AFSCME 14: Unused property

What is your view on the county owning currently unused property and what would you propose the county do with this property?

Any property that isn't expected to meet a need relatively soon should be reviewed for sale. Selling unused property can decrease the costs of county government.

AFSCME 13: St. Croix County in 5 years

Where do you see St. Croix County in five years?

In five years, I would like to see St. Croix County government reduce the costs to living and working in the county while maintaining high service levels. I would also like plans in place to address expected changes for the next decade (such as population growth and demographic changes).

AFSCME 12: St. Croix Industries

St. Croix Industries (sheltered workshop) is potentially being retooled in a way that would send participants (special needs) into the workforce as quickly as possible. This is something that stems from the State level, but could be potentially addressed, in part, at the county level. What would you do to address this issue at the county level?

The decision to address this at the county level would have to be well thought out to make sure that is is more effective to address it at the county level. If it was determined that it is best to address it at the county level, then discussions with the state should be commenced to ensure that the transition is smooth and doesn't leave gaps in service, expertise, etc.

AFSCME 11: Taxes based on "ability to pay"

Do you support or oppose changes in our tax system so that it is based to a greater extent on "ability to pay", making business and the wealthy carry a more equitable share of the tax burden for public services?

I oppose taxes designed just to penalize those who are more productive.

AFSCME 10: Shared Revenue level

Do you support or oppose efforts to reduce the current level of state aid to local government in the form of shared revenue?

Control and money should be as local as possible.

AFSCME 9: Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (TABOR)

Do you support or oppose the so-called Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (TABOR), which would restrict local governments’ ability to make decisions locally about taxing and spending?

Control should be as local as possible because local government is more responsive to the people. I am against the state taking control from local government. I wholeheartedly support efforts that minimize taxes.

AFSCME 8: Private contracting

Do you support or oppose the privatization or contracting out of services currently provided by state and local government employees?

There are some services that should obviously be contracted out (i.e. utilities) and other services that obviously shouldn't be contracted out (i.e law enforcement). For the rest, there are many factors to consider including: Number of employees involved, historical effectiveness of the employees and potential contractors, privacy, service hours, contractor oversight, ease of reversing the decision, and many other things. These decisions can't be made lightly.