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Name: Graig Meyer
District/seat: Senate District 23
County or counties represented: Orange, Person, Caswell
Political party: Democrat
Age as of Nov. 5, 2024: 50
Campaign website: graigmeyer.com
Current occupation: Partner and Chief Operating Officer of The Equity Collaborative, LLC
Professional experience: Social worker and coordinator, Chapel Hill public schools (1998-2014). Coordinator of the Blue Ribbon Mentor-Advocate program. During his tenure leading BRMA, the program had a 97.5% graduation rate and 100% of the program’s graduates enrolled in post-secondary education. Partner and COO, The Equity Collaborative.
Education: BA, College of Wooster. MSW, University of Chicago
Please list any notable government or civic involvement. N.C. House, 2013-2022. N.C. Senate, 2023-present. Member, Southern Regional Education Board.
What would be your top priority if elected?
I’m concerned about North Carolina’s newly expanded private school voucher program. These so-called “opportunity scholarships” will contribute to driving us apart by making it easier for parents and their children to avoid the important work of community building. I want to work to prioritize our public school system so that all North Carolinians have the opportunity to thrive.
By percentage, what raises should state employees, school staff and teachers receive in the next state budget?
The percentage of raises should always be determined alongside revenue projections. So what we really need to do is roll back the elimination of the corporate income tax to increase revenues, and then we could raise employee pay by double digits over the next few years.
What legislation would you support to improve Triangle transportation, housing or infrastructure? Please be specific.
Last session, I was the sponsor of Senate Bill 643, the Transportation for the Future Act, which would vault North Carolina into the future by empowering communities to chart our own new, modern transportation futures. The Triangle would benefit immensely. The act lifts current limitations on rail, bike and pedestrian funding and the prohibition on incentives for working from home. And, for the first time, it allows for the environment to be part of the consideration for future transportation needs.
Do you think the legislature should fund about $500 million for private school vouchers through the Opportunity Scholarship program? Why or why not?
No. Vouchers shift money from our inclusive system to exclusive institutions. First, because most private schools cost much more than a voucher provides, vouchers are primarily simply a tax refund for rich folks who have already decided to separate their kids from the larger community. Second, many voucher-funded schools don’t use a strong, research-based curriculum. Third, vouchers starve our public schools of needed resources.
Is there an issue on which you disagree with your party? What is your position on that issue?
The most public dispute I had with my party in the past was my push to reopen schools as soon as possible during the pandemic. My largest dispute currently is probably over the issue of cannabis legalization. I believe we should pursue full adult recreational legalization and regulation, but many of my party think we should pursue medical marijuana first.
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