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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 want to provide greater funding for public education and higher education and continue to support learning opportunities, smaller classes, more after school activities and more individualized attention for our students with special needs, gifts and talents.
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
Public education represents the largest budget appropriated by the Legislature. During the 2008 General Session, the Legislature appropriated more than $3.7 billion to support Utah's public schools for FY 2009, a 6.3 percent increase over the FY 2008 revised budget.
In total,appropriations supporting public education represent 48.6 percent of the total appropriations made from State revenue sources in FY 2009. Research has consistently shown that access to high-quality early childhood education can have a positive impact on the school careers of children, particularly those from low-income households. I have and continue to support funding Pre K programs.
- Energy resource development and clean air
We must keep promoting renewable energy sources such as wind and solar. I will support legislation including tax incentives for businesses and home owners who invest in clean renewable energy sources.
I will continue to support and augment existing plans for managing sustainable growth. Some of these things include:
. Rewarding innovations that allow us to support our growing community in an environmentally responsible manner
. Augmenting transit-minded transportation policy.
. Expanding use of alternative safe and renewable energy sources (i.e., solar, geothermal, wind).
- Water development and conservation
Water is a finite resource that requires careful and proactive management: the era of plentiful and inexpensive water is ending. Water conservation, sound management strategies, and adequate investment in a range of solutions are essential to meet the water demands of Utahs' growing population, while protecting our natural resources. I support planning, financial assistance, information, and education for the conservation and responsible development of water for Utah. Conservation is an inexpensive and environmentally friendly way to increase the amount of water available in the future.
- Better communication between elected officials and their constituents
A once viable productive two-party system has eroded into partisan politics which divides rather than unites, hurts rather than helps. Common sense, open communication and civility must be brought back to state government. We need state government officials to be open and completely transparent. I will continue working to restore the Utah legislature to a body of men and women who work with respect, tolerance and integrity for each other and for all the residents of Utah.
3. If the State had a revenue surplus of $100 millions, how would you allocate the money?
No Answer
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