THE REASONS I DECIDED TO RUN FOR THE NORTH CAROLINA STATE SENATE!!!
Hello Everyone. My name is Danny Hefner, and I am the Democratic Candidate for the N.C. State Senate, District 8, in the General Election which is set for November 2012. North Carolina's State Senate District 8, is now comprised of Brunswick, Bladen, Pender, and part of New Hanover Counties. I made my decision to run for elected office due to the fact that the Current Incumbent Republican State Senator, Bill Rabon, has cast his Votes, in the State Senate, AGAINST his constituents, instead of FOR them. Many of the reasons I decided to run are listed as follows:
JOBS:
During the Last 18 Months, Senator Rabon failed to deliver more than 3,000 jobs coming directly to District 8. Brunswick County in particular. We lost TWO MAJOR manufacturing companies; Continental Tire, which went to South Carolina, and Caterpillar, which went to Georgia. He did not even introduce legislation to have the incentive packages, for both companies, to be voted upon in the State Senate. This failure to act cost us additional jobs, which would have placed facilities in the surrounding counties of District 8; Bladen, Pender, and New Hanover. The suppliers for these two companies were planning to relocate here as well. When Senator Rabon ran for office in 2010, he promised that he had a plan to bring jobs to this area, but to date, he has not introduced any pieces of legislation that would initiate incentives for ANY company to COME to North Carolina. Proof on file at the North Carolina General Assembly's Website. That proof is as follows: Go the General Assembly's website; search for Senator Bill Rabon; then read the items of legislation that he has sponsored, co-sponsored, and voted upon. You will find inaction in this arena. I have previously said that Senator Rabon had voted against jobs coming to District 8. I was WRONG! Instead, he has done nothing, at least, that I can find, and if I am wrong about that, I will admit it. All I have been able to find are bills that support the initiatives and interests of his Donors or his Republican Leadership. He also helped KILL a law that would give N.C. companies priority in bidding for State Contracts and he helped cut $1.75 MILLION from the Rural Economic Development Center. He applied his help in this area by voting with his party. He may not have sponsored the bills, but he didn't try to stop them either. Which is worse? A Senator who votes against the Jobs coming here, or one that fails to act on behalf of his own constituents? If he would have tried and lost by a vote of the WHOLE Senate, I wouldn't be running against him. I could understand that he is one voice; one vote; but, not even trying to get the necessary incentives. He and other Legislators GOT $60,000,000.00 for the Film industry, which he stated, and I quote, "This is my industry and I will protect it." (I thought he is a Veterinarian.) The film industry is important, and yes, we need those jobs too, but, they aren't filming movies here everday. We need EVERYDAY Businesses here; not just part time, or seasonal. Your Children need homes, clothing, food, and any other necessity that you feel is necessary on a DAILY basis. In his own newsletter, he stated, after returning from Shinjen, China, that he was proud of the business partnerships between the United States and China. I believe in being partners in the Global community, HOWEVER, I am an AMERICA FIRST, type of guy! I believe in American Exceptionalism. Republicans don't have the market cornered on Patriotism and Love for this Country.
EDUCATION:
The Republicans cut nearly $620 Million from K-12 schools in 2 years. Public schools will have $80 Million less than they did last year, (2011) and there will be an additional 12,000 students added to the rolls of our schools this year. The additional $80 Million in cuts has cost us more than 6,000 jobs in the Education System. Senator Rabon helped cut SmartStart and N.C. Pre-K by $104 Million. The Republicans failed to meet the conditions set out by a judge, who ruled that their cuts to Pre-K violated the State Constitution. The Republicans also cut over $4 Million for textbooks. Senator Rabon and the Republicans cut $65 Million from all 58 community colleges and restricted access to Federal Low Interest Financial Aid, which resulted in a 23% tuition increase, but he states that he believes Community Colleges are the "Shining Star" of education. Can you say, CONTRADICTION? He also helped cut $414 Million from UNC System Colleges, which have raised tuition another 10%. Senator Rabon and the other Republicans cut $22 Million from Financial Aid for UNC System Colleges. In 2011, More than 6,000 K-12 Educators lost their jobs, and the University System eliminated more than 3,000 jobs. State House Speaker Tillis has admitted that he expects that this year, (2012-2013), another 3,000 Educators will lose their jobs. Senator Rabon and the Republicans ELIMINATED the successful Teaching Fellows Program and ELIMINATED Governor's School. The Republicans also voted to put Re-Cap tires on our children's school buses AND guess what, he's the Chairman of the Transportation Committee. Did he have a hand in putting those Re-Caps on your Children's School Buses? What do you think?
SOCIAL PROGRAMS:
April of 2011, Senator Rabon Co-Sponsored Senate Bill (SB) 571. This bill was intended to repeal the Subsistence Fishing Licenses which are granted to poor people and people on food stamps. The Fishing License is provided for free from the State, to help the poor put food on their table. Luckily, SB571 was defeated. Question: When did it become a sin to feed the poor? Senator Rabon and the Republicans cut $20 Million from local Mental Health Services. He also helped cut domestic violence and rape crisis programs. He helped to defund Planned Parenthood, which provides cancer screening and other life-saving preventative health services to 25,000 Women in North Carolina each year. Senator Rabon helped take $9.6 million from a Federal Housing Settlement, intended to help struggling homeowners and put it in the General Fund. He helped eliminate $14 Million in funding for anti-tobacco programs. He helped KILL a law that would allow VETERANS, who served our Country, to receive in-State Tuition if they were last stationed in N.C. He and the other Republicans, cut counseling services for the children of Military Service Members. Senator Rabon helped add $200 Million in new fees and tolls that will put an even greater burden on working families. He helped cut $5 Million in prescription assistance funds which will make prescription drugs more expensive and will MAINLY effect SENIOR CITIZENS. Senator Rabon and the other Republicans also cut funding for Meals on Wheels and In-Home Nursing care for more than 15,000 Home Bound Senior Citizens.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS:
Senator Rabon and the other Republicans voted to bring Hydraulic Fracturing (Fracking) to North
Carolina. This method of Natural Gas harvesting has resulted in deaths in other States. In order to get Natural Gas using this method, a mixture of Sand, Water, and POISONOUS CHEMICALS are pumped into shale deposits underground, fracturing them. This method is known for soil and ground water. This then leads to the poisoning of Wells which people use for drinking water, which in turn poisons the people. According the United States Geologic Survey, USGS, If these Gas companies are able to harvest ALL of the Natural Gas in the Deep River Basin, that this method can produce, it will only be enough to support the State of North Carolina for 5.6 years; AND, if they can get all of the Natural Gas that is in the Dan River Basin, It will only be enough to supply N.C. for 60 days; BUT, the chemical poisoning will remain indefinitely. NOW, THERE ARE TWO KEY WORDS IN THE PREVIOUS STATEMENTS! RIVER and BASIN! THIS is where Our Drinking Water Comes From. Not only that, the report also includes the MAJOR RISK of weakening stable earthquake fault lines, thereby, increasing the chance for catastrophic earthquakes in North Carolina. The fracking law passed by Senator Rabon and the Republicans, allows big companies to force land owners to sell their gas rights and it KILLED an amendment that would have protected property rights of private citizens.
AMENDMENT ONE:
Senator Rabon and the other Republicans fought to get Amendment One on the ballot for the primary election in May of 2012. This Amendment is clearly Unconstitutional as it purposely violates Article 4, Section 1, of the U.S. Constitution. This is the Full Faith, and Credit Clause of the U.S. Constitution. This Article DICTATES, that ALL States must render Full Faith and Credit to the Public Acts, Public Records, and Judicial Proceedings of all of the other States. This Amendment has destructively violated the rights of UNMARRIED Heterosexual couples 10 to 1 OVER Same-Sex Couples. The issue is not whether Same-Sex Couples should have the right to "Legally Marry". The issue is SHOULD THE STATE HAVE THE RIGHT TO DICTATE THE LIVES, AND PERSONAL CHOICES, OF THE PEOPLE.
BACK POCKET POLITICS:
During the month of July 2012, The North Carolina General Assembly voted to over-ride the Governor's Veto of the 2012-2013 budget. In their Veto Over-ride, the Republicans slipped $60,000,000.00 in tax incentives, for the film industry, into the veto over-ride. In August 2012, State Senator Bill Rabon and 3 other coastal Legislators, RENTED their personal properties to various companies in the film industry. Senator Bill Rabon rented his personal boat slip to the film company for $50.00 per day, for a period of 85 days. This was a total "RENTAL FEE" of more than $4,000.00 that was paid to Senator Rabon, instead of being paid to the State in the form of Tax Revenue, by the film company. NOW....it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure this one out. This was an unethical, yet, legal way of taking a "Payoff" from his "Corporate" Sponsors. I have vowed not to take any money from special interest groups, commonly referred to as PAC's. I haven't yet and I don't intend to.
ANIMAL RIGHTS:
Senator Rabon, who is a Veterinarian, has failed to support any and all legislation that pertains to Animal Rights. He Failed to support Tougher Penalties on those who engage in Gamecock Fighting. He also refuses to support the New Proposed legislation for Commercial Dog Breeders to place them under the 52-J Standards of Living. Currently, We are spending somewhere in the neighborhood of $2,080,000.00 per year euthanizing animals in this State. We are spending in the neighborhood of $60,000.00 to $100,000.00 for each "Puppy Mill" clean-up. The proposed legislation DOES NOT effect Hunters, Show Kennels, or Sporting Dog Kennels. This will effect Commercial Breeders, who sell to the public, if the own 10 or more, intact, Breeding Females. The legislation will also prevent more illegal breeders from coming to N.C. from neighboring States. It is our responsibility to protect our Animal Companions.
Is this what YOU want for OUR State? If you want to do the right thing for North Carolina, Then VOTE Danny Hefner for the N.C. State Senate, District 8. The time to do right, is right NOW!
JOBS:
During the Last 18 Months, Senator Rabon failed to deliver more than 3,000 jobs coming directly to District 8. Brunswick County in particular. We lost TWO MAJOR manufacturing companies; Continental Tire, which went to South Carolina, and Caterpillar, which went to Georgia. He did not even introduce legislation to have the incentive packages, for both companies, to be voted upon in the State Senate. This failure to act cost us additional jobs, which would have placed facilities in the surrounding counties of District 8; Bladen, Pender, and New Hanover. The suppliers for these two companies were planning to relocate here as well. When Senator Rabon ran for office in 2010, he promised that he had a plan to bring jobs to this area, but to date, he has not introduced any pieces of legislation that would initiate incentives for ANY company to COME to North Carolina. Proof on file at the North Carolina General Assembly's Website. That proof is as follows: Go the General Assembly's website; search for Senator Bill Rabon; then read the items of legislation that he has sponsored, co-sponsored, and voted upon. You will find inaction in this arena. I have previously said that Senator Rabon had voted against jobs coming to District 8. I was WRONG! Instead, he has done nothing, at least, that I can find, and if I am wrong about that, I will admit it. All I have been able to find are bills that support the initiatives and interests of his Donors or his Republican Leadership. He also helped KILL a law that would give N.C. companies priority in bidding for State Contracts and he helped cut $1.75 MILLION from the Rural Economic Development Center. He applied his help in this area by voting with his party. He may not have sponsored the bills, but he didn't try to stop them either. Which is worse? A Senator who votes against the Jobs coming here, or one that fails to act on behalf of his own constituents? If he would have tried and lost by a vote of the WHOLE Senate, I wouldn't be running against him. I could understand that he is one voice; one vote; but, not even trying to get the necessary incentives. He and other Legislators GOT $60,000,000.00 for the Film industry, which he stated, and I quote, "This is my industry and I will protect it." (I thought he is a Veterinarian.) The film industry is important, and yes, we need those jobs too, but, they aren't filming movies here everday. We need EVERYDAY Businesses here; not just part time, or seasonal. Your Children need homes, clothing, food, and any other necessity that you feel is necessary on a DAILY basis. In his own newsletter, he stated, after returning from Shinjen, China, that he was proud of the business partnerships between the United States and China. I believe in being partners in the Global community, HOWEVER, I am an AMERICA FIRST, type of guy! I believe in American Exceptionalism. Republicans don't have the market cornered on Patriotism and Love for this Country.
EDUCATION:
The Republicans cut nearly $620 Million from K-12 schools in 2 years. Public schools will have $80 Million less than they did last year, (2011) and there will be an additional 12,000 students added to the rolls of our schools this year. The additional $80 Million in cuts has cost us more than 6,000 jobs in the Education System. Senator Rabon helped cut SmartStart and N.C. Pre-K by $104 Million. The Republicans failed to meet the conditions set out by a judge, who ruled that their cuts to Pre-K violated the State Constitution. The Republicans also cut over $4 Million for textbooks. Senator Rabon and the Republicans cut $65 Million from all 58 community colleges and restricted access to Federal Low Interest Financial Aid, which resulted in a 23% tuition increase, but he states that he believes Community Colleges are the "Shining Star" of education. Can you say, CONTRADICTION? He also helped cut $414 Million from UNC System Colleges, which have raised tuition another 10%. Senator Rabon and the other Republicans cut $22 Million from Financial Aid for UNC System Colleges. In 2011, More than 6,000 K-12 Educators lost their jobs, and the University System eliminated more than 3,000 jobs. State House Speaker Tillis has admitted that he expects that this year, (2012-2013), another 3,000 Educators will lose their jobs. Senator Rabon and the Republicans ELIMINATED the successful Teaching Fellows Program and ELIMINATED Governor's School. The Republicans also voted to put Re-Cap tires on our children's school buses AND guess what, he's the Chairman of the Transportation Committee. Did he have a hand in putting those Re-Caps on your Children's School Buses? What do you think?
SOCIAL PROGRAMS:
April of 2011, Senator Rabon Co-Sponsored Senate Bill (SB) 571. This bill was intended to repeal the Subsistence Fishing Licenses which are granted to poor people and people on food stamps. The Fishing License is provided for free from the State, to help the poor put food on their table. Luckily, SB571 was defeated. Question: When did it become a sin to feed the poor? Senator Rabon and the Republicans cut $20 Million from local Mental Health Services. He also helped cut domestic violence and rape crisis programs. He helped to defund Planned Parenthood, which provides cancer screening and other life-saving preventative health services to 25,000 Women in North Carolina each year. Senator Rabon helped take $9.6 million from a Federal Housing Settlement, intended to help struggling homeowners and put it in the General Fund. He helped eliminate $14 Million in funding for anti-tobacco programs. He helped KILL a law that would allow VETERANS, who served our Country, to receive in-State Tuition if they were last stationed in N.C. He and the other Republicans, cut counseling services for the children of Military Service Members. Senator Rabon helped add $200 Million in new fees and tolls that will put an even greater burden on working families. He helped cut $5 Million in prescription assistance funds which will make prescription drugs more expensive and will MAINLY effect SENIOR CITIZENS. Senator Rabon and the other Republicans also cut funding for Meals on Wheels and In-Home Nursing care for more than 15,000 Home Bound Senior Citizens.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS:
Senator Rabon and the other Republicans voted to bring Hydraulic Fracturing (Fracking) to North
Carolina. This method of Natural Gas harvesting has resulted in deaths in other States. In order to get Natural Gas using this method, a mixture of Sand, Water, and POISONOUS CHEMICALS are pumped into shale deposits underground, fracturing them. This method is known for soil and ground water. This then leads to the poisoning of Wells which people use for drinking water, which in turn poisons the people. According the United States Geologic Survey, USGS, If these Gas companies are able to harvest ALL of the Natural Gas in the Deep River Basin, that this method can produce, it will only be enough to support the State of North Carolina for 5.6 years; AND, if they can get all of the Natural Gas that is in the Dan River Basin, It will only be enough to supply N.C. for 60 days; BUT, the chemical poisoning will remain indefinitely. NOW, THERE ARE TWO KEY WORDS IN THE PREVIOUS STATEMENTS! RIVER and BASIN! THIS is where Our Drinking Water Comes From. Not only that, the report also includes the MAJOR RISK of weakening stable earthquake fault lines, thereby, increasing the chance for catastrophic earthquakes in North Carolina. The fracking law passed by Senator Rabon and the Republicans, allows big companies to force land owners to sell their gas rights and it KILLED an amendment that would have protected property rights of private citizens.
AMENDMENT ONE:
Senator Rabon and the other Republicans fought to get Amendment One on the ballot for the primary election in May of 2012. This Amendment is clearly Unconstitutional as it purposely violates Article 4, Section 1, of the U.S. Constitution. This is the Full Faith, and Credit Clause of the U.S. Constitution. This Article DICTATES, that ALL States must render Full Faith and Credit to the Public Acts, Public Records, and Judicial Proceedings of all of the other States. This Amendment has destructively violated the rights of UNMARRIED Heterosexual couples 10 to 1 OVER Same-Sex Couples. The issue is not whether Same-Sex Couples should have the right to "Legally Marry". The issue is SHOULD THE STATE HAVE THE RIGHT TO DICTATE THE LIVES, AND PERSONAL CHOICES, OF THE PEOPLE.
BACK POCKET POLITICS:
During the month of July 2012, The North Carolina General Assembly voted to over-ride the Governor's Veto of the 2012-2013 budget. In their Veto Over-ride, the Republicans slipped $60,000,000.00 in tax incentives, for the film industry, into the veto over-ride. In August 2012, State Senator Bill Rabon and 3 other coastal Legislators, RENTED their personal properties to various companies in the film industry. Senator Bill Rabon rented his personal boat slip to the film company for $50.00 per day, for a period of 85 days. This was a total "RENTAL FEE" of more than $4,000.00 that was paid to Senator Rabon, instead of being paid to the State in the form of Tax Revenue, by the film company. NOW....it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure this one out. This was an unethical, yet, legal way of taking a "Payoff" from his "Corporate" Sponsors. I have vowed not to take any money from special interest groups, commonly referred to as PAC's. I haven't yet and I don't intend to.
ANIMAL RIGHTS:
Senator Rabon, who is a Veterinarian, has failed to support any and all legislation that pertains to Animal Rights. He Failed to support Tougher Penalties on those who engage in Gamecock Fighting. He also refuses to support the New Proposed legislation for Commercial Dog Breeders to place them under the 52-J Standards of Living. Currently, We are spending somewhere in the neighborhood of $2,080,000.00 per year euthanizing animals in this State. We are spending in the neighborhood of $60,000.00 to $100,000.00 for each "Puppy Mill" clean-up. The proposed legislation DOES NOT effect Hunters, Show Kennels, or Sporting Dog Kennels. This will effect Commercial Breeders, who sell to the public, if the own 10 or more, intact, Breeding Females. The legislation will also prevent more illegal breeders from coming to N.C. from neighboring States. It is our responsibility to protect our Animal Companions.
Is this what YOU want for OUR State? If you want to do the right thing for North Carolina, Then VOTE Danny Hefner for the N.C. State Senate, District 8. The time to do right, is right NOW!
