This post features responses to the Xpress questionnaire from Susan Fisher, the Democratic candidate for N.C. Statehouse District 114, which includes most of Asheville. Fisher is the incumbent and she faces no challenger on this year’s ballot.
Susan Fisher
Slogan: “A leader who listens.”
Website: http://electsusanfisher.org
Occupation: Legislator
Residence: Asheville
Top three donors: See public records at State Board of Elections website
Total raised as of Sept. 1: $32,600
Endorsements: N.C. Assoc. of Educators, N.C. League of Conservation Voters, Planned Parenthood
1. How would you offset the reduction in funding for existing public schools caused by lifting the cap on charter schools?
This legislative session saw millions of dollars cut from education. All public schools deserve funding to meet students’ educational needs. All public schools must perform well, and as more schools open, we must make certain those operating now are performing adequately. Future funding calls for modernizing our state revenue system.
2. Do you support or oppose ratifying the Equal Rights Amendment? Why?
Yes. Ratification would make discrimination against women for any reason unconstitutional, thus less likely, and subject discriminatory actions to scrutiny by the courts.
3. Do you support or oppose establishing a nonpartisan redistricting commission, managed by the Legislative Services Office, that would assume responsibility for drawing new district lines? Why?
Yes. An independent commission would take politics out of the redistricting process. A bill I co-sponsored last biennium would have established such a commission.
4. Except in cases of financial crisis, should the Legislature redistribute a city’s assets or reconfigure its services without a request from the local government?
No.
5. State law allows utilities to raise rates to pay for power plants before they’re built, even if they’re never completed. Do you support expanding that law to allow companies to impose annual rate hikes without public comment or oversight? Why or why not?
No. I opposed the so-called CWIP (Construction Work in Progress) portion of the clean-energy bill and introduced an amendment to remove the provision. Planning ahead is one thing, but asking the customer to pay up front for construction that may never happen and without seeking their input is wrong.
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