The candidates: Eric Lielbriedis (R), Pam Byrnes (D), and John Boyle (L). I haven't seen ads for any of these people. Are they sure they want the job? This is a two year term, in the 52nd district which covers central and western Washtenaw. Bynes is the current rep, Lielbriedis is a small business owner and real estate broker, and Boyle is a consultant. It annoys me that Lielbriedis has a Comcast email address for his campaign. Is that a good enough reason to not vote for him?
Here's what they said on Mlive:
Gas tax revenues are not keeping pace with the cost of fixing Michigan's roads. Do you favor a tax (or fee) increase of any kind to fix the roads?
John Boyle: No. Michigan's "gas tax revenues" have, in fact, significantly outpaced inflation over the last few years -- as the sales tax on gasoline has increased by 11 cents per gallon (a 22% increase), adding $550 million to the state's tax coffers. Michigan's total state and federal gas tax is 60.7 cents per gallon (19.0 cents state gas tax plus 23.3 cents state sales tax plus 18.4 cents federal tax) - 4th highest in the country and higher than all Midwestern states except Illinois. Michigan is suffering through its 5th year as a shrinking economy -- and another tax increase of any kind will not serve the state. The 12 steps in my platform (see JohnBoyleForMichigan.org) will substantially reduce the overhead costs to run Michigan which, in turn, will make funds available for road improvements and other infrastructure improvements.
Kelly: Lielbriedis needs a spell checker. Maybe we pay high taxes on gas but it can't be by very much. It's only 19 cents... Boyle sounds like he is one of those self-help guys with his 12 step program. Byrnes is just sort of vague.
Michigan's new business tax is under attack as unfair and complex. Should the tax be scrapped and replaced?
Should Michigan require that 10 percent of state electricity come from wind and other renewable sources by the end of 2015?
Should term limits for state office holders be increased or ended altogether, or should the limits be left alone? Briefly explain your answer.
Here's what they said on Mlive:
Gas tax revenues are not keeping pace with the cost of fixing Michigan's roads. Do you favor a tax (or fee) increase of any kind to fix the roads?
Pam Byrnes: I am a member of the Transportation Funding Task Force that is charged with the task of finding alternative sources of funding for our motor fuel tax. Currently we are examining various sources of revenue including drawing in more Federal dollars, public/private partnerships, toll roads, monetizing assets, local funding options and user fees. A report will be issued later this fall.
Eric Lielbriedis: We can not TAX ourselves to prosparity - the solution to funding Michigan roads properly is a statewide economic recovery. Michigan residents already pay some of the highest gas taxes in the country; about $.19/Gal MI Fuel excise tax + $.18/Gal Fed. fuel Tax, and (as of early July,) about $.24/Gal Sales tax. That is app. $.61 per Gallon in Government taxes. 20 gallon fill up equates to over $12 in taxes.
John Boyle: No. Michigan's "gas tax revenues" have, in fact, significantly outpaced inflation over the last few years -- as the sales tax on gasoline has increased by 11 cents per gallon (a 22% increase), adding $550 million to the state's tax coffers. Michigan's total state and federal gas tax is 60.7 cents per gallon (19.0 cents state gas tax plus 23.3 cents state sales tax plus 18.4 cents federal tax) - 4th highest in the country and higher than all Midwestern states except Illinois. Michigan is suffering through its 5th year as a shrinking economy -- and another tax increase of any kind will not serve the state. The 12 steps in my platform (see JohnBoyleForMichigan.org) will substantially reduce the overhead costs to run Michigan which, in turn, will make funds available for road improvements and other infrastructure improvements.
Kelly: Lielbriedis needs a spell checker. Maybe we pay high taxes on gas but it can't be by very much. It's only 19 cents... Boyle sounds like he is one of those self-help guys with his 12 step program. Byrnes is just sort of vague.
Michigan's new business tax is under attack as unfair and complex. Should the tax be scrapped and replaced?
Pam Byrnes: The State has just replaced the often-criticized Single Business tax with the new Michigan Business tax after many months of work groups and hearings with representatives of business in Michigan. Any tax that is the product of the democratic process of negotiation and compromise is complex because it reflects the concerns of the various stakeholders. Any new comprehensive endeavor will need to be reviewed to examine areas that may not have been thoroughly addressed initially. I would refer businesses to the Dept of Treasury webite for many helpful FAQ's.
Eric Lielbriedis: Scrapped - Taxes
John Boyle: Michigan's tax structure is too complex and the entire tax system should be overhauled. I recommend replacing (i)the current sales tax, the personal income tax, the Michigan Business Tax, and the personal property tax with (ii) a simple retail sales tax. This will (i) reduce double taxation of goods and services and eliminate hidden taxes paid by businesses and passed on to consumers and (ii) reduce the paperwork burden of complying with Michigan's myriad of tax laws.
Kelly: Lielbriedis forgot to come back to this one... Boyle seems to have a good approach but neglects to explain how he plans to rework the ENTIRE tax system.
John Boyle: Michigan's tax structure is too complex and the entire tax system should be overhauled. I recommend replacing (i)the current sales tax, the personal income tax, the Michigan Business Tax, and the personal property tax with (ii) a simple retail sales tax. This will (i) reduce double taxation of goods and services and eliminate hidden taxes paid by businesses and passed on to consumers and (ii) reduce the paperwork burden of complying with Michigan's myriad of tax laws.
Kelly: Lielbriedis forgot to come back to this one... Boyle seems to have a good approach but neglects to explain how he plans to rework the ENTIRE tax system.
Should Michigan require that 10 percent of state electricity come from wind and other renewable sources by the end of 2015?
Pam Byrnes: I supported the energy package that was recently passed by the Legislature, including the RPS of 10% by 2015. Michigan has tremendous potential in this industry, using our natural resources, our public research universities, our agricultural base and our skilled work force. Many renewable energy providers are waiting to invest in our state which is a great opportunity to create thousands of jobs and put Michigan as a leader in renewable energy.
Eric Lielbriedis: Candidate response is not yet available.
Kelly: Lielbriedis was too busy on the phone with Comcast about his cable being out to fill out all of these questions. I don't think Boyle has the right idea here. While I think it is not very realistic to make laws that we must achieve a goal like this, the first step to moving forward is making the goals in the first place. If it takes a law to make the state actually work for it and take it seriously, then we should do it. The marketplace should not rely on consumer preferences - consumers aren't qualified to make a decision on what kind of energy is the best for the environment.
The state's largest utilities want a guaranteed customer base before they invest in new plants. Should they have this guarantee?
Michigan runs one of the nation's largest and most expensive corrections systems, taking up 20 percent of the state's general fund. Do you favor reductions in some sentences to save money?
John Boyle: No. The marketplace should determine the best sources for electricity which, based upon consumer preferences, may well include renewable resources. However, the state of Michigan can ill afford to implement and sustain more laws and another bureaucracy.
Kelly: Lielbriedis was too busy on the phone with Comcast about his cable being out to fill out all of these questions. I don't think Boyle has the right idea here. While I think it is not very realistic to make laws that we must achieve a goal like this, the first step to moving forward is making the goals in the first place. If it takes a law to make the state actually work for it and take it seriously, then we should do it. The marketplace should not rely on consumer preferences - consumers aren't qualified to make a decision on what kind of energy is the best for the environment.
The state's largest utilities want a guaranteed customer base before they invest in new plants. Should they have this guarantee?
Pam Byrnes: In order to grow our economy and attract business, we need to be able to address our growing need for energy. Although P.A. 141 provided some benefits for large consumers, the utility companies seeking to build a new power plant, which will cost billions of dollars, need to provide a predictable customer base in order to obtain the necessary financing to undertake such a costly project. There is no dispute that we need more power plants. If we do not provide this guarantee, we will end up buying energy from other states who will charge us a premium and thus be more costly to the consumer. In addition, thousands of new energy jobs will be created for workers here in Michigan.
Eric Lielbriedis: Those construction loans must be guaranteed by something or someone. This argument is about risk management. I would agree to the guarantee to modernize/replace old plants but look for competition from other energy providers once a base level of power is met. This would help keep our energy costs in check.
John Boyle: No. The state of Michigan should not be in the business of guaranteeing customers to for-profit corporations.
Kelly: I had no idea the government could make a guarantee like that. Byrnes has some good points, but we are still talking about businesses none-the-less. If I started a company I wouldn't expect that I would get a guarantee not to fail if I tried to expand. I guess it is more important that the energy companies stay in business than it is for me. However, this seems like it could lead to other companies wanting similar deals...
Do you favor a proposed constitutional amendment that would expand embryonic stem cell research in Michigan?
John Boyle: Yes, if that is required to "open the door" on embryonic stem cell research. Still, wherever possible, I believe research should be conducted using adult stem cells.
Kelly: Pause while I go find out what an adult stem cell is...
From NIH:
An adult stem cell is an undifferentiated cell found among differentiated cells in a tissue or organ, can renew itself, and can differentiate to yield the major specialized cell types of the tissue or organ. The primary roles of adult stem cells in a living organism are to maintain and repair the tissue in which they are found. Some scientists now use the term somatic stem cell instead of adult stem cell. Unlike embryonic stem cells, which are defined by their origin (the inner cell mass of the blastocyst), the origin of adult stem cells in mature tissues is unknown.
John Boyle: No. The state of Michigan should not be in the business of guaranteeing customers to for-profit corporations.
Kelly: I had no idea the government could make a guarantee like that. Byrnes has some good points, but we are still talking about businesses none-the-less. If I started a company I wouldn't expect that I would get a guarantee not to fail if I tried to expand. I guess it is more important that the energy companies stay in business than it is for me. However, this seems like it could lead to other companies wanting similar deals...
Do you favor a proposed constitutional amendment that would expand embryonic stem cell research in Michigan?
Pam Byrnes: Yes. The ballot proposal would allow the use of embryos which otherwise would be discarded from fertility treatments. Only those embryos that are excess or not suitable may be used provided that the donor voluntarily consents. The current restriction has severely hampered the growth of research at our universities. Key scientists are hesitant to come to Michigan because of this restriction. Furthermore, this restriction impedes efforts to discover and develop cures for many illnesses and disabilities.
Eric Lielbriedis: Results show that adult stem cell research is the overwhelming road to progress and cures - there has been tremendous success there. Current Embryonic stem cell research in various labs and currently done in Michiga, is showing little progress in reaching cures.
John Boyle: Yes, if that is required to "open the door" on embryonic stem cell research. Still, wherever possible, I believe research should be conducted using adult stem cells.
Kelly: Pause while I go find out what an adult stem cell is...
From NIH:
An adult stem cell is an undifferentiated cell found among differentiated cells in a tissue or organ, can renew itself, and can differentiate to yield the major specialized cell types of the tissue or organ. The primary roles of adult stem cells in a living organism are to maintain and repair the tissue in which they are found. Some scientists now use the term somatic stem cell instead of adult stem cell. Unlike embryonic stem cells, which are defined by their origin (the inner cell mass of the blastocyst), the origin of adult stem cells in mature tissues is unknown.
Research on adult stem cells has recently generated a great deal of excitement. Scientists have found adult stem cells in many more tissues than they once thought possible. This finding has led scientists to ask whether adult stem cells could be used for transplants. In fact, adult blood forming stem cells from bone marrow have been used in transplants for 30 years. Certain kinds of adult stem cells seem to have the ability to differentiate into a number of different cell types, given the right conditions. If this differentiation of adult stem cells can be controlled in the laboratory, these cells may become the basis of therapies for many serious common diseases.
Ah, okay, so this avoids killing babies and cloning people. Pam Byrnes: Before addressing sentence reductions, we need to look at the budget to determine ways to cut costs and provide more efficiency. The Council of State Government is conducting a study to help develop policies that will address the crime rate as well as the spending on corrections.The increased use of tethers as well as the Michigan Prisoner Re-entry program are new efforts to address these concerns.
Eric Lielbriedis: Cost cutting options do exist - we should act on them.
Kelly: Whoa, what does Boyle mean by that? Lielbriedis seems to have forgotten the question.
Do you support reduction in crimes that carry mandatory minimum sentences in order to allow judges more discretion in sentencing?
John Boyle: Yes.
Kelly: I'm not sure what I think about this. People who commit the same crime should get the same punishment. One person shouldn't get less of a sentence because they had a better defense. However, I don't know if a minimum sentence really helps in this case at all.
Should the state approve a $1.3 billion environmental bond to clean up polluted sites?
Kelly: Spell checker for Lielbriedis again. Everyone has reasonable points here. This is a lot of money, but obviously a good cause.
John Boyle: Yes. I believe the state should combine sensible prison reforms with the elimination of laws that make felons out of people who represent no danger to society – laws that only serve to expand the already-unaffordable “court/prison” system.
Kelly: Whoa, what does Boyle mean by that? Lielbriedis seems to have forgotten the question.
Do you support reduction in crimes that carry mandatory minimum sentences in order to allow judges more discretion in sentencing?
Pam Byrnes: Mandatory minimums contribute to our prison overcrowding and the high cost of corrections. The Legislature is reviewing parole guidelines to address this concern.
Eric Lielbriedis: No - Truth in Sentencing should be the law of the land.
John Boyle: Yes.
Kelly: I'm not sure what I think about this. People who commit the same crime should get the same punishment. One person shouldn't get less of a sentence because they had a better defense. However, I don't know if a minimum sentence really helps in this case at all.
Should the state approve a $1.3 billion environmental bond to clean up polluted sites?
Pam Byrnes: This funding will allow for continuation of the earlier enacted Clean Michigan Initiative. These funds will help with ongoing projects that clean up contaminated sites and help with brownfield redevelopment projects. This funding could also provide for matching funds to clean up our Great Lakes, including invasive species and contaminated sediments.Michigan is defined by its water and thus we need to take the necessary steps to protect it.
Eric Lielbriedis: I want a clean Michigan just like everyone else does. The question is how to pay for it. 2008 is showing itself to be an economically disasterous year. This bond should be moved forward to 2010 - it could be the straw that breaks the camels back.
John Boyle: Yes -- as long as the state also aggressively seeks reparations from individuals and corporations who have violated the state's environmental laws.
Kelly: Spell checker for Lielbriedis again. Everyone has reasonable points here. This is a lot of money, but obviously a good cause.
Pam Byrnes: While term limits may provide for a steady stream of new faces and ideas to Lansing, it sets up a system that prohibits the development of leadership and experience. Extending the number of terms may help to alleviate this lack of institutional knowledge and reliance on bureaucrats. It is difficult at best to develop long range planning and goals when the participants are always changing.
Eric Lielbriedis: An increase in current limits would allow for less Lobbyist influence overall.
John Boyle: Term limits should be eliminated -- as it is important to have legislators who are knowledgeable about the state's laws, policies, procedures, systems, and customs. This change should be combined with the implementation of a part-time legislature and commensurate reductions in pay and benefits.
Kelly: Wow, everyone agrees.
Do you favor a woman's right to abortion? Please note any exception.
John Boyle: Yes. First trimester only, barring a life-threatening occurrence. In a perfect world, abortion would be a rare event. However, far too many politicians will fight for the right to life in the womb and then support spending priorities that abandon the child upon birth -- including the ongoing support at all levels of Government for sending unfunded liabilities (currently at $53 trillion) to our children. This debt will doom future generations of Americans to lives of deprivation. We need only look at what is happening to our economy today because of $1 trillion in bailouts. Now multiply that by 53 -- and you have the magnitude of the problem we are forwarding on to our children.
Kelly: If you didn't think Lielbriedis was an idiot before...
Should Michigan lawmakers serve on a part-time basis, and should their pay and benefits be cut accordingly?
John Boyle: Yes.
Kelly: Again, Lielbriedis you forgot to come back to this one.
Should the state separately regulate bottled water plants, and should the state and citizens be compensated for water taken from the ground or surface and sold for profit?
What is the best way to help districts that struggle with low academic achievement?
John Boyle: Term limits should be eliminated -- as it is important to have legislators who are knowledgeable about the state's laws, policies, procedures, systems, and customs. This change should be combined with the implementation of a part-time legislature and commensurate reductions in pay and benefits.
Kelly: Wow, everyone agrees.
Do you favor a woman's right to abortion? Please note any exception.
Pam Byrnes: Yes.
Eric Lielbriedis: If you mean killing children, born or unborn, I would say no.
John Boyle: Yes. First trimester only, barring a life-threatening occurrence. In a perfect world, abortion would be a rare event. However, far too many politicians will fight for the right to life in the womb and then support spending priorities that abandon the child upon birth -- including the ongoing support at all levels of Government for sending unfunded liabilities (currently at $53 trillion) to our children. This debt will doom future generations of Americans to lives of deprivation. We need only look at what is happening to our economy today because of $1 trillion in bailouts. Now multiply that by 53 -- and you have the magnitude of the problem we are forwarding on to our children.
Kelly: If you didn't think Lielbriedis was an idiot before...
Should Michigan lawmakers serve on a part-time basis, and should their pay and benefits be cut accordingly?
Pam Byrnes: I am always looking for ways to make our government more efficient, but at the same time, we need to make sure that we are still providing the best service we can to our constituents. One of the "pro's" of a part-time legislature is that sessions are shorter, which, in theory, should provide for more efficient use of legislators' time, unless there is a major issue that needs time to develop. To be an effective legislator requires a commitment to spending most of your non-legislative time in the district with your constituents. Would a part-time legislature mean that more staff would have to handle constituent concerns or would they go unheeded? Does it really save money? These are issues that should be addressed.
Eric Lielbriedis: Yes - currently they work about 3 days a week for about 6 months. We pay them about 100k/year. If they would pass laws that solved our current crisis.
John Boyle: Yes.
Kelly: Again, Lielbriedis you forgot to come back to this one.
Should the state separately regulate bottled water plants, and should the state and citizens be compensated for water taken from the ground or surface and sold for profit?
Pam Byrnes: Although the concept that Michigan's water belongs to the people and should be considered held in trust for the benefit of the people was debated earlier this year, the concept was not part of the final water withdrawal package that was enacted. This policy debate resulted in the increase in standards for the bottled water companies. As there are many users of our water, we need to address the withdrawal issue in a fair and measureable fashion with standards that apply to all water users.
Eric Lielbriedis: This is not the time for excessive regulations on business. The Great Lakes Compact tightens water use - I would look at this as a tax and regulation plan which would hurt our economy and throw even more people out of work.
John Boyle: I believe the state's current statutes -- along with Federal statutes -- are sufficient to regulate bottled-water plants. I believe the state should be compensated for any "large-scale" extraction of water that is sold for a profit.
Kelly: Byrnes seems to be getting increasingly vague. And to be fair I have to point out that she spelled measurable incorrectly. Lielbriedis is such a republican.
Will the state's new mandated curriculum be too much of a burden for school districts?
John Boyle: No. The state's mandated curriculum (as reflected in Public Acts 123 and 124) represents the minimum foundation necessary to succeed in college and in today's competitive workplace. However, as discussed in the following answer, the state's schools will not succeed with this newly-mandated curriculum unless they devote more resouces to "educating" and less to "overhead".
Kelly: Good call. I hate it when people start to worry that kids have too much pressure to succeed in school. That is such b.s. If you don't have pressure to succeed, then guess what, you don't. Compared to the rest of the world, the U.S. is only mediocre on education. You'd think we'd be in the top with all our resources. What are we doing wrong? We are too worried about hurting little Johnny's feelings if we don't give him an A+.
John Boyle: I believe the state's current statutes -- along with Federal statutes -- are sufficient to regulate bottled-water plants. I believe the state should be compensated for any "large-scale" extraction of water that is sold for a profit.
Kelly: Byrnes seems to be getting increasingly vague. And to be fair I have to point out that she spelled measurable incorrectly. Lielbriedis is such a republican.
Will the state's new mandated curriculum be too much of a burden for school districts?
Pam Byrnes: There has been much discussion on the new curriculum. The goal of these new standards are to prepare our students to compete in a global economy and this means more math, science, language skills, and social sciences. We have been complacent far too long and other nations are rapidly catching up to us and surpassing us in graduation rates. while this curriculum may not be suitable for all students, there are procedures to address personalized curricula. There may some adjustments necessary as the implementation process goes forward, but I believe our children have the same intellectual capabilities as children from other countries and we should expect nothing less.
Eric Lielbriedis: Candidate response is not yet available.
John Boyle: No. The state's mandated curriculum (as reflected in Public Acts 123 and 124) represents the minimum foundation necessary to succeed in college and in today's competitive workplace. However, as discussed in the following answer, the state's schools will not succeed with this newly-mandated curriculum unless they devote more resouces to "educating" and less to "overhead".
Kelly: Good call. I hate it when people start to worry that kids have too much pressure to succeed in school. That is such b.s. If you don't have pressure to succeed, then guess what, you don't. Compared to the rest of the world, the U.S. is only mediocre on education. You'd think we'd be in the top with all our resources. What are we doing wrong? We are too worried about hurting little Johnny's feelings if we don't give him an A+.
Pam Byrnes: Successful schools often have the financial and supportive backing of the community. When that is lacking, we need to look at the causes for this lack of support and address those issues. Whether it is economic or social issues, I believe the state should help address those concerns.
Eric Lielbriedis: Compete! Reward good teachers. Reward and promote districts that meet standards. Give special attention to K-3 where reading should be the first step and no child should leave the 3rd grade with low reading scores. Privatize various school services and let the saving all go to students and teachers. Streamline union negociations so everyone in the district can focus on kids and teaching instead of contracts and strikes. Lastly, all schools should be funded equally on a per student basis. Schools collect about $10,000 per student per year - given 25 kids to a classroom that means $250,000 per classroom per year for 25 kids - that is alot of money for one classroom over 9 months.
Kelly: Does anyone else find it funny that Lielbriedis writes that no child should leave the third grade with low reading scores, and then goes on to write the word "negociations"? But seriously, he has the best ideas here. Alot of them.
What is your position on state aid for local governments?
John Boyle: I believe that state aid for local governments is necessary, given Michigan's current tax structure. I also believe there are too many units of local government. To reduce the cost, I believe the state should develop incentives to encourage the state’s 1,242 townships and 533 cities (or incorporated villages) to consolidate. The state also should work with local units of government to eliminate responsibilities that are (i) redundant offerings available from the state and/or the counties, (ii) not the province of government in the first place, or (iii) of marginal value to the taxpayers.
Kelly: Is it just me or has Byrnes stopped answering questions?
Do you support legislation to ban smoking in the workplace?
What is your position on the current state administration's reform plan for public education, for example smaller high schools, stricter curriculum, full-day kindergarten etc...?
John Boyle: I believe the best way to help districts that struggle with low academic achievement is to spend less on overhead in the K-12 school system and more on "teaching". This can best be accomplished by providing incentives and establishing a long-term goal of reducing the number of K-12 school districts from 553 to under 100 (while maintaining the same number of schools) – increasing the average number of students per district from 3,200 to over 18,000 – and reducing the school system’s overhead costs by more than 50%. (Note : the average number of students per school district in Maryland is 35,100.) Also, by establishing a long-term goal of eliminating the 57 Intermediate School Districts and integrating critical needs provided by those districts into the K-12 school districts.
Kelly: Does anyone else find it funny that Lielbriedis writes that no child should leave the third grade with low reading scores, and then goes on to write the word "negociations"? But seriously, he has the best ideas here. Alot of them.
What is your position on state aid for local governments?
Pam Byrnes: Our local governments are the front line of service to the people: public safety, utilities, infrastructure. These local units are best able to provide the services directly to their residents. Revenue sharing is provided to these units of government, both under the Constitution and by statute. Due to the shortfall in state revenues, there has been a concurrent shortfall in revenue to local government. This last budget year, revenue sharing received the same amount as the previous budget plus some units received a 2% bonus.
Eric Lielbriedis: Candidate response is not yet available.
John Boyle: I believe that state aid for local governments is necessary, given Michigan's current tax structure. I also believe there are too many units of local government. To reduce the cost, I believe the state should develop incentives to encourage the state’s 1,242 townships and 533 cities (or incorporated villages) to consolidate. The state also should work with local units of government to eliminate responsibilities that are (i) redundant offerings available from the state and/or the counties, (ii) not the province of government in the first place, or (iii) of marginal value to the taxpayers.
Kelly: Is it just me or has Byrnes stopped answering questions?
Do you support legislation to ban smoking in the workplace?
Pam Byrnes: Yes.
Eric Lielbriedis: Seperate smoking areas allows some people to smoke while those who wish to avoid them have there places as well.
John Boyle: Yes -- except that I believe employers should be allowed to have designated "smoking" areas which do not expose non-smokers to second-hand smoke.
Kelly: I'm beginning to think that English is not Lielbriedis' first language.
Kelly: I'm beginning to think that English is not Lielbriedis' first language.
What is your position on the current state administration's reform plan for public education, for example smaller high schools, stricter curriculum, full-day kindergarten etc...?
Pam Byrnes: Proactive measures to address our educational structure should be explored through implementation of pilot programs. Innovative techniques keeps us moving forward to improve and increase our educational skills. Adjustments to programs may have to be made given limited financial resources, but the alternative is to not expand our tool box, which is regressive, not progressive.
Eric Lielbriedis: I am sure it has the best of intentions and the PR surrounding it is strong; but education really comes down to the teacher - the principal - the parent - and the student. Each has a responsibility and if they fail in that responsibility - the student will not reach the goals all expect.
John Boyle: I support high schools that are not "too large" and a stricter curriculum. I support the availability of full-day kindergarten, as long as it is not mandatory. However, the state cannot afford the current K-12 school system, and changes that cost additional money should be preceded by reductions in overhead costs.
Kelly: I'm glad this is over...
John Boyle: I support high schools that are not "too large" and a stricter curriculum. I support the availability of full-day kindergarten, as long as it is not mandatory. However, the state cannot afford the current K-12 school system, and changes that cost additional money should be preceded by reductions in overhead costs.
Kelly: I'm glad this is over...
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