From now on Anonymous’ comments will be found in the Tasmanian file. Devotee’s of Anonymous can visit her there and exchange comments ad nausea.
If either candidate would like to add or clarify their responses to the CBIA questionaire, they can do so by emailing the Cafe at cafe_administrator@hotmail.com . Changes submitted as comments will not be accepted. Admin
The Connecticut Business & Industry Association (CBIA) sent a business-related questionnaire to all CT candidates for the coming election. The questions are in bold and followed by the candidates’ responses – “in his and her own words” (except in instances of pre-determined multiple choice answers, those responses are in italics).
Candidate Questionnaire Responses for:
Michael Alberts – House District 050
Sherri L. Vogt – House District 050
1) What do you think is the most important issue facing the state of Connecticut?
Mike: Improving the state’s business environment is our most critical issue.
Sherri: The most important issue facing the voters in the 50th district is the high property taxes and our over reliance to support schools with this tax.
2) Do you support strict adherence to the existing constitutional cap on the growth in state spending? Why or why not?
Mike: Yes. It’s the will of the people.
Sherri: I would like to see the legislature revisit the issue and redefine the spending cap.
3) If Connecticut faces a significant budget shortfall, how would you address it?
Mike: Cuts would be needed and priorities readjusted.
Sherri: Due to the past budget problems after 9-11 and all the cuts made then, I feel we are already living with a very lean budget and therefore, I think if we had another period of distress, the legislature would need to look at generating more funds. There are many loop holes in all the statues to raise revenue. There should not be over 40 exceptions to the sales tax scales. We should also demand sales over the internet carry the sales tax in every state. And if we streamline our paper trail in state spending in the healthcare field, we could save millions of dollars. We need an efficient government.
4) The state of Connecticut has a budget surplus; how would you use it?
Mike: I would use the budget surplus as an opportunity to reduce taxation.
Sherri: Schools, environment, roads.
5) For every $100 of sales, approximately how much profit do you think the average Connecticut business makes?
Mike: $5.00 (net)
Sherri: In food it is 60%, in auto sales maybe 30%, in manufacturing maybe 25%
6) The current level of state and local taxes paid by businesses and industry is:
Mike: Too high
Sherri: Response not noted on form
7) Compared with other states, do you think Connecticut’s business costs are:
Mike: Much too high
Sherri: response not noted on form
What can be done to make Connecticut’s business climate more competitive?
Mike: Continue to reduce state taxes for businesses and work to make CT more business-friendly.
Sherri: Better transportation systems, WI-FI avalibility, cheaper energy costs
9) Would you support legislation at the state level that imposes restrictions on companies outsourcing domestic jobs to foreign countries? If yes, please explain
Mike: No!
Sherri: Yes! Jobs are our number one priority in this state. If people are not working, people become a burden to the State. Companies that enjoy all that our state has to offer should have loyalty to the state and its workers and all the residual effects of that employment here. When the sub-base was going to close we heard about how many other businesses were tied to that local economy. Why should only the huge government employers be held to that standard. All companies work and thrive in a community that there is a relationship of give and take. The state should protect our jobs.
10) Connecticut has adopted workers’ compensation reforms to bring these costs more in line with those in other states. Would you support legislation that would repeal, in whole or in part, these reforms or adopt other measures that would increase employers’ workers’ compensation costs?
Mike: No!
Sherri: No!
11) The General Assembly has recently considered legislation that would prohibit communication between employers and employees, in mandatory meetings, concerning union organizing activities or that are of a political nature. Do you support such a prohibition?
Mike: No!
Sherri: Yes!
12) The cost of Connecticut’s environmental laws and regulations on business could best be reduced without negatively impacting environmental quality by:
Mike: Making our laws and regulations more consistent with federal requirements
Sherri: Providing greater state funding to DEP to operate its existing programs
13) Would you support a state-run and state-supplied health insurance plan for all citizens?
Mike: No!
Sherri: Yes!
14) Would you support new taxes or fees being imposed on companies that do not provide a state-determined level of health insurance benefits to their employees?
Mike: No!
Sherri: Yes!
15) Each year the state legislature considers expanding the definition of what “basic” health insurance ought to cover. Do you feel that each new health care mandate contributes to steadily rising health insurance costs in Connecticut?
Mike: Yes!
Sherri: No!
16) A well-educated future workforce is vital to Connecticut’s economy. Which TWO of the following education reforms would you identify as top priorities to improve the quality of public education?
Mike: Holding schools accountable for student’s test results
Sherri: Add after- school, Saturday or summer academies in academic areas in need of improvement
(neither candidate chose TWO responses)
17) The General Assembly has passed, and the governor has approved, two major transportation initiatives during the last two years totaling about $3.6 billion dollars. Are further significant investments needed to adequately address our transportation challenges?
Mike: Yes!
Sherri: No!
18) Where should the additional transportation funding come from?
Mike: “other” I’m not yet sure what the funding source should be. I would rule out increasing the income tax or bonding as sources, however.
Sherri: response not noted on form
19) Would you favor higher taxes and fees on energy to fund conservation programs?
Mike: No!
Sherri: No! Read the rest of this entry »
). Just check the visitation to the Town Hall and you will see what I mean. I doubt that Wetzel is there so frequently for hugs and kisses with Delpha Very, Mitch Eaffy, Barbara Rich, or Judy Alberts. Since he has no property in Woodstock and admits to no residency in town to the Academy, he’s not visiting the Town Hall to pay his taxes or purchase a dump pass. Besides Barbara Rich and Judy Alberts are too busy managing Mike’s campaign out of their offices at the Town Hall.
