MARK GRIFFIN "I believe in small efficient, effective state government"

Wainwright, Griffin: Cut spending, create jobs

Sun Journal New Bern, 10/25/10


Sue Book
Sun Journal Staff
The 2010 N.C. House District 12 race gives voters in the district shared by Craven and Lenoir counties another chance at a clear-cut choice.

Rep. William Wainwright, D-Craven, of Havelock and Republican challenger Mark Griffin of Dover let voters choose again between a veteran politician and a newcomer trying again to unseat him with different stances on a long list of issues.

One thing Wainwright and Griffin do agree on for the next General Assembly is that, facing an estimated $3.6 billion shortfall as unemployment in the state mirrors the national average 9.6 percent, cutting state government spending and creating jobs for the unemployed are top priorities.

Asked how they would address those priorities, both said government service cuts would be part of their solution.

“I can describe myself in one sentence,” Griffin said. “I believe in small efficient, effective state government that takes care of mandated areas of construction and doesn’t overreach. Private citizens and business can do most things better than government.”

Wainwright said, “I think over the last several years we have focused on trying to make government more efficient. We have looked at our state budget to eliminate duplication. But it’s a tough process and the economic downturn has caused us to take a deeper look to eliminate any and all duplication.”

Griffin said he would also cut incentives and subsidies for businesses including those for places like the Global TransPark. “I’m not against the GTP existing. I’m against state government subsidizing it and continuing to pour money into it.”

Wainwright said he considers his work toward luring industry to the GTP among his accomplishments. He pledged in 2008 to make dealing with the economy a priority.  (ARE YOU KIDDING ME?)

“People want us to find ways to create employment opportunities for them,” he said. “They want to see us reduce the size of government. But they want us to preserve and protect our education system.”
“To do this without too much job loss we will be looking at it as people retire, those positions will not have to be filled,” he said. “Where we are forced to make reductions, we’ll have to make the hard choices. Nothing is exempt.”

Griffin said, “We’ll have to look at areas where we can combine administrative work – many areas of DOT could use the same administrators.”

He sees other cost cuts or revenue generators in eliminating state funding for nonprofits and privatizing the ABC system, selling the real estate to private business he says can operate competitively and more efficiently.

Wainwright anticipates restructuring the tax system as part of the way the state has enough money to operate and vows “to do it in a transparent manner.”

And he served on the 21st Century Transportation Commission that has suggested some toll roads as one way to pay for highway infrastructure. “As long as you give people option that if they don’t want to travel a toll road they have an alternative route I would not oppose it,” he said.

Griffin said he is against toll roads. The state’s gas tax and funding through the Highway Trust, if not raided for other uses, should pay for the roads, he said.

Griffin said his political philosophy supports positions that are for pro-life, limited government, lower taxes and ending wasteful spending, educational choice, immigration law enforcement, protecting laws for traditional marriage, supporting the military, protecting the Second Amendment right to bear arms, and moving the country toward energy independence.

Both candidates favor allowing drilling off the coast.

Wainwright has significantly more campaign contributions than Griffin. Asked if he is beholden to any special interests because of them, he said, “Absolutely not. I think my contributions have come because of my dedication, commitment, effective voice, hard work in the legislative process and my desire to do the right thing.”

Sue Book can be reached at 252-635-5665 or sbook@freedomenc.com.