Deborah Joins First Lady Michelle Obama to Address Students at NC State University

Statement

Deborah spoke to thousands of students and members of the public today during a rally featuring First Lady Michelle Obama. She discussed support for allowing students to refinance loans using today's lower interest rates to rein in the massive levels of college debt among graduates, and expanding Pell Grants.

During the rally Deborah, who represented NC State in the State House, also talked about her plan to provide two years of free community college for students who earn good grades, and spoke about the need for a change from Washington politics-as-usual.

Her comments come on the heels of a story highlighting yet another example of politics-as-usual from incumbent Senator Richard Burr. Burr was the subject of a new investigative report revealing that he accepted thousands in campaign donations from predatory, for-profit colleges and then pushed legislation that would roll back oversight of the for-profit college industry.

Deborah in her own words:

"I hope you're all ready to give our First Lady a warm North Carolina welcome! Michelle Obama is an inspiration and an example to all of us. She's someone who cares deeply about how decisions are made in Washington, and how they impact people's everyday lives. And she's been a true champion of women and families in this country.

"Now, I don't know if you know it, but yesterday was her 24th anniversary, so when she comes I want you to wish her a happy anniversary!

"I'm really glad to be with all of you here at NC State, and I want to give a special shout-out to your Chancellor Randy Woodson, who does a fantastic job leading this university and contributing to our community.

"You might be able to tell that I'm pretty proud of NC State history. When I served in the General Assembly, I represented NC State for more than ten years. I live not even a mile from this campus, and my husband has two engineering degrees from NC State…

"… in the General Assembly, we invested in education, and we invested in your future. And I was even lucky enough to have some fantastic interns from NC State: Democratic interns and Republican interns… I know how talented NC State students are.

"Now you're going to hear a lot today about how we need to keep building an economy that works for everyone--and I believe that making higher education and training a key component of that is the only way we're going to be able to compete in the 21st century.

"Since my campaign started I've been from Murphy to Manteo, and even to Nags Head; I've been to more than 90 counties, and everywhere I go I talk to students and families who are struggling to afford higher education for their children. It's important, you guys, the cost of higher education has gone up, and our students are facing crushing student loan debt.

"But Washington isn't doing enough to help them, it isn't working for them, and they're tired of politics-as-usual.

"Now my opponent, Richard Burr, is a classic example… It doesn't help that he voted against a measure that would allow students to refinance their student loans at today's low rates. The federal government should not be making money off the backs of our students.

"Our state is ready for a change. We are ready for a higher minimum wage for our working families, instead of tax cuts for millionaires and billionaires. We're ready for investing in job creation right here, rather than giving tax breaks for companies that ship jobs overseas. We're ready for equal pay for equal work for women, and we're ready for expanding access to higher education and training… "

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