Candidate Questionaires May 2010

Responses for Judge Julie A. Edwards

OCCUPATION: Judge, 5 District Ct. of Appeal’s

EDUCATION:  B.A. (Summa cum laude) and Juris Doctorate – Ohio State University

QUALIFICATIONS FOR OFFICE: Twenty one years of judicial esperience, former court referee (nka magistrate), former assistant county prosecuting attorney.

1. How have your training, professional experience, and interests prepared you to serve on this Court?

As the incumbent, i have eleven years of experience as a Court of Appeals Judge.  During that time, I have expanded my legal knowledge and sharpened my analytical skills.  I was also a Common Pleas Court Judge for ten years.  That experience as a trial court Judge was the best experience for being a Court of Appeals Judge because a Court of Appeals Judge is often called upon to judge the decisions made by trial court judges.

2. Would you favor a system of performance evaluation for Appeals Court Justices with the results provided to the public? If no, why not? If yes, what are important criteria to include in the evaluation?

The Bar association in the largest of the Fifth Districts fifteen counties already does a performance evaluation every two years which is not disclosed to the public.  It is used by judges to work on any areas which need improvement.  The Judges are rated on objectivity, legal knowledge, quality of decisions, courtesy and overall performance.  During election years, the judges are also evaluated as being highly recomended, recomended or not recomended.  This evaluation is made public.

Both of these evaluations are valuable and should continue.  In addition, the evaluations should be expanded to include feedback from attorneys in all fifteen counties served by the Fifth District Court of Appeals, especially those attorneys who practice before the court.

OFFICE: State Senate, 19^th District

PARTY: Republican

NAME: Thom Collier AGE: 45

OCCUPATION: 25 years- Small-business owner- Speaking / Consulting and Real Estate / Property ManagementEDUCATION: Some college

QUALIFICATIONS FOR OFFICE: State Representative- 2000 – 2008; Chairman, Economic Development and Environment Committee; Council of State Governments- Midwest, Economic Development and Workforce Committee- Co-Chairman; Council of State Governments, Henry Toll Fellow; and Bowhay Institute for Legislative Leadership Development.

How will you approach growing Medicaid costs?

It has been suggested that nearly 20% of Medicaid is fraudulent.  Better enforcement and implementation of updated computer programs can help reduce or eliminate fraudulent claims.  Another effective way to reduce costs is to petition the federal government to allow small co-pay amounts for non-emergency visits for medical care.  We should also look at the percentage of poverty amount for which individuals qualify for Medicaid coverage.

Does Criminal sentencing need to be reformed? If no, why not?  If yes, what reforms are needed?

Yes, Ohio’s prison population has grown from 4,500 prisoners in 1972 to over 48,000 prisoners today.  We should address criminal sentencing reform in a number of ways. First, we should give judges the opportunity to determine appropriate sentences o fit the crime.  Mandated sentencing does not allow a judge the flexibility to fit the penalty to the crime.  Second, we should provide means to better utilize house arrest and ankle monitoring systems. Third, a true rehabilitation system for non-violent drug and alcohol abusers would significantly reduce the prison population.  Fourth, a better program of teaching life and reentry skills can reduce the recidivism rate.

What steps would you propose or support to increase jobs in Ohio?

As a small business owner, I know that to attract and retain jobs in Ohio we need to create an environment where businesses to want to grow and expand.  Since leaving the legislature in 2008 I used my years of experience as a business owner combined with my knowledge in government in soliciting a business who will expand their manufacturing facilities to Ohio.  It is currently a long, cumbersome, and tedious process to start or expand a business in Ohio.

We will only experience business growth when we can create a more streamlined, consistent and predictable regulatory and tax environment.  We need to reform our workers compensation system, expand tort reform, and provide a more common sense approach to environmental regulations.

How have your training and experiences prepared you to serve in the legislature?

My more than 30 years of community service, my 25 years of small-business experience, serving on Mount Vernon City Council, serving four full terms in the Ohio House, chairing a major House committee, participating in the Council of State Governments and my success working bills through the legislative process gives me the unique experience needed to be an effective legislator. I have proven my ability to work tough issues through the process with broad, bi-partisan support without compromising my core conservative values.

Responses for ANDREW O. BRENNER
Office Sought: State Representative Candidate, 2nd District
Age: 39
Website: www.Brenner4Ohio.com
Married, Wife, Sara Marie Brenner
Occupation: Delaware County Recorder

1. How will you approach growing Medicaid costs?
The recent passage of health-care reform will have an enormous impact on the way Ohio handles Medicaid
in the future. Costs will most likely increase putting even more stress on a system that already is at a
breaking point.
Ohio must cut out as much fraud and abuse as possible. We must make sure that those whom have
committed Medicaid fraud are not allowed to do it again. We must also make sure that those in our society
that really need Medicaid services receive them.
Medicaid recipients are normally placed into 8 different categories causing an overabundance of
bureaucratic paperwork. In order to cut costs, Ohio should work to find alternatives to these Federal
requirements. These alternatives can be tested through pilot programs and by researching what other
states have done. Several reforms need to be on the table.

2. Does criminal sentencing need to be reformed? If no, why not? If yes, what reforms are
needed?
We need criminal sentencing reform. After speaking to many people in the court system, I believe Ohio
needs to rethink some of the laws that require mandatory minimum sentences for non-violent crimes. Right
now, the system shuffles violent and non-violent criminals in and out of our prisons because our jails are
overcrowded. The more non-violent criminals in the system, such as those who are habitual substance
abusers, the less room there is for the violent criminals. Additionally it is costing taxpayers hundreds of
millions of dollars to keep incarcerating the same people over and over. Ohio needs to consider replacing
mandatory minimums with alternative sentencing. We need to work to get substance abusers, and those
who have committed minor and/or non-violent offenses, out of the system and help them to be productive
citizens again.

3. What steps would you propose or support to increase jobs in Ohio?

Government does not create jobs, the private sector does. With this in mind, government must become
more efficient, and more business friendly by cutting redundant red tape and lowering taxes. As County
Recorder, I have lowered the budget in the office, cut costs, come in under budget, modernized a
government office, reduced staff though attrition and am doing more in the office with less. I am the only
candidate with a proven track record of doing this. When elected, I will do the same thing at the Statehouse.
All of these measures at the state level will be supported by tax cuts for individuals and businesses. If
we can keep the intelligent people graduating from our wonderful universities actually in Ohio to start new
businesses, we can create new jobs. Our tax environment is not currently business-friendly. The state must
have a willingness to do what it takes to help new businesses start, to retain the talent in Ohio and to keep
the wealthy people from leaving the state — all of this will help to spur job growth.

4. How have your training and experiences prepared you to serve in the Ohio legislature?

Having formerly owned a business in the private sector, I know how government regulations can cripple
small businesses and farms. My service on many local non-profit boards has given a vast insight
into the economic hard times we see today. More information on my background may be found at
www.Brenner4Ohio.com.
I am the only candidate with a track record of being able to do as I claim. Others may say that want to be
fiscal conservatives, but only I have proven that I am capable of doing it. I have listened to constituents and
staff and used their ideas to reform a government office. As Recorder I have worked on the Recorders’
Association’s legislative committee and I have seen how unfunded mandates have caused many local
governments throughout the state to raise taxes. I will work hard to prevent these unfunded mandates.
Once elected, I will do the same thing at the Statehouse that I have done in the Recorder’s Office — do
more with less, protect taxpayer dollars, uphold the Constitution and make government run like a business.

Responses for Richard Bird

OFFICE SOUGHT: Ohio House of Representatives

PARTY: Democrat

AGE: 42

OCCUPATION: Technology ManagerEDUCATION: B.A., Political Science, The Ohio State University

Graduate Studies, George Washington University

QUALIFACTIONS FOR OFFICE: Richard is a highly experienced executive, community leader and military veteran with an extensive background in large budgets, cost cutting and leadership. Bird will leverage these skills to bring jobs and financial accountability to Ohio government.

How will you approach growing Medicaid costs?

Medicaid enrollment, as with other entitlement programs, is driven by the economic condition of our state. The first and most effective way to reduce Medicaid costs is generating jobs and moving our citizens from unemployment rolls to payrolls. But, even after reducing the level of patients serviced by Medicaid, additional cost reductions must be driven by focusing on preventative care for the elderly, community care options for the impoverished that reduces emergency room use for routine medical treatment and the continued aggressive management of pharmaceutical costs. Increasing the use of technology to monitor and support Medicaid enrollees will not only improve efficiency but will also provide better opportunities to identify provider and subscriber fraud; which many states report as accounting for anywhere from 5% to 10% of total Medicaid spending. Attacking inefficiencies, rising costs and fraud while improving preventative care will bring overall Medicaid expenditures down.

Does criminal sentencing need to be reformed? If no, why not? If yes, what reforms are needed?

Yes, criminal sentencing is in need of reform. Sentences for violent crimes, particularly crimes against women and children, need to be lengthened with a reduction in parole options. Sentences for non-violent crimes need to be addressed with options other than prison terms which increase the populations of already overcrowded facilities, with the exception of high dollar white-collar crimes. The continued classification of certain white-collar crimes as “victimless”, crimes that result in the loss of a person’s life savings, their homes and their livelihood is an injustice that must be corrected with sentencing that corresponds to the devastation suffered by the victims of these crimes.

What steps would you propose or support to increase jobs in Ohio?

Given all of Ohio’s strengths and assets, job growth has been hindered primarily by a lack of leadership and innovation from career politicians. Bringing good jobs to Ohio requires bringing business and community leaders together with government in partnership. Central Ohio has the same strengths and capabilities as Boulder, Colorado, Austin, Texas or the Dulles Technology Corridor in Northern Virginia.  With our concentration of high quality universities, research facilities and highly rated neighborhoods and cities, we have the potential to achieve the type of job creation that we deserve. What is required is a plan that improves on initiatives like Third Frontier as well as creating an effective public/private partnership between corporations and our state government.

How have your training and experiences prepared you to serve in the Ohio Legislature?

I have led over $1.5 billion in projects and programs across multiple industries. In addition to leading these efforts for companies large and small, I have been an executive with responsibilities ranging from bringing jobs to this region, to working with other executives in Ohio to improve infrastructure, job training and the overall business climate of our state. My real-world experience in the handling of tough issues, big budgets and hard choices has prepared me to represent the citizens of my district and solve their problems. I have worked with people from every walk of life, from farmers and fishermen to programmers and CEOs. Because of my experience with such a broad and diverse range of people, I am well prepared to partner with the members of the Ohio Legislature to restore public service as the guiding principle of our state’s government.

Responses for Beth Lear

OFFICE SOUGHT: Ohio House of Representatives

Party: Republican

Age: 42

Occupation: Policy Analyst

Education: B.A. in International Relations from Ohio State University

Military Veteran, Legislative Aide for over 8 years, private sector policy analyst and legislative liaison for the Buckeye Institute – specializing in education policy analysis and research, government transparency and accountability and analyzing state budgets and other legislation

How will you approach growing Medicaid costs?

1. First Ohio needs to eliminate the monopolistic health insurance climate we have by opening the state to competition from other insurance carriers and not limiting it, keep malpractice lawsuits limited to actual costs of care and loss of wages, and implement the “English rule” known as ‘loser pays’ to cut back on frivolous lawsuits.  These changes would increase access by cutting insurance costs for everyone in Ohio.  Researchers at the Buckeye Institute have been researching Medicaid issues for decades.  They suggest we can increase our savings in Medicaid by following the lead of other states:  empower consumers to purchase their own insurance while increasing competition.  Florida and South Carolina have been experimenting with this type of program for several years.  Ohio should compare the results and see which method controls costs best. Additionally, when the budget is so tight, Ohioans cannot afford to insure people above the poverty level.

Does criminal sentencing need to be reformed? If no, why not? If yes, what reforms are needed?

1. Yes we need to reform criminal sentencing.  Ohio has one of the highest incarceration rates in the nation and the world.  Clearly our “tough on crime” laws have not led to fewer crimes. Ohio taxpayers not only pay to incarcerate more criminals, we also pay substantially more for our jail system.  Revising our sentencing laws to provide alternatives to jail for non-violent offenders, giving judges more latitude in sentencing, and beginning to privatize some of our prisons would save the state money we desperately need to balance the next budget.  And improving our economy by cutting government spending would provide job opportunities which should lead to a decrease in criminal activity.

What steps would you propose or support to increase jobs in Ohio?

1. Cut government spending through attrition of employees, consolidating and privatizing services (such as the Bureau of Workers’ Compensation).  Also the state needs to repeal collective bargaining for public employees.  Currently, state employees make more than their private sector counterparts in 84 of the 88 Ohio counties.  Taxpayers (who are, incidentally, job creators) can no longer afford our champagne government when we have a beer budget.  Everyone needs to accept we cannot continue to do business as usual.  Some agencies can be consolidated and others eliminated (see House Bill 25), prevailing wage should be repealed and project labor agreements prohibited.  Taxes can be cut back further at state and local levels, since Ohio is one of the highest taxing states in the nation.  The number of local government entities with the authority to tax, business regulations and fees also need to be cut to spur economic growth.  That’s a start.

How have your training and experiences prepared you to serve in the Ohio Legislature?

1. The discipline and management skills I learned in the military and private sector will help me stick to the task of governing and work with my fellow legislators even when circumstances get difficult.  My experience as a legislative aide (reading legislation, helping constituents, navigating the read tape of government) is clearly an advantage since I understand the system, how it works and where it’s broken.  The additional experience as a policy analyst and researcher for the only free market think tank in Ohio – the Buckeye Institute – has grounded me in real-world solutions using the competitive, free market system our nation has historically been proud of as the answer to our economic woes.  More government will not help.  Large government is the antithesis to a healthy economy.  Finally, being a wife and a mother has given me the opportunity to learn humility – an absolute necessity to avoid the seduction of power that leads to becoming just another ‘career politician’.

Responses for Mark E. Phillips

OFFICE SOUGHT: Ohio House of Representatives

Party: Republican

How will you approach growing Medicaid costs?

People need Medicaid. It serves a necessary public service, especially to uninsured children and adults who have lost their jobs, their homes and their health insurance.  Medicaid is a joint federal-state program, meaning Ohio operates its own Medicaid system but must comply with the federal guidelines, so we are limited in ways to cut spending.  Finding wasteful spending in the Medicaid program is an obvious solution and one that should be an ongoing process.  But sometimes we need to spend in order to save, such as developing a program dedicated to following up on high –risk recipients and teaching them how proper healthcare could prevent a catastrophic illness, which may save not only their life, but millions of taxpayer dollars.  Additionally, Ohio should explore the Health Insurance Premium Payment Program (HIPP) option, enacted in 1990, that allows a Medicaid recipient to have private health insurance paid for by Medicaid.

Does criminal sentencing need to be reformed?  If no, why not?  If yes, what reforms are needed?

Ohio’s General Assembly, in 1990, created by statute a Criminal Sentencing Commission (CSC) that is responsible for conducting a review of Ohio’s sentencing statutes and sentencing patterns, and making recommendations regarding necessary statutory changes.  Delaware County’s own Municipal Court Judge David Gormley currently serves on the CSC which consists of 30 other members including: prosecutors; public defenders and defense lawyers; common pleas, municipal and juvenile court judges; members of law enforcement; state legislators, victim’s advocates, the director of the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections and Ohio’s Chief Justice. The members of the CSC work in various areas of the criminal justice system and are best suited to make recommendations on statutory changes for criminal sentencing reform.  As your state representative I will take into account the recommendations of the CSC, and make legislative decisions that are in the best interest of citizens of Delaware County.

What steps would you propose or support to increase jobs in Ohio?

We must create a more accessible and business-friendly environment. The Delaware County intersection of SR36/37 and US-71 is rated an “F” by the Ohio Department of Transportation.  A new interchange in that area would open up thousands of acres of undeveloped land in a prime statewide location for new businesses.  New business development will subsidize the state and county budgets, school and municipal tax districts in the area, and most of all, potentially create thousands of jobs.  Delaware County is adjacent to several counties struggling with double-digit unemployment and decreased county services.  It will not only help our residents, but other county’s residents as well.  At the same time, a lower business tax rate in Ohio is a major incentive for enticing new businesses to Ohio and to help existing Ohio businesses with expansion.

How have your training and experiences prepared you to serve in the Ohio legislature?

I strongly believe that life experience develops character.  As a lawyer and businessman,  I’ve worked paycheck to paycheck, and sometimes gone without a paycheck, just like some of you. My family, growing up, saw many difficult economic times.  Those times taught me how to tighten my belt, plan for the future and have compassion for those in need.  The Ohio House website describes state representatives as people who “listen to the concerns of their constituents and speak for them….develop solutions to the needs of their districts through legislative action.”  I have spent the past 25 years, as an attorney, representing and speaking for people, and developing individual solutions for them.  My familiarity with the laws and more so, how the laws are applied in real-life situations, is necessary experience that only I offer to the voters of Delaware County.