Candidate Survey: District 29

General

1.) If elected, what are your three top priorities throughout your career as a legislator? (Do not limit to children?s issues)

Kate Bolz

Larry Zimmerman

A. Education: I will prioritize education from kindergarten to college. Quality in K-12 education and affordability in post-secondary education are keys to a strong future for young Nebraskans.
B. Jobs: I will support developing initiatives that train workers for key industries such as health care and manufacturing. I will support science, technology, and other high growth industries.
C. Seniors and Families: I will work hard to balance the many needs facing our families, our children, and our seniors.

2.) We are expected to have a significant state budget shortfall in 2013-2014. What child and family programs would you prioritize to be protected from cuts? (Choose as many as apply; Bold answers indicate candidate?s choices below)

Family Navigator/Helpline
Tax Credits for low-income working families
Aid to Dependent Children (ADC)
Staff to assist with public benefit applications
Funding for Youth Rehabilitation and Treatment Centers
Juvenile Justice Aid to Counties
Child abuse prevention
Child Welfare/out-of-home care
Medicaid/Kids Connection
Child Care Subsidies
State aid to schools
Special Education
Early childhood education
School breakfast and lunch programs
Other
None of the above

Health

3.) In 2010, almost one in five Nebraska kids was living in poverty. What do you think state government can or should do to decrease the number of kids in poverty?

Multiple strategies are necessary to decrease the number of Nebraska children in poverty, ranging from fair taxation for families to effective child support systems. I believe that one the best ways to decrease child poverty is to develop education, employment and job training strategies for parents within our workforce and higher education systems.

4.) Quality affordable child care keeps children safe and helps parents to work. Do you support increasing access to child care subsidies for low-income working families?

I believe that we should make a variety of improvements to our child care assistance program, ranging from providing access for people pursuing job training to assuring that transitions off of the program work for families. Doing so will help both children and families achieve stability and success.

5.) How do you think the state should respond to a child or adolescent who breaks the law?

A comprehensive approach is needed for young people who break the law. Engaging a team of people to meet with and support the child or adolescent is a good first step. Providing rehabilitation or behavioral health services as appropriate is another necessary strategy. I also believe that consequences are important, such as requiring community service. Reponses should be proportional, should identify root causes, should be developmentally appropriate, and should promote community based social supports for young people to overcome difficulties and focus on success.

6.) The number of cases of child abuse and neglect has risen over the past decade in Nebraska. What should the legislature do to address this?

Again, multiple strategies are needed. First, improvements made in the last legislative session such as adopting caseload standards and data collection efforts must be monitored closely by the Nebraska Legislature to assure accountability. Second, additional efforts such as increased training for child welfare workers and supports for low-income families to address issues can help both keep children safe and with their biological families when appropriate. Finally, I believe that research must be done to understand the reasons why the cases have risen. Legislators should listen to the outcomes of LR 529, which addresses this issue and more, and respond accordingly.

Source: http://votekidsnebraska.com/2012/09/03/candidate-survey-district-29/

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