Answers to today's troubled youth are complex and will not be corrected by money alone. But, inequities and shortfalls within our educational system do enable the problem. No institution has been burdened by mandates more heavily than that of education. Each year this backbone of society is required to do more with less. Costly educational mandates, if dictated without supplemental funding, could potentially siphon dollars from our mainstream classroom. I am of the conviction that our budget process in Raleigh should allow education to be a priority when addressing budget needs within the state. As our world becomes more global, it is paramouont that our children obtain an education that keeps our country competitive with countries around the world.

Solutions to a child's negative environment impacted by the lack of family structure, parental guidance, male role models and/or media overexposure are best met through parents and our local communities working together to create healthy, safe homes for our young people. This is not an easy task, but we are still a free people with creative energy who must correct this course.

Regarding education as a priority, let me state that it is an insult to the ethical thought pattern to refer to the lottery as an "education lottery" I have clearly voiced my opposition to 1) the lottery itself, and 2) its distorted promotion as an educational tool. I plan to file a bill in the short session that prohibits usage of the term "educational" in any ad language promoting the NC lottery.

This past session, I co-sponsored SB-1473. Passage of this important piece of legislation (now in committee) would establish three pilot high school career technology schools across the state. A 97.7% cohort graduation rate of the Highland School of Technology in Gaston County provides a successful model for design. I co-sponsored bills SB-1322 and S-1110 which address the need for accurate reporting of drop-out rates in our schools (now in committee). Local flexibility regarding teacher pay is also a priority of mine, highlighted in S-1014.