|
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 and formost on my legislative agenda is to pass an ethics reform bill requiring an independant Ethics Commission to investigate wrongdoing and do away with the current system of Legislators investigating each other.The Legislature must be made more transparent, honest and open to public scrunity.
Secondly to pass legislation which would forever protect the boundaries of the townships in Utah.
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
One of the problems encountered when talking about "adequate funding" for education is the fact that for years the Legislature has done little else than fund annual student growth and has put precious few resources into actually reducing class size and/or teacher pay. I would support funding to increase starting teacher pay to an amount on par with surrounding states such as Nevada and Wyoming. I would then support funding teacher assistants in each classroom severely impacted by overcrowding or an overabundance of non-english speaker students.
- Energy resource development and clean air
We must do more to protect our clean air and water. One proposal I would support is Legislation giving large tax breaks to those who purchase fuel efficient vehicles. One proposal for energy resource development that is being seriously talked about is a nuclear power plant in Southeastern Utah. I would very much oppose that idea until all other sources of energy such as Solar, Wind Generation and Geo-Thermal are fully developed.
- Water development and conservation
Water is the key to a healthy Utah. We are afterall, a desert state and conservation is key to protecting that important resource.
- Better communication between elected officials and their constituents
Communication between elected officials and their constituents can be accomplished by swinging the closed doors of the legislative process wide open. Closed caucuses by either political party should not be allowed. The public should be invited into the process not kept at arms length.
3. If the State had a revenue surplus of $100 millions, how would you allocate the money?
100-million - educational needs IE: increase teacher pay and hire addition teaching staff to improve the student/teacher ratios in heavily overcrowded classrooms.
|
