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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?
I would like to implement a long-term funding plan for public education that includes a systematic reduction of class sizes and an incremental increase in teacher salaries. Until we have such a plan, we will see continued teacher shortages and more children falling behind as a result of high teacher turnover and overcrowded classrooms.
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
In the mid-90's Utah's Constitution was amended to allow Higher Education to be funded in part from the Education Fund whose revenue comes entirely from individual and corporate income taxes. Prior to this that money was designated solely for K-12 public education. (See Utah Foundation article, "Paradox Lost") I would reverse that decision and require Higher Ed to be funded solely from the General Fund whose revenue comes from sales tax. This would stop the downward trend in public ed funding and require the legislature to reprioritize its spending and put a higher value on Higher Ed and social services instead of transportation.
With more funding for reading specialists, ESL teachers, and smaller classes, we could have all children reading on grade level by grade 3. If we spent money on such programs, including pre-school and all-day kindergarten, we wouldn't have such a large prison population. Over 50% of incarcerated men and women do not have a high school diploma and read on a 5th grade level or lower.
- Energy resource development and clean air
Energy resource development and clean air will not occur without some sacrifice by Utahns like conservation measures that reduce carbon emissions,and provide incentives to drive less and buy more fuel efficient cars. We should continue to invest in mass transit and provide incentives for people to ride buses, Trax, and Frontrunner as well as make our cities and communities more pedestrian and bicycle friendly. We should make major investments in renewable and alternative energy sources while setting long-term goals to help reduce our dependency on coal and oil.
- Water development and conservation
Water is the key to life and economic prosperity in the West. This precious and limited resource must be protected from too much development and water grabs from neighboring states like Nevada. Strict conservation measures should be enacted, along with incentives to change people's habits regarding water use.
- Better communication between elected officials and their constituents
In the 8 years I have been in office the volume of e-mail and phone calls has greatly increased. Still, I try to respond to all constituent questions or concerns. Legislators could be more effective in this regard if we had a small staff to assist with and help us manage the mail and calls, as well as help with managing our requests for speaking and attending numerous meetings and conferences. To better communicate and understand constituent concerns, I send out surveys each year asking their views on issues. Several colleagues and I hold town hall meetings for constituents to ask questions and express their views. One problem for improved communication is a lack of funding for constituent services. We have no personal staff except a college intern during the legislative session. Additionally, we have to raise our own funds to pay for mailing and printing surveys, and renting space to hold town meetings.
3. If the State had a revenue surplus of $100 millions, how would you allocate the money?
I would allocate a $100 million surplus in the following way:
$40m - class size reduction in grades K-3
$10m - arts education
$30m - teacher salaries
$10m - Medicaid vision and dental benefits
$10m - mental health and substance abuse treatment
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