|
Questions
The League of Women Voters has made every effort to present accurately the candidates' responses as they were submitted.
1. If elected, what two things do you hope to accomplish as a state representative for the people of Utah?
First, I am particularly concerned with our economy. It is getting harder and harder to make the money stretch from pay check to pay check. Our taxes are too high, gas is too high, and education is way over the acceptable limit. We need to stop and think about what we are doing. People at the lower end of the pay scale are at extreme risk. People in the State of Utah are world renowned for their generosity and giving natures, but we are being forced to work two and sometimes three jobs just to keep our families feed and housed. At the end of the day there isn't as much time left to give to others. Housing costs are so far over the common persons head that they can't even begin to hope to own their own homes. We need to slow down and rethink our actions before it is too late.
Second, is education. I believe that education is the answer to every problem that faces us. The current energy crisis can be eradicated by research into alternative energy sources. The degradation of our ecosystems can be addressed through research into habitats and their restorations. Poverty can be cured through education. As a state we need to make sure that every child has the opportunity and money needed for the education that he or she chooses to follow.
2. How would you address the following issues?
- Adequate funding for education, including funding for disadvantaged populations such as non-English-speakers and prison inmates
We need to allocate more money to education. This may mean that we need to privatize portions of government to free up funds for advancements in education. We have government agencies that were created to monitor other agencies. This may mean that the private sector needs to step up to the plate and create funding for needed research. This may mean that parents need to take a more active role in their children's educations.
I feel that the places we need to push the most money and create better community support is within the poorest parts of our state. We need to teach children that there is a way out of poverty and that way is education and that people of this state care about their futures and are willing to fund and support their growth.
We need more mentors willing to go into our non-English speaking schools to teach and support.
Also, there needs to be some sort of reform in our prisons. I have on two occasions volunteered to teach at the prison and was told that I wasn't needed. First, I was told that BYU handled the teaching program at the Point of the Mountain, but no one could give me the name of anyone to call. I was then told that I couldn't teach at the prison because I was a single woman.
We need people in these institutions who are organizers. People who can create contact list and organize groups and colleges to cover their needs. I finally gave up trying and no longer pursued that interest because no one could or would point me in the right direction.
- Energy resource development and clean air
Energy resource development is a hot point in our state right now. I think that we need to pursue oil and gas development in the areas of our state that contains the product, for now. We have to find a way to off set the current cost of oil. I am not willing to give up my mode of transportation right now, and I believe that the majority of Utahans feel the same way. I believe that we should approach this as a short term solution while our scientist research and refine alternative modes of transportation. I realize that our environment may suffer temporarily, but I don't feel that we have a better solution for now.
I work in the Habitat Section of the Wildlife Resources, and I know how capable and creative our habitat biologists are. The areas disturbed for oil and gas production can be rehabilitated after the oil is extracted. There are practicable solutions to the temporary situations we are faced with we just need to be accountable with our methods of production.
Our environment is of the utmost importance to our state. We live in the most beautiful State in the Union and we need to make sure that beauty lives on for future generations. We need to step up and be the lead in air quality. We need to demand lower car emissions and be very aggressive with the automotive industry making sure that they know we will place sanctions on cars entering our state that are not operating within our defined limits. The technology exists it is time we held them to our standards.
Industries wanting to call Utah home should be made aware that in Utah we demand compliance with clean air standards. We need to set the standards and then enforce them.
- Water development and conservation
We live in a desert state. We need to be ever vigilant with conservation efforts. We need to stop planting large grassy parks and embrace our deserts beauty.
Again, working with habitat biologist on a daily basis I would seek their advice and input on solutions for our watersheds. They have done the research and they know how to get the best results for our tax dollars. Too often the people with the know-how are ignored or not consulted on issues of great importance. We need to start creating more think tanks of experts in needed fields and then follow through with their advice.
- Better communication between elected officials and their constituents
I would love to generate an e-mail list of constituents in my District who want to be kept informed, and e-mail hot issues to them seeking their input early in the decision making process. Also, if elected I will be using web tools like "Survey Monkey" to create surveys so my constituents can have a voice in their government.
3. If the State had a revenue surplus of $100 millions, how would you allocate the money?
First, if faced with a surplus of State funds I would be inclined to invest or bank the excess funds creating a way to reduce future taxes. I would love to see Utah be the most financially solvent state in the Union.
If that wasn't possible I would love to spend some on our schools making Utah a place where people want to live because of educational opportunities. I would also like to look at a better health care solution. Last, I would love to see our state start buying more critical habitats for wildlife and open spaces. I don't think that we need to build on every square inch of land in our state. Let's leave some for the wildlife and peace of mind.
|
