Candidate Statements for the November 5 Election: Iowa State

In preparation for the upcoming election, the River Cities' Reader asked candidates to respond to the following: "Compare yourself to and contrast yourself with your opponent(s) in terms of your respective positions on the issues you think will be most important during the next term of the office you're seeking."

We sent this question to more than 70 candidates in contested races on the ballots in Scott and Rock Island counties. More than 30 candidates answered the call, and their responses are included here.

Keep in mind that we asked candidates to be brief, to be specific, to contrast their positions with those of their opponent(s), and to back up their claims. We'll leave it you to decide how well they followed those guidelines.

This exercise is intended as a supplement to other information voters should consider before casting their ballots.

Iowa Attorney General

Ed Noyes
Libertarian
www.clevelandforgovernor.org
The incumbent, Tom Miller, has failed to protect the inalienable rights of the people in areas that are critical for Iowa. This includes the failure to recognize that legislators do not have the right to pass laws that attempt to take away the right of the people to bring nuisance causes of action against industries, such as confinement operations. Our constitution clarified this fact and is the law of the land in America. This must be restored.

Both of my opponents are beholden to either the Democratic or Republican party. Both of these parties are controlled through their long-term association with special-interest groups, who have funded the parties in order to ensure the obedience of the parties. As a Libertarian, I am philosophically opposed to any contributions from corporations. It is clear that the framers of the constitution determined that only humans have "inalienable" rights, which come from God as a gift for being born human. Therefore, corporations have no free-speech rights, unless humans give it to them. I am committed to using the power of the attorney general's office to lead the way in restoring to the people their God-given right to a government "by the people" as opposed to government controlled by corporate, and other non-human, interests.

I have co-authored with Clyde Cleveland (candidate for governor of Iowa) a book entitled Restoring the Heart of America: A Return to Government by the People. In that book we describe in detail how Iowa can lead the nation back to the original vision of America, where society is almost entirely governed at the local, community level.

For example, we are proposing that every community (or county) in Iowa be empowered to create its own source of renewable energy (such as windmill farms in the best locations in Iowa) and that it receive the financial rewards that come from self-reliance. If this plan is adopted, after the farms are paid off within around five years, communities could have electricity rates reduced as much as 85 percent for the remaining 25 years of the current life of these farms. This is the power of the Libertarian vision.

We are also proposing a complete re-working of the property-tax scheme that would change the assessment to the last sales price. By doing this (as California did in l977) you remove the current disincentive to improve one's property (for fear of increased tax assessment). A construction boom will occur in Iowa as it did in California, which will dramatically reinvigorate the economy, as well as increase sales-tax revenues for the state. You also remove the current effect of steadily increased taxes on the elderly, who are on fixed incomes, which is occurring simply because property values are rising around them.

We have a unique plan that would stop the continued degradation of our waterways, and the environment in general. Currently, for example, when a manure spill occurs resulting in destruction of a river's ecology, the polluter is fined the estimated value of the fish alone. In fact, the ecology and diversity of a river is destroyed that took tens of thousands of years to develop. We must re-evaluate how our loss is calculated and charge accordingly. In addition, we propose using the monies obtained for community-based environmental projects, such as cleanups, wetlands restoration, river buffer zones, etc. Applications would be made by communities for state funds (obtained from the polluters) that would be used for these projects. Those applications that involve the greatest degree of community service, volunteers, student involvement, etc., and promise the greatest results with the least costs, would be rewarded with funds from this account. In this way, the environment in Iowa will improve in the fastest, least costly way possible, rather than the current pattern of worsening over time.

These are a few examples of how we propose to "restore the Heart of America" (which is what we call Iowa). I, and the other Libertarians, are in a unique position of not only being free of influence from special interests, but in our understanding and commitment to the fulfillment of the destiny of America, as boldly envisioned by our Founding Fathers. We must complete this vision, not only for Iowa and America, but so the rest of the world can be led by what the founders envisioned would be America's role as the "light of the world."

You can learn more about my candidacy by going to the Web site I share with Clyde Cleveland at (http://www.clevelandforgovernor.org) or by reading my book Restoring the Heart of America: A Return to Government by the People, which is available through the Web site or by ordering through any Barnes & Noble bookstore.

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture

John Askew
Republican
Farmer-owned value-added opportunities: John Askew will develop and follow through with a strong marketing plan that once again markets Iowa products. Iowa, as a brand name, was marketed in the past, and it produced success for Iowa farmers and Iowa-owned processors. Patty Judge has allowed funding to be cut from programs that deal with development and promotion of Value Added Agriculture. (VAAPPFAP funding has been decreased in the past three budgets.)

Water and air quality issues: John Askew will proactively establish and develop public-private partnerships to address specific air- and water-quality concerns. Patty Judge has not put forth any plan to deal with clean air and clean water. Her inactivity during budget negotiations led to the de-appropriation of funding for Environment First programs.

Promoting the growth of Iowan-owned processors: As a member of Quality Iowa Maize, John has had firsthand success in building a processing plant that harnesses and captures the value grown in the crops grown in Iowa. John will actively work to increase the number of Iowa-owned processors for all types of agriculture-related industries. Under Patty Judge's administration processors from the livestock, sweet-corn, and popcorn industries have left the state, limiting opportunities for farmers and city growth.

Providing help in marketing Iowa's products: John Askew understands marketing is the key to selling Iowa products outside our borders. John has had firsthand experience marketing Iowa products nationwide and overseas. He will use his experiences to develop a plan to ensure that the Department of Agriculture has the necessary funding and staff to market Iowa products across the nation and worldwide. Patty Judge's overseas trips have yielded very little opportunities for Iowa's farmers and processors. Under Patty Judge's administration little other action on this issue has taken place.

Ensuring Iowa products are safe: John Askew will develop policies and protocols that deal with food safety and security for the protection of Iowa consumers and farmers. He will dedicate staff to constantly monitor problems in the industry and will swiftly address them. Patty Judge stood by and did nothing when concerns were raised of a Harlan farmer's corn and abdicated her responsibility to the federal government.

Brian R. Depew
Green
www.briandepew.org
As secretary of agriculture I will support the local control of large animal-feeding operations. Iowans have wanted to vote on local control for five years now, with this election they can virtually do just that by casting a ballot for Brian Depew for Iowa secretary of agriculture.

Our current ag secretary has lobbied against local control during her past term. She has taken tens of thousands of dollars from the largest pork producers in the nation to fund her campaign. These are the type of people who seek influence over our current secretary. This type of influence is not healthy for Iowa agriculture.

In addition to working for local control, I will move the Iowa Department of Agriculture in a direction to support local food systems, a diversified crop base, and support for sustainable farming practices. New leadership and new vision will help us to invigorate our rural economy.

So, if you agree with my vision for Iowa agriculture, for increased local food production, a diversified crop base, and return of the control of the hog market to independent producers, then November 5, look for Secretary of Agriculture on the ballot, look for Iowa Green Party, and look for the box that says Brian Depew.

For more information please visit (http://www.briandepew.org) , or call (515)962.3250.

Fritz Groszkruger
Libertarian
My opponents and I are quite similar in that we are all concerned about environmental issues and the changing structure of farming in Iowa. But we are radically different in how we feel about the state-government involvement in these issues. Involvement by the state in farming and business always has a negative effect unless it is settling disputes. The profit motive is always the best way to determine how resources are utilized. If you look at all the countries of the world, the rich ones are generally the most free and environmentally clean, and the poor ones are dictatorships and polluted. Environmentally, pollutants are wasted resources. Therefore, in a free-market, pollution would be controlled by the desire to make a profit. This is true in the manure-management part of the recent livestock bill. Phosphorous is a valuable crop nutrient, so to apply manure would waste money. If farmers over-apply phosphorous on some land, they would have to purchase phosphorous for other land. Also, phosphorous binds to soil, so it is not a pollutant until soil erosion occurs. So, if the state truly wants to regulate in order to keep water clean, it should regulate tillage. That would restrict organic farming, touted as an ecologically sound farming method. To stay in business, farmers would conserve nutrients and soil. This makes state regulations unnecessary.

State spending on economic development is wrong for two reasons. First, the money is taken without the consent of the people who earn it. Enough said. Second, economic development should be funded by the person who would directly benefit, because the profit motive makes for the most efficient use of the funds. This leaves more capital to be used for the so-called "common good" than when government bureaucrats spend money with their only incentive being to make it appear that their jobs are necessary.

I've also heard a lot of concern about budget cuts. It needs to be pointed out that state workers in Iowa are paid (notice, I didn't say "earn") 146 percent of what workers in the private sector are. That's the biggest discrepancy in the nation; 16 percent more than the next-less-fortunate state. Before the ag department calls for more funding, its costs need to be more in-line with businesses that actually produce something. These issues should help the informed voter decide to vote for me, the Libertarian candidate for secretary of agriculture in Iowa.

Iowa Secretary of State

Mike Hartwig
Republican
www.MikeHartwig.com
I have worked for the last several years with Iowa Family Policy Center, which works in association with Focus on the Family. I have been a family advocate, working as a lobbyist to ensure the integrity of the family is maintained. I believe that strong families lead to good government, and good government can provide an environment where families can flourish. I believe a key to good government is the secretary of state's office. I have a vision to bring a higher level of integrity to the election process. I'll be working with state legislators to make it easier for voters to vote and harder for cheaters to cheat. Part of my plan includes making sure our voter-registration lists are accurate. My plan includes streamlining the registration process so that counties are integrated with other counties, and our state is integrated with other states. My opponent has consistently produced inaccurate voter lists. He has admitted to the press that he has gone 11 months without purging the voter lists of felons. He made a promise that this wouldn't happen but it did. I'll also bring a higher level of integrity to the election process by working with legislators to pass a bill asking voters to verify who they are. Presently, no identification is required to receive a ballot. My opponent has consistently resisted the idea. He feels it's okay that it's easier to get a ballot that to rent a video. Finally, I would like to bring a higher level of integrity to the election process by following the lead of several other states in producing a nonpartisan voter guide. The voter guide would give a clear overview of each of the candidates and ballot initiatives. An uninformed voter is worse than a no voter. I also have a vision to bring a higher level of integrity to the office itself. My opponent over the last year has had a 58-percent attendance record to the Executive Council. Since he has taken office, he has a 78-percent attendance record. He also failed to certify the primary-election results. He simply didn't show up. Sadly, he made a promise to the people of Iowa to serve yet he broke that promise. His claim that his hard work has resulted in 100,000 more people going to the polls in the 2000 elections is equally troublesome. I think George W. Bush and Al Gore had a lot more to do with it than he did. I'll bring a higher level of integrity to the office by not taking credit for things I did not do, attending and contributing to all the meetings I have been assigned, and running the office as nonpartisan as I can.

Don Arenz
Green
As the Green Party candidate for Iowa secretary of state, I advocate "instant runoff voting," which means that voters would have the opportunity to rank candidates in order of preference. If no candidate receives a majority of the votes, the candidate with the least votes is dropped, then the candidate with the next least, etc., until one candidate has a majority. This would give voters an opportunity to express their full range of preferences, and to vote for a small-party candidate without canceling their choice between the major-party candidates. On a more philosophical level, my candidacy represents the four pillars of the Green Party: nonviolence, ecological wisdom, social responsibility, and grass-roots democracy.

Sylvia Sanders Olson
Libertarian
www.LPIA.org
Suppose there was a process people in Iowa could use to propose laws on the ballot for a direct decision by the people. Imagine that when there were issues that the legislature was unwilling or unable to deal with, the voters would be able to act.

There is such a process: It is called the initiative. But currently Iowa voters do not have the ability to use it. I would like to change that.

As the Libertarian candidate for secretary of state, I have made the initiative process my major campaign issue. Voters in 24 other states (including most of our neighbors) have the ability to put proposals on the ballot. I believe that Iowans deserve this right, too. As secretary of state, I would work to adopt the initiative in Iowa.

Imagine that we had the initiative process. Do you think we might have already voted on local control over giant hog-confinement buildings? I think so. Do you think we might have established some realistic tax and spending limitations on state government? I believe we would have. No doubt you can think of other issues where the legislature has been unable or unwilling to act. When such an issue has great popular support, it could be put on the ballot by petitioning if we had the initiative process.

An important benefit of the ballot initiative is that it increases interest in government, and increases voter participation. Voters know that their vote counts; it will actually decide an important issue. They are not just voting for candidates, whose campaign promises are often meaningless.

If the idea of the initiative process makes sense to you, I ask you to give me your vote for secretary of state on November 5. None of my opponents is campaigning for the initiative process.

I also ask for your support in building an alternative for Iowa voters. Clearly, under both Democratic and Republican control, Iowa is floundering. We have the worst economic climate among all the states. Our children leave Iowa in search of better opportunities. Our state government, just like the federal government, is out of control, consuming more and more of our income and controlling more and more aspects of our lives.

Libertarians believe that power belongs to the people - to individuals, families, and communities - and that decisions should be made as close to home as possible. The Libertarian Party of Iowa is running candidates for all the statewide offices, for U.S. Senate, and for most of the U.S. Representative districts, and for many seats in the Iowa legislature.

To learn more about the Libertarian alternative, please visit our website (http://www.LPIA.org) and that of Clyde Cleveland, the Libertarian candidate for governor (http://www.clevelandforgovernor.org).

Iowa Treasurer

Michael L. Fitzgerald
Democrat
Michael Fitzgerald is currently serving his fifth term as state treasurer. Fitzgerald was born in Marshalltown. He graduated from Colo Community High School and earned his B.S. degree in business administration at the University of Iowa in 1974. He has two children, Ryan and Erin.

Michael is proven leader in Iowa. In 1989, he was named one of the most valuable public officials working in state government by City & State magazine. He invests billions of dollars for the State of Iowa. Since he took office, he has earned over $900 million. He started College Savings Iowa, a plan to help Iowa families save for college and earn tax breaks at the same time. In addition, he has returned over $50 million to 200,000 individuals through the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt.

Michael's work is not complete. He wants to continue to lead Iowa into the next century. State government is continually changing and we need a proven leader. Michael is that leader.

In his next term, Michael will continue his great work with the Great Iowa Treasure Hunt and College Savings Iowa. In addition, he will fight to protect Iowa pension funds from corporate scandals, such as Enron. In addition, he will work to ensure that Iowa stays on a strong financial footing and earns a AAA rating, the best rating available.

Michael has worked for Iowans for nearly 20 years. He approaches this campaign just as he has the others, with enthusiasm to make the treasurer's office the best that it can be. Michael is the right choice for state treasurer.

Iowa Auditor

David A. Vaudt
Republican
Over the past four years, one-time funds have been used to meet state spending levels. These one-time funds have been depleted and won't be available in the future; plus, many of these funds have to be repaid. This means Iowa will be facing some very difficult spending decisions over the next four years. The most import issue for the state auditor in the next four years is to provide meaningful financial information and analyses that will help the state's leaders, Democrat and Republican, make these difficult spending decisions.

In this capacity, the state auditor must serve as the "taxpayers' watchdog." The state auditor helps ensure Iowa government is accountable to its citizens by annually auditing every department of state government. That's why I believe it is critical that an experienced CPA serve as our state auditor. My CPA and business backgrounds create a perfect match to the qualifications needed for this office. I bring 25 years of audit experience as a CPA to the position. And, I am the only CPA running for state auditor.

The state auditor's office is actually one of the largest accounting firms in Iowa. Decisions about the audit process and accounting rules are a critical part of the state auditor's responsibility. We must have a state auditor who is educated and experienced in the profession - one who can lead and make the key accounting and auditing decisions critical for performing the primary duty of the office.

I understand my opponent is a fine college professor and a long-term state senator, but he is not a CPA. Under Iowa law, only CPAs can perform financial-statement audits. Because the state auditor's primary responsibility is for the audits of state and local governments, my opponent is not qualified to perform the primary responsibility of this office. You would not want someone to perform surgery on you unless that person has completed medical school and is appropriately licensed to practice. Likewise, you should not have someone leading government audits unless that person has been professionally trained in accounting and auditing and is appropriately licensed to conduct audits as a CPA.

On November 5, we must elect a state auditor who is a Certified Public Accountant - a CPA who can help lead and manage Iowa into future. I am that CPA who should serve Iowa as the next "taxpayers' watchdog." Together, we can do it! I ask you and yours to vote for Vaudt - the only CPA running for state auditor.

Iowa Senate District 41

Mark Nelson
Libertarian
The real challenge facing the Iowa legislature in the next two years is whether we address the current financial problems by changing the fundamental way they tax and spend, or continue to tinker around the edges, and wait for a national economic upturn to bail us out.

Maggie Tinsman, my opponent, has been in office during the past decade, when Iowa's tax burdens have increased at a multiple of inflation, stifling economic development, and driving Iowans to leave the state. She does not have the vision, or courage, to address fundamental problems in state government. She refuses to recognize that Iowa's population decline and lagging business markets are directly related to our burdensome tax codes.

Tinsman proposes to continue tinkering around the edges by lowering, and maybe eliminating, some modest taxes on retirement income. These are politically adept stances to gain votes from the high-propensity elderly voters, not a commitment to lower the tax burden on all Iowans.

When elected, I will work to fundamentally change the Iowa tax code, jumpstarting Iowa's business climate. I propose to eliminate business and corporate income taxes, and pay for it by eliminating all corporate welfare and layers of burdensome regulation. This one change, eliminating corporate and business income taxes, will do more to attract businesses to Iowa than any tinkering by the legislature in Des Moines. My next step will be to re-cast the personal income tax to a single-rate flat-tax system, and lower that tax rate so it is below our neighboring states.

I want to pay for eliminating, and lowering, these burdensome tax rates by ending many of the tried and failed social programs that Tinsman proudly advocates. Iowans don't need an overbearing government telling them what they can and can't do. I trust that Iowans know what is best for them, and their families, and will choose what is best considering their individual circumstances. Tinsman's legislative history suggests she doesn't trust individual Iowans.

As an example, Tinsman takes pride in advocating tried and failed social programs, the most recent of which is regulating child-care providers. Basic economics indicate that this regulation will raise the cost of child care, and in doing so, making it harder for marginal employees to afford to keep working, lowering their quality of life, and forcing many to join the ranks of welfare recipients. And it will increase costs for all Iowans by creating another government program, and another costly layer of bureaucracy. In opposition to this, when elected, I will oppose all attempts to limit and regulate the activities of Iowans that bring no harm to others, and will work to roll back current laws limiting individual freedom.

As a third-party candidate, I recognize that my chances for victory are slim. However, a vote for me, and joining others in generating a large vote total for the statewide Libertarians, sends a strong message to Tinsman and the other entrenched politicians that conducting business as usual is no longer acceptable, and that fundamental changes in the way we tax and spend are needed in Iowa.

Maggie Tinsman
Republican
Senate District 41 includes all of Bettendorf, Riverdale, and nine precincts in eastern Davenport extending from the Bettendorf city limits approximately to Brady Street.

I am seeking re-election to the Iowa Senate. If you want to learn more about my candidacy, I can be reached via fax at (563)359-6671 or phone at (563)359-3624.

I have had very limited contact with my opponent, Libertarian candidate Mark Nelson. There has been only one joint appearance. However, I believe it is important to express my experiences and accomplishments in public service as the major differences in our candidacies. No Democratic candidate is running for this position.

I served on the Scott County board of supervisors for 11 years where I was heavily involved in the implementation of Program Performance Budgeting and moving the county to Accrued Accounting. Because of this experience, I have an inordinate respect for local control as the most satisfactory means of allocating city, county, and state funding. I do not accept the philosophy that the state should dictate the budget of counties, cities, and schools. Property taxes are best controlled by local government as long as state government does not pass laws requiring property-tax increases.

Through my 14 years in the Iowa Senate, I have a unique understanding of how the state can impact the growth and well-being of our area and of the residents of Bettendorf, Davenport, and rural Scott County. During this period, I served as assistant minority leader, co-chair of the budget process for the departments of Human Services, Health, Blind, Elder Affairs, Veteran Affairs, Civil Rights, and Human Rights. Furthermore, I serve on the Education, Judiciary, Appropriations, and Local Government committees and am vice-chair of Human Resources Committee.

(1) During my tenure in the Senate, I sponsored legislation on important issues such as alternative living opportunities for seniors, child-care registration, pension-tax reform, machinery- and equipment-tax elimination, open enrollment for K-12 students, and consolidating areas within health and human services to reduce costs of similar or duplicative programs.

(2) My involvement with public education continues through my association with the Pleasant Valley Community School District. I currently serve on the Program Improvement Committee for PV. My Education Advisory Council keeps me up-to-date on improvements needed in the delivery of quality education. I have consistently supported increased compensation for teachers and the accountability of public education including student achievement. We must be competitive with our salaries so that other states do not hire away our best and brightest teachers. Educational excellence is the result of a quality teacher and a student ready-to-learn in an environment conducive to learning. The public-education system of the four school districts in Scott County is exemplary and I intend to support and enhance it.

(3) I sponsored the bill that initiated Empowerment, which partners local leadership with Education, Health, and Human Services for early-childhood development (0-5 years), promoting ready-to-learn activities for all children.

(4) I established tax relief for pension income, inheritance-tax elimination, income-tax reduction for families, and maintaining the reciprocal agreement with Illinois.

There are specific issues that now must be addressed:

(1) We must attract and keep outstanding and well-educated teachers, as well as demand academic excellence from both students and the educational system, including K-12, community colleges, and universities.

(2) We must reduce state income tax on Social Security and all retirement income to encourage retirees to stay in Iowa. We need their participation in community leadership.

(3) We must encourage job creation by making state government more supportive of business development using public/private partnerships like Scott County River Renaissance.

(4) We must reduce that size of government by consolidating departments and programs with similar services. This would include encouraging - through economic incentives - regional, rural high schools in order to reduce operating costs and to provide more comprehensive curriculum; and combining the Department of Human Services and the Department of Health to eliminate many duplicative programs and more efficiently deliver services.

(5) We must address the overload of cases in the Department of Corrections and re-think mandatory sentencing for minor, nonviolent crimes.

(6) We must do a better job of protecting children from abuse, providing access to quality health care for children (HAWK-I), and finding the proper vehicle for lower-cost prescription drugs for seniors.

(7) We must encourage local control by preserving financial flexibility and by promoting community leadership in order to craft solutions to local problems.

(8) We must analyze our tax system of income, sales, and property taxes to propose changes rather than arbitrarily eliminate just the corporate income tax as my opponent has suggested.

All of the above require experience and understanding of community needs coupled with a realization of what can be achieved by legislators from many differing backgrounds representing constituents of diverse expectations. Tough choices are involved. I have made them before, and I have a passion to be involved in the choices required today.

I believe in the "good, old-fashioned, Midwestern" values of hard work and loyalty. My record as a public servant here in Scott County and in the Iowa Senate is evidence of my commitment to those values. It has been a real privilege to represent Davenport and Bettendorf in the Iowa Senate. I would be honored to continue my public service as senator for an important part of the Quad Cities.

Iowa Senate District 43

Rich Moroney
Libertarian
I'm sure that Dr. Seng and Mr. Gumpert are both good men, active in the community, have the best of intentions, and are just the sort of people we like to send to Des Moines to represent us. Unfortunately, Iowa needs a lot more than just good people. Mere good intentions won't cut it. The forces opposed to change are much too strong for that.

If the voters send me to Des Moines, my emphasis will fall into a few key areas - local control, disclosure and accountability, and election integrity.

When local residents have direct control over local decisions, they sometimes get actively involved, in which case things really happen. In just the recent past, look at the uproar over school closings and the River Renaissance referendum. Past years have seen wholesale changes in Davenport city council. We need to increase local control in every area - schools, pollution, and drug policy/treatment, for starters. I don't deny that moving decision-making down to communities, to families, to individuals, will require a more active and involved citizenry. Call me an optimist, but I believe that we're up to it. And frankly, the alternative is the current model - top-down management from Des Moines and Washington that's virtually immune from citizen control and consequently responsive mostly to well-placed and well-financed interests seeking their own further advancement.

When one considers the actions of public officials, there is nothing like the bright light of public disclosure. Iowa needs to require full, electronic, and timely campaign disclosures. My congratulations go to Governor Vilsack and Mr. Cleveland, who have chosen to file their campaign disclosures online and in an electronic form that can be easily studied. In days when even legislative campaigns cost tens of thousands and are often provided logistic support by campaign-management companies with high-tech capabilities, too many candidates still hide their finances behind handwritten forms. Similarly, corporations can't claim any inalienable rights, including privacy. Increased transparency is appropriate in order to more clearly determine personal responsibility and culpability for corporate decisions that cause injury to Iowans.

We all suffered through a horrendous election in 2000. Problems were particularly evident in Florida but, to be honest, there were reports of irregularities in many, many states that involved both major parties. In the current election season, organized promotion of and greatly increased use of absentee balloting has been accompanied by concerns about potential abuse elsewhere. We're not immune here in Iowa. We've recently had absentee-ballot irregularities in Davenport. Because voting is so fundamental to our system of government, penalties for all forms of election fraud should be significantly increased. Transparency is also important in this area. Voting procedures that don't provide a fool-proof verifiable audit trail cannot be permitted and efforts to make registration and voting easy and available must not be allowed to expose our elections to be compromised by illegal or fraudulent voters.

Some of what I've proposed would be given, at the very least, lip service by other candidates. They may very well even genuinely wish to see such proposals enacted. With Mr. Gumpert, it's very hard to know since his campaign thus far has been nearly as invisible as my own. With Dr. Seng, we can only guess from the lack of any substantial action in the past two years in Des Moines and the lack of any press releases or other public outcry on his part. The fact that neither of them has cooperated with a national, nonpartisan, broad-based questionnaire doesn't help either. However, regardless of what they might or might not say, we know these proposals won't become law. Party politics and history make that abundantly clear. Virtually all elected officials of the past 70 years have been either Republican or Democrats, and it would be very hard for anyone to deny that control hasn't migrated to higher and higher levels of government during those years. That trend continues today as legislators prepare to cave in to the federal mandate on blood-alcohol levels. Transparency in campaigns and in government has increased at a tortuously slow pace compared to the rapid pace of enabling technology. As an underfunded and understaffed legislative candidate in 2000, I still filed disclosure reports electronically. And finally, an increasingly cynical public, numbed by the shenanigans of politicians through the years, has tended to accept "win at any cost" campaigns (consider the relative apathy within New Jersey over the candidate switch), and prosecutions for fraud have been rare and penalties remain weak.

Truth be told, the same battle lines have been drawn in Des Moines for decades. The Republicans will be looking for every opportunity to carve out a few targeted tax breaks (i.e., favors to politically important allies) and Mr. Gumpert will generally line up behind his party's leadership to help. On the other hand, Democrats will be looking for every opportunity to increase funding for a few specific programs (i.e., favors to politically important allies) and Dr. Seng will generally line up behind his party's leadership to help. In both cases, whatever personal vision they may have is either limited to tinkering around the fringes or blunted by their parties' leadership. My vision - empowered local communities informed by full and appropriate disclosures and confident in their voting process - will be blocked by no one. I will work with anyone - in or out of office, of any party, in any part of Iowa - to accomplish these ends. Every issue. Every vote. No excuses.

Iowa House District 81

Wayne Hean
Democrat
www.waynehean.com
My opponent has been our current 81st District Representative for nearly eight years now, rising through party ranks to chair the House Ways & Means Committee, the committee in charge of tax policy and issues. He has proudly taken credit for cutting taxes and cutting spending throughout his tenure, but this I have found to be his greatest liability. Jamie Van Fossen has routinely cut the wrong spending items and cut the wrong taxes. And it is here that I can most strongly contrast myself from my opponent and represent the strength of purpose with which I approach my candidacy for state representative.

My opponent will tout the 10-percent income-tax cut he supported in 1997. But in that bill, he voted against repealing the middle-class tax penalty, essentially taking $30 million in tax relief from middle-income taxpayers and giving it to wealthier Iowans. In the decade of the '90s, a period of substantial economic growth, the wealthiest fifth of Iowa's population saw income grow by 36.8 percent while the poorest fifth saw their income increase by just 12.6 percent. While my opponent declared that in this decade of tax cuts "everybody has benefited" (AP, January 22, 2002), 80 percent of Iowans saw their tax burden increase.

One needs to look no further than this past legislative session to see the depth of my opponent's penchant for misguided tax cuts and his detachment from the priorities of his 81st District constituents. Responding to a proposal to offer tax credits to Iowa college graduates who stay and work in Iowa, Jamie said: "Is that the best tax cut that we could do? Probably not" (Cedar Rapids Gazette, March 23, 2002). Two weeks later, a 50-percent cut in taxes for insurance companies passed out of his committee. And although he has signed a pledge not to raise property taxes, Jamie voted this year to raise the taxes of those who can least afford it or deserve it, our military veterans, first-time homeowners, and low-moderate-income seniors, by cutting their property-tax credits.

And when our state's recent budget crisis meant cuts to spending would be inevitable, my opponent's choices speak for themselves. Among cuts to education spending supported by my opponent: class size reduction program (H-1959 to HF755); non-public school transportation (H-1990 to HF755); college work-study program (H-1802 to SF535); as well a reduction in growth for K-12 school funding from 4 percent to 1 percent previously promised school districts through earlier legislation. He even voted to increase prescription-drug costs for some seniors on Medicaid (HF2627).

My desire to seek election to the Iowa House of Representatives was secured when it became clear this combination of misplaced tax cuts and misguided spending cuts was forcing the burden onto local taxpayers, especially to make up for funding lost to our school systems. A $2.3 million deficit in the Davenport school system resulted in the difficult decision to close two neighborhood schools and increase local taxes. I had seen enough cases as a Davenport alderman for these past three years when progress was made at the local level by neighbors working together with elected officials to tackle important issues, only to hit a wall of resistance and apathy from our legislative representative. All politics are indeed local, I have learned. But not all solutions are. And we have serious issues to address as well as genuine opportunities to grab hold of if we have the courage of heart and the unity of spirit to work together toward real progress.

First, education must be recognized as an investment in the economic, political, and social health of our community - cuts to our community's most worthwhile investment cannot be considered. Smaller class sizes, teacher-development programs, affordable higher-education opportunities, and technological advancement in our classrooms cannot be merely a wish list, but a list of necessities. Investing in education will reap benefits for years to come by providing an educated workforce that attracts good-paying jobs and strengthens Iowa businesses, and an educated citizenry that strengthens Iowa communities.

Next, a revitalized economy that will thrive past the next budget session must be rooted in an environment of economic security and opportunity. Achieving this requires much more effort and understanding than scattered tax cuts to insurance companies and massage therapists. Resources must be targeted toward those industries that have been identified as having the greatest potential for growth in our State: advanced manufacturing, life sciences, and information solutions. And fully utilizing the limited resources we do have is a must. Through our state universities, Iowa is a leader in research and development. We must make sure that these resources, leveraged with our tax dollars, are maximized to the benefit of Iowa's economy through cooperative public-private partnerships. An emphasis on these industries, cooperative partnerships, and support of our institutions of higher learning will provide the best opportunity for young Iowans and offer them a reason to stay in Iowa.

Finding common-sense solutions to the issues that are important to you and me in the 81st District - that is what this election for your next State Representative is all about. It's about adding value to our community by recognizing the priorities of the people of the 81st District and representing them in Des Moines. It's about putting politics aside, and working toward our common goals.

I am proud of the progress we have made for our community by working together, and I am ready to vigorously and purposefully represent the 81st District in the Iowa House of Representatives. I approach my commitment to public service not by influence or promise of recognition or reward, but with a belief that there is no cause so great as service to our community - to be distinguished as a representative citizen. As such, I will not be bound by the ideologies of any one group of thought. But with patience, sympathy, and skill, I will work to bring together the multitude of opinions of my 81st District neighbors and represent them with honor.

Iowa House District 82

Joe Hutter
Republican
Since I know little about my opponent, it would be unfair for me to compare or contrast myself with him. I'd rather leave job that to the voters.

I will say, however, that I have lived in Bettendorf since 1958, and I know the 82nd District and its residents quite well.

I was a public servant for decades and also have been heavily involved in civic groups, boards of directors, and governmental agencies.

Since 1990, for example, I have been a member of the Bettendorf Park Board and have served as its president. I also am a citizen board member representing Iowa in the National Recreation & Parks Association.

I have served on the Mississippi Valley Fair Board since 1985 and just began my second year as its president. The fair was deeply in debt when I joined, but we all have worked hard to erase that debt and make it one of the most successful fairs in the country.

A 4-H youth leader for 15 years, I have served on the Iowa State University Extension Council-Scott County since 1990 and am a past president of that group. I was the winner of the Friend of Extension Award last year from the ISU Extension's Scott County office, and I was proud to represent 10 counties in eastern Iowa on the Iowa State Association of Extension Councils.

There are many more causes and organizations to which I have volunteered my time and skills over the years. But the bottom line is, I have been working with and serving the people of the people of the 82nd District for decades, and I want to continue that service in Des Moines.

Since I announced my candidacy in April, I have met with hundreds of residents of Bettendorf, Panorama Park, and Riverdale, and I believe I am 100-percent in-step with their concerns and desires.

It will be my job in Des Moines to know what the majority of my constituents want and to represent that point of view.

Of course, the number-one issue right now for the citizens of the 82nd District is the economy to the extent it affects both them and the state.

As for Iowa, I am convinced the state can be run more efficiently while still maintaining key services, and I would work for that.

I also would ease my constituents' financial burdens by:

• Revising Iowa's income-tax laws to establish a flat tax for individuals and businesses.

• Fighting against any proposed tax increases.

• Working to totally eliminate the sales tax on purchases of clothing items valued at $100 or less.

• Providing relief from the high cost of prescription drugs for seniors. Perhaps Iowa should be in the prescription business the way it's in the liquor business. That way the state could pass on to seniors the savings it earns through volume buying.

• Eliminating state restrictions placed on local school districts. I would work to return both the management and control of education to the place they belong, the local school districts.

• Exploring ways to provide reduced costs for major medical insurance for part-time workers.

• Requiring insurance companies that do business in Iowa to cover the costs of home-testing kits for diabetics.

• Charging Iowans over age 65 a flat rate for their auto license plates. Perhaps we also should give them an extra Homestead Exemption on their real-estate taxes.

Steve Swanson
Democrat
As many people know, running for and serving in the state House requires a great deal of time and effort. And many people have asked me since I launched my campaign: What made me decide to run for office? Well after giving it some thought, my answer to that question is real clear. The reason I'm running for office is because I believe strongly in our country's democratic process of government for the people, by the people. Consequently our government's fate is in the hands of those few citizens willing to spend the time and energy to serve the people. Therefore I feel compelled to do my part in serving as others before me have done. And given the state's current budget situation, I feel a business owner such as myself could be a great benefit to the people. Because as president of Swanson Construction, I know firsthand what it takes to run a successful business. And operating a successful business starts with a good business plan.

Currently Iowa along with many other states is facing a budget crunch. So the key question is: How do we maintain fiscal responsibility while providing key services to constituents? Well our current budget crunch is a result of our weak economy. Therefore our top priority should be to stimulate Iowa's economy. And the first and most effective way to stimulate our consumer-driven economy is by restoring the property-tax credits that were eliminated in the last legislative session. The elimination of those property-tax credits essentially resulted in property-tax increases that are self-defeating to the economy. By giving consumers more money to spend to stimulate the economy, the state's budget situation will improve, thus allowing us to maintain fiscal responsibility while providing key services to constituents. Therefore the state's business plan both now and in the years ahead should focus on fueling the economy by keeping taxes low.

Right now a number of topics are being discussed in Iowa such as: economic development, education, transportation, retention and attraction of youth to the state, and health care and human services. So let me explain what my legislative priorities are.

My top priority is economic development since all other priorities are funded by our economy. In fact retention and attraction of youth to the state goes hand-in-hand with our economy since the number-one incentive for keeping youth in our state is having good-paying job opportunities.

My next priority is education since it's in the best interest of our kids, and so much of our state's economy revolves around a quality education system. Businesses want to locate where there is a well-educated and stable workforce. And families plant their roots where there are good schools. Recently the Governor unveiled a new Education plan that promotes early-learning initiatives. I'm all for investing more resources in early-learning initiatives since that is the best time to get kids on the correct path of learning. At those early ages is when a young child's mind is developing the fastest, and I believe in the old adage that "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." Therefore I see a lot of value in investing in early-learning initiatives.

My third priority is support of a prescription-drug program for seniors. Senior citizens are experiencing severe hardships trying to afford necessary medications while living on fixed incomes. I was talking with a senior citizen during my daily door-knocking routine, and she said she pays over $8,000 a year for her prescription drugs. I don't know how my wife and I would afford that expense. And we both have jobs outside the home. Currently the state has assigned a task force to look into setting up a multi-state purchasing co-op to offer some financial relief to seniors. Hopefully this task force will come up with some solid recommendations.

In closing I want to summarize what I want to accomplish in the next legislative session. In a nutshell, I want to able to look my constituents in the eyes and tell them that we restored the property-tax credits and thus everyone will receive property-tax relief. Therefore everyone can participate to help stimulate the economy by spending their money as they desire. And with their help stimulating the economy, the state will have additional tax revenues to further supplement economic development, invest more resources in education, and help out senior citizens who are having difficulty affording prescription drugs. Essentially I would like to say that we made smart business decisions that will enable us to invest in our state's infrastructure, which will build upon itself. And that we now have a good business plan in place to serve as our blueprint for the future.

Iowa House District 83

Mark Henderson
Democrat
I do not know my opponent's positions on issues, so it is not possible to answer your question in a contrasting or comparable manner. My vision for Iowa's future and ideas to diversify our state's agriculturally based economy are unique. New crop-production methodologies, alternative crops to produce energy, food fiber, oils, and building materials, and the venture capital to provide for the needed research and development into these new and creative technologies can and will spur rural and urban economic development and job creation. My plans include conservation measures that can greatly improve water quality for Iowa's rivers, lakes, and streams and also reduce and eliminate major flooding.

Iowa has such great potential to become a leader and example to other states in so many ways. This election may determine what kind of future we choose for ourselves and our children. Fully funding our educational needs will greatly determine how Iowa develops and prospers. I bring honesty, integrity, hard work, and innovative approaches to problem-solving and would again provide leadership to the legislative process if elected to another term in the Iowa House of Representatives.

Iowa House District 84

Jim VanFossen
Republican
Your only request is to contrast myself with my opponent. I can honestly say our biggest contrast is I'm ready, willing, and able to work harder for the 84th District. I have shown that by personally knocking on doors almost daily for months so I can meet the people and listen to their concerns.

We agree on wanting to have a quality education system. It is a concern of mine as I have a daughter who is a teacher and seven grandchildren who will benefit from our school system.

I want to keep our retired Iowans here! We can help do this by eliminating the pension tax and the state tax on Social Security. Another reason the elderly leave is because their children are leaving. I want to keep our graduating children here! They won't stay in our community if across the river or in another state there are better opportunities. All need to be done with building our economic base and making sure the 84th District has a representative willing to take the time to see that our tax dollars are not wasted. The state's dollars should be spent carefully as our own homes' budgets, no matter if it's education, environment, or any other state department.

Another important thing we need to do is take property taxes off automatic pilot. No matter what is done at the state or how many times voters try to stop property-tax increases, bureaucrats continue to increase the "value" of a home and force an automatic property-tax increase on homeowners with no vote of any elected officials.

I retired two years ago as a captain on the Davenport Police Department with over 34 years of public service. I always maintained the attitude that I worked for the citizens of Davenport, and I want to continue serving the people of the 84th District. I have the time to devote, the knowledge, and the desire to follow through with my proposals to achieve these goals.

Iowa House District 85

Jim Lykam
Democrat
I want to work on diversifying Iowa's economy so it can grow if even if one sector is hurting. Last session's creation of the venture-capital fund is a first step. As a past small-business owner, I understand that not every problem has a government solution. Building a secure economy will take individuals, businesses, civic groups, and communities all working together. Areas that have great potential to create high-wage jobs are advanced manufacturing, life sciences, and information solutions. I served in the Iowa House in 1989 and 1990, where as a member of the Economic Development Committee I have a voting record on helping Iowa's economy. I have no idea where my opponent stands on the issues.

Iowa House District 86

Judith Malone
Republican
www.judithmalone.us
Let's start by looking at the campaign disclosures. Two years ago, my worthy opponent waged a $98,000 campaign to win hearts and minds in this district. Most of her contributions came from the National Democratic Party and out-of-town PACs from all over the United States. She, or I should say her out-of-town pals, spent something on the order of $17 a vote. I find that a bit excessive, especially in light of her low name recognition in the 86th District. This year, out-of-town special interests are financing her mailings and controlling their content, thus obligating Winckler in such a way that accountability to her voters will once again be an afterthought.

There is a target piece circulating in which Representative Winckler is described as "on record in Des Moines as supporting neighborhood schools." They must be talking about someone else's neighborhood. Such an assertion is a cruel irony for Grant and Johnson parents, who asked for her support and got nothing. The same piece attempts a certifiable whopper, implying that the Grant and Johnson neighborhoods are "part of Cindy's new district" when in fact both schools were in her district prior to the 2002 re-districting. It says something about an elected official when they go out of their way to avoid hundreds of constituents in their hour of need, and then presume that those very constituents are too dumb to notice that she let them down.

I've lived in this district for 12 years, and as I say on my Web site, we can be counted on not to participate. This simply means that our uniquely urban mix, a rarity in Iowa, has very low expectations of its elected officials. I don't mean this as a criticism of local government, and River Renaissance aside, I think the big dough and the big ideas pass us by. Eastern Iowa in general is Des Moines' ugly stepchild, and the 86th, with its ethnic diversity, its poor, its gay population, its "silent majority" elders, its aging housing stock, and its decrepit infrastructure, is the stepchild's battered baggage. The district, the region, and the state are in desperate need of a reality check, and an infusion of fresh ideas. No longer is our economy the fatted calf of agribusiness, and nowhere is that more evident than in our urban areas. There are a lot of people living in the 86th with nothing to do and nothing to look forward to. To me, that is unacceptable.

My candidacy is a product of what I know to be true about our district. Running for office doesn't make me feel important, but the task is more important than ever before. Politicians obligated to the few are a burden on the rest of us, a luxury we cannot afford. There is a crying need for accountability to the taxpayers who pay the freight, and for leadership that will identify and express a unity of purpose, if we as a district are to survive and prosper.

Cindy Winckler
Democrat
As a candidate in 2000, I ran for state representative in House District 44, because our strong community support had diminished over the years. Our citizens expect and deserve a caring community: a community that supports its children, its workers, and its elderly population. Our community needs quality schools, a well-paid workforce, and access to health care for all of its citizens.

As a candidate in 2000, the priorities were quality education, access to health care, and a higher standard of living. As state representative I did not forget those promises. I supported them with action.

This session, even when Iowa's revenue growth dropped to its lowest in 50 years, I worked to support the people in House District 44.

Education: I supported proposals to restore funding to the K-12 education general fund, regents universities, K-12 technology dollars, community colleges, and teacher-compensation plans. I knew that these proposals were crucial to the operation of our public schools. I, along with other Democrats, supported an amendment that would have restored $58 million to the state education budget. I voted for quality schools, smaller classes, and a restoration of education funding. Republicans did not.

Health care: I supported the Medicaid cost-containment initiative and prescription-drug cost relief. I voted to expand HAWK-I insuring uninsured children, and mental-health parity. I voted, along with other Democrats, to reduce health-care costs by reducing unneeded paperwork and red tape. Republicans did not.

Higher standard of living: I supported restoration of funding to the Iowa State Patrol, and drug-enforcement programs. Public safety is a large part of standard of living. All people have a right to feel safe and secure; restoring these funds helps all Iowans. I voted against the reduction of funding for property-tax credits for seniors, veterans, and first-time homebuyers. Republicans did not.

I voted for the growth of Iowa businesses by supporting venture-capital initiatives, but not for tax cuts that would further reduce the revenue to the state in Fiscal Year 2003. At a time when revenue growth in Iowa was at its lowest, I voted against a premium tax cut for insurance companies, and against additional tax cuts for S-corporations. The S-corporation tax cut created a loss of $1 million in revenue. That money could have paid for the cuts made to the tax credits for seniors and veterans. I voted for seniors and veterans. Republicans did not.

The priorities of the next legislative session remain the same: quality schools and well-educated students, access to health care and reduced prescription-drug costs, a higher standard of living achieved through sound use of our resources, strategic planning for growth of businesses, and higher-paying jobs for our citizens.

I am committed to these priorities and will work with you, and for you to achieve them. I will keep my promises. The Republicans will not.