Governor Candidates

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Governor Candidates: Republican & Democrat Parties

General Election, November 2006

	Alphabetical by last name under party.
	For full text of Questions, click here.

CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR: David Hahn, Democrat

Candidate did not respond.

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CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR: Dave Heineman, Republican

Abortion

If Roe v. Wade were overturned, extent to which abortion should be prohibited in Nebraska?

I am opposed to abortion except to save the life of the mother.

Using public funds for abortion? Oppose

Agriculture/Rural Life

Public policy changes and/or initiatives to bring about greater economic development in rural communities?

We passed a comprehensive jobs creation economic incentive bill that included ethanol incentives and value-added ag research grants as well as enhanced incentives for projects in rural communities and micro-enterprise tax credits for companies with less than five employees in rural communities. We also funded the Rural Development Commission.

Cloning

Enacting ban on cloning processes that create human embryos for any purpose? Support

Criminal Justice/Corrections

Emphasizing community-based corrections and greater use of probation and parole rather than incarceration for non-violent offenders? Support

Death Penalty

Repealing death penalty and replacing it with imprisonment for life without parole and with order of mandatory restitution? Oppose

Education

Education-expense tax credits? Support

Education vouchers? Oppose

K-12 Scholarship donation tax credits? Support

Public policy reforms/initiatives most needed to promote even more effective elementary/secondary education system?

We need increased academic rigor at the high school, a special focus on at-risk three and four year-olds and increased parental involvement.

Embryo Research

Enacting ban on research that destroys live human embryos for their stem cells? Support

Euthanasia/Assisted Suicide

Legalizing voluntary, consent-based euthanasia and assisted suicide? Oppose

Health Care

Concerns about public policy emphasis on community-based services for implementing Nebraska’s behavioral health (mental illness, addictions) system?

I support community-based mental health reform.

Changing Medicaid policy from current “defined benefits” model to a “defined contributions” model?

Undecided. As Governor, I am working to ensure the long-term sustainability of this important program for children, seniors and the disabled. We are using more generic drugs rather than brand-name drugs to reduce costs. We are moving to community-based and home-based care rather than institutional care.

Immigrant Policy

Ensuring that (newly arrived) immigrants, who are employed, paying taxes and residing in Nebraska, have access to basic public benefits, regardless of immigration status? Oppose

Marriage/Family Life

Public policy changes and/or initiatives to address social and public costs of failed marriages and to promote stable marriages?

I support innovative programs, like the fatherhood initiative, which promote healthy marriages.

Minimum Wage

Increasing the state minimum wage?

The market place generally sets the standard for the minimum wage. However, I am willing to consider an increase in the minimum wage, depending upon the specific proposal.

Tax Policy

Preserving tax exemption for qualifying religious, educational and charitable property? Support

Welfare Policy

“Family Cap/Child Exclusion”--precluding additional cash assistance for children born to mothers already receiving aid for dependent children?

I would need more information about the impact of the family cap welfare policy before deciding whether to support this policy or not.

Personal Priorities

Priority public-policy issues to be pursued in upcoming Legislature?

1. Lower taxes.

2. Control spending.

3. Restructure the Health and Human Services System.

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CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR: Barry Richards, Nebraska Party

Abortion

If Roe v. Wade were overturned, extent to which abortion should be prohibited in Nebraska?

I pray that Roe v. Wade does get overturned and soon. In my view, abortion ought to be prohibited totally, 100 percent of the time. All babies are innocent and should not be liable for the actions of their parents no matter how they were conceived. Abortion is always wrong!

Using public funds for abortion? Oppose

I would oppose the use of public funds for any advancement of abortion activity whether Roe v. Wade ever gets overturned or not. I believe in focusing on programs that value life by finding loving parents for unwanted babies and closing all abortion clinics. So help me God!

Agriculture/Rural Life

Public policy changes and/or initiatives to bring about greater economic development in rural communities?

We have to convince the Federal Government to end the “cheap food policy”. Currently we are at 50-60 percent of parity. Parity has to be brought back to 100 percent. Property taxes need to be replaced by the “Transaction Tax.” That would be the best economic development ever!

Cloning

Enacting ban on cloning processes that create human embryos for any purpose? Support

I support enacting a ban on any and all cloning processes that create human embryos for any purpose. I further believe that God is the sole creator of life and cloning is trying to play God. Not on my watch!

Criminal Justice/Corrections

Emphasizing community-based corrections and greater use of probation and parole rather than incarceration for non-violent offenders? Support

I would definitely rather see community-based corrections rather than incarceration. I would also like to see more church involvement in the rehabilitation process; we need each other to lean on and to teach each other. I believe each community ought to try to take care of their own.

Death Penalty

Repealing death penalty and replacing it with imprisonment for life without parole and with order of mandatory restitution? Oppose

The death penalty worked in Jesus’ time on earth and serves well as a deterrent today, when implemented in a timely, judicious manner. Those on death row made a choice; their execution is what may deter the next guy from making the same choice. It works if we let it.

Education

Education-expense tax credits? Oppose

Education vouchers? Support

K-12 Scholarship donation tax credits? Oppose

I see where vouchers may help raise the bar on quality education by allowing parents to use their voucher to remove their child from any low quality educational system, thereby forcing every school to strive for excellence in education. Tax credits should not be allowed, but pure donations should be.

Public policy reforms/initiatives most needed to promote even more effective elementary/secondary education system?

We need to teach creationism (intelligent design) instead of evolution. We should stop teaching multiculturalism and political correctness and start teaching all students what it is to be an American. That Americanism needs to be instituted by individual school boards who are then held accountable by each school district’s patrons.

Embryo Research

Enacting ban on research that destroys live human embryos for their stem cells? Support

I realize that some people may believe in biomedical research and hope that live human embryos will be available so that they can get their stem cells, but I believe it is biblically wrong. I would add that adult stem cells may be available and may be an option.

Euthanasia/Assisted Suicide

Legalizing voluntary, consent-based euthanasia and assisted suicide? Oppose

When physicians start killing instead of healing we are all in big trouble. This question comes up partly because of all the abortions being performed and the sanctity of human life being reduced. Life is a blessing from God, even in suffering. Only He has the right to end it.

Health Care

Concerns about public policy emphasis on community-based services for implementing Nebraska’s behavioral health (mental illness, addictions) system?

My concern is that severe behavioral problems cannot be handled in community-based settings. Thus, those that are the highest risk to the community may be more likely to escape and succeed in hurting someone. They are more apt to be better served in the confines of major treatment centers.

Changing Medicaid policy from current “defined benefits” model to a “defined contributions” model? Support

It makes sense to put people on their own policy and make them accountable for it. I feel it will increase people’s responsibility for their own wellness.

Immigrant Policy

Ensuring that (newly arrived) immigrants, who are employed, paying taxes and residing in Nebraska, have access to basic public benefits, regardless of immigration status? Oppose

Absolutely not! Your question states: “regardless of their immigration status”; that alone seals the deal. No way, shape or form should illegals be allowed anything but a ride back where they came from. You are condoning breaking the law to do anything beyond transporting them home. Stop illegal immigration!

Marriage/Family Life

Public policy changes and/or initiatives to address social and public costs of failed marriages and to promote stable marriages?

First, we need to bring an end to No-Fault divorce. Second, we need to make getting married just a little bit tougher and slower to do. People getting married need to know what is required of them before they say, “I do.” Make marriage classes mandatory.

Minimum Wage

Increasing the state minimum wage? Support

I don’t believe that even a $1.50 increase would begin to keep up with the cost of living, but it’s a start and anybody that is against it ought to have to try to live on $5.15 per hour and see if they don’t change their mind.

Tax Policy

Preserving tax exemption for qualifying religious, educational and charitable property? Oppose

I simply believe that all, without exception, should pay taxes. I love church and have been a Christian two-and-a-half years now, but to be fair, I still believe all property ought to be taxed. When you start down the path of exemptions it is hard to stop.

Welfare Policy

“Family Cap/Child Exclusion”--precluding additional cash assistance for children born to mothers already receiving aid for dependent children? Support

I don’t want to foster the idea that having more kids will get a mother more money. I place my faith in our churches to do the right thing and encourage these mothers into a different way of life. We have to stop this cycle of sex and welfare.

Personal Priorities

Priority public-policy issues to be pursued in upcoming Legislature?

1. Tax reform

2. Education reform

3. Healthcare reform

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