would they affect the Asheville area?

State revenues are volatile, because they are primarily sales taxes and income taxes. These two sources are highly affected by general economic downturn. Therefore the best way to rebuild state and local revenues is to put people back to work.

6) Do you favor changing state law governing involuntary annexation? If so, how?

I am open to re-examining annexation laws to ensure everyone is treated fairly. For example, I am against parts of a neighborhood being annexed while other parts are excluded.

7) North Carolina had more people on its AIDS Drug Assistance Program waiting list last year than all other states combined. Do you favor fully funding this program?

Yes.

8)What's your position on legalizing medical marijuana?

Support.

9) Do you favor providing benefits for same-sex domestic partners of state employees? Why or why not?

Yes. I favor equal rights for everyone. Providing domestic-partnership benefits is a good and necessary retention benefit for our state employees.

10) Do you support state assistance to local municipalities in financial trouble? If so, in what form?

By statute, state and local governments are required to have a balanced budget. The state should continue to provide excellent training for city and county employees and elected offiicials through the UNC School of Government. The state should allow more flexibility to the local governments to achieve mandated objectives.