2012 Short Session Winds Down

The General Assembly's 2012 short session has come to a close. Here are some updates...

Lawmakers Override Budget Veto

Governor Perdue recently vetoed the General Assembly's 2012-13 budget, arguing that legislative leaders didn't cooperate with her ideas. The budget plan keeps government spending under control, and it does not include a tax increase, which Governor Perdue called for. It also cuts and caps the gas tax, addresses problems with Medicaid, gives state employees and teachers a 1.2 percent pay raise, and provides additional funds for public education.

Lawmakers Override Veto of Fracking Bill

Another high-profile bill that was vetoed by Governor Perdue is the Clean Energy and Economic Security Act, which would allow hydraulic fracturing (fracking) to take place in North Carolina. Lawmakers were able to override the veto, which sets the stage for fracking to move forward. Although the practice has now become legal, fracking won't begin for more than two years because permits will not be granted until October 2014. This gives the state time to plan and prepare the proper regulations for the procedure.

Education Reforms Become Law

The new 2012 budget includes certain reforms for K-12 education. These reforms include the establishment of merit-based bonuses for teachers, the implementation of a system to grade the performance of K-12 schools, and methods to improve reading proficiency for third grade students. These are sound reforms, and we will certainly consider additional methods of improving K-12 education as we move forward.

Looking Toward Next Year

There are certainly some major issues to address in the long session next year, such as tax reform. But before we get there we need to focus on supporting conservative candidates across the state. We must work to ensure that we retain our conservative majority in the General Assembly, and we need to elect Pat McCrory as our next Governor. If we do this, I am confident that we can place North Carolina on the right economic track.

Happy 4th of July!

I will be participating in two parades tomorrow to commemorate our nation's independence. First, I will be in the Greensboro Fun Fourth Parade, which begins at 9:00 AM. Later in the day I will be participating in the Kirkwood Parade, which begins at 5:00 PM. You can look for me in a bright red Ford Mustang!

Campaign Raffle

We are doing a raffle to raise funds for our campaign. There are a total of 300 tickets, which we are selling for $100 each, and the winner will receive $5,000. The raffle will be held on September 19 at Forest Oaks Country Club, and each raffle ticket is good for two dinners. Please let me know if you are interested in purchasing a ticket.

Quote to Remember

"Where liberty dwells, there is my country."
- Benjamin Franklin

Time to Repeal Obamacare

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled today that the "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act" (also known as Obamacare) is constitutional. As you can imagine, I disagree with the majority opinion of the high court. I do not believe that the federal government has, or should have, the authority to force Americans to purchase health insurance. 

It is important for us to remember that today's ruling from the Supreme Court does not indicate that Obamacare is good legislation, nor does it indicate that Obamacare is workable. What the ruling does is to simply state that, according to a 5-4 majority of justices, the law does not violate the U.S. Constitution. 

Obamacare always has been and will continue to be bad legislation. It is an intrusive law that was written by out-of-touch bureaucrats, and it was forced upon the American people by politicians who don't understand what the law does. As you may recall, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi once proclaimed, "We must pass the bill so you can find out what is in it."

In essence, Obamacare would amount to more government bureaucracy, higher taxes, and less liberty. It would have a detrimental effect on the private sector as businesses across the nation would struggle to comply with increased regulations. It would also serve as a stepping stone to a full government takeover of health care.

The future of Obamacare is now in the hands of the American people. Now that the high court has made its ruling, we must take it upon ourselves to see that the law is repealed. We can do this by electing candidates to federal office who will work to repeal Obamacare and replace it with a conservative, free-market solution.

Some pundits may suggest that today's ruling is a victory for President Obama and a defeat for Republicans. I happen to think that it is the other way around. Conservative and independent-thinkers across the nation are now going to become energized, focused, and mobilized in an effort to ensure that Obamacare is repealed. 

There may also be some actions that we can take in the North Carolina General Assembly to protect our citizens from Obamacare. We will most certainly consider all of our legislative options as we move forward. As a member of the N.C. House, I will make it a priority to shield my constituents from abuses of government power.

America is a great nation but we must work to keep it that way. We must strive to preserve our freedom and liberty. Today's ruling by the Supreme Court is not a defeat for Americans; it is a call to action. 

NC House District 59 Update

Visit to Raleigh

Last week I spent some time at the General Assembly in Raleigh to get acclimated with the legislative process, and to meet some of my future colleagues. It was a good experience, and I enjoyed my time there. I will probably visit the General Assembly again before the current session adjourns, which will be sometime in the next few weeks. 

Big Win for Scott Walker

As you know, Governor Scott Walker had a big win in the Wisconsin recall election last week. This shows that people are ready for sound fiscal policies, and that voters appreciate public officials who stand on principle. Walker's victory also may be a precursor of what is to come in the presidential election this November. 

No Tax Increase

The Republican majority in the General Assembly has made it clear that raising taxes in a down economy is not a viable option. Governor Bev Perdue has suggested raising taxes to generate more government revenue, but I completely disagree with any notion of raising taxes, especially when our economy is in need of a recovery. 

Victory for Annexation Reform

The General Assembly recently passed annexation reform that allows citizens the ability to stop annexation by a simple majority vote. This gives our citizens a much-needed voice, and puts an end to forced annexation, which abuses government power and neglects property rights. Governor Perdue chose not to veto nor sign the legislation, which means it will become law. 

State Budget Adjustments

The House and Senate are currently working on budget proposals for the coming year. Governor Perdue has also released a budget, but it contains a tax increase, which the Republican majority will not accept. Once the final budget is formed by the General Assembly, it will be sent to Governor Perdue who may or may not exercise a veto. 

Note: Speaking of the state budget, I firmly believe that we need a constitutional limit on spending in North Carolina. If we implement a Taxpayer Bill of Rights, also known as TABOR, we will take a positive step towards keeping government spending under control. Basically, TABOR would prevent government spending from out-pacing increases in population and inflation, which would help to protect taxpayer dollars. 

Quote to Remember

"There is no dignity quite so impressive, and no one independence quite so important, as living within your own means."

- President Calvin Coolidge

As always, please feel to contact me with any questions, comments, or concerns. 

Thank You For Your Support

It is an honor to have won the Republican nomination for NC House District 59. I am humbled by the support that was granted to me, and I truly appreciate each and every vote that I received. There is no way that I could have won this election without generous support from family, friends, and volunteers.

While on the campaign trail, I met many wonderful people who have sincere concerns about our state's future. As a candidate, my goal was to let the voters know who I am, explain why I'm running for office, and listen to their concerns. This expanded my understanding of the issues facing our citizens, and increased my desire to make a difference.

Serving as a Representative in the NC House will be an honor and a privilege. I will stay true to my conservative values and be accessible to my constituents. Above all, I will dedicate myself to performing my duties and serving the citizens who elected me to public office.

Thank you for placing your trust in me. I am honored by your support, and I look forward to serving in our State Capital.

Let's Close the Deal

Tomorrow is the day of the Primary Election, and it's time to close the deal. Please remind your family and friends to vote. We have worked hard to bring our message to the voters, and now it's a matter of getting people to the polls. 

This campaign has been a great experience. I have met a lot of wonderful people along the way, and I have enjoyed connecting with the voters. It has been a lot of hard work, but we are almost at the finish line.

Sincere concern about North Carolina's future is what inspired me to run for office. I truly believe that we need to limit the size of government, control spending, and reform our tax code in order to see a brighter future. It is important for us to bring a conservative, common-sense approach to the problems that are facing our citizens.

32 years ago Ronald Reagan said, "In this present crisis, government is not the solution to our problems; government is the problem." Those words were true in 1980, and they are still true today. It is time for us to change our approach, and realize that bad government is a result of too much government.

It would be an honor to serve in the State House. I am asking one last time for your support. Please remember to vote, and spread the word to your friends and family. We are on track to win this election, but we have to continue working hard until the polls close at the end of the day tomorrow.

When the polls close tomorrow night, I plan on making an appearance at the Guilford County GOP headquarters, and then I will go to the Guilford County Courthouse to finish watching the returns. After that, I plan on meeting up with some of my supporters at Stumble Stilkins, which is located downtown on West Market Street, directly across from the Guilford County Courthouse. You are more than welcome to join us. 

If anything changes with my plans tomorrow night, I will issue updates on my Twitter account. You can follow me on Twitter at the following web address: www.twitter.com/jonhardister

Also, there were several letters to the Editor in support of our campaign that were published in this week's issue of the Rhino Times newspaper. You can read those letters by going to my blog: www.jonhardister.blogspot.com

Times are tough, but I know that our best days are still ahead. Let's win this election and continue working to secure a better future for North Carolina. Thank you for all of your support, and I hope to see you soon.

Letters to the Editor - Rhino Times (Thursday, May 3)

The following are letters to the Editor that appeared in the Thursday, May 3 issue of the Rhino Times: Hardister raised right We are asking for your support of our son, Jon Hardister, who is running for NC House District 59. He is a man of sound character, integrity, honesty, dedication and compassion. Above all, he understands the issues facing North Carolina, and he truly wants to make a difference.  Jon's commitment to being accessible is evidenced by the thousands of voters he has spoken with. Bringing trust and accountability to his constituents as their state representatives is something that he will take seriously. Jon will not participate in partisan politics and he would lead with conservative values. He will dedicate himself to the people that have put him in office. We need fresh, young,energetic representatives in Raleigh who will work to get North Carolina on the right track. Jon is exactly the type of person we need in office during these challenging times. We hope that you will support our son and vote for him on Tuesday, May 8. Wayne and Carolyn Hardister Greensboro We need Hardister in office We've known Jon Hardister since he was in high school. He graduated from Greensboro College with a degree in political science. We have observed that he has the ability to communicate with people of all ages. While in college Jon worked with Howard Coble and learned the importance of establishing good people skills as well as being accessible. He is a very caring individual. We grew up in Southeast Guilford County and Jon is exactly the type of person to represent Guilford County and North Carolina with honesty and integrity. Jon Hardister is the person we need in office. Scott and Judy Alexander Greensboro Hardister has determination You may have seen Jon Hardister, candidate for NC House District 59, knocking on your front door. After all, he has personally visited over 3,000 citizens' homes to talk with them about his solutions for our most pressing needs in Guilford County and North Carolina. An advocate for less government regulation, lower tax burdens for citizens and businesses, and a proven determination to listen to the voice of the electorate makes him the best candidate for the tasks ahead of him in the General Assembly. As a former representative, I know what it takes to make a real difference in Raleigh - good solutions and a work ethic to make it happen. Vote Jon Hardister for a strong voice in Raleigh.  Laura Wiley, former NC House District Representative Greensboro Hardister would be voice for public I am writing this letter on behalf of Jon Hardister who is running for the North Carolina House in this year's upcoming elections. Some of you may have heard this name before as this is his second time running. I have had the unique opportunity of getting to know Jon better on both a personal and a professional level.  Jon is a determined, hardworking, well-educated person who brings a new perspective to politics. Jon is one of those individuals who still stands by his word, something that I think some people have forgotten how to do. Jon believes in everything that he stands for and makes it a priority to listen to citizens. He is always taking about being accessible, accessible to citizens who have concerns, and he listens to those concerns. Politicians are supposed to be representatives of the public, and are supposed to be a voice for the concerns of the public. Jon is that representative - he wants to be the voice for the public.  Vote for Jon. Kendall Murphy Greensboro Hardister more the sound bites Two years ago, while running for the NC House in District 58, I met Jon Hardister, who at the time was running an excellent campaign in an adjacent district. I had a front row seat watching Jon as he worked tirelessly to connect with the constituents of his district while respectfully engaging his opponent. Jon is well-grounded, keenly aware of the issues and, frankly, an excellent listener. With redistricting, Jon Hardister is now one of the candidates running to represent my home district, which is NC House District 59.  In today's faced pace sound bite world of politics, it is difficult to make a choice between candidates. Jon Hardister will be an excellent representatives of the people of NC House District 59. Please consider giving him your support on May 8. Darin Thomas Greensboro Hardister listens to citizens I am writing to encourage everyone in NC House District 59 to vote for Jon Hardister. Jon is a young professional who is energetic, and he is an extremely hard worker. He is a fiscal conservative, and he understands the issues that are facing North Carolina. I feel that these are the exact qualities we need injected into our state government. Jon has been campaigning door to door and taking every opportunity he can to talk with the people he will represent. He has taken the time to listen to the concerns of our citizens, and he truly wants to make a difference. He has a unique ability to truly listen and engage people effortlessly.  Jon has intangibles that make him a unique person. These are traits that can't be taught or learned. Therefore, I wholeheartedly and without reservation endorse Jon Hardister for NC House District 59. I encourage strong voter support for him in the primary election on May 8. Chris Lawyer Greensboro

Rhino Times Endorses Jon Hardister for NC House

Our campaign has been endorsed by the Rhino Times, which is Guilford County's prominent conservative newspaper. I am honored to receive this endorsement.

Here is an excerpt of the endorsement, which was written by Rhino Times editor John Hammer:

Our nod goes to Hardister because of his hard work, desire, and optimistic attitude. Hardister has been going door-to-door since January. If he wins and works as hard in the state House as he did to get there, he'll make a difference for Guilford County.

I also think it is important to elect some younger people to office. How in the world is the government going to run in 10 years if voters today refuse to elect anyone under 40 to office because they don't have enough life experience? It's kind of like that problem of not being able to get that first job because you don't have the experience, and in this case it is not experience in office but simply life experience.

Hardister also should have a great idea of what his constituents want because he has been walking neighborhoods and knocking on doors since January.

(The Rhinoceros Times, Thursday, May 3)