Douglas County Voters' Guide - 2008 General Election
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INFORMATION ABOUT THE VOTERS’ GUIDE Candidates were polled for biographical information and positions on selected issues. Answers to questions are printed as written by candidate, including errors in punctuation or grammar. Both biographies and responses to questions were limited to 50 words each. The Douglas County Voters' Guide is made possible by funding from the League of Women Voters’ Education Fund of Greater Omaha. The League of Women Voters is non partisan and does not support or oppose any political party or candidate. Those publications which are funded by the Education Fund also do not take stands on issues. Call 344-3701 for printed copies of the Voter’s Guide. Please click on the following links to view the candidate responses. |
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University of Nebraska Regents Metropolitan Utilities District Douglas County Public Defender Douglas County Register of Deeds Board of Governors - Metropolitan Community College
Westside Board of Education
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Democrat SCOTT KLEEB: No biographical information received. LARRY D. MARVIN: Age 69. 635 North Main Street, Fremont, 68025. Retired/laborer - FBC. Divorced, 1 adult child. Candidate for U.S Senate since November 19, 2007. Past public offices: Chairman of Cuming County Democrats; Activist. In Long Pine High School I was elected sheriff for County Government Day. Monterrey Military Language School; B.S. and M. Ed. from UNL; Real Estate Broker classes - Omaha; NECC and Metro CC enrichment, management and Accounting. U.S Air Force (Word count exceeded.) TONY RAIMONDO: Age 68. www.raimondo2008.com. Chairman - Behlen Mfg. Co. Married, 4 children. BSME, Michigan Technological University; MBA, University of Rochester. JAMES BRYAN WILSON: No response received. Green STEVEN R. LARRICK: Age 55. 920 South 8th Street; Lincoln, 68508. nebraskagreens.org. Community Developer - Lower Platte South Natural Resource District. Married, 1 adult son. Elected as a director of the Lower Platte South Natural Resource District in 2002 and 2006 - I am the first elected Green Party representative in the state of Nebraska. Past public offices: I have also served as president and vice president of my neighborhood association, the South Salt Creek Community Organization, president of (Word count exceeded.) Nebraska KELLY RENEE ROSBERG: No response received. Republican PAT FLYNN: Age 49. P.O. Box 151, Schuyler, 68661. www.patflynnforsenate.com. Financial Advisor - Self-Employed & Own Business. Single, no children. Agriculture Economics BS Degree - University of Nebraska - Lincoln. Volunteer hours: Have donated about 20 hrs per week for the last 13 years to a teen youth ministry program. MIKE JOHANNS: Age 57. 1403 Farnam Street, #802, Omaha, 68102. www.mikejohanns2008.com. Married, 2 children. Past public offices: United States Secretary of Agriculture, January 2005-September 2007; Governor of Nebraska, 1999-2005; Mayor of Lincoln, 1991-1998; Lincoln City Council, 1989-1991; Lancaster County Commissioner, 1983-1987. Undergraduate degree from St. Mary’s University in Winona, Minnesota; Law degree from Creighton University.
1. What measures will you take to improve the economic outlook for middle class Americans? Democrat SCOTT KLEEB: As a homeowner on a tight budget, I feel the squeeze of rising costs. I will solve short-term problems with targeted tax relief and better "trade adjustment assistance". I will strengthen our long-term outlook be reducing health care and higher education costs and investing in renewable energy. LARRY D. MARVIN: Only approve presidential appointments of judges and federal attorneys who protect stockholders investments, and prosecute scam con-artists by clarifying laws. Improve labor unions and employees voices in obtaining better wages, benefits, and safe working conditions. Make complete health coverage affordable. Cut foreign aid and use for our economic development. TONY RAIMONDO: I would have voted for the economic stimulus package that passed the Senate. However, this is only a temporary solution. We need to create good paying jobs. I would work to create 100,000 American jobs a month by investing in infrastructure, renewable energy and green collar positions created by research. JAMES BRYAN WILSON: No response received. Green STEVEN R. LARRICK: My HELP program includes: (1) Health Care for all through single-payer health care; (2) Energy Conservation for all through green building and zoning codes and high efficiency vehicle standards; (3) Land Conservation practices in support of farmers and rural communities; and (4) Peace through an end to the Iraq War. Nebraska KELLY RENEE ROSBERG: No response received. Republican PAT FLYNN: Will work to reduce the federal governments' involvement in our businesses regarding over-burdening regulations and taxes. MIKE JOHANNS: Lower taxes and less government spending are the best way to improve the economic outlook for middle class Americans. As governor I balanced budgets, and opposed higher taxes. Lower taxes will create jobs and ensure that more of Nebraskans’ hard earned money goes toward family budgets, not the federal budget.
2. What changes should the United States make in its immigration laws and what steps will you take to create a workable immigration policy? Democrat SCOTT KLEEB: My first priority is to secure our borders. We must stop the bleeding before we can treat the wound. Immigration reform should include penalties -- including potential imprisonment -- for CEOs who knowingly hire illegal immigrants. I will also urge the next president to support Central American economic development and border security. LARRY D. MARVIN: We have good and workable immigration laws. Our Republican administration is not administering these laws, any better than they avoided 9-11. I am campaigning to change leadership of our government. A conflict of interest exists, when the media does info-mercials for the contractor who builds the wall(s). TONY RAIMONDO: Americans need to be confident that our border is secure. Until we are able to secure our border completely, we will be unable to resolve the other issues surrounding immigration in this country. JAMES BRYAN WILSON: No response received. Green STEVEN R. LARRICK: I will apply international law to limit violent overt and covert interventions by military and corporate elites which perpetuate poverty throughout the developing world. This will reduce the flow of immigrants and provide developing nations with economic security to encourage the development of local economies to their fullest renewable potentials. Nebraska KELLY RENEE ROSBERG: No response received. Republican PAT FLYNN: (1) Main change is that U.S. should enforce current laws on the books. Should hold employers accountable with their hiring practices. (2) Repatriate illegal aliens & sign them up in US--VISIT program (3) Strength citizenship - make English our primary language (4) Establish temporary work program sponsored by the employer MIKE JOHANNS: Illegal immigration threatens our security. We must secure our borders. There cannot be amnesty for illegal immigrants. We need verifiable workplace enforcement that includes sanctions for employers who hire illegal workers. And there cannot be preferential treatment for those who enter America illegally. Our approach must be firm, but fair.
3. What would you do to make health care affordable for all Americans? Democrat SCOTT KLEEB: We must control costs for Americans who have insurance and reduce the number of uninsured. To lower costs for everyone, the government could cover the highest-cost cases, which reduces the overall risk pool and allows insurance companies to lower their rates. I would also invest in preventative care. LARRY D. MARVIN: When we can go to our bank and buy insurance, through a group policy, cheaper than we can buy an individual policy from an independent agent; then I contend that by exerting our buying clout (of military, federal, state, and local employees), we should negotiate the cost in half. TONY RAIMONDO: Our health care system continues to operate in the 20th century. We need 21st century solutions. Government should play a role in fixing the problem, but should not be the solution. By using technology and innovation, we can control costs. Health care must also be portable. JAMES BRYAN WILSON: No response received. Green STEVEN R. LARRICK: I will introduce legislation to adopt the Canadian single-payer health care system. This will eliminate a vast network of unnecessary red tape and provide quality health car for all Americans for less cost than our current privatized system which leaves more than 47 million Americans without health care coverage. Nebraska KELLY RENEE ROSBERG: No response received. Republican PAT FLYNN: (1) Encourage preventive measures with the public (2) Change personal tax exemption for employer paid health insurance premium to a refundable tax credit (3) Take off all mandates on doctor services and health insurance products (4) Tort reform like Nebraska throughout the country (5) Allow multiple private plans with employer groups which are portable. MIKE JOHANNS: Americans deserve top quality health care. Our current system is complex, and inaccessible to far too many Americans. As a United States Senator, I will work toward a system that delivers quality and affordable health care that holds all participants accountable. I will oppose a single-payer, government-run health care system.
4. What should be the criteria for ending American involvement in Iraq? Explain. Democrat SCOTT KLEEB: I grew up on military bases and feel a deep connection to Americans in uniform. This Administration cannot define "success" in Iraq -- an unacceptable lack of accountability. We've lost over 4,000 brave soldiers and $3 trillion in tax dollars. Congress must tie funding to diplomatic, political, and economic benchmarks. LARRY D. MARVIN: First: remove President Bush and Vice President Cheney. Then: order our generals to safely exit Iraq. Lies and fraud got us into Iraq; so honesty and respect can get us out. I believe the Haliburton Corporation is a threat to our sovereignty and should be fired immediately. TONY RAIMONDO: We need an honorable exit strategy from Iraq. We need to keep our word to the Iraqi people and our allies throughout the world while transferring responsibility completely over to the Iraqi government. It is time to begin that process and bring our troops home. JAMES BRYAN WILSON: No response received. Green STEVEN R. LARRICK: The invasion and occupation of Iraq was wrong. More than 80% of Iraqis want the U. S. out of Iraq now. We must withdraw all U.S. troops and private contractors within six months but continue working with Iraqis, the United Nations and the Arab League to provide for peace. Nebraska KELLY RENEE ROSBERG: No response received. Republican PAT FLYNN: We should not leave until the Iraqis are able to defend themselves against the neighboring countries and terrorist organizations who are the ones mostly involved in the war. MIKE JOHANNS: I support our men and women in uniform and their mission in Iraq. Islamic terrorists have declared war on the United States. This long-term threat requires constant vigilance. We cannot leave until we defeat the terrorists who threaten free people and help the Iraqi government stand on its own.
5. What energy policy would you pursue in order to reduce our dependence on foreign oil? Democrat SCOTT KLEEB: Renewable energy can create thousands of new jobs right here in Nebraska. Ethanol, wind, solar, and biofuels will also decrease pollution and make our country safer by cutting our dependence on foreign fuel. LARRY D. MARVIN: I would very strongly encourage Nebraskans to uncap all of our capped oil wells, in southwest Nebraska, and the rest of the United States. This would create numerous good paying jobs and could blend with our new ethanol industrial growth. TONY RAIMONDO: We need to continue to expand our use of renewable energies. Ethanol is only the beginning. We need to research other possibilities in the areas of cellulosic materials, wind and others. By concentrating on renewable energies we also grow the economy by creating jobs. JAMES BRYAN WILSON: No response received. Green STEVEN R. LARRICK: I will introduce tax reforms to reduce income taxes and implement a carbon tax to discourage the import of foreign oil. A carbon tax will reduce toxic pollution and global warming gases while funding the development of energy from wind, sun, geothermal, and other clean and renewable sources of energy. Nebraska KELLY RENEE ROSBERG: No response received. Republican PAT FLYNN: (1) I would make sure the environmental organizations influence were diminished substantially (2) I would encourage companies to drill off-shore (Atlantic, Pacific and Gulf) (3) I would encourage expanding our nuclear energy capabilities along with renewable energy avenues being utilized better MIKE JOHANNS: The more dependent we are on foreign oil, the greater the risk to our economy and security. We must develop a comprehensive strategy that encapsulates every available energy resource, including the expansion of domestic oil and natural gas production, increased use of nuclear power, and greater production of renewable fuels.
6. How do you propose protecting the civil liberties of American citizens while assuring national defense? Democrat SCOTT KLEEB: My top priority is to give law enforcement the tools to detect, disrupt, and destroy terrorist networks. We must all stand strong in the face of a serious threat. Yet we must also remember the core American values we want to protect: freedom and the rule of law. LARRY D. MARVIN: Semanticly, our national defense is to protect all of our liberties listed in the Constitution, and all our rights not specifically enumerated. Same oath as I took. I intend to immediately work to fire everyone who does not comprehend this. Conflicts of interest are not national defense. TONY RAIMONDO: I believe we can find the right balance of protecting Americans through modern surveillance while at the same time ensuring that civil liberties are also protected. I would work with the intelligence community and my colleagues in the Senate to find such a solution. JAMES BRYAN WILSON: No response received. Green STEVEN R. LARRICK: I will support legislation to restore the Constitution by eliminating the Patriot Act and the illegal wiretaps against the American people. I believe if we treat other nations fairly as we would have them treat us, we will restore America’s standing and reduce many of our national defense threats. Nebraska KELLY RENEE ROSBERG: No response received. Republican PAT FLYNN: I would support the Patriot Act and renewal of FISA MIKE JOHANNS: The first priority of any government is the security of its people. We must stand strong against terrorism, while also protecting the civil liberties at the core of our constitution. My first priority will be our national defense, but I will always work to protect civil liberties of all Americans. |
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Democrat RICHARD CARTER: Age 30. 14411 S. 27th St. Bellevue, 68123. www.richardcarter2008.com. Economics Professor - Metro Comm. College; Electronic Warfare Officer - United States Air Force. Single. Master’s Degree in Economics. I spent seven years on active duty in the United States Air Force, and I currently serve as a Captain in the Air Force Reserve. Volunteer hours: I frequently volunteer through my church. I also volunteer at the VA hospital and with the VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars). JIM ESCH: Age 32. 2464 Harney St, Apt 31, 68131. www.jimesch.org. Candidate for Congress. Single, no children. Creighton University, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration 1998, Creighton Law School, JD 2000. Volunteer hours: I volunteer about 2-3 hours a week and have done work with Habitat for Humanity, Sienna Francis House and Sacred Heart amongst others. Republican STEVEN LAIRD: No response received. LEE TERRY: Age 46. WWW.LeeTerry.com. Incumbent. U.S. Congressman - People of 2nd District, Nebraska. Married, 3 CHILDREN. U.S. Congress 1999-present. Past public offices: Omaha City Council 1991-January 1999. J.D. Creighton University. Volunteer hours: 15 hours per month.
1. What measures will you take to improve the economic outlook for middle class Americans? Democrat RICHARD CARTER: The middle class is being squeezed. Costs are rising, wages are stagnant, and inflation is destroying savings. We need tax breaks where they will do the most good—the middle class. We need to end predatory lending practices, and pass legislation to make healthcare and education more affordable to parents. JIM ESCH: We must get our federal budget deficit in order. Then we can invest in infrastructure projects and education to promote growth and opportunity for the middle class. Health care costs for business and individuals must be addressed. It is a rapidly growing burden on a person or families budget. Republican STEVEN LAIRD: No response received. LEE TERRY: Limit growth of government, limit spending, reform entitlement programs which are unfunded obligations that lead to crushing debt on the next generation. Economic policies must be pro growth and create jobs.
2. What changes should the United States make in its immigration laws and what steps will you take to create a workable immigration policy? Democrat RICHARD CARTER: We need to secure our ports and borders. Open borders are not just an immigration problem, but also a national security concern. We must know who is entering our country. We also must crack down on businesses that hire illegal immigrants. This will remove the biggest incentive for illegal immigration. JIM ESCH: Immigration is still a problem of not enforcing the law. In 1998 nearly 14,000 illegal immigrants were apprehended and almost 1,000 businesses were fined. By 2004 those numbers dropped to under 1,000 and 4 respectively. Secure our borders implement a national ID card and then work on our immigration needs. Republican STEVEN LAIRD: No response received. LEE TERRY: Post September 11, we must know who, their background, and why an immigrant comes to our country. Therefore we must stop illegal immigration at our borders and points of entry. Then we must reform immigration laws to help employers, immigrants, and meet the needs of our country.
3. What would you do to make health care affordable for all Americans? Democrat RICHARD CARTER: Every single American deserves affordable, quality healthcare. We need a major overhaul of our healthcare system. We cannot entirely eliminate private care; that’s where innovation takes place. However, our current system leaves millions without any care. We need to find the most affordable balance between private care and public care. JIM ESCH: The cost is especially burdensome to our lower and middle class with one in five lacking coverage we must act now. Promoting preventative care and wellness is a step in the right direction. We must craft a solution with the health care and insurance industries in the interest of Americans. Republican STEVEN LAIRD: No response received. LEE TERRY: All Americans should have access to affordable health care. As a society we must reduce unhealthy habits and incentive healthy habits. I support tax incentives to staying fit, and making individual insurance policies eligible for tax credits, allow small business to pool employees and government to pool others into a group.
4. What should be the criteria for ending American involvement in Iraq? Explain. Democrat RICHARD CARTER: As an Iraq veteran, I know that we should leave as quickly as possible. Our troops have accomplished every task assigned. We deposed a dictator, we ensured there were no WMD’s, we helped the Iraqis elect their own free government. It’s time to being our brave men and women home. JIM ESCH: We have met our strategic goals in Iraq. We are still bogged down policing a civil war. I have called for a redeployment of troops out of Iraq while leaving some troops there to guard our interests and protect Iraq from foreign invasion. The Iraq conflict has been terribly mismanaged. Republican STEVEN LAIRD: No response received. LEE TERRY: United States should begin withdrawing combat troops as the Iraqi Government becomes stronger and has troops and security forces ready to defend themselves. A stable Iraq and a non nuclear Iran is in our national security interests.
5. What energy policy would you pursue in order to reduce our dependence on foreign oil? Democrat RICHARD CARTER: This is a major priority—we cannot allow heavy oil-producing nations (OPEC) to hijack our economy. We must reduce our overall energy consumption, and also become more energy independent. We should invest in wind, solar, and biomass as energy sources, but we should all work hard to be less wasteful. JIM ESCH: I will look to implement an aggressive energy initiative. Utilizing America’s entrepreneurial spirit and innovation we need an effort similar to the Apollo Space program to develop new energy sources and “green jobs”. Our addiction to fossil fuels endangers our national security and hampers the middle class. Republican STEVEN LAIRD: No response received. LEE TERRY: Energy independence should be a national priority and is for me. The president signed the Hill-Terry bill into law making cars and trucks more fuel efficient. We must make a bigger commitment to cellulosic ethanol, clean coal, coal to liquid, bio diesel and in the long term hydrogen fuel cells.
6. How do you propose protecting the civil liberties of American citizens while assuring national defense? Democrat RICHARD CARTER: Spying on Americans does NOT make us any safer. We absolutely must respect the civil liberties of all our citizens, especially when national security concerns arise. As Ben Franklin said, those who would give up essential liberty in exchange for a little temporary safety will deserve neither and lose both. JIM ESCH: I have introduced a five point Homeland Security plan. We need to implement all of the 9/11 commission’s recommendations. Cargo containers coming into our country unchecked are a dangerous hazard. We must restore balance of power between the executive, legislative and judicial branches of government. Visit www.jimesch.org for further detail. Republican STEVEN LAIRD: No response received. LEE TERRY: All Americans on U.S. soil should rely on constitutional rights under the 4th Amendment. No non residents on foreign soil should have the same level of rights. It is in the best interest of our security to capture foreign terrorist’s communications with as little resistance as possible. |
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District 5 REBECCA BARRIENTOS-PATLAN: Age 49. 3305 E St. Occupation - Community Leader. Married, 4 children. Education: Iowa Western Comm. College. Volunteer hours: BRNA - Burlington Road Neighborhood Association (Founder & Pres) 25 HRS (wk); SO. Environmental Task Force (10 HRS YR) (SONA 2 Hrs Mo); LEDC (Douglas County) (2 Hrs Mo); CAG Community Adv. Group for Lead Sites in Omaha Superfund (2 Hr Mo); CSO-Combined Sewer Overflow (Omaha)-2 Hrs Mo. BEN ENGLISH: Age 32. 2512 Mose Ave, Bellevue, NE 68147. www.EnglishForEnglish.com. Customer Care – Technical Support - Cox Communications. Married with two children. Volunteer hours: My wife and I have been helping native Filipino people in the Philippines for several years now through our church. http://www.FilipinoMinistries.org. HEATH MELLO: Age 28. 3084 S. 40th Street #11, 68105. www.heathmello.com. Foundation Coordinator – Metropolitan Community College. Single, no children. BA Political Science; University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Volunteer hours: South Omaha Business Association, Q Merchants Association, St. Thomas More Church, Knights of Columbus = 10 hour a month. District 7 CHRISTOPHER MOLES: 1009 Jones St. #123, 68102. www.christophermoles.com. Legal Department – Info USA, Inc. Single. May ‘07-present Elected Board-Member, Downtown Omaha Business Improvement District. BA-Cal Poly State University; JD and MBA at Creighton University expected in 2009. Volunteer hours: Downtown Improvement District; Various Pro-Rosenblatt Stadium Activities; and ConAgra Foods Race for the Kids. JEREMIAH NORDQUIST: Age 26. 615 Dorcas Street, 68108. www.JeremyNordquist.com. Senior aide to incumbent State Senator John Synowiecki since 2004 - State of Nebraska. Married, no children. Creighton University, B.A.; University of Nebraska at Omaha, completing Master of Public Administration. Volunteer hours: I frequently participate in community volunteer activities through my parish, St. Frances Cabrini, and the Knights of Columbus. Annually, I raise funds for cancer awareness through Relay for Life and LiveStrong Omaha. District 9 GWEN HOWARD: Unopposed. District 11 JOHN M. CARTER: Age 44. 955 N. 28th Ave, 68131. johncarter2008.com. Attorney – Carter & Okolo. Married, 5 children. Creighton Univ. School of Law: J.D.; Doane College: B.A. United States Marine Corps; E-5. Volunteer hours: Iowa Legal Aid – Weekly (as able). BRENDA J. COUNCIL: Age 54. 1615 Wirt Street. www.brendacouncil.com. Attorney – self-employed. Married, 2 children. Past public offices: Omaha Board of Education; Omaha City Council; Commission of Industrial Relations. BS Degree in Secondary Education UNL and Juris Doctor Creighton University. Volunteer hours: Boys and Girls Club of Omaha; North Development Project – twice monthly; Girls, Inc. as requested. DEVIN R. SANTO: No response received. DENNIS J. WOMACK: No response received. District 13 DONNA MARIE ADAMS: Age 40. 9205 Timberline Dr., 68152. Therapist – Sigma. Single, 4 children. Bachelor of Science Sociology; Master of Education Guidance and Counseling; Master of Education Administration and Supervision Secondary; Master of Science Health and Human Services. Volunteer hours: Ministry of Bethesda International, once a week. JACKIE CASEY: No response received. TANYA COOK: Age 43. 2929 Mormon Street, #9, 68112. www.votetanyacook.com. PR Consultant. Single. Appointed Director of Urban Affairs to Governors Johanns and Heineman. Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Georgetown University, Washington, DC; Master of Arts, Training and Development, UN-L. Volunteer hours: Board of Trustees/Executive Committee, Girls Incorporated-4 hours per month. Florence Kiwanis-2 hours per month. RON GERINGER: 5508 N. 63rd Street, 68104. www.geringer-legislature.com. Production Director/Manager – Tightweb Communications. Married, 3 children. Education: BGS, UNO; MPA, UNO. Military service: United States Army, SP4/Acting Sgt. Volunteer hours: As much as possible – various. KURT L. GESCHWENDER: Age 59. 12345 N. 36 St., 68112. kurtgforlegislature.com. Realtor – Geschwender Real Estate. Divorced, 2 children. Some college. USMC Corporal. Volunteer hours: Semi annually w/ Ponca Hills Fire Dept.; Several times per month Ponca Hills Citizens Patrol. CHRIS K. GREEN: No response received. DAVE NEWELL: 7164 Mormon Bridge Rd., 68152. www.davenewell.org.Self-employed - Real Estate Investor/Manager. Married, 2 children. Chairman, Metropolitan Community College Board of Governors (2002-08). Past Offices: Two-Term State Senator 1977-1985. B. S. in Education from U.N.O. Viet Nam Veteran Army E-4. Volunteer hours: I frequently assist the Elderly and Needy with home repairs. District 18 SCOTT LAUTENBAUGH: 16407 Taylor Street, 68116. www.lautenbaugh.com. Incumbent. Attorney - Self employed. Married, 3 children. November 2008 to present - State Senator - LD18. Past public offices: Douglas County Election Commissioner 2000-2003. Creighton U - BA '87, JD '91. CARL LORENZEN: Age 63. 953 Westridge Dr., Blair, 68008. lorenzen2008.com. Retired. Married, 3 grown children. Current public office: Blair Airport Authority. Nebraska Wesleyan University, Lincoln, Nebraska, BA Economics/Accounting. Brigadier General, USAF (Ret). Volunteer hours: Blair Volunteer Fire Department—Daily Volunteer on Pager; Midwest Medical Air Transport—Consultant, Weekly; Washington County Veterans Tribute Plaza Memorial—Co-Chairman, Weekly. SEAN TYLER: No response received. District 23 CHRIS LANGEMEIER: Unopposed. District 31 RICH PAHLS: Unopposed. District 39 BEAU MCCOY: Age 27. 3922 S. 190th Street, 68130. www.BeauMcCoy2008.com. Home Improvement Contractor - Self-employed. Married, 3 children. Volunteer hours: Westside Church, Nebraska Republican Party, Douglas County Republican Party, National Federation of Young Republicans, Nebraska Federation of Young Republicans and Omaha Young Republicans. I donate volunteer hours to these organizations on a weekly and monthly basis. REX J. MOATS: Age 43. 131 South 202nd Street, Elkhorn, NE 68022. www.moatsforlegislature.com. Attorney - Moats Law Firm, PC LLO. Married, 4 children. BSIT University of Nebraska Omaha/Lincoln 1987, MBA University of Nebraska Omaha, 1991, JD with Distinction University of Nebraska College of Law 1993. Volunteer hours: Elkhorn American Legion, Waterloo Masonic Lodge fireworks fundraiser. President, Elkhorn Youth Sports Association. WILLIAM C. PULTE: Age 59. 10541 Earl Ave, Bennington, 68007. Currently I am a Teacher at Metropolitan Community College - For 31 Years. Married, 2 children. President of the Bennington School Board for 8 Years have served for 14 years - 1994 to present. Attended UNO and UNL have a current Nebraska vocational teaching certification. Volunteer hours: Work with the Parish Music mat both St Patrick’s Church in Elkhorn and St Vincent DePaul in West Omaha. ROBERT TINGELHOFF: Age 68. 8901 N. 138th, 68142. www.tingelhoffforlegislature.com. Retired - OPPD. Married, 3 children. BS College of St. Mary Omaha. United States Marine Corp PFC.
1. How can the state provide property tax relief while still maintaining essential programs and services? District 5 BARRIENTOS-PATLAN: By setting an example to the community by auditing departments and Re-adjusting their budgets. Needs and not wants should always come first. Also, if the state has a surplus, they should give back to taxpayers a rebate. ENGLISH: It is my position that any program that is not in the constitution should be eliminated. We must, as a people, move away from the idea of a messianic government. The idea of a governmental savior program is not American and violates everything the founders stood for! MELLO: I believe our state government must reinvent its approach to budgeting and look at every program and service to measure if it is providing its intended outcome. Ultimately, we can provide immediate property tax relief through a rebate program with monies generated by this state government performance review. District 7 CHRISTOPHER MOLES: The state needs a property Tax Rollback provision that will limit the number of tax assessments of a given home to 1 every 4 years. Further, the provision should no longer require that properties be taxed at 100% the assessed value. JEREMIAH NORDQUIST: Providing meaningful property tax relief for Nebraska’s middle-class families is my top priority. We can provide meaningful property tax relief by getting serious about cutting inefficient government spending. The state should set goals for programs and cut programs that are not producing results they were intended to. District 11 JOHN M. CARTER: The state can provide save money by cutting wasteful spending in the area of housing. For example, tenants on section eight housing who can only afford the least rent in most cases pay the most for rent. Property owners often profit on the taxpayer dime by getting over $900.00 a month (Word count exceeded.) BRENDA J. COUNCIL: Through sound economic development stimulus programs that will increase state revenue and, thereby, reduce the property tax burden. DEVIN R. SANTO: No response received. DENNIS J. WOMACK: No response received. District 13 DONNA MARIE ADAMS: By utilizing revenue from the lottery. JACKIE CASEY: No response received. TANYA COOK: Property tax relief for individuals eligible for homestead exemption should remain an option. This includes the poor, elderly and disabled citizens of our state. RON GERINGER: It’s time to start thinking out of the box! First we need to establish what is considered essential versus non-essential state services. Secondly, we need to review all spending with an eye toward setting reasonable priorities in order to meet the need to fund essential services such as education. Finally (Word count exceeded.) KURT L. GESCHWENDER: Introduce a property roll back provision. This would lower the tax rate (mil levy) as the property valuations increase. When the subdivisions of government want more revenue they would have to ask for an increase in the mil levy from the property tax players as opposed to the current windfall (Word count exceeded.) CHRIS K. GREEN: No response received. DAVE NEWELL: I will work to establish a homestead exemption of the first $10,000 of assessed valuation to encourage home ownership. District 18 SCOTT LAUTENBAUGH: Primarily, property taxes are local government taxes. The state has a minimal role on controlling spending at the local level. State aid to cities and schools does provide some relief. CARL LORENZEN: The State of Nebraska must eliminate non-essential or cost prohibitive programs, services and procedures through an in-depth analysis of all local and state departments and agencies. SEAN TYLER: No response received. District 39 BEAU MCCOY: We as a state will have to be very diligent to review every option available to us to achieve this purpose. Controlling state spending by ferreting out inefficiencies would be a key area to examine further. REX J. MOATS: Cut wasteful spending, prioritize programs, and pass a state budget based on outcomes. WILLIAM C. PULTE: The state’s priorities and taxing structure are in need of serious adjustment. The largest users of property Tax dollars are the schools. They were promised greater state aid in the past to offset their reduction in property tax revenue. This never happened, lids were imposed and promises made but the (Word count exceeded.) ROBERT TINGELHOFF: Hold the line on spending. The state legislature needs to work closely with their constituents and get their input.
2. Nebraska ranks 43rd in teacher pay in the United States. What would you do to make Nebraska teachers’ salaries more competitive with those in neighboring states? District 5 BARRIENTOS-PATLAN: Being ranked 43rd is unacceptable to me! Research, compare & implement a fair salary with incentives & bonuses based on individual teachers and classroom scores. ENGLISH: I do not have a position on this issue. My "first response" would be to address the issue by having meetings with teachers and educators to see what the need is, and how we can meet it. MELLO: I would create a “Competitiveness Fund” that focuses not only on making teachers’ salaries more competitive, but also have this fund focus on our economic, transportation, and workforce development needs to make Nebraska more competitive in our global economy relative to other states. District 7 CHRISTOPHER MOLES: I will examine the budget to cut wasteful spending. But cutting the waste, we will have ample funds for our most pressing concerns. JEREMIAH NORDQUIST: Nebraska’s teachers should be paid like the professionals that they are. Unfortunately, Nebraska is losing quality educators to our neighboring states that have prioritized teacher pay. In the Legislature, I will make sure our children have a bright future by attracting the best teachers to Nebraska classrooms. District 11 JOHN M. CARTER: I would visit with other educators and legislators in the neighboring jurisdictions to find out what they did to achieve comparable wages for their teachers. I believe that it is offensive to pay a football coach over a million dollars a year, but minimize the source (teachers) of the academic (Word count exceeded.) BRENDA J. COUNCIL: Provide additional state funding as well as providing incentives such as student loan forgiveness programs. The state funding could be provided through the establishment of trust funds. DEVIN R. SANTO: No response received. DENNIS J. WOMACK: No response received. District 13 DONNA MARIE ADAMS: Offer incentives to attract and retain good teachers. JACKIE CASEY: No response received. TANYA COOK: As a legislator, I would advocate for a higher starting teacher salary. I would also support a limited exemption from the state-imposed spending lid and levy cap to allow school districts to provide salary increases for teachers. RON GERINGER: This needs to be a priority!! Our teachers’ salaries need to be sufficient to retain quality teachers on the job. It costs more to train and equip new teachers than it might cost to actually increase salaries to retain teachers already on the job. I would also seek additional state (Word count exceeded.) KURT L. GESCHWENDER: Introduce legislation, which would require school districts to allocate a larger percentage of their revenue into the classroom, specifically to teacher salaries. CHRIS K. GREEN: No response received. DAVE NEWELL: A program to recruit well-qualified beginning teachers would establish a $2,000 state bonus, to be matched locally. This could help reduce student debt, and push up the salaries of more experienced classroom teachers. District 18 SCOTT LAUTENBAUGH: Senator Adams introduced a bill this year that would have set up a trust fund out of which teacher pay increases could be funded. CARL LORENZEN: Nebraska needs to make public the total salary package cost of each teacher and compare that with the total salary package with teachers in other states. If our teachers are lagging behind their peers in other states, then base salaries for new entrants must be brought up to par to (Word count exceeded.) SEAN TYLER: No response received. District 39 BEAU MCCOY: Our children’s futures depend upon our ability to make good decisions in regards to their education. It’s very important that our teachers are paid as well as possible. We must be careful, however, to balance increasing teacher’s salaries with the overall goal of cutting taxes and controlling state spending. REX J. MOATS: Raise them. Possibilities include creating a trust fund with part of the budget surplus. WILLIAM C. PULTE: We have a long way to go to even get in the middle of the pack on teachers salaries. A tax credit to working teachers would be a simple way to off set some of the pay discrepancies. It all comes down to setting the right priorities. We only have (Word count exceeded.) ROBERT TINGELHOFF: Increase state aid for teachers. If neighboring states can afford higher salaries we should see how they fund the teachers salaries and make contacts with school administrators and get their input.
3. What is your position on the death penalty? Explain. District 5 BARRIENTOS-PATLAN: I believe the death penalty is a consequence and penalty of ones action, if the have gone through the process and had been found guilty by a jury. ENGLISH: I fully support the death penalty in capital cases so long as the convicted has been given due process and they gave been convicted by a jury of their peers, beyond a reasonable doubt. MELLO: My Catholic faith teaches me to respect life, but I do not support a repeal of the death penalty because some convicts are too dangerous to be kept alive. District 7 CHRISTOPHER MOLES: Capitol Punishment must remain an option for courts to punish and deter Nebraska’ most heinous criminals. JEREMIAH NORDQUIST: I support the death penalty in cases where the perpetrator is determined to be too dangerous to be kept alive. I firmly believe that all life is precious. However, as a public official, I will defend society in cases of absolute necessity that warrant the use of the death penalty. District 11 JOHN M. CARTER: I believe if a person commits a cold, calculated murder, then the state has a right to put the offender to death under certain circumstances. However, I cannot support the death penalty because it is unjust. Too many innocent persons have been put to death and later proved innocent. Unless (Word count exceeded.) BRENDA J. COUNCIL: I oppose the death penalty. It has been proven that the costs of execution exceed the costs of incarceration for life. Moreover, the death penalty is not imposed consistently. DEVIN R. SANTO: No response received. DENNIS J. WOMACK: No response received. District 13 DONNA MARIE ADAMS: I think it should be eradicated. JACKIE CASEY: No response received. TANYA COOK: I am philosophically opposed to the death penalty. It does not deter violent crime. RON GERINGER: I believe I would continue to support it in cases of first degree murder and the murder and rape of a child. KURT L. GESCHWENDER: In favor. If just one would be criminal is deterred from committing a crime that would carry the death penalty, it’s worth it. CHRIS K. GREEN: No response received. DAVE NEWELL: The “death penalty” should be limited to pre-meditated mass murder and to the murder of a law enforcement officer in the line of duty. District 18 SCOTT LAUTENBAUGH: I do not support the repeal. I do support changing the method to lethal injection. CARL LORENZEN: I support the Death Penalty. The Death Penalty should be used judiciously in only the most violent cases. A limited but thorough appeal process should be in place in conjunction with the Death Penalty. SEAN TYLER: No response received. District 39 BEAU MCCOY: I support the death penalty and I believe that the Legislature must now work very hard to find a method of execution. REX J. MOATS: Support. I will support efforts to find a new method of execution which passes constitutional muster. WILLIAM C. PULTE: I hate to see the State resort to capitol punishment, but think it is justified in some cases. I would not support us doing away with it. BOB TINGELHOFF: I am for the death penalty in some cases. If a criminal is found to be insane or mentally ill, this person(s) should have to be treated for the problem before standing trial.
4. What will you do to improve mental health services for children in Nebraska? District 5 BARRIENTOS-PATLAN: First off, I believe each child is an individual with different circumstances and needs. State vouchers for initial visits will help assess the need of each child and if the parents need help for their children, it should be accessible without financial hindrances. ENGLISH: It is my opinion that a majority of the "mental health issues" are caused by an over-prescription of psychotropic drugs, under exercise, and an overwhelming lack of parental involvement in the development of children. These coupled with hours of television jades children making normal life experiences boring. MELLO: Our children’s health and welfare must become a priority in our state government. I would build a broad coalition of mental health service providers, educators, and insurance providers to create a mandatory pre-kindergarten mental health exam for all Nebraska children with a follow-up exam in 4th and 8th grades. District 7 CHRISTOPHER MOLES: I will support state mental health and child development programs. JEREMIAH NORDQUIST: I worked with Senator John Synowiecki in 2007 to pass the Children’s Behavioral Health Task Force, to create a strategic plan with measurable benchmarks and timelines. I will continue to work to move Nebraska to more comprehensive community based care for children suffering from mental health and substance abuse issues. District 11 |