Questions they should be able to respond to

I was lucky enough to be able to fill as host for Lee and Terry Frank on their Radio show today. I invited all the candidates in the 20th house district to come in for some grilling by Sen. Raymond Finney and myself. They all showed up except Mr. Ramsey.

Here is a synopsis of questions we asked. Although we did not hit every important issue they are questions I feel would be great for any Tennessee state candidate and wouldn't allow wishy washy "I am conservative, I am for the schools, mom and apple pie" type responses you hear in most forums.

Legislative philosophy

Will you support Republican or Democrat leadership and philosophy with your first vote?

Taxes and fees

Where do they stand on an income tax?, tax on food?, State wide property tax?, do you support gas tax as % of sale price or set amount per gallon?, toll roads?, Will you carry legislation or support tax increases in other areas such as a local tax increases? local income tax?, local fee increases for services?, state fee increases?

Education

Do you support: School choice for children in failing schools, allowing vouchers to private school?, State testing of home school students?, Ability for home school students to participate in state school functions such as sports?, elected school superintendent? Do you support ending teacher tenure.


With limited resources would you spend money on: more teachers in the class room or teacher raises?, Do you support Pre K?, With limited resources would you support: funding more Pre K or K-12?, pre K or school infrastructure? With lottery surplus would you support more Pre K or more scholarships? Would you lower scholarship standard allowing in more students or increase amount of money for each scholarship? Do you think lottery Scholarships should be based on merit or financial need? Should more money go for higher ed or would you let colleges raise fees/cut spending and instead spend the money on k-12?

Second amendment

Do you support allowing legally permitted handgun owners to carry in parks?, in restaurants that serve alcohol if they do not drink?, In schools or universities?.

Life issues

Will you vote to bring SJR127 directly to the floor as allowed by law. Do you think life begins at conseption? Do you support popularly elected judges?


On illegal immigration

Will you support allowing an employer the ability to mandate only English be spoken in the workplace? How do you feel about making the drivers tests be taken in English only. Should employers be mandated to verify that a name matches a social security number previous to employment? Do you think state services not mandated by federal law should only be given to people legally in the country?

Environment

How do you feel about bottle deposits, Mountain top mining.

What other issue is important to you?