Article Title: House of Representatives

Edition: November 2000
Category: Election 2000
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Washington 5 (Montpelier) Democrats

Francis Brooks

Do you think that the costs of prescription drugs are too high in Vermont? If so, what do you plan to do about it and if not, why not?
No question we have a problem. . I think we'll see this year some legislation to enhance group-buying of drugs by several states. I support that.

Regarding the new civil unions law: would you vote to repeal it, preserve it, or change/expand it?
I'd not support repealing it. A board was created to evaluate the process of how it works and I trust that board would relate comments about any change. But I don't envision any appreciable change at the moment.

If you could advance one initiative that would have a significant impact on the quality of education in Vermont, what would it be?
I'd push for attracting and maintaining, encouraging and supporting teachers. I'd offer training, certification, professional improvement. I'd support raising salaries. Teaching is considered to be an easy task. The amount of time and effort one spends is phenomenal.

Do you think the Vermont Supreme Court has overstepped its bounds in recent cases, including the decisions that lead to Act 60 and to the civil unions law?
I'd not be giving this interview if it weren't for courts. That court was accused of being activist when it decided Brown vs. the Board of Education. I do not see the Vermont Supreme as a villain in any way.

Who is the best choice for governor? Why not the other two?
Howard Dean. And why? You can't exclude of having nine years working with the state budget and the state problems. He's pushed programs for children, education and health and civil unions and diversity programs. Anthony Pollina has some wonderful ideas but in all candor I was raised to dance with the girl who brought me to the dance. Ruth Dwyer, I would not care for her apparent inability to be flexible.

Karen Kitzmiller

Do you think that the costs of prescription drugs are too high in Vermont? If so, what do you plan to do about it and if not, why not?
Yes, they are too high. I supported the price the regulation plan in the last session. This has highlighted the need for serious campaign finance reform on the federal level because of the contributions being made by the drug companies to politicians. But here, the state needs to force the hand of the drug companies.

Regarding the new civil unions law: would you vote to repeal it, preserve it, or change/expand it?
I'd leave it just the way it is. I'd say to people who are upset, could they tell me why two committed adults shouldn't have visitation in the hospital. Why is that not alright? I feel strongly that it's a civil rights issue. I have not apologies for my vote. Change is hard for people, but we should stay the course.

If you could advance one initiative that would have a significant impact on the quality of education in Vermont, what would it be?
I'd publish more standardized results so that schools can compare themselves with each other. That way we can see what the best practices the best schools are using and do that. We also need to take a really hard look at behavioral issues in schools. Teachers are diverted from teaching because of behavioral issues. There ought to be a student assistance counselor not just a guidance counselor in every school to catch problems early.

Do you think the Vermont Supreme Court has overstepped its bounds in recent cases, including the decisions that lead to Act 60 and to the civil unions law?
The Supreme Court's role is to interpret the Constitution. I don't they are an activist court. I trust they are using their judicial wisdom. It's our job as legislators to comply with the Constitution.

Who is the best choice for governor? Why not the other two?
I support Howard Dean. I don't support Ruth Dwyer because I believe government is to be there for your help in time of trouble. In many ways, Anthony Pollina is attractive but we need to bring Dean back because there is a fear that if there are too many votes split, Dwyer might win. I still think Pollina is a fringe candidate and it's enough to alter the outcome.

Washington 5 (Montpelier) Republicans

Michael Doyle

Do you think that the costs of prescription drugs are too high in Vermont? If so, what do you plan to do about it and if not, why not?
I don't think Vermont or any group of states operating as part of a consortium will have any impact. But I do have a question for the drug companies:Why is it that you can get a drug so much cheaper in a foreign country than here? Price regulation is not the best strategy.

Regarding the new civil unions law: would you vote to repeal it, preserve it, or change/expand it?
I'd repeal it. When you consider the depth of the societal question, the legislature passed this way too fast.. When you consider all religions of man, they all assert that gay sex is unnatural. This is a front burner issue. But is there anything in natural law that suggests a guiding moral principle? If there isn't, what's wrong with anything?

If you could advance one initiative that would have a significant impact on the quality of education in Vermont, what would it be?
There needs to be more accountability. The state needs to set the standards and has to account for whether or not by 8th grade every child should be able to do math and know English and that every high school graduate should know U.S. History and have an exposure to a foreign language and advanced math and science.

Do you think the Vermont Supreme Court has overstepped its bounds in recent cases, including the decisions that lead to Act 60 and to the civil unions law?
Four out of five of the justices couldn't tell which end of a cow was which. I think they definitely overreached their constitutional mandate. Co-equal branches of government do not dictate to each other Everything that was achieved in the civil unions law can be done by a lawyer through durable power of attorney, or corporate partnership. The civil unions law was put together as part of an activist social agenda.

Who is the best choice for governor? Why not the other two?
I support Ruth Dwyer. She would advance what I consider to be the best for the state of Vermont. I think Gov. Dean has been a good moderating influence but he's moved too far left of center. It's time for a new phase of government for this state. Anthony Pollina will be a definite political force not so much in this election but in the future. I'm impressed with him as a person, but I can't support his many of his big government ideas.

Jill McDermott

Do you think that the costs of prescription drugs are too high in Vermont? If so, what do you plan to do about it and if not, why not?
I think we have a problem. I think pooling with other states is a good place to start. On price regulation, unless they do it federally, I don't think it would work. It would thwart drug companies' research and development.

Regarding the new civil unions law: would you vote to repeal it, preserve it, or change/expand it?
I'd vote to repeal it. I am not married but I live with someone of the opposite sex and that is not fair legislation. I'm also sort of a libertarian on this issue. I don't know why the state gets involved in this anyway. This changes things so drastically. I don't know why they had to rush it through.

If you could advance one initiative that would have a significant impact on the quality of education in Vermont, what would it be?
I have children in both public and private schools and it's clear to me that the private schools can educate a child better for far less money. And there is so much bureaucracy in the public schools. How many layers of bureaucracy do we need? I'd pare it down.

Do you think the Vermont Supreme Court has overstepped its bounds in recent cases, including the decisions that lead to Act 60 and to the civil unions law?
I think they've been getting involved where they don't belong. They are not elected, they are appointed.

Who is the best choice for governor? Why not the other two?
I think Vermonters should support Ruth Dwyer. It is time for a change. Anthony Pollina has some good ideas, but he'll never win an election in Vermont. Howard Dean shouldn't because he's been governor for long enough. People in power get comfortable and he's comfortable.

Washington-Lamoille District 1-1 (Elmore, Middlesex, Montpelier, Worcester) Democrats

Henrietta Jordan

Do you think that the costs of prescription drugs are too high in Vermont? If so, what do you plan to do about it and if not, why not?
We do have a problem. On a national level there should be a look at price regulation. It's arguable whether price controls could be implemented at the state level. We have to look at buying pools. We are not going to see true reform in the industry until we have comprehensive campaign finance reform at the national level.

Regarding the new civil unions law: would you vote to repeal it, preserve it, or change/expand it?
I'd leave it the way it is. I'm happy I was able to support it. I'm proud of what we did. It provides family stability and addresses the needs of folks who are participating and contributing members of our society.

If you could advance one initiative that would have a significant impact on the quality of education in Vermont, what would it be?
I think we've done a lot and need to do more. In order to address the demands put on schools, we need to address the needs of families: we need after school programs, early childhood education programs. It's the role of state government to address those problems and let the schools do what they do best, and that is teach.

Do you think the Vermont Supreme Court has overstepped its bounds in recent cases, including the decisions that lead to Act 60 and to the civil unions law?

Who is the best choice for governor? Why not the other two?

Washington-Lamoille District 1-1 (Elmore, Middlesex, Montpelier, Worcester) Republican

Wilson Brett

Do you think that the costs of prescription drugs are too high in Vermont? If so, what do you plan to do about it and if not, why not?
We do have a problem but it's a complicated issue. The way to try to solve it is to try to get health care providers, health care insurers, and consumers together and work out a solution. It would be better than the government taking a side and continuing to play the blame game. I'd be a little concerned about price regulation it creates unrealistic prices on goods and puts excessive pressure on drug companies. We do have high prices, but we also enjoy the benefits of extensive research and development.

Regarding the new civil unions law: would you vote to repeal it, preserve it, or change/expand it?
The main question is how can we respond and still meet the will of the people. At this point I'd repeal it because the legislature didn't take enough time for Vermonters to educate themselves. They weren't allowed to influence the decision making. I don't believe the results of such a law were studied. It's a bill that changes how we think and live. It appears in my district that most people oppose civil unions and much of my position would depend on feedback.

If you could advance one initiative that would have a significant impact on the quality of education in Vermont, what would it be?
I think it's important that we try to encourage more parental involvement. I work in education and the children whose parents are involved often do well. We can try to make schools more encouraging to parents, not that they haven't been already.

Do you think the Vermont Supreme Court has overstepped its bounds in recent cases, including the decisions that lead to Act 60 and to the civil unions law?
I think that as long as the court allows people of Vermont to make the final decision, I don't have a problem with them making suggestions.

Who is the best choice for governor? Why not the other two?
I can't answer that question. We all have different views. I'm more than willing to work with any governor. That's assuming I know what's best for all people. That's top-down politics and I'm working from a grassroots level. I'm going to work on representing people from my district, if I am elected.

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