Recently, Indiana AEYC consulted with the National Association for the Education of Young Children to construct a brief questionnaire, modeled on NAEYC's own presidential candidate survey, which was then sent to candidates for the offices of Governor of the State of Indiana, Superintendent of Public Instruction for Indiana, Indiana State Senate, and Indiana House of Representatives.
Candidates were asked the same six (6) open-ended questions and notified that their responses would be posted verbatim on the Indiana AEYC website. In the event that a candidate did not (or has yet to) respond or opted to not answer a particular question, "No response" will appear next to the candidate's name or the skipped question. Candidate responses are posted by political office, district, and then in alphabetical order. Beside each candidate's name, his or her political party affiliation is noted (D - Democrat, I - Independent, L - Libertarian, R - Republican). Indiana AEYC will continue to post responses from candidates as they are received.
The following questions were asked of all candidates:
1. What are your views on the needs of young children (birth to kindergarten), and what specific steps would you take to address these needs?
2. How would you ensure that every child in Indiana has access to health care?
3. What are your views on the ways in which our state can close the education achievement gap with a particular focus on the early elementary years?
4. What do you consider the appropriate investment in programs that support young children's early care and education (such as child care and Head Start)? Please be as specific as possible.
5. What are your views on raising the compensation of child care workers, and what steps would you take in attracting and keeping quality educators in the early childhood education field?
6. What would be your top 4 priorities for legislative action in the first 100 days of service to the citizens of Indiana?
Gubernatorial Candidate Responses
Superintendent Candidate Responses
Indiana House of Representatives & Indiana State Senate Candidate Responses
Responses from the candidates for Governor of the State of Indiana:
Mitch Daniels (R, incumbent):
| 1. What are your views on the needs of young children (birth to kindergarten), and what specific steps would you take to address these needs? |
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1) The most important thing for children are loving parents and family. Many of our most challenging social problems stem from the absence of stable family relationships in the lives of our children. Children of this age need appropriate vaccinations and good health care. We have worked to increase funding for immunizations so that all eligible children receive the vaccines they need, and we have expanded health insurance coverage for children. We have greatly expanded funding for full-day kindergarten, after years of advocacy but inaction, and are well on the way to providing FDK for all children whose families want the option.
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| 2. How would you ensure that every child in Indiana has access to health care? |
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2) We have significantly increased the State Child Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). The latest Census Bureau survey shows 95% of Hoosier children under age 18 are covered by insurance. I would suspect that many of the remaining 5% simply have not been signed up for benefits they are eligible to receive. We must find those children and get them covered.
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3. What are your views on the ways in which our state can close the education achievement gap with a particular focus on the early elementary years?
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3) This is one of the most challenging problems facing our nation, not just Indiana, and there are no easy answers. We must insist that our schools help all children succeed, because we know all children can learn. We must prepare our teachers effectively so that they are ready for the challenges of the classroom, and we must entice more talented young people into the teaching profession. We should encourage the growth of charter schools that give parents options for their children and are not bound by the burdensome rules that govern most public schools.
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| 4. What do you consider the appropriate investment in programs that support young children's early care and education (such as child care and Head Start)? Please be as specific as possible. |
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4) During my first term, we’ve increased the number of children served by our child care program by more than 5,000. The state currently spends more than $158 million on the Child Care Development Fund. The state receives some $91 million from the federal government for Head Start, which is an important federal preschool program for disadvantaged children.
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| 5. What are your views on raising the compensation of child care workers, and what steps would you take in attracting and keeping quality educators in the early childhood education field? |
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5) The state does not directly fund child care centers – rather it provides support to parents to purchase child care from private providers. I am very open to suggestions about the best ways to attract and retain talented people in the early childhood education field.
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| 6. What would be your top 4 priorities for legislative action in the first 100 days of service to the citizens of Indiana? |
| 6) My legislative priorities for the 2009 session include securing a constitutional amendment to make permanent the recently approved caps on property taxes for homeowners and others; a taxpayer “refund” whenever state revenues exceed those needed to maintain a balanced budget and sufficient reserve funds; a series of initiatives in the area of K-12 education, including increased funding for full-day kindergarten and expanding a unique teacher training program; and the Hoosier College Promise program to give all high school graduates two years of free college at Ivy Tech or an equivalent amount to use at another Indiana college. |
Andrew Horning (L):
| 1. What are your views on the needs of young children (birth to kindergarten), and what specific steps would you take to address these needs? |
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1) I believe that when the crutch of the state is removed, parents are the best guardian of their child's needs; and that politicians have proven that they do not know better. I would obey and enforce the constitutions of Indiana and the USA to which every politician and police officer in Indiana swears a solemn oath of office. This would free parents to serves their families, and free the state to protect the rights of all citizens.
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| 2. How would you ensure that every child in Indiana has access to health care? |
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2) Healthcare has been my business for 30 years, and I know what it should cost, how it should work, and that politicians have messed it up both horribly, and criminally. I would get politicians out of healthcare, and restore proper competition, free market quality improvement, and thus reduce costs, improve the availability and quality of service to all.
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3. What are your views on the ways in which our state can close the education achievement gap with a particular focus on the early elementary years?
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3) It's shocking how politicians have destroyed the efficacy of our education systems, once lauded as the world's best! Now, a college degree is inferior to a high school education of a hundred years ago, and the costs are embarrassing. I would restore the constitutional requirement for tuition-free, state-funded Common Schools (not the inequitable local/state/federal hybrid monstrosities that we now suffer) so that Horace Mann's "ladder of opportunity" is restored whole, and all parents have a choice as to whether free Common School or some other education serves their children best.
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| 4. What do you consider the appropriate investment in programs that support young children's early care and education (such as child care and Head Start)? Please be as specific as possible. |
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4) Appropriate to me is what is in the constitutions, both state and federal, to which all politicians, police and other agents of the law swear an oath of support. We spend far too much money now; and several studies (some from Indiana Policy Review for example) show an inverse correlation between money spent, and quality of education. I would restore Common Schools to our state constitution’s Article 8 letter of the law.
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5. What are your views on raising the compensation of child care workers, and what steps would you take in attracting and keeping quality educators in the early childhood education field?
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5) Politicians have no ability or authority in this area. They have only ruined opportunities, liberties and quality.
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6. What would be your top 4 priorities for legislative action in the first 100 days of service to the citizens of Indiana?
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6) I am running for an executive, not a legislative job. My chief concern is to faithfully enforce, or execute, the laws of the state as written. And according to Article I, Section 25 of the Indiana Constitution, only the constitution, and those laws subservient to the authority granted/warranted by the constitution, are actually laws. So much of what my job will entail is to overturn illegal “laws,” enforce the true laws, and restore legitimacy to our government.
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Jill Long-Thompson (D):
| 1. What are your views on the needs of young children (birth to kindergarten), and what specific steps would you take to address these needs? |
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1) Young children need to have quality early learning opportunities, health insurance to ensure they receive preventative care and treatment, and a loving home environment in which to thrive and grow. These necessities can be met by providing early childhood education options for Hoosier families; creating health insurance pooling opportunities for families and maintaining the enrollment of children in Hoosier Healthwise; and ensuring that when a child is not receiving adequate care at home that appropriate measures are taken by the state to keep children safe.
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| 2. How would you ensure that every child in Indiana has access to health care? |
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2) About one million Hoosiers were uninsured at some point last year, including more than 150,000 children. As the economy declines, the number of Hoosiers without coverage is likely to increase this year. I will address this problem by making health care coverage more affordable to businesses and workers, ensuring health care is accessible, and implementing stronger measures to control costs. By focusing on these three areas of our health care system, we can create the kind of positive change our state needs to move forward economically and ensure our citizens are healthy. My “One Indiana” Plan is at www.hoosiersofjill.com.
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3. What are your views on the ways in which our state can close the education achievement gap with a particular focus on the early elementary years?
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3) Access to high quality early care and education programs provides tremendous benefit to children and their families and is a good first start to close achievement gaps before children begin kindergarten. I will place greater emphasis on early childhood programs to give students the best start to education. As one example, I will create a public-private partnership to provide every Indiana child one free book each month from birth until age five. This strong start to early childhood education will give Hoosier children opportunities for early reading and early learning. My “One Indiana” Plan is at www.hoosiersofjill.com.
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| 4. What do you consider the appropriate investment in programs that support young children's early care and education (such as child care and Head Start)? Please be as specific as possible. |
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4) Indiana has the fifth lowest income eligibility cutoff for child care assistance of all 50 states. As Governor, I will work to gradually raise the income eligibility cutoff as funding becomes available. We will work, in a bi-partisan way, to find funding to fully implement full day kindergarten for every child in Indiana. Children who enter kindergarten with the skills they need to achieve are far more likely to graduate from high school and become productive members of the workforce. 80
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| 5. What are your views on raising the compensation of child care workers, and what steps would you take in attracting and keeping quality educators in the early childhood education field? |
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5) Indiana child care workers, who care for and educate more than 100,000 Hoosier children, must have available to them educational opportunities through higher education and workforce training. This will not only serve to broaden the education of Hoosier children, but will also provide opportunities for career advancement. Through my health care plan, small businesses such as child care centers and individuals in home care would be able to participate in a purchasing pool for affordable health insurance. Opportunities for higher educational attainment and access to health care would be effective tools to attract and retain quality early childhood educators.
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| 6. What would be your top 4 priorities for legislative action in the first 100 days of service to the citizens of Indiana? |
| 6) I would advocate for measures to create and retain Hoosier jobs through a supported education system, a simplified tax structure, affordable and accessible health care, and other measures that are spelled out in our “One Indiana” Plan. As a part of the plan, Dennie Oxley and I will work with members of the Indiana General Assembly to change state law to encourage businesses and individuals to pool to buy health insurance to expand access and reduce costs, reform the state's education policy, and update the state's telecommunications infrastructure to bring broadband capacity to every Indiana community. |
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Responses from the candidates for Superintendent of Public Instruction:
Richard "Tony" Bennett (R): No response
Richard D. Wood (D):
| 1. What are your views on the needs of young children (birth to kindergarten), and what specific steps would you take to address these needs? |
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1) As superintendent of public instruction I will advocate for instructional programs in our schools to enhance (future) parenting skills. I am supportive of pre-school education programs and will support expansion of such public services.
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| 2. How would you ensure that every child in Indiana has access to health care? |
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2) I will advocate for affordable health care for all Hoosiers. It is clearly in the best interest of our schools to have healthy children (from birth).
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3. What are your views on the ways in which our state can close the education achievement gap with a particular focus on the early elementary years?
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3) We must complete the implementation of full day Kindergarten for Indiana public school corporations as well as strengthen our commitment to Project Prime Time. I believe that pre-school program expansion will also help raise performance levels for students less advantaged.
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| 4. What do you consider the appropriate investment in programs that support young children's early care and education (such as child care and Head Start)? Please be as specific as possible. |
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4) The foundation of my campaign is that it is better to invest in building children rather than to have to repair adults. We certainly must do all we can to help our older citizens, especially with respect to literacy, but will be better served in the long run if we get things right the first time.
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5. What are your views on raising the compensation of child care workers, and what steps would you take in attracting and keeping quality educators in the early childhood education field?
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5) Keeping in mind the adage that "you get what you pay for" - I am a strong advocate for attracting and maintaining outstanding educators through competitive compensation and desirable "quality of life" employment.
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| 6. What would be your top 4 priorities for legislative action in the first 100 days of service to the citizens of Indiana? |
| 6) a. Full implementation of optional full day Kindergarten
b. Financial support for continued development of effective alternative education programs
c. Financial support for continued development of effective high school instruction options
d. Return to full funding of Project Prime Time
Our web site is www.richardwood .org
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Responses from the candidates for the Indiana House of Representatives:
Linda Lawson (D, District 1 - incumbent): No response
Fernando Urzua (R, District 1): No response
Earl Harris (D, District 2 - incumbent): No response
Charlie Brown (D, District 3 - incumbent): No response
Larry Chubb (D, District 4): No response
Ed Soliday (R, District 4 - incumbent): No response
Craig Fry (D, District 5 - incumbent): No response
Dave Miller (R, District 5):
| 1. What are your views on the needs of young children (birth to kindergarten), and what specific steps would you take to address these needs? |
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1) Far and away, the greatest need of young children is to be raised by committed, loving and married father and mother. Michigan now requires couples who seek divorce to first go through counselling. Remarkably, the divorce rate has plummetted. Indiana should follow suit. Moreover, it would not be unwise to require premarital counselling and later parental coaching. Investment made in the parents will forever benefit their children to the third and fourth generation. I am not advocating that government do the counselling or coaching.
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| 2. How would you ensure that every child in Indiana has access to health care? |
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2) Every child raised by married parents who are gainfully employed will almost certainly have access to some level of healthcare. It is the child raised by one parent or unemployed adults who often receive less healthcare. Therefore, besides encouraging strong families, it is incumbant that the state does everything in its power to create employment opportunities for parents. Most employers provide access to some medical insurance plan.
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3. What are your views on the ways in which our state can close the education achievement gap with a particular focus on the early elementary years?
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3) Do you read to your children? Are there long periods at your home when the television is off? Do you weekly check out books from library to read with your children? Do they see you read? Few things can more surely inspire creative thought and expand the mind than good books. Readers become leaders. Real leaders are readers. Language development is the most important skill. Every effort must be made to encourage first at home the practice of reading and turning off the "idiot box." Teachers, incidentally, are doing the best they can but fight great odds. Small classes, more time for instruction, and rewards for effective teachers would help.
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| 4. What do you consider the appropriate investment in programs that support young children's early care and education (such as child care and Head Start)? Please be as specific as possible. |
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4) Schools rightly ask, "does the child come to school ready to learn?" If the parents are not going to fulfill their God-granted duty to nurture their chidlren must the state therefore step in to give the child parental care and a head start? Are the taxpayers their brother's child's keep? In many respects, sadly they are. For if that child, for want of a good start and adequate education and character development, fails to live up to his potential and instead ends up in foster care, or a dilinquent or worse a criminal the taxpayers become his keeper. The great questions are what is enough and when must it be done? Our current circumstances suggest more and earlier.
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5. What are your views on raising the compensation of child care workers, and what steps would you take in attracting and keeping quality educators in the early childhood education field?
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5) Though we laud the accomplishments of athletes and actors, as if to say we value their service most, as a culture we have lost our minds. The least productive, those who contribute very little lasting good, who invest little in the lives of others, we reward most handsomely. And those who labor to the greatest good - the fashioning of young minds and hearts - are compensated as if their service has next to no value. What sense does that make? Effective teachers and childrens' workers must be well paid. We certainly expect a great deal from them. We ought to pay them accordingly.
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| 6. What would be your top 4 priorities for legislative action in the first 100 days of service to the citizens of Indiana? |
| 6) What is this fascination with the first 100 days? Don't we elect leaders for a full term? Don't we expect the same passion at the end as at the beginning of their term? The legislature must help to create, attract and retain good jobs. We must make tax cuts permanent and seek other efficiencies in gov't. We must end our dependence of foreign, islamic oil. We must strengthen families. |
B. Patrick Bauer (D, District 6 - incumbent): No response
Kevin Mitschelen (R, District 6): No response
Daniel Herbster (R, District 7): No response
David Niezgodski (D, District 7 - incumbent): No response
Dale Devon (R, District 8): No response
Ryan M. Dvorak (D, District 8 - incumbent): No response
Scott Pelath (D, District 9 - incumbent): No response
Kenneth M. Kaminski (R, District 10): No response
Charles Moseley (D, District 10): No response
Cy Huerter (R, District 11): No response
Dan Stevenson (D, District 11 - incumbent): No response
George Janiec (R, District 12): No response
Mara Candelaria Reardon (D, District 12): No response
Chester Dobis (D, District 13 - incumbent): No response
Joseph Hero (R, District 13): No response
Catherine Campbell (R, District 14): No response
Vernon Smith (D, District 14 - incumbent): No response
Donald "Don" J. Lehe (R, District 15): No response
Myron Sutton (D, District 15): No response
Douglas Gutwein (R, District 16): No response
Bill Reutebuch (D, District 16): No response
Nancy Dembowski (D, District 17): No response
Mark MacKillop (R, District 17): No response
David Wolkins (R, District 18 - incumbent): No response
Rochelle "Shelli" VanDenburgh (D, District 19 - incumbent): No response
Andrew Webster (R, District 19): No response
Jerry Cooley (D, District 20): No response
Tom Dermody (R, District 20 - incumbent): No response
Jackie Walorski (R, District 21 - incumbent): No response
Larry Rensberger (D, District 22): No response
William “Bill” J. Ruppel (R, District 22 - incumbent): No response
William C. Friend (R, District 23 - incumbent): No response
Rich McClain (R, District 24 - incumbent): No response
Jeb Bardon (D, District 25 - incumbent): No response
John Polles (D, District 26): No response
Randy Truitt (R, District 26): No response
Sheila Klinker (D, District 27 - incumbent):
| 1. What are your views on the needs of young children (birth to kindergarten), and what specific steps would you take to address these needs? |
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1) Early childhood education and Head Start. I was author and sponsor of First Steps and Preschool for Handicapped Children.
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| 2. How would you ensure that every child in Indiana has access to health care? |
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2) Expand the SCHIPS program 0 - 18, Make sure the Community Health Clinics have more doctors and raise what Medicaid pays.
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3. What are your views on the ways in which our state can close the education achievement gap with a particular focus on the early elementary years?
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3) Use good proven literacy programs in urban and at-risk schools such as Reading Recovery programs so children get a good early start.
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| 4. What do you consider the appropriate investment in programs that support young children's early care and education (such as child care and Head Start)? Please be as specific as possible. |
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4) Head Start is Federal program but state must commit to program. Well worth the trouble. Early childhood education is a must.
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| 5. What are your views on raising the compensation of child care workers, and what steps would you take in attracting and keeping quality educators in the early childhood education field? |
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5) Child care workers are taking care of our most vulnerable and important citizens. Early intervention services are well worth the money spent. Compensation being elevated is a must. There is a very high turnover in this profession due to low pay. I serve on the Tippecanoe Child Care Board and have watched this problem continue consistently over time.
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| 6. What would be your top 4 priorities for legislative action in the first 100 days of service to the citizens of Indiana? |
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6) 1. Access to good health carefor children, particularly in rural counties. 2. Proper Educational funding at all levels. 3. Continuing Head Start and Early Intervention and fund Early Childhood Programs. 4. Fund welfare programs properly with workforce development.
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Jason Ellis (D, District 28): No response
Jeffrey Thompson (R, District 28- incumbent): No response
Kathy Kraeg Richardson (R, District 29 - incumbent): No response
Joe Weingarten (D, District 29): No response, questions 1 - 5
6. What would be your top 4 priorities for legislative action in the first 100 days of service to the citizens of Indiana?
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1. Enact an Energy Bill; Indiana does not have an energy program. New home insulation construction is based on 1991 building energy codes; we need to move up to modern times. Require attic fans on homes with central air, which results in lower summer time costs with pay back in 1-2 years. We need to develop wind and solar energy plans, many other states provide incentives, Indiana none. We need to reduce the costs to families to heat and cool their homes. Converting corn to gasoline is not the answer.
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2. Education – To remove the testing we currently have and replace it with a more comprehensive tests that are given in the 8th grade and the end of High Schools instead of starting in the third grade. Tests that are more like the SAT’s and can’t be studied for and result in removing instructional time form the classroom to get ready for the test. The money and time saved can be used to expand programs that benefit children, which educate children. Expand vocational training and retraining in skills for tomorrow.
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3. Health Care – We need to expand care for children and all other without insurance in this state. I see nothing wrong with raising taxes on cigarettes and alcohol to fund medical care programs. I see nothing wrong with a smokestack tax to fund med ical programs. Industry that removes pollution wouldn’t have to pay this tax, industry that pollutes would. They are causing health problems and should help pay to care for people.
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4. Privatization – It does not work but rather allows government to remove responsibly to do a job and add a non-responsive layer. This is a good way to hide form problems instead of working to solve them. I would like to see a ban on privatization.
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4 1/2. Transportation – Highways are not the answer. We need to develop transportation concepts to provide methods to more effectively move people from point a to b. I grew up in the world’s best city to study and use transportation, New York. I developed the concept of air hubs in 1969 while in Research and Development in the United States Air Force. Our common way of doing business today. We are not thinking, instead we have each special interest groups pushing for their own way and not viewing a total integrated solution. I want to start the process of integrated transportation.
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Ron Herrell (D, District 30 - incumbent): No response
Timothy W. Harris (R, District 31 - incumbent): No response
Joe Pearson (D, District 31): No response
P. Eric Turner (R, District 32 - incumbent): No response
Bill J. Davis (R, District 33 - incumbent): No response
Andy Schemenaur (D, District 33): No response
Ted Baker (R, District 34): No response
Dennis Tyler (D, District 34 - incumbent):
| 1. What are your views on the needs of young children (birth to kindergarten), and what specific steps would you take to address these needs? |
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1) Quicker we get them into preschool learning opportunities better off they are. We know that children learn and adapt much better if they are in proper environment. Have supported legislation to address those needs.
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| 2. How would you ensure that every child in Indiana has access to health care? |
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2) I would like to see our Healthy Indiana Plan expanded to cover all children. However, cost will be a determining factor in expanding health care. Health care costs have got to be brought into line with cost of living.
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3. What are your views on the ways in which our state can close the education achievement gap with a particular focus on the early elementary years?
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3) Make sure our teachers and schools have the tools to teach our children. Larger class rooms are not the answer for teaching our children. I believe it is one on one contact with children.
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| 4. What do you consider the appropriate investment in programs that support young children's early care and education (such as child care and Head Start)? Please be as specific as possible. |
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4) I am not sure I can be specific. Funding is key factor in question. As our economy changes and declines there will always be people who will say we need to look at cutting back on programs like these. I am not one of them. I believe child care and Head Start are critical in providing education needs of our children. They have to continue to be funded properly.
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| 5. What are your views on raising the compensation of child care workers, and what steps would you take in attracting and keeping quality educators in the early childhood education field? |
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5) I believe child care workers need better compensation for the services they provide. Compensation, benefits, ability to teach, easier access to higher education with incentives to stay in state are some ideas I think would work.
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| 6. What would be your top 4 priorities for legislative action in the first 100 days of service to the citizens of Indiana? |
6) Property Tax Relief
Living Wage Job Creation Entire State Not Isolated Areas
Properly Funding Education
Affordable Health Care For All Hoosiers |
L. Jack Lutz (R, District 35 - incumbent): No response
Lee Ann Mengelt (D, District 35): No response
Terri Jo Austin (D, District 36 - incumbent):
| 1. What are your views on the needs of young children (birth to kindergarten), and what specific steps would you take to address these needs? |
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1) Young children need adequate educational, emotional, social and physical support and experiences in order to develop cognitive skills and abilities. This includes healthcare, nutrition, housing and nurturing. I have been a long-time supporter and advocate for Pre-K programming and full-day kindergarten that is fully-funded by the state. They also need appropriately trained childcare professionals and teachers who have a specialty in early childhood education.
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| 2. How would you ensure that every child in Indiana has access to health care? |
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2) Increase the income eligibility threshold for Hoosier Healthwise and Healthy Indiana Plan. (I voted to raise the cigarette tax to fund HIP.) Also, increase access to health insurance for their parents and/or guardians. We should not require Hoosiers to be without health insurance for six months before they are eligible for HIP. I would also rescind the privatization of the FSSA Medicaid and Food Stamps eligibility contract with IBM. It has been a disaster in the pilot counties.
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3. What are your views on the ways in which our state can close the education achievement gap with a particular focus on the early elementary years?
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3) Implement Pre-kindergarten, full-day kindergarten and true Prime Time in grades 1-3. Also focus on building a high-quality, developmentally appropriate curriculum for grades K-3.
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| 4. What do you consider the appropriate investment in programs that support young children's early care and education (such as child care and Head Start)? Please be as specific as possible. |
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4) I am not sure that I believe the current “market-based” reimbursement system for childcare is an adequate approach. Since the state makes no additional investment in Pre-K (other than Special Education preschool) any increase would be welcomed and an improvement. I can only hope that I live to see universal pre-school in my lifetime for Hoosier children.
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| 5. What are your views on raising the compensation of child care workers, and what steps would you take in attracting and keeping quality educators in the early childhood education field? |
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5) Child care workers are woefully undercompensated. We could look at implementing minimum wages in this area, but we will get strong pushback from religious organizations and ministries who do not want government rules and regulations. I also think having training and educational requirements for early childhood educators would be a strong message about our value on quality instruction and care for young children.
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| 6. What would be your top 4 priorities for legislative action in the first 100 days of service to the citizens of Indiana? |
| 6) Adequate public transportation to assist working families with work and family obligations; writing a state budget that funds schools and children, full-day kindergarten, new economic development initiatives to put more people to work. |
Kelly Gaskill (R, District 37): No response
Scott Reske (D, District 37 - incumbent): No response
Bob Snow (D, District 38): No response
Jacque Clements (R, District 38): No response
Rusty Skoog (D, District 39): No response
Jerry Torr (R, District 39 - incumbent): No response
Nicholas Schmutte (D, District 40): No response
Greg Steuerwald (R, District 40 - incumbent): No response
Tim Brown (R, District 41): No response
James Stytle (D, District 41): No response
F. Dale Grubb (D, District 42 - incumbent): No response
Clyde Kersey (D, District 43 - incumbent): No response
Ryan Cummins (R, District 43): No Response
Nancy Michael (D, District 44): No response
Amos P. Thomas (R, District 44 - incumbent): No response
Bruce Borders (R, District 45 - incumbent): No response
Rick Marshall (D, District 45): No response
Bob Heaton (R, District 46 - incumbent): No response
Vern Tincher (D, District 46 - incumbent): No response
Ralph M. Foley (R, District 47 - incumbent): No response
Tim Neese (R, District 48 - incumbent): No response
Wes Culver (R, District 49): No response
John Ulmer (D, District 49 - incumbent): No response
Dan Leonard (R, District 50 - incumbent): No response
Richard Dodge (R, District 51 - incumbent):
| 1. What are your views on the needs of young children (birth to kindergarten), and what specific steps would you take to address these needs? |
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1) I believe these children need to cared for by a family at home
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| 2. How would you ensure that every child in Indiana has access to health care? |
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2) I believe every child in Indiana has access to healthcare
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3. What are your views on the ways in which our state can close the education achievement gap with a particular focus on the early elementary years?
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3) Encourage more parental involvement in their childs education
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4. What do you consider the appropriate investment in programs that support young children's early care and education (such as child care and Head Start)? Please be as specific as possible.
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4) I do not know what you mean by appropriate state investment, but I do not believe that the state should be responsible for child care for young children
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| 5. What are your views on raising the compensation of child care workers, and what steps would you take in attracting and keeping quality educators in the early childhood education field? |
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5) Do not know how to answer this as I do not what the compensation of child care workers is at the present time
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| 6. What would be your top 4 priorities for legislative action in the first 100 days of service to the citizens of Indiana? |
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6) Resolve the property tax problem
Improve the economic conditions
Improve education for Indiana's Children
health care
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Lon Keyes (D, District 51): No response
Don Papai (D, District 52): No response
David Yarde II (R, District 52): No response
David Baxter (D, District 53): No response
Robert “Bob” Cherry (R, District 53 - incumbent): No response
Tom Saunders (R, District 54 – incumbent): No response
Tom Knollman (R, District 55 – incumbent): No response
Phillip Pflum (D, District 56 – incumbent): No response
Sean Eberhart (R, District 57 – incumbent): No response
Woody Burton (R, District 58 – incumbent): No response
Rhonda Bell (D, District 59): No response
Milo Smith (R, District 59 – incumbent): No response
Peggy Welch (D, District 60 – incumbent): No response
Matt Pierce (D, District 61 – incumbent): No response
Sandra Blanton (D, District 62 – incumbent): No response
Brook Tarr (R, District 62): No response
John Burger (D, District 63):
| 1. What are your views on the needs of young children (birth to kindergarten), and what specific steps would you take to address these needs? |
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1) funding for full day Kindergarten, early child development programs. I feel that the early development years set the foundation and all Children need an equal opportunity to develop their fullest potential.
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| 2. How would you ensure that every child in Indiana has access to health care? |
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2) Tax incentives for businesses that offer healthcare funding for people who cannot afford healthcare - every person should be accessible to good quality healthcare.
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3. What are your views on the ways in which our state can close the education achievement gap with a particular focus on the early elementary years?
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3) by making services available to all children, Making sure that the most needy are taken care of first. Make sure that new funding is made available and improvement of standards and program quality. 1
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| 4. What do you consider the appropriate investment in programs that support young children's early care and education (such as child care and Head Start)? Please be as specific as possible. |
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4) Funding - program quality improvement regular program assessments
Policies need to be flexible enough for individual state and community needs - I will be very supportive of these programs
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| 5. What are your views on raising the compensation of child care workers, and what steps would you take in attracting and keeping quality educators in the early childhood education field? |
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5) I feel that paying quality teachers what they deserve is one way to attract & keep quality educators in early childhood education - also rewarding for experience
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| 6. What would be your top 4 priorities for legislative action in the first 100 days of service to the citizens of Indiana? |
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6) 1. Strengthen education (particularly early childhood education by providing necessary funding for teacher pay - 2. property tax issue 3. Strengthen Indiana families & communities by providing opportunities 4. Invest in Indiana families
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Mark B. Messmer (R, District 63): No response
Kreg Battles (D, District 64 – incumbent): No response
Eric Koch (R, District 65 – incumbent): No response
Jack Gillespie (R, District 66): No response
Terry Goodin (D, District 66 – incumbent): No response
Cleo Duncan (R, District 67 - incumbent): No response
Mike Keller (D, District 67): No response
Robert Bischoff (D, District 68 – incumbent): No response
David Cheatham (D, District 69 – incumbent): No response
Tim Hunt (R, District 70): No response
Paul Robertson (D, District 70 – incumbent): No response
Steve Stemler (D, District 71 – incumbent): No response
Ed Clere (R, District 72): No response
William “Bill” Cochran (D, District 72 – incumbent): No response
Steve Davisson (R, District 73): No response
Dennie Oxley (D, District 73): No response
William Marcum (R, District 74): No response
Russ Stillwell (D, District 74 – incumbent): No response
Dennis Avery (D, District 75 - incumbent):
| 1. What are your views on the needs of young children (birth to kindergarten), and what specific steps would you take to address these needs? |
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1) Early childhood education is very important for giving children a head start in life and increasing the odds of educational success. I support funding for pre-kindergarten programs and full-day kindergarten programs in the state school budget. The state has now assumed 100% of education’s operating budget. I support state income tax credits for day care expenses. I would also, as an alternative to funding for pre-K programs, support subsidized Head Start programs.
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| 2. How would you ensure that every child in Indiana has access to health care? |
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2) I would continue voting for health care services for all Indiana citizens. I would support a dedicated source of revenue to fund those services.
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3. What are your views on the ways in which our state can close the education achievement gap with a particular focus on the early elementary years?
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3) Please see the comments in question 1. If we cannot afford to fund pre-K and full-day kindergarten programs, as a compromise, I would support funding for at-risk populations. I also support funding in the school formula for school corporations that have a greater number of at-risk children.
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| 4. What do you consider the appropriate investment in programs that support young children's early care and education (such as child care and Head Start)? Please be as specific as possible. |
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4) Please see the comments in question 1. I cannot give you a specific funding level, but will work to achieve funding or greater funding for these important programs.
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5. What are your views on raising the compensation of child care workers, and what steps would you take in attracting and keeping quality educators in the early childhood education field?
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5) I also support funding for programs such as the TEACH Scholarship, which improves the quality of Indiana’s day care providers. I don’t believe the State of Indiana currently invest in this important program. I have seen how important this program is to non-traditional students who are given an opportunity to attend college. Perhaps, there should be greater assurance of improved pay for day care workers who complete their degrees.
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| 6. What would be your top 4 priorities for legislative action in the first 100 days of service to the citizens of Indiana? |
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6) I am on the House Ways & Means Committee and the assistant chairman of the Budget Sub-Committee, so my greatest priority is to work for greater funding for education, early childhood education, and higher education. I also believe we should create better economic opportunities for families struggling to meet the needs of their families. We need to make sure that training and retraining educational opportunities are available to adults attempting to compete in Indiana’s declining economy. I also support improved environmental quality and support to protect Indiana environment for our children and grandchildren.
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J.D. Strouth (R, District 75): No response
W. Trent VanHaaften (D, District 76 – incumbent): No response
Gail Riecken (D, District 77): No response
Suzanne Crouch (R, District 78 - incumbent): No response
James Rapp (D, District 78): No response
Matthew Lehman (R, District 79): No response
Mike Ripley (R, District 79 - incumbent): No response
Phil GiaQuinta (D, District 80 – incumbent): No response
Winfield Moses (D, District 81 – incumbent): No response
Jeff Espich (R, District 82 – incumbent): No response
Matt Bell (R, District 83 - incumbent): No response
Steve Heaston (D, District 83): No response
Randy Borror (R, District 84 - incumbent): No response
Marc Wehrle (D, District 84): No response
Phyllis Pond (R, District 85 – incumbent): No response
Ed Delaney (D, District 86):
| 1. What are your views on the needs of young children (birth to kindergarten), and what specific steps would you take to address these needs? |
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1) I have 6 grandchildren. I see a value in preschool for all kids
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| 2. How would you ensure that every child in Indiana has access to health care? |
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2) We are moving in new direction - I support this fully.
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3. What are your views on the ways in which our state can close the education achievement gap with a particular focus on the early elementary years?
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3) See No 1. I also struggle for ways to get all parents involved.
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| 4. What do you consider the appropriate investment in programs that support young children's early care and education (such as child care and Head Start)? Please be as specific as possible. |
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4) We should make this available to all kids from age 2 or 3. To do it we need to make it affordable for all
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5. What are your views on raising the compensation of child care workers, and what steps would you take in attracting and keeping quality educators in the early childhood education field?
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5) We need to professionalize the field & make it a career.
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| 6. What would be your top 4 priorities for legislative action in the first 100 days of service to the citizens of Indiana? |
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6) We have an ongoing property tax crisis, a need for infrastructure and real problems with our school. Reform local government is also key.
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Adam E. Nelson (R, District 86): No response
Pamela Hickman (D, District 87):
| 1. What are your views on the needs of young children (birth to kindergarten), and what specific steps would you take to address these needs? |
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1) We should take care of children at the early age to lower cost later. Address more dollars for pre-natal & child healthcare.
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| 2. How would you ensure that every child in Indiana has access to health care? |
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2) Funding the agencies that take cae of these children
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3. What are your views on the ways in which our state can close the education achievement gap with a particular focus on the early elementary years?
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3) We need to test early give the classroom teacher as much information as possible & to work with those falling behind in the very early grades ie 1st 2nd. As well, we should be more creative with students at upper level of each class.
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| 4. What do you consider the appropriate investment in programs that support young children's early care and education (such as child care and Head Start)? Please be as specific as possible. |
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4) Health care & emotional investment at an early age produces less costly needs at the teenage years & beyond.
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5. What are your views on raising the compensation of child care workers, and what steps would you take in attracting and keeping quality educators in the early childhood education field?
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5) HeLP!! Teachers are overwhelmed with the needs of 34+ students and them teaching to a mandated lesson plan. More support staff for each class.
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| 6. What would be your top 4 priorities for legislative action in the first 100 days of service to the citizens of Indiana? |
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6) Find volunteer retired teacher to re-enter the school as classroom assistants for students struggling & those under challenged. Increase money for CHIP Program.
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Cindy Noe (R, District 87 - incumbent): No response
Brian Bosma (R, District 88 - incumbent):
| 1. What are your views on the needs of young children (birth to kindergarten), and what specific steps would you take to address these needs? |
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1) The primary responsibility for care of our youngest Hoosiers lies with the family. We must do all we can to invigorate our economy to provide strong employment, and to provide programs in support for those unable to meet their responsibilities.
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| 2. How would you ensure that every child in Indiana has access to health care? |
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2) Expansion of our current CHIP and our recently enacted plan for uninsured Hoosier families.
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3. What are your views on the ways in which our state can close the education achievement gap with a particular focus on the early elementary years?
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3) Expanded funding to reduce early elementary class sizes, financial support for families unable to the appropriate school for their children and emphasis on early education programs in teacher training.
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| 4. What do you consider the appropriate investment in programs that support young children's early care and education (such as child care and Head Start)? Please be as specific as possible. |
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4) The state must provide funding adequate to meet the needs of our youngest Hoosiers and their families. I am aware that resources in this arena are inadequate at this time, and steps to increase funding must be taken.
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5. What are your views on raising the compensation of child care workers, and what steps would you take in attracting and keeping quality educators in the early childhood education field?
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5) We must attract and retain a strong professional core of child care workers, and provide adequate funding to train, retain and staff our needs. If increases in salary are necessary to accomplish this, I will support it
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| 6. What would be your top 4 priorities for legislative action in the first 100 days of service to the citizens of Indiana? |
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6) 1. Balance the state Budget without tax increases
2. adopt local property tax caps
3. strong job creation incentives
4. Local government restructuring and reform
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Terry Gingles Sr. (D, District 88):
| 1. What are your views on the needs of young children (birth to kindergarten), and what specific steps would you take to address these needs? |
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1) I feel children from birth to kindergarten should receive care that will prepare them for a life of continuous learning. I feel we should work to properly train educators and parents to meet our children's needs
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| 2. How would you ensure that every child in Indiana has access to health care? |
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2) I would support legislation requiring parents and legal guardians report to the state when a child under their care does not have access to health care.
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3. What are your views on the ways in which our state can close the education achievement gap with a particular focus on the early elementary years?
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3) We need to provide financial incentives to educators for additional training on new and tried methods which have proven successful. The early elementary grade years are our children’s most important years.
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| 4. What do you consider the appropriate investment in programs that support young children's early care and education (such as child care and Head Start)? Please be as specific as possible. |
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4) The state should offer educational opportunities for organizations striving to provide improved care for young children. The educational opportunities should be at a cost that is reimbursed to the educators.
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5. What are your views on raising the compensation of child care workers, and what steps would you take in attracting and keeping quality educators in the early childhood education field?
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5) I would work to advertise and recruit prospective professionals by offering increased salaries for a specific committed time of service.
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| 6. What would be your top 4 priorities for legislative action in the first 100 days of service to the citizens of Indiana? |
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6) 1. Decrease in property taxes
2. Economic Development
3. Increase training and education of all citizens
4. Complete health care for all children and the elderly |
John Barnes (D, District 89): No response
Chris J. Swatts (R, District 89): No response
Michael Murphy (R, District 90 – incumbent): No response
Robert Behning (R, District 91 - incumbent): No response
Tim Huber (D, District 91): No response
Stephanie DeKemper (D, District 92):
| 1. What are your views on the needs of young children (birth to kindergarten), and what specific steps would you take to address these needs? |
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1) The needs for young children are great. As we see the numbers of children living in poverty continue to rise it is important that we address issues of homelessness, the economic impact faced by their families, the need for early education, and increase access to health care.
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| 2. How would you ensure that every child in Indiana has access to health care? |
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2) Although we have healthcare readily available for children through Hoosier Healthwise we have not ensured easy enrollment, continuous eligibility, and access to appropriate care. Indiana ranks low in complete immunizations, EPSDT, and other significant HEDIS measures. We must move to increase eligibility to 300 FPL, insure parents who must remain healthy and able to care for their children, ease enrollment and expand the number of providers who are willing to care for our children.
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3. What are your views on the ways in which our state can close the education achievement gap with a particular focus on the early elementary years?
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3) I support the expansion of Head Start and early start programs. We must begin to teach our children during the developmental years. Our babies are bright and learn faster than we can imagine. We must expose them to creative learning opportunities, early reading, and engage their parents.
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| 4. What do you consider the appropriate investment in programs that support young children's early care and education (such as child care and Head Start)? Please be as specific as possible. |
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4) Children are precious gifts; I call for increased education and training for professionals that work with our children. We must identify supportive funding streams that recruit the best and offer competitive wages. Expansion of childcare subsidies, ensuring that the state licensing, certification, and over sight of child care and Head Start programs are adequate and conducted by professionals in the field in addition to expanding programs so they are readily available for all children.
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5. What are your views on raising the compensation of child care workers, and what steps would you take in attracting and keeping quality educators in the early childhood education field?
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5) See responses above
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| 6. What would be your top 4 priorities for legislative action in the first 100 days of service to the citizens of Indiana? |
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6) I realize that as a freshman legislator my agenda may not be heard for the first year no less the first 100 days. My agenda includes:
• Assisting with the passage of the budget and clean up of property tax language
• Addressing the issues of privatization and its negative impact, specifically enrollments for health care, food stamps, TANF etc.
• Planning and launching a new foundation in my district focused on youth. Funding for the foundation will come from my donating my legislative salary and benefits to the foundation to support grant making in my district.
• Work to strengthen the ability for workers to organize and earn a fair wage
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David Frizzell (R, District 93 - incumbent): No response
Shayne Merritt (D, District 93): No response
Chad D. Miller (R, District 94): No response
Cherrish Pryor (D, District 94): No response
John Bartlett (D, District 95 – incumbent): No response
Ray G. Shearer (R, District 95): No response
Lawrence T. Newman (R, District 96):
| 1. What are your views on the needs of young children (birth to kindergarten), and what specific steps would you take to address these needs? |
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1) Babies & young children should spend as much time as possible in the care of loving relatives, where they learn best.
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| 2. How would you ensure that every child in Indiana has access to health care? |
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2) Socialized medicare has not worked in any country, and brings down the quality and accessibility of necessary medical care for all persons; therefore, I do not believe it is a feasible option to provide insured medical care for all children.
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3. What are your views on the ways in which our state can close the education achievement gap with a particular focus on the early elementary years?
|
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3) Enthusiastic teachers, with or without licenses, are the keys to every child's successful education.
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4. What do you consider the appropriate investment in programs that support young children's early care and education (such as child care and Head Start)? Please be as specific as possible.
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4) Such programs should be left to the private sector, since the decades of state intervention in the lives of young children has been highly detrimental to their well-being.
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5. What are your views on raising the compensation of child care workers, and what steps would you take in attracting and keeping quality educators in the early childhood education field?
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5) This should be left to the private sector, with the best programs being rewarded naturally for their good care of children.
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| 6. What would be your top 4 priorities for legislative action in the first 100 days of service to the citizens of Indiana? |
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6) 1. Strengthening child predator laws
2. Legislation to reduce toxic exposures of children
3. Repealing property taxes
4. Reduce waste in state agencies, such as FSSA
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Greg Porter (D, District 96 - incumbent): No response
John Elrod (R, District 97 - incumbent): No response
Mary Ann Sullivan (D, District 97): No response
William Crawford (D, District 98 – incumbent): No response
Vanessa Summers (D, District 99 – incumbent): No response
John Day (D, District 100 - incumbent):
| 1. What are your views on the needs of young children (birth to kindergarten), and what specific steps would you take to address these needs? |
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1) The primary need of young children is to have the benefits of a stable & loving family. From a legislative perspective we need to strengthen healthcare and early education/development opportunities. All children should have health insurance & we should have universal pre-kindergarten & full day kindergarten.
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| 2. How would you ensure that every child in Indiana has access to health care? |
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2) By legislation using state, federal & private sector funds plus tax credits as incentives for business to provide health insurance for the children of their employees. I was a co-sponsor of the 1998 S-CHIP program.
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3. What are your views on the ways in which our state can close the education achievement gap with a particular focus on the early elementary years?
|
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3) We need to have universal pre-K & fullday K. as a foundation for later academic success. In the early grades devote extra resources to develop reading & math skills, reading specialists, etc.
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| 4. What do you consider the appropriate investment in programs that support young children's early care and education (such as child care and Head Start)? Please be as specific as possible. |
|
4) See above. We should do much more in helping parents meet child care needs. We should provide generous child care tax credits & expand state support for before & after school programs. Also provide a state supplement to the federally funded Head Start program.
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5. What are your views on raising the compensation of child care workers, and what steps would you take in attracting and keeping quality educators in the early childhood education field?
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5) Takes more than a short answer. Of course, pay should be increased. It would help if the education establishment, Dept of Ed, universities, etc. more actively supported the valuable work of those in early childhood ed.
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| 6. What would be your top 4 priorities for legislative action in the first 100 days of service to the citizens of Indiana? |
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6) 1. I will have a bill on child care tax credits for parents earning less than $50,000
2. Support and/or sponsor bill for pre-K & fullday K.
3. expand the Earned Income Tax Credit
4. Work on a range of issues that encourage/assist low income families including housing.
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Responses from the candidates for the Indiana State Senate:
Carl Dahlin (R, District 2): No response
Lonnie Randolph (D, District 2): No response
Earline Rogers (D, District 3 - incumbent): No response
Larry Balmer (D, District 5): No response
Ed Charbonneau (R, District 5 - incumbent): No response
Brandt Hershman (R, District 7 - incumbent): No response
Jim Arnold (D, District 8 - incumbent): No response
Allen Stevens (R, District 8): No response
Ryan Mishler (R, District 9 - incumbent): No response
John Broden (D, District 10 - incumbent): No response
Don Metzler-Smith (D, District 12): No response
Carlin Yoder (R, District 12): No response
Fred Demske (D, District 13): No response
Marlin Stutzman (R, District 13): No response
David Long (R, District 16 - incumbent): No response
Randall Head (R, District 18): No response
Linda Klinck (D, District 18): No response
Luke Kenley (R, District 20 - incumbent): No response
Connie Lawson (R, District 24 - incumbent): No response
Mike Brinegar (D, District 28): No response
Beverly Gard (R, District 28 - incumbent): No response
Todd DeGroff (D, District 30): No response
Teresa Lubber (R, District 30 - incumbent): No response
Ken Kern (D, District 32): No response
Patricia Miller (R, District 32 - incumbent): No response
Greg Taylor (D, District 33): No response
Jean Breaux (D, District 34 - incumbent): No response
James Rainey (R, District 34): No response
R. Michael Young (R, District 35 - incumbent): No response
Terry Rice (D, District 36): No response
Brent Waltz (R, District 36 - incumbent): No response
Richard Bray (R, District 37 - incumbent): No response
Joseph Osborn (D, District 37): No response
Leslie Compton (R, District 40): No response
Vi Simpson (D, District 40 - incumbent):
| 1. What are your views on the needs of young children (birth to kindergarten), and what specific steps would you take to address these needs? |
|
1) I support early childhood reading and preschool opportunities for all Hoosier children, access to immunization and preventive health care programs, and supportive parenting programs for new families.
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| 2. How would you ensure that every child in Indiana has access to health care? |
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2) I support universal access to health care for every man, woman, and child in Indiana.
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3. What are your views on the ways in which our state can close the education achievement gap with a particular focus on the early elementary years?
|
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3) Dollars appropriated by the General Assembly to fund K-12 education should be sufficient to address the learning needs, styles and potential of all children and should recognize that not every child begins school with the same experiences and preparation. More emphasis should be placed on early childhood education and state resources should be invested in preschool programming.
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| 4. What do you consider the appropriate investment in programs that support young children's early care and education (such as child care and Head Start)? Please be as specific as possible. |
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4) State funds should be used to supplement Head Start to make it available to more children. Businesses should receive tax incentives to encourage the development of additional licensed care facilities and the provision of child care benefits to their employees. Additional funds should also be provided for subsidized child care assistance for lower income families.
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5. What are your views on raising the compensation of child care workers, and what steps would you take in attracting and keeping quality educators in the early childhood education field?
|
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5) Increased pay and benefits to child care workers would help to recognize the importance of qualified and professional educators in perhaps the most important work environment.
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| 6. What would be your top 4 priorities for legislative action in the first 100 days of service to the citizens of Indiana? |
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6) First, I would initiate universal access to health care for all. Second, I would work to ensure that school funding levels are sufficient and distributed based on the cost of teaching and learning by student and school building. Third, I would work to appropriate adequate dollars to provide services for families stressed by poverty, unemployment, and lower education levels. Fourth, I would fight to keep state dollars flowing to institutions of higher education to be sure that all Hoosiers have an opportunity to prepare themselves for a competitive workplace and a global economy.
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Warren Goodrich (D, District 42): No response
Jean Leising (R, District 42): No response
Matthew Colglazier (D, District 44): No response
Brent Steele (R, District 44 - incumbent): No response
Vaneta Becker (R, District 50 - incumbent): No response
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Phillip D. “Phil” Hinkle (R, District 92 - incumbent): No response