Ryan Guay 
http://kernersvillenews.com
 
U.S. Senator Kay Hagan discussed a variety of issues with Kernersville News, which were featured in Saturday's edition of the Kernersville News, including Wall Street reform, healthcare reform and immigration reform.
 
In her interview with the News, Hagan also discussed issues affecting N.C. directly, including education and unemployment. Hagan addressed concerns about increasing budget cuts for school systems, especially in light of the $22.1 million proposed budget cuts for Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools.
 
"Obviously most communities around the nation are receiving huge budget punches in their local budgets," Hagan said. "It is imperative upon our General Assembly to do everything we can to keep dollars in the classroom for our students."
 
Hagan noted that currently, much local attention is being paid to these budget cuts. However, Hagan added that she is hard at work to improve public education in N.C.
 
"We are working on the reauthorization of the No Child Left Behind bills," Hagan said. "I'm a member of the committee that is in the discussion of that and I am taking a serious interest in it." Hagan emphasized many things that need to be changed in education.
 
"The ‘one size fits all' idea of education is not good," Hagan said. "We need to understand not all children learn the same way. We need to be more innovative in our schools."
 
Hagan stressed that student success depends on the appropriate policies being in place.
 
"School success depends on policies with clear goals. The people closest to the students need to have the opportunity to determine the best opportunities for their students," Hagan said.
 
Hagan also believes Washington needs to look at recruitment tactics and teacher retention.
 
Additionally, Hagan is placing focus on her first bill, the Financial Literacy Act.
 
"I did this in the state Senate," Hagan said. "If you look at the sub-prime mortgage crisis today, it is a glaring example of why we need to educate young people about (financial matters). They need to understand debt, mortgages, student loans and other financial issues. These issues aren't rocket science; we have just not taught students how to handle debt."
 
The Financial Literacy Act creates incentive grants for states to incorporate financial education into grades 6-12.
 
"This helps students understand the major financial decisions they will be making, and I think that's critical," Hagan said.
 
Another issue important to Hagan is increasing jobs and employment rates in N.C.
 
"We've got to get the unemployment rate down," Hagan said. "Everything I do is focused on jobs."
 
Hagan was pleased to report that in April, 290,000 jobs were created around the country.
 
"Our economy is moving in the right direction, but that doesn't mean much to North Carolinians who haven't found work," Hagan said. "We have to focus on legislation to help small businesses grow and get people back to work."
 
Hagan explained one act that should help is a bi-partisan bill called the Hire Act.
 
"The Hire Act will help small businesses create jobs," Hagan said.
 
The act talks about three key points, the first is to support small business owners with tax credits for hiring and retaining workers, according to Hagan.
 
"The second is that it accelerates capital expenditures so we can have accelerated write-offs," Hagan said. "That will allow small business owners to expand their capital."
 
The third point is it will exempt businesses from paying Social Security payroll taxes for workers who had been hired, but were unemployed for 60 days prior to being hired.
 
Hagan explained what she feels the direction of Congress should be.
 
"We have to provide a good business climate so businesses can grow and prosper," Hagan said.
 
To that end, Hagan was pleased with development in N.C., especially in Kernersville.
 
"I'm incredibly excited about the new FedEx Ground facility being constructed," Hagan said. "It is going to be a wonderful facility. We have all been waiting for FedEx Ground for a while and I will be delighted when everything is opened."
 
Hagan is also looking forward to the completion of Kernersville Medical Center.
 
"Kernersville Medical Center is going to be a great addition to community," Hagan said. "I think medical care will be excellent for the citizens of Kernersville."
 
Hagan is excited about the facilities for their potential to open jobs in the area.
 
"What I'm keyed into is that when these projects are completed, it will create jobs. Not only that, there should be a surge in jobs for suppliers close by to support the facilities," Hagan said.
 
Another aspect Hagan hopes to improve to assist the job market is N.C.'s military.
 
"There is a large military footprint in North Carolina," Hagan said. "I don't think we've done enough to attract defense contracting jobs that go hand in hand with our footprint."
 
Currently, Hagan has talked to a wide variety of individuals to help expand this market.
 
"I've talked to individuals, companies and CEOs everyday discussing the issue of increasing defense contract jobs to go with our military footprint," Hagan said.
 
Hagan continued to emphasize her dedication to improving the job market.
 
"Everyday we are working on jobs in North Carolina and around the country," Hagan said. "Next week I'm meeting with the Small Business Administration head Karen Mills to discuss potential legislation for small businesses."
 
Hagan encourages community citizens to become involved in the community, given the recent primaries held throughout N.C.
 
"I just hope the people take voting seriously and come out to vote in the runoff primary elections," Hagan said.