Two want seat in 73rd

Their views differ greatly on curbing illegal immigration

By: John Hinton | JOURNAL REPORTER
Published: October 17, 2008

State Rep. Larry Brown says he believes that the General Assembly should pass a strong immigration law to slow the tide of illegal immigrants coming into North Carolina.

"If the federal government can't do it, then North Carolina should do it," Brown said. "People are trying to survive and make a living. I understand that. I have friends who are Hispanic, but we just can't take on so many people."

Brown, 65, a Republican, is running for his third term representing the 73rd District in the N.C. House. He also was the mayor of Kernersville for 18 years.

Brown ran unopposed in 2006 in the district, which consists of eastern Forsyth County and part of northeastern Davidson County.

Cary Morris, 36, of Kernersville, a Libertarian candidate, is running against Brown. Morris is making his first bid for public office. There is no Democratic challenger.

Brown says that authorities must make sure that state officials and employers are checking the immigration status of people applying for jobs and driver's licenses. Many illegal immigrants are using false documents to get jobs and licenses, he said.

Brown also said that too many illegal immigrants get public assistance.

Morris said he considers enforcing immigration laws as a federal matter, and he doesn't support state legislation on this issue.

"While the states can work with the federal government concerning this, I haven't seen a state that has been successful attempting to handle the issue of illegal aliens on its own," he said.

States that try to pass legislation on the issue find themselves bogged down in court cases as immigration-rights groups bring lawsuits against them, Morris said. He supports the efforts of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and its Immigration and Customs Enforcement office to handle illegal immigrants.

Many constituents also are concerned about the economy and their jobs, Brown and Morris said. They said that North Carolinas could recruit more businesses if legislators lowered the state's business tax, which is the highest in the Southeast.

Morris said he favors reducing state regulations over businesses. State officials could talk to the business owners who have moved their operations overseas and learn what the state can do to persuade them to return their businesses to North Carolina.

Another issue in the race is government spending. The state could face a large deficit in 2009 if the national and state economies continue to move toward a recession, Brown said. He supports Gov. Mike Easley's call for state agencies to reduce their spending by 2 percent.

If the state gets less tax revenues next year, then state officials may need to consider laying off state employees, Brown said.

Brown said that many of his constituents want legislators to stop wasteful spending, especially allocating state money to nonprofit organizations that don't reveal how they are spending that money.

"We could have a wiser use of our money," Brown said.

Morris said he also supports state government reducing its spending, especially on what he calls frivolous items. "When you are facing serious economic times, you have to cut things that are not essential," he said.

Morris is opposed to the $12 million agreement for the state to acquire 2,601 acres of the Grandfather Mountain. He called that an example of unnecessary state spending.

"This is the kind of thing that happens all of the time," he said.

Morris suggested that a nonprofit organization could have asked for public donations to buy the land.

Morris said he supports more charter schools in North Carolina and more state money for a voucher program for parents who want to send their children to private schools.

"It is all about choice in education," Morris said.

Both Morris and Brown are opposed to involuntary annexation, a legal process that allows cities and towns to annex outlying areas near their boundaries. Municipalities can take this action without the consent of the people living in those areas.

State statistics show that 31 percent of the district's registered voters are Democrats. Brown said that some of his supporters are Democrats.

"I'm been honored to serve the people," Brown said. "If they want to have me there again, I will work hard on their behalf."

Morris said that his candidacy is part of a Libertarian movement in North Carolina.

"If people knew my stances, I would do well. I just have to get my message out," he said.

■ John Hinton can be reached at 727-7299 or at jhinton@wsjournal.com.