Raleigh City Council District A
Cat Lawson
Are you an incumbent?
No
1. Do you support the City of Raleigh’s $275 million parks bond on the ballot this November?
Yes
2. Do you support the $353.2 million Wake Tech bond on the ballot this November?
Yes
3. Do you support the $530.7 million Wake County schools bond on the ballot this November?
Yes
4. What is your long-term vision for growth in Raleigh?
Raleigh is growing, which is a good thing. The challenges that come with people and businesses wanting to move here are far preferable to the challenges of a shrinking or stagnating city. With that growth comes growing pains, like making sure that the new and expanding parts of our city don't push out existing members of our community. I will work hard for a version of Raleigh that has both opportunities for every resident here and a safe place to call home.
5. What do you see as the city's number one challenge?
We need more housing at all economic levels, but particularly for entry-level and “missing middle” markets. Sometimes, that will mean building density in the right places, like where density exists and areas with easy access to traffic corridors and public transit routes (both planned and existing). Overall, the best research on housing affordability shows increased supply is the best long-term solution. I’m confident we can meet that need in a way that addresses immediate hardships while prioritizing longterm solutions.
6. What are you hoping to achieve as an elected official that will foster a healthy and innovative business environment in both the near and long term?
One of the key drivers for the success of Raleigh's business community is the talent of the folks who live here. If we want talented and ambitious people to continue making Raleigh their home, we need to ensure that Raleigh is an affordable, safe, and enjoyable place to live, one where there's a thriving community of entrepreneurs. We also should continue developing programs that support and empower our local community members as they develop the home-grown businesses that are vital to Raleigh's business ecosystem.
7. The Wake County Transit plan will expand bus service countywide, implement four bus rapid transit lines, and initiate a regional commuter rail system. What would you like to see the City of Raleigh do to complement or modify this enhanced transit service?
Raleigh needs to be an active partner in bringing these plans to fruition so that they don't get delayed by a lack of prioritization or funding. Alongside the regional transit expansions, the City should also focus on increasing walkability and greenway connections throughout Raleigh.
8. How do you plan to involve the community in the decision-making process in our city, especially area businesses?
There are numerous ways to involve the community and business leaders in the City's decision making processes: fill the various advisory committees and study groups with representative community leaders; expand the work of the new Office of Community Engagement to include directed outreach to business leaders; increase notification and communication efforts by the City to keep the community informed of current debates and scheduled decisions. Moreover, each member of Council has a responsibility to build relationships with the community and remain curious about the impact of decisions. As a Leadership Raleigh alum and former host of a podcast interviewing local leaders, I have a demonstrated history of pursuing that knowledge and will continue doing so if elected.
9. How will you balance increased infrastructure and personnel funding needs of the city while also addressing economic growth, affordability, and quality of life?
Investment in infrastructure and personnel needs is part of how we address economic growth, affordability, and quality of life. Well-trained and fully-funded emergency response personnel, accessible parks and green spaces, well-maintained roads and essential services, all of these core City responsibilities contribute to making Raleigh a beautiful and safe place where people want to live.
Transportation/Transit – Continue to promote and implement an effective transit plan to optimize service delivery and position the city for ongoing growth.
The reality is that most folks in Raleigh will continue to drive for years to come. We have a responsibility to maintain transportation infrastructure while working ahead of population growth to lessen traffic. That requires improving existing bus service routes and building more sheltered bus stops while we also invest in longer-term options like commuter rail. We can lessen transportation dependency by reducing the distance residents must travel for essential services, which will require Council to identify opportunities for mixed-use and commercial development that are accessible to neighborhoods and transit stops.
Economic Strength - Create a business-friendly environment to attract, retain and grow business, diversify the economic base, and create job opportunities for all citizens.
A business community that is integrated into the community is an asset that we should protect and develop. I support recent changes by Council that made it easier to have at-home businesses and will support continued changes that bring our local businesses into mixed-use and closer to residential spaces.
Affordable Housing – Develop an effective affordable housing plan through collaboration with the government, the private sector, the community, and individuals.
Housing affordability is a top priority. Although there’s no silver bullet during this time of growth, we need more housing at all economic levels, particularly for entry-level and “missing middle.” This means more density, but in the right places. I will push for density focused in areas where it’s best suited: locations with some preexisting density and easy access to major traffic corridors and public transit routes (both planned and existing). For the most vulnerable members of our community, I am committed to continuing strategic investments of funds remaining from the 2018 Affordable Housing Bond, identifying city-owned properties that may be sold to create more subsidized housing, and partnering with groups like CASA and Southeast Raleigh Promise. But overall, I know the best research on housing affordability shows increased supply is the best solution, and we can do so in a way that prioritizes housing affordability longterm.
Great Government - Promote a vision of a city government that partners with all levels of government to empower, protect and serve its citizens through a culture of respect, collaboration, and innovation.
Public trust is earned through transparency and communication. I will propose ethics reform that requires Council members to submit annual statements disclosing their personal economic interests and be subject to a binding code of ethics for recusals. I also will establish comprehensive review process of Raleigh's city code to identify excessively punitive or outdated provisions that can be either eliminated or reduced.
Growth and Sustainability - Establish a deliberate and realistic approach to address growth and mobility while preserving our environment and healthy communities.
Raleigh is growing, and although we don’t get a say in whether we grow, we have a say in how we grow. We need to create more opportunities for low-income and middle-income housing by allowing greater density along key transit corridors. At the same time, we need to make sure that our public transit and core infrastructure (like stormwater management and road maintenance) are ready to handle the challenges of increased use and our changing climate.
Public Safety - Provide a safe, secure, and healthy community through coordinated, efficient, and effective public safety services.
We need to offer competitive pay and benefits to fill the 160+ vacancies in the Police and Fire Departments so we can hire the best first responders available and retain our top performers. We should also continue investing in comprehensive social training with independent, community-based oversight. Recently, Raleigh launched a partnered unit of police officers and social workers, appointed an LGBTQ+ community liaison, and initiated community-led deescalation training, all of which are good steps towards a public safety approach based in trust and partnership. Each of these programs needs continued attention and support from City Council so that they can be expanded and built on over the next few years.
Social and Economic Vitality - Improve economic and social opportunities in vulnerable communities through strategic partnerships.
Raleigh has a strong track record with public-private partnerships to support parks, affordable housing initiatives, and local entrepreneurs. We should expand these efforts to include partnerships that support new business and job training, connections between local high schools and our regional colleges, and other efforts to ensure that all members of our community can pursue the opportunities available in Raleigh.
Are you an incumbent?
No
1. Do you support the City of Raleigh’s $275 million parks bond on the ballot this November?
Yes
2. Do you support the $353.2 million Wake Tech bond on the ballot this November?
Yes
3. Do you support the $530.7 million Wake County schools bond on the ballot this November?
Yes
4. What is your long-term vision for growth in Raleigh?
Raleigh is growing, which is a good thing. The challenges that come with people and businesses wanting to move here are far preferable to the challenges of a shrinking or stagnating city. With that growth comes growing pains, like making sure that the new and expanding parts of our city don't push out existing members of our community. I will work hard for a version of Raleigh that has both opportunities for every resident here and a safe place to call home.
5. What do you see as the city's number one challenge?
We need more housing at all economic levels, but particularly for entry-level and “missing middle” markets. Sometimes, that will mean building density in the right places, like where density exists and areas with easy access to traffic corridors and public transit routes (both planned and existing). Overall, the best research on housing affordability shows increased supply is the best long-term solution. I’m confident we can meet that need in a way that addresses immediate hardships while prioritizing longterm solutions.
6. What are you hoping to achieve as an elected official that will foster a healthy and innovative business environment in both the near and long term?
One of the key drivers for the success of Raleigh's business community is the talent of the folks who live here. If we want talented and ambitious people to continue making Raleigh their home, we need to ensure that Raleigh is an affordable, safe, and enjoyable place to live, one where there's a thriving community of entrepreneurs. We also should continue developing programs that support and empower our local community members as they develop the home-grown businesses that are vital to Raleigh's business ecosystem.
7. The Wake County Transit plan will expand bus service countywide, implement four bus rapid transit lines, and initiate a regional commuter rail system. What would you like to see the City of Raleigh do to complement or modify this enhanced transit service?
Raleigh needs to be an active partner in bringing these plans to fruition so that they don't get delayed by a lack of prioritization or funding. Alongside the regional transit expansions, the City should also focus on increasing walkability and greenway connections throughout Raleigh.
8. How do you plan to involve the community in the decision-making process in our city, especially area businesses?
There are numerous ways to involve the community and business leaders in the City's decision making processes: fill the various advisory committees and study groups with representative community leaders; expand the work of the new Office of Community Engagement to include directed outreach to business leaders; increase notification and communication efforts by the City to keep the community informed of current debates and scheduled decisions. Moreover, each member of Council has a responsibility to build relationships with the community and remain curious about the impact of decisions. As a Leadership Raleigh alum and former host of a podcast interviewing local leaders, I have a demonstrated history of pursuing that knowledge and will continue doing so if elected.
9. How will you balance increased infrastructure and personnel funding needs of the city while also addressing economic growth, affordability, and quality of life?
Investment in infrastructure and personnel needs is part of how we address economic growth, affordability, and quality of life. Well-trained and fully-funded emergency response personnel, accessible parks and green spaces, well-maintained roads and essential services, all of these core City responsibilities contribute to making Raleigh a beautiful and safe place where people want to live.
Transportation/Transit – Continue to promote and implement an effective transit plan to optimize service delivery and position the city for ongoing growth.
The reality is that most folks in Raleigh will continue to drive for years to come. We have a responsibility to maintain transportation infrastructure while working ahead of population growth to lessen traffic. That requires improving existing bus service routes and building more sheltered bus stops while we also invest in longer-term options like commuter rail. We can lessen transportation dependency by reducing the distance residents must travel for essential services, which will require Council to identify opportunities for mixed-use and commercial development that are accessible to neighborhoods and transit stops.
Economic Strength - Create a business-friendly environment to attract, retain and grow business, diversify the economic base, and create job opportunities for all citizens.
A business community that is integrated into the community is an asset that we should protect and develop. I support recent changes by Council that made it easier to have at-home businesses and will support continued changes that bring our local businesses into mixed-use and closer to residential spaces.
Affordable Housing – Develop an effective affordable housing plan through collaboration with the government, the private sector, the community, and individuals.
Housing affordability is a top priority. Although there’s no silver bullet during this time of growth, we need more housing at all economic levels, particularly for entry-level and “missing middle.” This means more density, but in the right places. I will push for density focused in areas where it’s best suited: locations with some preexisting density and easy access to major traffic corridors and public transit routes (both planned and existing). For the most vulnerable members of our community, I am committed to continuing strategic investments of funds remaining from the 2018 Affordable Housing Bond, identifying city-owned properties that may be sold to create more subsidized housing, and partnering with groups like CASA and Southeast Raleigh Promise. But overall, I know the best research on housing affordability shows increased supply is the best solution, and we can do so in a way that prioritizes housing affordability longterm.
Great Government - Promote a vision of a city government that partners with all levels of government to empower, protect and serve its citizens through a culture of respect, collaboration, and innovation.
Public trust is earned through transparency and communication. I will propose ethics reform that requires Council members to submit annual statements disclosing their personal economic interests and be subject to a binding code of ethics for recusals. I also will establish comprehensive review process of Raleigh's city code to identify excessively punitive or outdated provisions that can be either eliminated or reduced.
Growth and Sustainability - Establish a deliberate and realistic approach to address growth and mobility while preserving our environment and healthy communities.
Raleigh is growing, and although we don’t get a say in whether we grow, we have a say in how we grow. We need to create more opportunities for low-income and middle-income housing by allowing greater density along key transit corridors. At the same time, we need to make sure that our public transit and core infrastructure (like stormwater management and road maintenance) are ready to handle the challenges of increased use and our changing climate.
Public Safety - Provide a safe, secure, and healthy community through coordinated, efficient, and effective public safety services.
We need to offer competitive pay and benefits to fill the 160+ vacancies in the Police and Fire Departments so we can hire the best first responders available and retain our top performers. We should also continue investing in comprehensive social training with independent, community-based oversight. Recently, Raleigh launched a partnered unit of police officers and social workers, appointed an LGBTQ+ community liaison, and initiated community-led deescalation training, all of which are good steps towards a public safety approach based in trust and partnership. Each of these programs needs continued attention and support from City Council so that they can be expanded and built on over the next few years.
Social and Economic Vitality - Improve economic and social opportunities in vulnerable communities through strategic partnerships.
Raleigh has a strong track record with public-private partnerships to support parks, affordable housing initiatives, and local entrepreneurs. We should expand these efforts to include partnerships that support new business and job training, connections between local high schools and our regional colleges, and other efforts to ensure that all members of our community can pursue the opportunities available in Raleigh.