Erica Smith in State of North Carolina secondary Archives
On Civil Rights:
Supports Equal Rights amendment to Constitution
I support enshrining Equal Rights for Women in our
United States Constitution.
Source: 2020 North Carolina Senate website EricaForUS.org
Feb 7, 2020
On Abortion:
State "born alive" abortion law criminalizes women & doctors
"It seeks to demonize and criminalize women and doctors when they are most vulnerable," said Smith, adding that the real concern for
African-American women is infant mortality and death during childbirth. "There's no such thing as abortion during labor and delivery. Any suggestion otherwise is just not true.
Source: WRAL Raleigh-Durham on 2020 North Carolina Senate race
Apr 15, 2019
On Budget & Economy:
Targeted investments to revitalize rural economies
The last three decades have placed the rural regions of our country in economic distress. I support targeted and strategic investments in water and sewer infrastructure, broadband, agriculture innovation, biofuels, clean energy options of wind, solar,
and our highway system in order to revitalize rural economies. In closing the rural-urban divide through these re-investments--we will be able to create jobs while stabilizing underserved communities and strengthen our economy.
Source: 2020 North Carolina Senate website EricaForUS.org
Feb 7, 2020
On Budget & Economy:
Tax cuts, fiscal policy should prioritize job creation
Our economic policies, tax and spend planning and regulations should be constructed in a manner that provides businesses with certainty and incentives, and consumers with confidence and more income. Tax cuts, government spending and fiscal policy
should build the middle class and benefit more than the wealthy. I favor conservative fiscal principles and believe that retooling our formulas for business incentives should prioritize job creation.
Source: 2020 North Carolina Senate website EricaForUS.org
Feb 7, 2020
On Civil Rights:
Universal, automatic voter registration
I support reinstatement of Section V of the 1965 Civil Rights Act, universal and automatic voter registration,
Election Day Holiday and protection of our electoral process from interference from foreign governments.
Source: 2020 North Carolina Senate website EricaForUS.org
Feb 7, 2020
On Civil Rights:
We don't have an agenda for addressing minority concerns
I am a curriculum and instructional specialist at Haliwa-Saponi Tribal School. To see us not have a message for tribal communities was deeply disturbing. In North Carolina, our state motto is Esse quam videri, to be rather than to seem,
and it just seems we are not meeting that mandate. We are failing to connect with communities of color and indigenous people. We have to accept we do not have an agenda that addresses the concerns of minority communities.
Source: The American Prospect on 2022 North Carolina Senate race
Nov 30, 2020
On Crime:
No money bonds for misdemeanors, low lever felonies
No money bonds for misdemeanors and low level felonies in advancing the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment. Sentence restructuring for non-violent, low level drug offenders.
Strengthening laws against human trafficking, opioid trafficking and prescription controls.
Source: 2020 North Carolina Senate website EricaForUS.org
Feb 7, 2020
On Crime:
Focus on domestic terrorism, allow capital punishment
In my first 100 days I commit to file: Resources and public safety programs for increasing manpower, surveillance/intelligence on domestic terrorism; and
Criminal justice reforms as it relates to prosecution and sentencing of domestic terrorists and serial killers. This reform should ensure that punishment is commensurate with the crime by including capital punishment in sentencing discussions.
Source: 2020 North Carolina Senate website EricaForUS.org
Feb 7, 2020
On Drugs:
Legalize marijuana; reduce or commute prison sentences
I support Senator Corey Booker's Marijuana Justice Act. Marijuana should be legalized and
the prison sentences for same should be reduced or commuted commensurate with decriminalization of opioids and more compassionate approaches to victims of the opioid epidemic.
Source: 2020 North Carolina Senate website EricaForUS.org
Feb 7, 2020
On Education:
Stop cuts to education; compensate our teachers
Smith's campaign website highlighted her four-point plan:- Re-engineer policy and economic initiatives to ensure that workers can find jobs, fair wages and forward growth;
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Create business incentives to attract high tech companies and innovative agricultural technologies to our area.
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Stop cuts to education so that our teachers can be adequately compensated for their valiant work and students will have the resources they need to be prepared for 21st century competencies, degrees & careers;
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Promote an agenda for public safety and equal protection and opportunity under the law for all citizens of North Carolina.
Source: Ballotpedia.org Connection: 2020 North Carolina Senate race
Nov 1, 2014
On Education:
Strengthen public schools, emphasis on future workers
I believe it is time to bring a universally progressive, business-minded and workforce connected emphasis to K-12 education. We should further tailor individualized education plans that prepare every student for a brighter future regardless of their
choice of learning environment (Traditional, Home, Virtual, Charter, Nonpublic, hybrid). I will work to provide a quality K-12 education for students and the resources they need with a priority on strengthening the public schools of our nation.
Source: 2020 North Carolina Senate website EricaForUS.org
Feb 7, 2020
On Education:
Make Community Colleges as affordable as possible
Community Colleges with strong curriculum programs and short-term workforce training offer the optimized option for retooling our workforce and ensuring the security of America with an educated citizenry and large pool of skilled labor.
We must make Community College as affordable as possible, or at minimal cost of less than $500 in tuition per term. Through apprenticeship programs--we can enhance the workforce needed for 21st century jobs and professions that do not require a degree.
Source: 2020 North Carolina Senate website EricaForUS.org
Feb 7, 2020
On Energy & Oil:
Supports solar & wind; reduce emissions & carbon
I support solar and wind energy installations, broadband expansion and environmental justice for land owners. We must continue to invest in satellite and communications technology that provide early prediction and monitoring of storm patterns in order
to evacuate as many people as possible out of the eye of the storm. We must further perform analysis of climate change and implement policy and target goals for reducing emissions and carbon-power generation.
Source: 2020 North Carolina Senate website EricaForUS.org
Feb 7, 2020
On Energy & Oil:
Opposed state moratorium on wind farms
Smith-Ingram said the developers have had permits in place for the last three years and have invested millions of dollars already. "[That's]
$1 billion of impact that is lost with this wind moratorium," she told the Senate. "To have this financial impact in my district is absolutely unconscionable.
Source: WRAL Raleigh-Durham on 2020 North Carolina Senate race
Jun 28, 2019
On Environment:
Opposed weakening environmental/health regulations
Legislative Title: SB553: Regulatory Reform Act:
Analysis by N.C. LCV: SB 553 earned modest bipartisan support after some of the most environmentally objectionable provisions regarding landfills and electronic waste
recycling were removed.
Veto Message : Provisions in the legislation allowing trash receptacles in exit corridors could pose a fire safety risk for residents and emergency responders.
Also, this legislation could allow septic system permits to be issued that circumvent state septic system rules which can hurt public health and threaten clean water. Both of these provisions threaten public health and safety.
Legislative Outcome: Passed House 78-31-11, Roll Call #804 on Aug/29/19; Vetoed by Governor Roy Cooper on Sep/20/19; Veto Sustained in Senate 28-21-1, Roll Call #663 on Jan/14/20; State Sen. Erica D. Smith voted NO.
Source: WBTV-3 on North Carolina legislative voting record SB 553
Jan 14, 2020
On Government Reform:
All federal candidates should release tax returns
TAX TRANSPARENCY--I support NC's T.R.U.M.P. Act, (Tax Returns Uniformly Made Public) filed by my colleague, Senator Jay Chaudhuri, to require all candidates who run for the
Office of President of the United States to release their tax summaries prior to their names being placed on the ballot. A step further--I believe that all federal candidates should report this information.
Source: 2020 North Carolina Senate website EricaForUS.org
Feb 7, 2020
On Government Reform:
Sustain veto keeping strong non-political elections board
Legislative Summary: SB 68: Consolidate the functions of elections, campaign finance, lobbying, and ethics under one regulatory agency by creating the Bipartisan State Board of Elections and Ethics Enforcement.Analysis by Election
Law Society: SB 68 was created by the Republican-led General Assembly, put in place "just as a Democrat was elected governor, so as to weaken the governor's appointment powers over the elections board." Several counties are encountering problems
with getting new voting machines.
Veto Message : Similar legislation to this was held unconstitutional. This legislation will undermine NC's ability to conduct fair, legal elections that maximize voter participation.
Legislative
Outcome: Vetoed by Governor Roy Cooper on Apr/21/17; Veto Overridden in Senate 33-15-2, Roll Call #94 on Apr/24/17; State Sen. Erica D. Smith voted NO; Veto Overridden in House 75-44-1, Roll Call #317 on Apr/25/17.
Source: Election Law Society on North Carolina voting record SB 68
Apr 24, 2017
On Government Reform:
Voted for shielding death investigation records from public
Legislative Summary: SB 168: An act making technical, conforming, and other modifications to laws pertaining to the Department of Health and Human Services.Veto Message : SB 168 includes a provision to change the handling
of public records by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner which could have the unintended consequence of limiting transparency in death investigations.
Analysis by WBTV-3: Cooper vetoed Senate Bill 168 which closed a loophole that
makes law enforcement records public if they are in the possession of the medical examiner. Protesters have expressed concerns that limiting public access to the death records could hide actions that happen in police custody. Some have said the lack of
transparency would only serve to increase police distrust.
Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 43-0-7, Roll Call #877 on Jun/26/20; State Sen. Smith voted YES; Passed House 109-1-0 on Jun/25/20; Vetoed by Gov. Cooper on Jul/6/20.
Source: WBTV-3 on North Carolina legislative voting record SB 168
Jun 26, 2020
On Gun Control:
For universal background checks, ban on assault rifles
In my first 100 days I commit to file and advance common sense gun control legislation that includes the following provisions:- Universal background checks;
- A ban on assault rifles and bump stocks;
- Closing gun show / retail to owner
transfers / owner to owner transfers;
- Red flag limitations providing access for loved ones and family members to petition to remove firearms from gun owners during periods of incapacitation.
Source: 2020 North Carolina Senate website EricaForUS.org
Feb 7, 2020
On Health Care:
Affordable health care for all, Medicaid expansion
North Carolina and Congress has a duty to provide access to health care, whether long term care and assisted living for senior citizens through Medicare or by expanding Medicaid for those who cannot afford access. Our citizens pay taxes that fund
Medicaid expansion in other states. This is not right, and we can do better than this. I will fight to maintain affordable healthcare for all Americans, prescription drug price controls, and access to Women's Reproductive Healthcare.
Source: 2020 North Carolina Senate website EricaForUS.org
Feb 7, 2020
On Health Care:
Expand ObamaCare but would not vote against Medicare for All
Two of North Carolina's Democratic U.S. Senate candidates disagreed on health care policy at the first meeting of their campaigns. They were among four Democrats and one Republican candidate who appeared at a forum sponsored by Charlotte's Black
Political Caucus at West Charlotte High School. All are trying to replace Republican U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis.Asked about health care, former state Sen. Cal Cunningham said he would build on the Affordable Care Act by adding a public option.
He also said he supports Medicaid expansion in North Carolina.
State Sen. Erica Smith didn't answer the question directly. "We get caught up in labels," she said, "This is not about left or right.
This is about wrong and right." Last year, she said she would build on the ACA, better known as Obamacare. But if Medicare for All is the only option, she said "would not vote against it."
Tillis has voted to repeal the ACA.
Source: Charlotte Observer on 2020 North Carolina Senate debate
Jan 21, 2020
On Immigration:
Supports DREAM Act for route to citizenship
I support the DREAM Act
without exiting the country for access to a fair, legal route to citizenship.
Source: 2020 North Carolina Senate website EricaForUS.org
Feb 7, 2020
On Immigration:
Voted NO on requiring sheriffs to cooperate with ICE
The case of the Honduran man was the most recent of several that prompted North Carolina's Republican-controlled state Legislature to pass a bill requiring local sheriffs to honor ICE detainers. Cooper vetoed the bill last week. State law enforcement
officials opposed Cooper's veto, as did President Donald Trump. Cooper said the legislation, House Bill 370, would drain resources from local law enforcement.Governor's Veto Message:
This legislation is using fear to divide North Carolina. Current law allows the state to jail and prosecute dangerous criminals regardless of immigration status. This bill, in addition to being unconstitutional, weakens law enforcement in
North Carolina by mandating sheriffs to do the job of federal agents.
Legislative outcome: Passed Senate 25-18-7 on June 24; Sen. Smith voted NO; passed House, 62-53-5 on Aug. 20; vetoed by Gov. Cooper on Aug 21.
Source: The Daily Signal on North Carolina voting record H370
Aug 26, 2019
On Jobs:
Raise minimum wage to $15/hour by 2024
LIVE-ABLE WAGE (increasing the minimum wage)--
I support a federal baseline for an incremental increase in the minimum wage, indexed with inflation to $12 by 2020 and $15/hour by 2024.
Source: 2020 North Carolina Senate website EricaForUS.org
Feb 7, 2020
On Jobs:
Supports labor movement & collective bargaining
As a former union member, and representative,
I support the labor movement and its backbone of bargaining in interest of workers who make America work, day in and day out.
Source: 2020 North Carolina Senate website EricaForUS.org
Feb 7, 2020
On Principles & Values:
I earned my stripes; paid my dues; played by the rules
I've been working towards this goal since 2005, really all of my adult life. The Congressional Black Caucus sent me to a political boot camp so that I could work my way up through grassroots leadership to party leadership to local elected office to
statewide elected office to the congressional level. I followed that plan and earned my stripes and paid my dues and played by all the rules.
People want bold ideas that can actually improve their everyday lives. If we're gonna build a winning coalition, we have to talk about health care for all and about clear goals for addressing climate change. That was very important for people in
North Carolina. A livable wage. These are the things we need to be running on, not running from. There was no one to speak to the agenda, whether you want to call it progressive or just a survivor's agenda, which is what I prefer to call it.
Source: The American Prospect on 2022 North Carolina Senate race
Nov 30, 2020
On Principles & Values:
Black women come from hard work; should have more value
Financial support has been cited as a barrier by some Black women candidates. Smith agrees that wealth remains an issue and believes the party should reexamine the value of the number of dollars raised. "I didn't come from wealth,
I came from hard work and that is a valuable currency that the political culture has not yet had a reckoning with," said Smith. "Black women, we operate under a different kind of currency that should have more value."
Source: The Charlotte Post on 2022 North Carolina Senate race
Nov 29, 2020
On Tax Reform:
Supports a Service Worker's Tax Act
I support a Service Worker's Tax Act and have filed bills each Session I have served in testament
to my belief that tip reporting in wages creates a permanent underclass in this category of workers who are overwhelming women.
Source: 2020 North Carolina Senate website EricaForUS.org
Feb 7, 2020
Page last updated: Feb 18, 2023