State Senate District 15
Jay Chaudhuri
Are you an incumbent?
Yes
1. Do you support the City of Raleigh’s $275 million parks 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. Do you support the use of incentives for the attraction and retention of employers?
Yes
5. Do you support the use of incentives for the attraction and retention of employers? Why or why not?
Yes. As long as other states and municipalities use incentives, I support incentives as an economic development tool. Beyond incentives, I believe the City of Raleigh possesses other assets that continue to make it one of the best cities in the world to do business, including great universities, a great community college system, and a great public school system. I believe such incentives should be tied to companies meeting specific economic goals such as employing or retaining a certain number of workers.
6. Do you support Medicaid expansion?
Yes
Do you support Medicaid expansion? Why or why not?
Yes. I believe Medicaid expansion would result in the creation of more than 40,000 jobs and cover more than a half million North Carolinians. Today, we remain only one of 12 states to still not expand Medicaid, a decision that costs us $521 million in lost federal funding every single month.
7. How do you intend to collaborate with your partners at the municipal and county level to create a better environment for our region?
As State Senator, I routinely communicate and meet with my municipal and county level counterparts, including Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin and County Commissioner Chair Matt Calabria.
8. How will you work to support Wake County’s public education needs, including our public schools, community colleges and public universities?
I believe the single best way to support Wake County's public education needs is to fund the comprehensive remedial plan under the North Carolina Supreme Court's Leandro decision. That's why 144 organizations, including business leaders, community groups, education, and civil rights groups, signed a friend of the court brief supporting the Leandro plan. In Wake County alone, we'd receive three hundred million more dollars, a 28 percent increase, including 1,064 more teachers, 835 more teacher assistants, 119 psychologists, 354 counselors, and 166 more nurses.
9. How will you help North Carolina to be more competitive regionally, nationally, and internationally?
In the State Senate, I advocated and supported the creation of a North Carolina trade office in India so we can attract more global companies to the region. During my time in the State Senate, I've helped recruit two global companies to the region that created good, high-paying jobs.
Transportation/Transit – Continue to promote and implement an effective transit plan to optimize service delivery and position the state for ongoing growth.
I support the development of a commuter rail line in the Triangle that would connect the west side of Durham to Garner or Clayton. Such a commuter rail line would help mitigate future traffic congestion. In addition, nearly half of the area's new jobs will be near the proposed commuter line.
Economic Strength - Create a business-friendly environment to attract, retain and grow business, diversify the economic base, and create job opportunities for all citizens.
As State Senator, I've worked to recruit two global companies to the region that created good, high-paying jobs. From that experience, I believe that investing in a world-class education system, including a world-class community college, a world-class university such as N.C. State University, and a world-class public education system, is key to attracting new companies to the region. It's critical that we carry out the spirit of the Research Triangle Park where business, university, and government all work together.
Affordable Housing – Develop an effective affordable housing plan through collaboration with the government, the private sector, the community, and individuals.
I'm reminded of the gentrification in our city when I drop my daughter off to high school every day. Our General Assembly can play a key role: That's why I've sponsored legislation to double our affordable housing budget, and that's why I've sponsored homestead exemption legislation to reduce or freeze property taxes for long-term eligible homeowners to promote neighborhood stability and preserve character.
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
As State Senator, I communicate routinely with members of the Raleigh City Council, Wake County Board of Education, and Wake County Commissioners. My office remains open for any constituent to come and meet with me. The constituent is welcome to discuss and disagree with me on any issue. I'm open to any new ideas, too.
Growth and Sustainability - Establish a deliberate and realistic approach to address growth and mobility while preserving our environment and healthy communities.
I support our state's new clean energy legislation that does a number of things. First, it directs the Utilities Commission to take reasonable steps to reduce carbon emissions from the electric sector 70 percent by 2030 and 100 percent by 2050. Second, the bill requires utility companies to buy 45 percent of their solar power from smaller solar producers. Finally, the bill requires some coal-fired power plans to be retired.
Public Safety - Provide a safe, secure, and healthy community through coordinated, efficient, and effective public safety services.
Last year, the General Assembly passed three significant criminal justice reform bills. First, we passed the Support Law Enforcement Mental Health bill that requires psychological screening examination for law enforcement officers prior to employment. Second, we passed the Law Enforcement Duty to Intervene bill that creates a duty for law enforcement officers to intervene and report excessive use of force by a fellow law enforcement officer. Finally, we passed the Criminal Justice Reform bill that promotes recruitment of officers with diverse backgrounds, furthers independent investigations of police-involved shootings, and limits local laws that criminalize poverty.
In addition, I've co-sponsored the Fund Our Police Act that would appropriate funds to the Department of Public Safety to provide local law enforcement officers with a one-time appreciation and retention bonus for service during the pandemic.
Social and Economic Vitality - Improve economic and social opportunities in vulnerable communities through strategic partnerships.
I support building an inclusive economy that also focuses on intergenerational poverty. For us to do so, we need to invest more in early childcare and education (see response above), expand and strengthen support for first-generation and other low-socioeconomic students, expand affordable housing in the city (see response above), and improve the support of mental health services.
Are you an incumbent?
Yes
1. Do you support the City of Raleigh’s $275 million parks 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. Do you support the use of incentives for the attraction and retention of employers?
Yes
5. Do you support the use of incentives for the attraction and retention of employers? Why or why not?
Yes. As long as other states and municipalities use incentives, I support incentives as an economic development tool. Beyond incentives, I believe the City of Raleigh possesses other assets that continue to make it one of the best cities in the world to do business, including great universities, a great community college system, and a great public school system. I believe such incentives should be tied to companies meeting specific economic goals such as employing or retaining a certain number of workers.
6. Do you support Medicaid expansion?
Yes
Do you support Medicaid expansion? Why or why not?
Yes. I believe Medicaid expansion would result in the creation of more than 40,000 jobs and cover more than a half million North Carolinians. Today, we remain only one of 12 states to still not expand Medicaid, a decision that costs us $521 million in lost federal funding every single month.
7. How do you intend to collaborate with your partners at the municipal and county level to create a better environment for our region?
As State Senator, I routinely communicate and meet with my municipal and county level counterparts, including Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin and County Commissioner Chair Matt Calabria.
8. How will you work to support Wake County’s public education needs, including our public schools, community colleges and public universities?
I believe the single best way to support Wake County's public education needs is to fund the comprehensive remedial plan under the North Carolina Supreme Court's Leandro decision. That's why 144 organizations, including business leaders, community groups, education, and civil rights groups, signed a friend of the court brief supporting the Leandro plan. In Wake County alone, we'd receive three hundred million more dollars, a 28 percent increase, including 1,064 more teachers, 835 more teacher assistants, 119 psychologists, 354 counselors, and 166 more nurses.
9. How will you help North Carolina to be more competitive regionally, nationally, and internationally?
In the State Senate, I advocated and supported the creation of a North Carolina trade office in India so we can attract more global companies to the region. During my time in the State Senate, I've helped recruit two global companies to the region that created good, high-paying jobs.
Transportation/Transit – Continue to promote and implement an effective transit plan to optimize service delivery and position the state for ongoing growth.
I support the development of a commuter rail line in the Triangle that would connect the west side of Durham to Garner or Clayton. Such a commuter rail line would help mitigate future traffic congestion. In addition, nearly half of the area's new jobs will be near the proposed commuter line.
Economic Strength - Create a business-friendly environment to attract, retain and grow business, diversify the economic base, and create job opportunities for all citizens.
As State Senator, I've worked to recruit two global companies to the region that created good, high-paying jobs. From that experience, I believe that investing in a world-class education system, including a world-class community college, a world-class university such as N.C. State University, and a world-class public education system, is key to attracting new companies to the region. It's critical that we carry out the spirit of the Research Triangle Park where business, university, and government all work together.
Affordable Housing – Develop an effective affordable housing plan through collaboration with the government, the private sector, the community, and individuals.
I'm reminded of the gentrification in our city when I drop my daughter off to high school every day. Our General Assembly can play a key role: That's why I've sponsored legislation to double our affordable housing budget, and that's why I've sponsored homestead exemption legislation to reduce or freeze property taxes for long-term eligible homeowners to promote neighborhood stability and preserve character.
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
As State Senator, I communicate routinely with members of the Raleigh City Council, Wake County Board of Education, and Wake County Commissioners. My office remains open for any constituent to come and meet with me. The constituent is welcome to discuss and disagree with me on any issue. I'm open to any new ideas, too.
Growth and Sustainability - Establish a deliberate and realistic approach to address growth and mobility while preserving our environment and healthy communities.
I support our state's new clean energy legislation that does a number of things. First, it directs the Utilities Commission to take reasonable steps to reduce carbon emissions from the electric sector 70 percent by 2030 and 100 percent by 2050. Second, the bill requires utility companies to buy 45 percent of their solar power from smaller solar producers. Finally, the bill requires some coal-fired power plans to be retired.
Public Safety - Provide a safe, secure, and healthy community through coordinated, efficient, and effective public safety services.
Last year, the General Assembly passed three significant criminal justice reform bills. First, we passed the Support Law Enforcement Mental Health bill that requires psychological screening examination for law enforcement officers prior to employment. Second, we passed the Law Enforcement Duty to Intervene bill that creates a duty for law enforcement officers to intervene and report excessive use of force by a fellow law enforcement officer. Finally, we passed the Criminal Justice Reform bill that promotes recruitment of officers with diverse backgrounds, furthers independent investigations of police-involved shootings, and limits local laws that criminalize poverty.
In addition, I've co-sponsored the Fund Our Police Act that would appropriate funds to the Department of Public Safety to provide local law enforcement officers with a one-time appreciation and retention bonus for service during the pandemic.
Social and Economic Vitality - Improve economic and social opportunities in vulnerable communities through strategic partnerships.
I support building an inclusive economy that also focuses on intergenerational poverty. For us to do so, we need to invest more in early childcare and education (see response above), expand and strengthen support for first-generation and other low-socioeconomic students, expand affordable housing in the city (see response above), and improve the support of mental health services.
