They've got issues and they're talking through them-or at least talking about talking through them. With the November election looming ever closer, gubernatorial candidates Democrat Mike Easley and Republican Richard Vinroot have staked out their issues-health care, education and state spending-and have begun defending their positions adamantly.
Health Care
Easley has talked extensively about health care reform for people of all ages. "When it comes to patients' rights, he wants to see the state take some action, which includes the right to hold a [Health Maintenance Organization] liable if they withhold treatment," Easley spokesperson Amanda Crumley said.
On the Mike Easley for Governor website, Easley wrote that he will also work for greater disclosure to patients under managed health care programs.
"As governor, I will seek legislation prohibiting all contract 'gag clauses' that prevent doctors from discussing with their patients how the business practices of the managed care plans they contract with may affect the range of treatment options available," wrote Easley, who is now the state's attorney general.
For the most part, Vinroot has supported Republican presidential candidate Gov. George W. Bush's health care reform plans, including Bush's proposed patients' bill of rights, which would include the rights to an independent review of an HMO's decision to deny care and in some cases would allow a patient to take an HMO to court. Easley has composed a plan to assist seniors with their prescription costs by using money won in the tobacco settlement. Vinroot says the plan is too complicated.
Education
Vinroot Campaign Manager Chris Neeley said Vinroot hopes to instate a program similar to Republican Gov. Jeb Bush's A-Plus Plan in Florida. The plan would provide a rating system for all public schools. If schools fail two years in a row, their students are awarded scholarships to attend other schools. "If a child leaves a school then $3,700 [originally allotted to the student's prior school] would be transferred with that child," Neeley said. "In essence, I think competition would eventually create a smaller class size and competition fosters a better learning environment for our children."
Easley has plans to support and continue Smart Start, a program launched by current N.C. Governor Jim Hunt in 1993 that assists families in providing health care and child care to their kids.
"When it comes to public education, Mike is going to stand by the public schools," Crumley said.
Vinroot is also in favor of Smart Start, but would like to see the program focus more on academics. "Richard doesn't want to come in and tweak it, he wants to come in and overhaul it," Neeley said. "He would like to see it developed into something like what's in Charlotte called Bright Beginnings."
State Spending
Thad Beyle, professor of political science at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, said the candidates are not likely to focus on the General Assembly budget in this election because it is such a complex issue. "I think there are some issues they are not going to address because they are too difficult, such as the fiscal situation in this state," Beyle said. "And the solution will probably have to be increasing taxes."
Vinroot says this doesn't have to be the case: He is in favor of a Taxpayer Protection Act that would limit budget increases to the sum of inflation and population growth. "That would limit government spending and force government to make choices," Neeley said.
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