Candidate Questionnaire - Lt. Governor -Maria Luisa Alvarado
State Candidate Questionnaire - Lt. Governor -Maria Luisa Alvarado, Democrat
1. Would you support requiring all electronic voting machines to print on paper for each voter a complete summary of their voting choices, which will become, after their inspection, the authoritative record of their vote?
Response: Yes.
2. Would you support single payer universal health care?
Response: Yes.
3. In February 2003 Santa Fe, New Mexico enacted a minimum wage ordinance which raised the minimum wage to $8.50/hour for all business and non-profits with 25 or more employees. The wage will increase to $9.50/hour in 2006 and $10.50/hour in 2008. Would you support similar legislation and an escalator clause that would guarantee cost of living adjustments?
Response: Yes.
4. Would you support enactment of legislation providing for public financing of general election campaigns for elective office at the local, state and federal levels?
Response: Yes.
5. Would you consider implementing a state income tax to be used to fund health care and public education?
Response: Texas voters per constitutional amendment must vote on a state income tax. As the leader of the senate, I would not deny Texans their right to vote on this issue. If presented with the facts that such a tax would be in the best interest of the future of Texas, I would vote for it.
6. Would you support a ban on the death penalty?
Response: Yes!
7. Would you support increased funding for renewable energy and ending subsidies to the oil and gas industry?
Response: Yes.
8. Would you support programs to restore full funding for mental health/mental retardation adequate to provide food, shelter and medical/mental health treatment for the homeless?
Response: Yes!
9. Would you be in favor of changing the Texas method of selecting electors to the Electoral College from “winner take all” to proportional representation by popular vote?
Response: Yes!
10. Would you support Instant Runoff Voting?
Response: Yes.
11. Would you support a substantial increase in teacher compensation?
Response: Yes!
What other approaches would you take to improve the quality of public education in Texas?
Response: I propose that an approach to education reform attempt to do more than just replace an antiquated school system, but also look at a system that will provide the education needed to fulfill the needs of Texans for generations to come - a system that is quickly adaptable to the new and rapidly growing technologies.
12. How would you improve the environment of Texas i.e. TCEQ accountability, grandfathering of refineries, power plants etc and clean air emissions standards?
Response: I propose that protecting the environment begins with an ability to assess and communicate the risks to Texas citizens before they are exposed to or victims of undisclosed hazards. The responsibility to be aware and vigilant about protecting the environment of Texas falls on all citizens. Because Texas is such a large state, sometimes the harm done to the environment is known only to the local citizens it immediately affects.
13. Are you dissatisfied with the way legislative districts are configured in Texas?
Response: Yes. If yes, what will you do about it? Re-configure the districts fairly, equally, and legally.
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