Paid For By Mike Barbieri 2008
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News Journal Questionnaire
1 – What should the state do to make people feel safer in their homes, businesses and communities?
Solving this program requires at least two levels of intervention: strengthening communities by encouraging the development of community watch
programs and investing in community activities, especially for young people, and increasing the police availability in communities to develop more
of a community policing orientation. Police need to work closely with the community and be recognized as an integral part of a healthy community.
This may require additional funding.
2 – What steps should the state government take to improve the health of its citizens, and make health-care more affordable?
* Emphasize health education programs. Focus on strengthening wellness centers in the schools to provide easy access for young people.
Develop and encourage use of health clinics reducing utilization of more costly emergency rooms.
* Curtail lobbyist influence. The Senate passed good health care legislation but it was killed in the House by Republican maneuvering. (Insurance
Commissioner approving rates and developing a larger pool for rates).
* Universal health care needs to be explored. Most industrialized nations have it.
3– How do you assess the current level of state spending and taxation, as well as the priorities reflected in the budget? What, if
any, changes would you make in spending, taxes or state services?
I believe that we have done a good job in controlling spending. From information available, I would agree with the current budget. I have serious
concerns about pay raises for legislators that outpace raises for other workers. We need to look at investments in education and economic
development. Focus of the budget needs to prepare our state for the future. My priorities for State spending would be Education, Health Care and
Economic Development.
4 - What should the state government’s role be in public education, how well is this being carried out and what should be done to
better fulfill that mission?
State should make sure there is adequate funding for education. Boards need to be properly educated and informed through training and
consultation. The State should regularly audit district finances. We have the fourth highest per capita funding for education, yet we are ranked
39th in the nation, so clearly we are not doing well. The State should work to meet, or exceed, national education standards and not accept our
incremental improvement on standardized test as good enough. The State needs to encourage districts to be flexible in design to meet student
and parent needs and to develop strong learning cultures. Efforts should be continued toward increasing purchase of care and commitment to
early childhood education for all children. There should be additional support for development of charter schools and expansion of our vocational
technical education programs. Spending should be directed at delivery of services and not to administrative control and oversight.
5 – How do you assess the state’s record in environmental protection? What, if any, adjustments need to be made?
Environmental issues have been a serious problem for Delaware. This is costly with regard to health issues and cleanup. We have taken many
steps to protect our ecosystems. Recent suggestion to amend the Costal Zone Act for a new business needs to be closely studied. Focus needs
to be on the long term impact of our decisions and creating a livable Delaware for the future.
6 – Do you support a law that would ban discrimination based on a person’s sexual preference?
Yes
7- Are current state laws governing land development adequate and appropriate? What changes, if any, would you propose?
I believe that the Governors’ approach to livable Delaware is moving in the right direction. There is a need to have a balance between land
development, open space and farm land to maintain quality of life. If development is decided upon then the State and the developer should share
in the cost of infrastructure required for the development.
8 --- Do you support any expansion of gambling in the state, either by allowing new games at existing casinos or allowing additional
casino sites? Are there other steps the state should take to meet gambling competition from other states?
Any expansion should be closely studied, looking at the impact to the community and the potential to foster problems with a gambling addiction.
Although it brings considerable revenue to the State that in and of itself should not be the decision point. Expansion needs to benefit the
community and the state. Any development should be closely monitored to insure it meets its obligations and does not add more blight to the
community. Sites should not just be gambling venues but places were entertainment out side of gambling is developed. A significant portion of the
tax revenues should be directed toward helping the immediate community and supporting treatment for gambling addiction.
9 — Do you support any changes in Senate rules governing the power of committee chairpersons over the status of bills, or in
General Assembly regulations governing public access to deliberations by the Joint Finance Committee and Bond Bill Committee?
I support open government where discussion on critical issues is open to public. Legislators have the responsibility to their constituents to let them
know their support or opposition to legislation. No chairperson should have the right to prevent legislation from moving forward. This defeats any
democratic process and allow lobbyist to influence a decision and the legislature to avoid public scrutiny (Buy Votes and No Accountability). Joint
Finance and Bond Bill Committee deliberation should be open to the public.
10 — The state’s Transportation Trust Fund faces a $2.7 billion gap between revenues and spending needed to complete needed
projects by 2012. How should the state address this problem? What, if any, new – or higher – fees, taxes or charges would you
support to increase revenues? What specific projects or DelDOT activities should be eliminated to reduce spending?
Do not have enough information to answer completely. Projects need to be evaluated regarding short and long term benefits. Project initiatives
need to be determined based on their impact on economic development and need to meet current and future demand. Eliminate or delay jobs
which may have minimal impact on addressing the above. Additional revenue should come from a user fee deriving revenue from those in the state
as well as those from other states who use our roadways. Could not make a decision on projects without adequate study on growth and revenue
generation for the State
11 – The federal Justice Department is now investigating the adequacy of state-provided health care for prison inmates, following
revelations of poor care in recent years. What changes – if any – do you think are necessary to address shortcomings in health care
afforded to state prison inmates?
Look at the efficacy of contracting private agencies to provide medical care. Look very closely at the bidding process. Include a prison advocacy
group to become part of the review process. Reinstitute an outside advocacy group to review services and provide a quality assurance monitoring
process. Look at the requirements of the ACA regarding health care and make sure that we meet their standards.
12 – How do you assess the state of Delaware’s preparedness to meet emergencies caused by violence, natural disaster or public
health crises?
From the material available the state seems to have strengthened it readiness to address disasters. It seems that the one major area in which we
may be deficient is med-surg. beds.
13 – How do you assess the rate of job growth and economic development in Delaware? How do you assess the state’s
performance in recruiting new jobs and in attracting, retaining or growing existing businesses?
Delaware is at a critical time. Most of the traditional employers who paid well and provided benefits have reduced their work force. Delaware needs
to be aggressive in attracting and retaining “good” employers. These are employers with growth potential and who offer fair wages and benefits to
the employee. Fiscally responsible use of the New Economy Initiative and Competitiveness Fund is important helping businesses expand and
modernize. Delaware has had some success but it is limited. We need to capitalize on our location and access to a technologically sophisticate
work force. We also need to strengthen our education system to develop an adequate work force.
14 – What would be the one most-important thing you hope to accomplish if elected?
Open government where constituents can see how decisions are made and view positions on same which allows them to judge performance
accordingly. This would force legislators to be transparent and have all able to judge the influence of lobbyist. This would allow for better
decisions on health care, energy deregulation and education which are my key concerns.
15 – How do you assess the performance of the state and Legislature in the deregulation of electricity sales in 1999 and during the
freeze of rates until May 2006? What should have been done differently, and what more can be done now?
Legislature did a very poor job in addressing deregulation. Concerns raised were ignored. Key players were strongly influenced by lobbyist.
Competition was critical and they ignored the fact that competition did not develop. The most telling account of their ineptness was when the News
Journal reported that Maryland got a better deal.
Development of competition should have been monitored more closely and efforts taken to support competition. Now we must look at controlling
rates, stimulating competition, and getting a better understanding of the cost of energy and the dollar transfer among the various subsidiaries and
holding companies so that a rational intervention can be made. It is clear that there will need to be some legislative intervention.
1 – What should the state do to make people feel safer in their homes, businesses and communities?
Solving this program requires at least two levels of intervention: strengthening communities by encouraging the development of community watch
programs and investing in community activities, especially for young people, and increasing the police availability in communities to develop more
of a community policing orientation. Police need to work closely with the community and be recognized as an integral part of a healthy community.
This may require additional funding.
2 – What steps should the state government take to improve the health of its citizens, and make health-care more affordable?
* Emphasize health education programs. Focus on strengthening wellness centers in the schools to provide easy access for young people.
Develop and encourage use of health clinics reducing utilization of more costly emergency rooms.
* Curtail lobbyist influence. The Senate passed good health care legislation but it was killed in the House by Republican maneuvering. (Insurance
Commissioner approving rates and developing a larger pool for rates).
* Universal health care needs to be explored. Most industrialized nations have it.
3– How do you assess the current level of state spending and taxation, as well as the priorities reflected in the budget? What, if
any, changes would you make in spending, taxes or state services?
I believe that we have done a good job in controlling spending. From information available, I would agree with the current budget. I have serious
concerns about pay raises for legislators that outpace raises for other workers. We need to look at investments in education and economic
development. Focus of the budget needs to prepare our state for the future. My priorities for State spending would be Education, Health Care and
Economic Development.
4 - What should the state government’s role be in public education, how well is this being carried out and what should be done to
better fulfill that mission?
State should make sure there is adequate funding for education. Boards need to be properly educated and informed through training and
consultation. The State should regularly audit district finances. We have the fourth highest per capita funding for education, yet we are ranked
39th in the nation, so clearly we are not doing well. The State should work to meet, or exceed, national education standards and not accept our
incremental improvement on standardized test as good enough. The State needs to encourage districts to be flexible in design to meet student
and parent needs and to develop strong learning cultures. Efforts should be continued toward increasing purchase of care and commitment to
early childhood education for all children. There should be additional support for development of charter schools and expansion of our vocational
technical education programs. Spending should be directed at delivery of services and not to administrative control and oversight.
5 – How do you assess the state’s record in environmental protection? What, if any, adjustments need to be made?
Environmental issues have been a serious problem for Delaware. This is costly with regard to health issues and cleanup. We have taken many
steps to protect our ecosystems. Recent suggestion to amend the Costal Zone Act for a new business needs to be closely studied. Focus needs
to be on the long term impact of our decisions and creating a livable Delaware for the future.
6 – Do you support a law that would ban discrimination based on a person’s sexual preference?
Yes
7- Are current state laws governing land development adequate and appropriate? What changes, if any, would you propose?
I believe that the Governors’ approach to livable Delaware is moving in the right direction. There is a need to have a balance between land
development, open space and farm land to maintain quality of life. If development is decided upon then the State and the developer should share
in the cost of infrastructure required for the development.
8 --- Do you support any expansion of gambling in the state, either by allowing new games at existing casinos or allowing additional
casino sites? Are there other steps the state should take to meet gambling competition from other states?
Any expansion should be closely studied, looking at the impact to the community and the potential to foster problems with a gambling addiction.
Although it brings considerable revenue to the State that in and of itself should not be the decision point. Expansion needs to benefit the
community and the state. Any development should be closely monitored to insure it meets its obligations and does not add more blight to the
community. Sites should not just be gambling venues but places were entertainment out side of gambling is developed. A significant portion of the
tax revenues should be directed toward helping the immediate community and supporting treatment for gambling addiction.
9 — Do you support any changes in Senate rules governing the power of committee chairpersons over the status of bills, or in
General Assembly regulations governing public access to deliberations by the Joint Finance Committee and Bond Bill Committee?
I support open government where discussion on critical issues is open to public. Legislators have the responsibility to their constituents to let them
know their support or opposition to legislation. No chairperson should have the right to prevent legislation from moving forward. This defeats any
democratic process and allow lobbyist to influence a decision and the legislature to avoid public scrutiny (Buy Votes and No Accountability). Joint
Finance and Bond Bill Committee deliberation should be open to the public.
10 — The state’s Transportation Trust Fund faces a $2.7 billion gap between revenues and spending needed to complete needed
projects by 2012. How should the state address this problem? What, if any, new – or higher – fees, taxes or charges would you
support to increase revenues? What specific projects or DelDOT activities should be eliminated to reduce spending?
Do not have enough information to answer completely. Projects need to be evaluated regarding short and long term benefits. Project initiatives
need to be determined based on their impact on economic development and need to meet current and future demand. Eliminate or delay jobs
which may have minimal impact on addressing the above. Additional revenue should come from a user fee deriving revenue from those in the state
as well as those from other states who use our roadways. Could not make a decision on projects without adequate study on growth and revenue
generation for the State
11 – The federal Justice Department is now investigating the adequacy of state-provided health care for prison inmates, following
revelations of poor care in recent years. What changes – if any – do you think are necessary to address shortcomings in health care
afforded to state prison inmates?
Look at the efficacy of contracting private agencies to provide medical care. Look very closely at the bidding process. Include a prison advocacy
group to become part of the review process. Reinstitute an outside advocacy group to review services and provide a quality assurance monitoring
process. Look at the requirements of the ACA regarding health care and make sure that we meet their standards.
12 – How do you assess the state of Delaware’s preparedness to meet emergencies caused by violence, natural disaster or public
health crises?
From the material available the state seems to have strengthened it readiness to address disasters. It seems that the one major area in which we
may be deficient is med-surg. beds.
13 – How do you assess the rate of job growth and economic development in Delaware? How do you assess the state’s
performance in recruiting new jobs and in attracting, retaining or growing existing businesses?
Delaware is at a critical time. Most of the traditional employers who paid well and provided benefits have reduced their work force. Delaware needs
to be aggressive in attracting and retaining “good” employers. These are employers with growth potential and who offer fair wages and benefits to
the employee. Fiscally responsible use of the New Economy Initiative and Competitiveness Fund is important helping businesses expand and
modernize. Delaware has had some success but it is limited. We need to capitalize on our location and access to a technologically sophisticate
work force. We also need to strengthen our education system to develop an adequate work force.
14 – What would be the one most-important thing you hope to accomplish if elected?
Open government where constituents can see how decisions are made and view positions on same which allows them to judge performance
accordingly. This would force legislators to be transparent and have all able to judge the influence of lobbyist. This would allow for better
decisions on health care, energy deregulation and education which are my key concerns.
15 – How do you assess the performance of the state and Legislature in the deregulation of electricity sales in 1999 and during the
freeze of rates until May 2006? What should have been done differently, and what more can be done now?
Legislature did a very poor job in addressing deregulation. Concerns raised were ignored. Key players were strongly influenced by lobbyist.
Competition was critical and they ignored the fact that competition did not develop. The most telling account of their ineptness was when the News
Journal reported that Maryland got a better deal.
Development of competition should have been monitored more closely and efforts taken to support competition. Now we must look at controlling
rates, stimulating competition, and getting a better understanding of the cost of energy and the dollar transfer among the various subsidiaries and
holding companies so that a rational intervention can be made. It is clear that there will need to be some legislative intervention.