Candidate Questionnaire - HD 127 -Diane Trautman
State Candidate Questionnaire - HD 127 -Diane Trautman, 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 healthcare?
Response: I am not familiar with this; however, I would support improved access to health care for all Texans.
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: It would depend on the actual bill, but I would support an increase in minimum wage.
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: It would depend on the bill but I do support stronger campaign reform guidelines.
5. Would you consider implementing a state income tax to be used to fund healthcare and public education?
Response: No
6. Would you support a ban on the death penalty?
Response: It would depend on the bill.
7. Would you support increased funding for renewable energy and ending subsidies to the oil and gas industry?
Response: I would support increased funding for renewable energy but I do not support completely ending subsidies to oil and gas industry.
8. Would you support programs to restore full funding for MR/MH 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: I am not familiar with this.
11. Would you support a substantial increase in teacher compensation? What other approaches would you take to improve the quality of public education in Texas?
Response: I feel that teacher salaries must be increased to at least the national average. I also feel that the state should increase their contribution to the cost of public education to at least 50% from their current 35%. I would also support lower class sizes for higher grades as well as lower grades and return the $1000 stipend for insurance to teachers that were taken away in 2003.
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 think the best way to improve the environment is to make certain that the TCEQ is doing its job in identifying polluters and providing appropriate consequences.
13. Are you dissatisfied with the way legislative districts are configured in Texas? If yes, what will you do about it?
Response: Yes, I will work to ensure that our legislative districts ensure equity to all voters.