Republican gubernatorial hopeful Mae Beavers stopped by Crossville for a visit with supporters and spoke about her plans for Tennessee's future.
The event was held at the Christmas decorated home of Donna McDermott who ran for mayor of Crossville 8 years ago. The event gave supporters the opportunity to chat with the candidate and discuss politics before the candidate spoke for a few minutes about the issues she sees in the upcoming race to replace Bill Haslam.
Beavers told supporters that she fought the increase in the gasoline tax because the state currently has a surplus that could be used for roads. She said the wants to see the gas tax removed and sales tax removed from food. On other taxes, Beavers said she had fought the income tax proposed several years ago.
Gubernatorial candidate Mae Beavers addresses
supporters in Crossville
According to Beavers, “lots of legislators are leaving or running for other offices and concerned about elections.
Education is another topic Beavers talked about saying she'd like to get rid of common core. The race to the top funding is also a problem and currently, the state testing contractor can't get results to the state in time for test results to be used to grade students or teachers on their progress. She added that there should be transparency from the testing company and school decisions are better when they are local as not all schools are the same.
Concern about the opioid crises was also discussed by Beavers. She said one business owner she talked to said he can't hire half the people that apply because they can't pass a drug test. One business owner she talked to took men from jail, helped them get off of drugs and give them jobs and his company has been very successful doing that. The substitute drugs that people are given keep them addicted just one something different.
Beavers said she thinks the State Attorney General should be elected to represent the people. She proposed that each state department should have an inspector general to watch for waste and fraud.
Beavers told those gathered that she was the most conservative candidate in the race and added, “I'd put my record up against anyone. She said she was targeting conservatives, tea party members and Republican women's groups adding that money is needed for impact and grassroots support is very important in this race.
When asked what she'd like to be remembered for she said she'd want to be remembered as a governor with common sense.
