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DISTRICT 5 CANDIDATE RESPONSES TO 2007 QUESTIONNAIRE
(see links at left for other responses)
CANDIDATES
Republican: Alicia Graves
Democrat: Isabel Piedmont
1. Do you support the right of working people to unionize and engage in collective bargaining?
Alicia Graves - “Of course! Unions play an integral part in insuring our workers get what they deserve.” Isabel Piedmont - “Yes, absolutely.”
2. In the above question, do you make a distinction between private sector and public sector workers?
Alicia Graves - “Public sector workers, like police and fire, should have more restrictions when it comes to issues like striking. That would be one area of distinction between private and public sector that I would make.” Isabel Piedmont - “No.”
3. What are your views on the privatization of jobs that are presently done by government employees?
Alicia Graves - “I would rather not see the extent of privatization that is currently happening. I do however; see where some privatization can help bring costs under control.” Isabel Piedmont - “I am opposed to privatization of government jobs. I have actively worked against privatization at I.U.”
4. Do you support binding arbitration for public employees?
Alicia Graves - “My preference would be to exhaust all mediation before binding arbitration.” Isabel Piedmont - “Yes”
5. Should government have a role in the availability and affordability of daycare?
(a) If no, why not? (b) If yes, what should that role be?
Alicia Graves - “Yes, but only when it is absolutely necessary for those who would take more government resources by not working than working and having daycare subsidies given to them.” Isabel Piedmont - “I support Head Start, which is a federally-funded pre-school program for low-income families. Other than that, I’m not sure whether the gov’t should play a role. I would be happy to consider any specific proposals.”
6. Do you support domestic partner benefits for city employees?
Alicia Graves - “This is already in place, so I would have to support existing policy.” Isabel Piedmont - “Yes”
7. What do you think should be city government’s role in economic development?
Alicia Graves - “City government should provide a business friendly atmosphere where business is encouraged and excited to be in Bloomington. There are a variety of tools at government's disposal to insure this. Unfortunately, not all of them are being utilized currently.” Isabel Piedmont - “The city should help develop new, locally owned businesses and attract employers that will pay living wages plus benefits.”
8. How and when should tax abatements be used?
Alicia Graves - “When the benefits of the abatement outweigh the cost of the abatement. Promises by the petitioner should be followed up on, and the abatement withdrawn if those promises are not met.” Isabel Piedmont - “They should be used only when the business is providing a public benefit, such as jobs with high wages that will be filled by local residents.”
9. Are you willing to tie the payment of a living wage, full time work, and employer provided health care as conditions to granting tax incentives to businesses?
Alicia Graves - “I do not support the living wage, so I would not hold such conditions against businesses.” Isabel Piedmont - “Yes”
10. Are you in favor of tax abatement documentation being verified?
Alicia Graves - “Yes, I answered that in question 7.” Isabel Piedmont - “Yes”
11. Would you support a program for Single Payer/Universal Health Care?
Alicia Graves - “I don't see a single payer system being efficient. Why do many Canadians seek healthcare in the US?” Isabel Piedmont - “Yes”
12. Would you support a requirement that contractors meet minimum criteria defining a “responsible contractor” in order to be considered for municipal contracts? Criteria could include past performance, having proper insurance coverage, adherence to safety and labor laws, and other employee standards.
Alicia Graves - “I would support this. It seems a reasonable request for municipal contracts.” Isabel Piedmont - “Yes” |
