To the Editor,

Republican House Speaker Thom Tillis really is looking out for the citizens of North Carolina. He has given his personal staff members raises of up to twenty-seven (27) percent. One of his staff member’s salaries has risen from $120,000 to $ $150,000 while he has helped to eliminate many jobs where individuals were making $30,000 or less.

That $30,000 raise could have employed a qualified individual somewhere in the state who is now unemployed because of Rep. Tillis’ fiscal policies.

This was done while he helped craft a Republican state budget that has eliminated hundreds of jobs and ultimately will eliminate thousands more. Those jobs involve public safety and crime control; early childhood education (which has proven to have long term benefits for our children); and positions in our public schools, universities and colleges. Also, it will eliminate jobs involving health care for the elderly, the sick, and those in need of mental health care.

So this is the change the Republicans promised. It looks like it is the same policy they have always espoused and promoted — enrich their financially well-off friends, who are already doing quite well (some obviously off of state tax dollars).

If that one (1) percent sales tax had been left in effect, at least we as citizens would have been able to recoup a portion of that $150,000 salary. Didn’t he say all North Carolinians had to make sacrifices? I guess that just doesn’t apply to his staff and friends.

For those of you who might be thinking that I am a liberal Democratic taking an opportunity to shed light on Republican, allow me to be clear, I am a former registered Republican currently registered now as an Independent.

Frederick Stephens

Lumberton