League of Women Voters of Ohio
Hamilton County, OH November 7, 2006 Election
	Stephen E. Silver Answers Questions Candidate for State Representative; District 34

The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of the Cincinnati Area and LWV Ohio and asked of all candidates for this office.
Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

Questions & Answers

2. What are your Qualifications for Office? (50 word limit)

As a lifetime resident of this district, I have a unique perspective and understanding of the challenges and issues that are important to our constituents. My experience at P&G, coupled with the trust and responsibility inherent of being an airline pilot displays proven ability to represent and lead.

3. What plans do you have to address your top three priorities? (100 word limit)

Ohio has not adequately determined the costs associated with providing "adequate and quality education" for students. This needs to be done. We should create a distinct education budget separate from the operating budget and restore the 103% funding guarantee to colleges and universities.

I would support allowing small businesses the ability to purchase group health care from the same plan Ohio offers its employees and propose efforts to move towards a statewide single payer system.

Ohio needs to get smarter about granting and accounting for tax incentives and promote our capacity for innovation and quality of workforce.

4. What changes would you recommend for improving public oversight of charter schools? (150 word limit)

Ohio's schools are hurting. Low income neighborhoods are especially feeling the effects of the economic downturn, causing their schools to become even more in danger. Our voucher program provides a temporary band aid that only affects a selected few. We need to fix the fundamental problems that exist in our educational system once and for all.

Voucher programs take badly needed money from our public schools and divert it to private and parochial institutions. Far from equitable, private schools that accept vouchers are not subject to the same rules our public schools are. They don't have to accept special needs children, hire certified teachers, adhere to statewide standards or even provide bus service. Vouchers are exacerbating the gulf between the haves and the have nots, creating a system where a lucky few can benefit at the expense of others. I support eliminating the voucher program.

5. Ohio has the highest foreclosure rate in the nation. What actions would you support at the state level to address this crisis? (150 word limit)

Ohio has lost thousands of high paying jobs over the past 10 years. As these jobs moved to other states and overseas, they have been replaced by lower paying jobs without adequate benefits. The costs Ohioans pay for health care has skyrocketed as has the amount we must pay for higher education. Our tax burden is 3rd highest in the nation. The financial realities are that we are earning less and paying more, causing the foreclosure rate we now experience.

By restoring our funding of state colleges and universities, I would encourage our graduates to remain in-state. Coupled with our progressive approach to health care and the lowering of our tax rates, I believe companies would once again find Ohio an attractive location. The rebuilding of our business infrastructure is what will drive our expanding state economy and provide the quality jobs necessary for growth.

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Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.  Candidates' statements are presented as submitted. Word limits apply for each question. Direct references to opponents are not permitted.

Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

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Created from information supplied by the candidate: October 3, 2006 08:07
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